John Weston Fund
Before progressing with an application for this fund it is important to read our success guide:
Click on the link below to download a PDF file.
Then carefully read the fund criteria set below.
We would also advise contacting the grants team to discuss your project ideas before applying, particularly as this fund is quite limited in terms of the amount of money available to distribute per year.
Brief Description
This fund was set up by local benefactor John Weston in 2002 and has two strands.
- Strand One: Support to individual young people with personal development
- Strand Two: Financial assistance to community and voluntary groups tackling issues related to health and well-being or supporting young people within the community.
More Information
Strand One: Support to individual young people
The age range for applying is 11 – 25 years of age
The fund will support young people in developing their life skills, it is about embarking on experiences that will build character and offer unique opportunities to test & progress themselves. Any project must show a commitment to volunteering in the community either during the experience or on their return – sharing experiences and skills. As well as funding traditional gap year projects the fund will also support costs linked to pursuing excellence in sport or music as well as extra-curricular educational activities.
Strand Two: Support to community & voluntary groups
The John Weston Fund would like to focus on groups working within the fields of health and youth work. Health is a broad subject and can include projects linked to mental health, sports and exercise as well as general well-being. Youth projects are generally aimed at 11 -25 year olds although occasionally younger age groups have benefited. We would suggest talking to us before hand if you are thinking of applying for project costs linked to 0 – 10 year olds.
Type of Project costs funded
- Capital (any items of equipment) including refurbishment / building work
- If the building / refurbishment is large scale you will need to identify a specific item your £2,500 would purchase or contribute too.
- Revenue (any non-equipment costs) including ongoing running costs for a project or group
- One off events and one-off projects
Additional Exclusions
If you have received a grant for your group's core /ongoing running costs (i.e rent, transport etc) you will need to wait a period of 18 months before re-applying for the same costs.
Priorities
There will always be a preference in awarding individuals and groups who can show they have made some efforts to fundraise internally.
Area
This Fund is geographically specific to a certain portion of the county, predominantly in the south west. To apply you must live in or provide services to individuals within the following postcode areas. We have given some examples of towns and villages included in these areas although the lists are not exhaustive.
- DE3 9; DE3 0 - includes Mickleover
- DE4 4 - includes Wirksworth
- DE5 3; DE5 8 - includes Ripley, Denby & Marehay
- DE6 1; DE6 2; DE6 3; DE6 4; DE6 5 - includes Ashbourne, Kirk Langley Tissington
- DE21 5 - includes Little Eaton & Horsley
- DE22 2; DE22 4; DE22 5 - includes Allestree, Mackworth & Quarndon
- DE55 1; DE55 7 - includes Swanwick& Alfreton
- DE56 1; DE56 2; DE56 4; DE56 0 - includes Belper, Duffield, Kilburn & Holbrook
- DE65 5; DE65 6 - includes Hilton, Hatton Willington & Findern
Amount
Individuals can apply for up to £500.*
Community groups can apply for up to £2,500
Closing Dates
There are no fixed closing dates. The decision making panel meet four times per year.
Examples of grants made
Strand One – Young people 11 to 25
- £300 towards a national youth theatre course in order to increase skills and future career chances
- £150 as a contribution to a world challenge expedition, which includes a community project
- £500 to partake in a film and media project
- £200 to purchase rowing equipment to help progress training
Strand two – Community & Voluntary Groups
- £500 towards therapeutic activity sessions (reflexology, chiropody, chair exercise) to be held in a day centre for older residents within a rural ward of the county
- £400 for hall hire & publicity to promote a self-help group providing support to people with depression and anxiety
- £750 to purchase gymnastic equipment for a junior team in Derby
- £540 to organise camping experiences for disadvantaged young people
Make an Application
There are two ways of making an application, you can either apply online or download a form, which can then be sent to us by post. If you are sending us an application by post you can find the address to send it to by clicking on 'contact us'.
Please remember to include the documentation requested in the success guide.
Also remember to make a copy of your application for your own records. You will need this to track spend and complete monitoring if you are successful.
* If applying as an individual please contact the office and an application form can be sent to you.
