Capital Grants Programme in Bradford

Capital grants for Culture and Sports or Recreational projects in the Bradford district. The City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (CBMDC) is inviting applications from eligible local organisations to apply for capital grants to support delivery of cultural, sport and/or recreational activities in the Bradford District. This grant programme aims to ensure that the ambition and pride generated through the UK City of Culture programme continues to grow in neighbourhoods across the district.

Grants are available to local organisations whose work supports arts, culture, heritage, sport and recreational activities. They are designed to help groups improve their buildings, upgrade equipment and create better spaces for people to take part in activities that enrich community life, and must where possible meet at least two of the ten aims set out in the Culture Is Our Plan’s Vision & Targets.

Organisations with the primary objective of delivering cultural and/or sport/recreational activities are eligible to apply. Applications must be able to demonstrate:

• How the funding will support the delivery of culture and/or sport/recreational activity in the Bradford district.
• How the funding will support to either maintain or increase the number of people they engage with.

Examples of eligible activity may include (but are not limited to):

• Repairs or enhancements to buildings or structures where activity takes place.
• Purchase of furniture or equipment directly linked to the activity.

Organisations can apply for a capital grant between £5,000 and £50,000. The project must be delivered and grant spent by 28 February 2027. Payment arrangements will be discussed and agreed as part of the Contract negotiations with successful applicants. Cashflow requirements will be taken into account. Organisations must submit invoices/receipts alongside a claim form following project completion evidencing spend of the full grant value. Any unspent grant or where evidence provided is not compliant must be repaid to the Council as soon as requested. Note: VAT registered organisations must exclude VAT as part of their application.

The following priorities will be considered when assessing and scoring the bids:

• Organisations must be based in the Bradford district.
• Main objective of the organisation is delivering cultural and/or sport/recreational activities.
• Experience of delivering activity set out in the application form.
• Clearly demonstrating how the grant will support activity in the culture and/or sport/recreational sector.
• The organisations must be constituted and provide evidence of this with the application by enclosing a copy of the organisation’s constitution or relevant governance document.
• The organisation must provide details of their bank account.
• The organisation must pass all CBMDC due diligence checks.
• Organisation’s ability to deliver within the timescales given.
• If the applicant has received funding from CBMDC to deliver projects previously, they must be able to demonstrate successful delivery of the project(s).
• Organisations currently in dispute with the Council will not be eligible to apply.
• Any type of organisation can receive funding, subject to subsidy control policy.
• Declaration of previous funding received must be completed in the application form.
• No revenue costs, including salaries, running costs, marketing etc. are permitted.

The following scoring methodology will be used:

• 0 Unacceptable: Failed to provide a response, or the response provided is wholly inconsistent with the specified Contract requirements and standards.
• 1 Poor: The response has material weaknesses, issues or omissions, lacking detail, clarity and/or evidence.
• 2 Fair: The response has some weaknesses, issues or omissions, lacking detail, clarity and/or evidence.
• 3 Satisfactory: The response addresses all elements of the criterion but is not fully detailed or backed up with clear evidence in some areas.
• 4 Very Good: The response covers almost all elements of the criterion with relevant and detailed information.
• 5 Outstanding: The response covers all elements of the sub criterion with a high level of relevant and detailed information.

Applications will go through an initial gateway check ensuring only applications that have enclosed all required information and meet the eligibility criteria go forward to the scoring panel. This funding is discretionary, and the panel’s decision is final. There will be no process for appeals.

The funding will be issued as a grant, to deliver the agreed activity as set out in the grant application and final grant agreement. The activity must take place after the grant offer letter has been issued and not have been paid for previously. If the activity is linked to an existing project, please clearly demonstrate the additionality the funding requested will provide.

Successful organisations are required to submit to deadlines set out in the grant offer letter, for the relevant period, a completed claim form including evidence of eligible defrayal documents:

• Receipts or invoices for goods/services bought, showing clearly date of purchase, goods/service bought, and supplier details.
• Evidence of payment leaving applicant organisation’s bank account such as business/organisation bank statement matching the invoice details.
• Date of purchase/payment must be after the offer letter date.

Grant claims will not be accepted for any activities outside of what is agreed in the grant agreement. Changes to agreed activity must be agreed in writing by the Council; there is no guarantee a change will be permitted. Any grant monies not defrayed by the deadline of 28 February 2027 will need to be repaid to CBMDC.

Once successful applicants have been announced, Grant Funding Agreements will be issued setting out the terms for the contract. Regular monitoring visits will be booked in to ensure delivery is going to plan.