Micro Grants
TPO Community Fund – Micro Grants
Grant Terms and Conditions
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, Band, and Choir. 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 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 organizations 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. 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.
7. 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. This helps share inspiring stories with supporters and demonstrates the value of the funding
8. Liability
Once your grant is issued, The People’s Orchestra (TPO) (the awarding organization) 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
