Application Guidelines

What we Fund

The aim of this programme is to support small, grassroots and early-stage community organisations and groups by providing funding for projects that benefit local communities in North Kensington. 

Projects can include small celebration and events, workshops, activities, or pilot ideas. These activities should deliver clear benefits to the community, which may be social, economic, or environmental in nature. 

Applicants can apply for any amount up to £2,000. Applicants who apply for the maximum amount may be asked to demonstrate a higher level of impact within their application. Depending on demand, it is possible that applicants may receive an offer lower than the amount requested. For this reason, we encourage applicants to demonstrate alternative sources of income where possible. 

Because these are small grants, please focus your ideas and be realistic about what you can achieve. Our aim is to keep the process simple, proportionate, and accessible.

Eligibility 

All applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:  

• You must have an annual turnover of up to £20,000.
• You must be a community organisation, registered charity, registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), or registered Community Interest Company (CIC), or a community group with a written constitution or governing document (i.e. articles of association).  
• You must operate within RBKC. Preference will be given to organisations who can demonstrate impact to communities in at least one of the five wards of North Kensington (Dalgarno, Colville, Notting Dale, St Helen’s, Golborne)  
• Any physical events or activities must take place in one of the five wards of North Kensington. 
• We do not fund political or animal welfare organisations.  
• You must provide evidence that you are a non-profit organisation with a presence within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), with a particular focus on delivering projects or work that will benefit the North Kensington communities.  

Equality and diversity 

Applicants should consider how their project will be inclusive and accessible to a wide range of participants. Activities should be open and welcoming, and consideration should be given to removing barriers to participation where possible. 

Decision process 

• Initial grant applications will be reviewed to ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria. Applicants may be contacted to answer queries and provide additional information prior to the internal application review meeting. 
• Funding decisions will be based solely on the merits of the funding request and not dependent on the nature of any existing relationships with Westway Trust.  
• All successful applicants will be required to provide an expenditure and impact report within six months of receipt of funding. Failure to provide these reports may result in being asked to return funds, and/or ineligibility for future funding from Westway Trust.  
• Successful applicants will be asked to return all funds in full if the event/project is cancelled, postponed, or changes from the purpose/objective outlined in the application. 
• Your application may be affected if you have received a grant from Westway Trust in the past but have not submitted the required Impact Assessment forms. 
• Payment details will be requested from successful applicants following the funding decision.   

Impact Reporting 

We will ask you to complete a short survey about how the grant benefited your celebration or event, but there will be no need to write and submit a report. Our aim is to keep the process straightforward and manageable. 

Events on the Westway Estate  

License

If you are applying for funding to host an event on the Westway estate, you will be asked to apply for a license for the space before your funding is released. You can apply for licenses to host events on different parts of the Westway estate. Applicants should allow a minimum of six weeks for the license application process.  

All license applications will be asked to provide the following: 

• Risk assessment 
• Temporary Event Notice (if necessary) 
• Public liability Insurance 
• Event plan/schedule 

If your license for space on the Westway estate is unsuccessful, you will be asked to provide evidence of permission to host the event elsewhere before any funding is released.  

Equipment Loan 

Where possible, we support local community groups and individuals to hold events in North Kensington, through space hire or equipment loan.

Items include:

• Tables
• Chairs
• Gazebos
• Bins
• Microphones, speakers and audio equipment

If you’re interested in loaning equipment for your upcoming event, complete our online form below. We’ll check your request and get back to you within 2 working days with availability.

Information we’re looking for in your Application Form

• You must provide a full costed project budget breakdown of intended activities, including any financial or in-kind support requested from other organisations, and whether that support has been secured. Ensure costs are reasonable for the type of activities proposed. 
• Costs must range from £100 to £2,000 per project. We encourage applicants to apply only for the costs they need, however small, and not feel they should apply for the maximum. This will enable us to support as many applications as possible. 
• Applications who can demonstrate multiple/alternative streams of funding are encouraged. 
• Provide as much extra supporting information as possible, ie: evidence of licenses to use space if activities are to be held in public spaces.