Page 30 - NAS Members Guide to Funding

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used. There are various types of organisational status
6. ESSENTIALS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this section of the guide, your association will be able to:
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Understand why good governance is essential when applying for grant funding
Put essential documentation in place so that you can apply for grant funding me
INTRODUCTION
The word “organisation” is used instead of “association” in this section. This is because there are legal matters being described and discussed.
When applying for grant funding, there are specific documents about your organisation’s governance
which need to be in place first. Governance is the way an organisation is over-seen and directed. Without governance documents, you will be ineligible for funding no matter whether you apply for grant funding from
an independent funder or a local council. Try not to be daunted by this, take time to get it right. NAS has
a wealth of experience with helping and supporting members with their governance and relevant documentation. Please get in touch if you are about to form an organisation to govern your allotment site or if you are already an organisation and you would like guidance, help and support about the matters in this essential sheet.
The following are essential for all grant applications:
Governing Document
This is often informally called “the constitution” or “the rules” but whatever it is known as on your allotment site; this is the document that sets out the name of the organisation, who it serves, the rules, and how the organisation can be wound-up. Depending on your
whether your organisation is located in England, Scotland or Wales. Examples include incorporated society, unincorporated association, charity, to name
but a few. If you are unsure about which type of organisational status refers to your circumstances or if you are a newly forming organisation needing help with getting a governing document in place, please contact NAS asap.
Governing Body
Depending on the type of organisation, the governing body could be e.g. an elected committee of chair/ treasurer/secretary or it could be a board of trustees or board of directors. If you are unsure, check your organisation’s governing document as the type of organisation and the type of governing body is stated there. Funders will generally expect that a governing body is made up of a minimum of three unrelated individuals.
Financial Accounts and Bank Account
It goes without saying that good book-keeping is essential to your idea. This guide is all about money after all. If you are awarded grant funding; the funder needs to know their money will be safe, accounted for, and not used fraudulently. The major high street banks offer accounts for voluntary organisations. The account must be registered in the name of the organisation, never in the name of an individual. Ensure the type of account you have needs two peoples’ signatures when withdrawing money or paying bills etc. This is called having “two signatories” and is a requirement of grant funders to ensure money cannot be used fraudulently. Expect funders to ask for copies of bank statements and
‘organisational status’ a different type of document is
used for voluntary organisations managing allotment
sites and there are also differences depending upon
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