Question 1

When can I submit an application?

Accepted Answer

You can submit an application at any time and it will be considered at the next quarterly meeting (in February, May, August and November).

Question 2

How do I submit my application?

Accepted Answer

Please use the online form and follow any instructions.

Question 3

How do I know my application has been received?

Accepted Answer

You will receive an automated response to say that we have received your application.

Question 4

How soon will I hear about my application?

Accepted Answer

Our funding rounds close mid February, May, August and November each year. Governors then meet at the end of those months to assess all applications. All applicants are notified within 1 week of the meeting.

Question 5

If my application is successful, when will I receive my funding?

Accepted Answer

Where an award has been made, you will receive an email requesting you to send further details, such as confirmation of the course you are attending, confirmation of household income and bank details. Once these have been received and checked, the payment will be made, subject to our approval procedures. You will be kept informed of the progress by email.

Question 6

How often can I apply?

Accepted Answer

You can apply once in each 12-month period for funding for a named individual or organisation.

Question 7

What happens if my application is not successful?

Accepted Answer

We provide feedback to explain why a particular application has been unsuccessful.

Question 8

I have applied for school trip funding, do you pay me directly?

Accepted Answer

All applications for funding for school trips are confirmed with the school concerned and paid directly to the school.

Question 9

Can any organisation apply for funding?

Accepted Answer

To apply for funding, the organisation needs to be constituted and established for not-for-profit purposes. The beneficiaries of the funding must be residents of East Lothian (excluding Musselburgh, Wallyford, and Whitecraig).

Question 10

How much can I apply for?

Accepted Answer

For school trips, the maximum that you can apply for is the cost of the trip. For individuals, the maximum that you can apply for is £1,000. For organisations, the maximum that can be applied for is £2,000.

Question 11

Will I receive the amount I have applied for?

Accepted Answer

If your application is successful, there will be some means testing applied, so you may not receive the full amount you have requested.

Question 12

Why do you need financial information?

Accepted Answer

The Trust is a small organisation with the objective to help those in financial or other hardship, we therefore need to make an assessment based on financial information. Our privacy policy sets out how we look after your data.

Question 13

Do you provide multi-year funding for organisations?

Accepted Answer

The Trust is a small charity and does not have the resources to provide multi-year funding. There should be at least 12 months between applications and there is no guarantee a project will be supported year on year.

Question 14

I need help with my application?

Accepted Answer

If you need help with the application and haven’t found your answer on the website, please send an email to elet@charityfin.com

Question 15

Who decides on who is funded?

Accepted Answer

All applications are initially assessed as to whether they meet the eligibility criteria, if not, you will be contacted at that point to provide further information if necessary. All applications are then considered by the Governors at their quarterly meetings and a consensus decision is made. All funding decisions are final.

FAQs