Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Section 1:

FAQs about applying for a grant from Westhill

Question 1. What are Westhill’s eligibility criteria for a grant?

Given Westhill’s history, we want to invest in projects that enable people to live and thrive in community together. Our mission is to do this through projects that involve religious education and faith-motivated community transformation activities. Ideally these projects should be creative and inclusive of people of different Christian traditions and of other faiths and none.

Religious education activities can be formal or informal, and ideally should enable participants to learn from and about other faiths. Westhill will also consider grants that develop the capacity of organisations to better serve the needs of their beneficiaries or service users in the fields of religious education and faith-motivated community transformation.

There is no geographical restriction on our grants, but the majority are for activities based in the UK. We welcome applications from all communities and want our grants to reflect rich diversity.

Question 2. How much can I apply for?

There are no formal upper or lower limits on the amount that can be applied for. Most grants from Westhill are between £250 and £20,000. The larger sums are usually for projects running over two years.

Question 3. What will Westhill not fund?

Applications for the following activities, for example, are very unlikely to be successful:

• Capital appeals for building projects.
• Requests for contributions towards ongoing salary costs, although Westhill does consider project applications which specify the inclusion of sessional staff and/or staff hours specific to the project.
• Where the beneficiaries of the project do not involve humans, i.e. projects that work exclusively for the benefit of animals.
• If the activity to be funded is a statutory responsibility of the State.
• If the project is to take place overseas and the organisation / charity does not have an accountable UK-based partner organisation.
• If Westhill has provided a grant to the same applicant within the past 12 months.
• Requests for funding that seek to persuade people of one faith/political belief or none to adopt another faith/political belief.
• If the expected impact of the project is unclear or considered to be very unlikely to be achievable.
• If it is clear that the applicant has sufficient unrestricted reserves to self-fund the project.
• Requests for grants for payment to individuals.

Question 4. When can I apply?

Westhill’s Grants & Projects Committee meets on a termly basis. After the Grant and Projects Committee has considered the applications, the full Westhill Trustee Board has to confirm the decisions. We shall advise you of the specific timings when you make your initial enquiry.

Question 5. What will happen if my grant is unsuccessful?

If your application is unsuccessful – and currently the demand for funds far exceeds the funding available – we shall advise you by email and give a brief explanation for the Trustees’ decision. We shall also provide you with a list of possible alternative funders to approach if we think this will be helpful. A negative decision from Westhill does not preclude you from making future applications to us.

Question 6. What grant monitoring arrangements will I need to plan to satisfy the funding arrangement?

To help improve our future grant decisions, Westhill wants to learn about the impact of the grants that we make so, whilst we recognise this is an inexact science, we provide a brief Impact Report form which all successful applicants are required to complete. You will be told about this process when your grant is awarded. You will also be asked to send brief progress reports at certain times during your project.

Section 2:

FAQs about applying for the use of Westhill’s faith-inspired art exhibitions, CreateTalk.

Question 1. Is it possible to see the exhibitions before deciding which to borrow?

Yes, you are welcome to visit us during normal opening times to view any of the exhibitions we have on the premises at the time. Please contact us to arrange this. If you can’t visit we can send you extra information to help you decide which collection might be most suitable for you.

Question 2. Are they really free of charge?

Yes. The exhibitions are free of charge to borrow, but you will have to consider any additional insurance and your transport costs. You may also like to hold extra events during your exhibition.

Question 3. Do I have to complete an application form?

No, there is no application form to complete. After you have made an enquiry our Exhibitions Coordinator will be in touch to make arrangements with you.

Question 4. Do you provide any extra materials to go with the exhibitions?

Yes, each exhibition comes with different materials so please ask for details. These may include ‘Conversation and Reflection’ booklets, DVDs, postcards, activity ideas and books. We do not prescribe how you use the exhibitions.

Question 5. Is there any limit on the length of time that exhibits can be hired for?

There is no time limit, but most exhibitions last around a month. After agreeing dates with you we will send you a Letter of Arrangement which will confirm the details. There is no limit on the number of times or the number of exhibition collections you can borrow.

Question 6. What security arrangements are necessary for the exhibits?

It is necessary for the exhibitor to ensure that the exhibits are covered by their own insurance whilst they are in their possession. For all public viewings we ask that you to have a representative from your organisation present at all times.

Question 7. What are the delivery arrangements for the exhibits?

For most of the exhibitions you are required to collect the exhibition from our offices in Selly Oak, Birmingham during our opening hours. We have designated parking spaces. An exception to this, however, is our Bald Statements collection of alabaster sculptures, which require a delivery team, which we can arrange.
 

Section 3:

FAQs about having your own webpage within our website.

Question 1. Can my organisation be included in the website?

If you make a successful application for funding you will be allocated a page on the Westhill website. You will have your own domain name, so you can direct people to your space. Our main objectives with regards to the provision of webspace is to promote your project and achievements, and to inspire and help other organisations.

Question 2. What happens after I have received the offer of funding?

Along with your funding information you will receive a Letter of Arrangement specific to the website. You will need to return this with a completed form and some basic information about your project. Shortly after you have returned your form we will contact you to explain more. You will simply be requested to provide a few paragraphs, a few photographs and your public contact details or website address. We collect this information separately to your application information as it will be for a public audience.

Question 3. Who is responsible for the content that is provided for the website?

When you receive your Letter of Arrangement this will include details regarding your responsibility with regards to the content you send us. This will include details of our Child Protection Policy and intellectual property right and copyright. Westhill have the final say in regards to content.