How the Funding Pot Is Created

The grant fund pot comes from tickets sold through The People’s Orchestra Lottery, along with dedicated fundraising by members of The People’s Orchestra, Rusty’s, Bands, and Choirs. Every new ticket purchased, and fundraising effort helps support the availability of grants for individuals in our community

 

1. Nominations by Members

You must be a player or singer registered with The People’s Orchestra Charity to nominate individuals for a grant. Self-nominations are not permitted; grants must be nominated by someone else who is a registered member.

 

2. Use of Funds

Grants must be used strictly for the specific purpose described in your nomination or application. This means you need to spend the money only on the activity or project you specified—any other use is not allowed. If your plans change, you must ask for written permission before using the grant for something else, and approval is not guaranteed.

 

3. Grant Amount

You can apply for a grant of any amount between £50 and £500. Requests outside this range will not be considered. This funding is intended to help with small-scale projects or needs, not large purchases or ongoing costs. The number of grants given each month is determined by size of the TPO Community Fund pot.

 

4. Proof of Spending

After you spend your grant, you may will be asked to show how the money was used. Acceptable proof includes copies of receipts, invoices, or a brief written explanation. This helps ensure grant funds are used responsibly, and your feedback may be needed for future program improvements.

 

5. Restrictions on What Grants Can Cover

Grants cannot be used for:

• Promoting a political party, religious beliefs, or religious institutions
• Illegal or discriminatory activities of any kind
• Profit-making for private businesses, charities, or non-profits (this means the grant can’t be used to increase business income, fund charity projects, or provide funds to non-profit organisations for their own surplus)
• Paying statutory bills, fines, or legal obligations (such as council tax arrears, parking fines, or other government-mandated payments)

These rules ensure grants support community benefit and ethical activities only.

 

6. 6. What to Send (Proof of Spend)

• Receipts or invoices for all items or services purchased using the grant.
• Bank statements or payment confirmations showing that the items/services were paid for.
• Photos or other evidence of purchased items in use (e.g. equipment, materials, completed projects).

 

How to Send It

• Combine all documents into one clearly labelled folder or PDF
• Email the file(s) to the grant administrator.
• Ensure documents are legible – scans or clear photos only, no blurry images.
• Include a short cover note summarising total spend, underspend/overspend (if any).

 

7. Safeguarding for Under-18s

If you nominate someone younger than 18 years old for a grant, you must include written permission from their parent or legal guardian with the application. This protects young people and ensures responsible use of funds for minors.

 

8. Image or video and an Impact Statement

All nominees who receive a grant must agree to submit a photograph and a 300-word description explaining how they used the funds and what impact the grant made. If a nominee needs support to complete this, we can offer a call or meeting to record their story.

 

This helps share inspiring stories with supporters and demonstrates the value of the funding.

 

9. Liability

Once your grant is issued, The People’s Orchestra (TPO) (the awarding organisation) is not responsible for how the funds are spent. This means you are fully accountable for ensuring the grant is used properly, and any misuse could affect future eligibility.

 

10. Fairness (One Grant per Year)

Each person can receive only one grant in any 12-month period. This is to allow fair access and give more people the chance to benefit from available funding.

 

11. Data and Privacy

All nominee details are kept confidential and are only used for managing the grant process. Information will not be shared with third parties, except when required by law or necessary for handling the grant.

 

12. Decision Process and Funding Availability

The decision of the grant panel (the group who reviews applications) is final. Appeals or requests for reconsideration are not allowed. Grant offers depend on money being available in the Lottery fund at the time—they may decline applications even if all requirements are met due to limited funds.