Approved by Trustees: January 2026
Review Date: January 2027
1. Purpose
This Grant-Making Policy sets out the principles, criteria, and procedures used by Dartford Nepalese Community (DNC) when awarding grants to individuals, community groups, or organisations. The policy ensures that all grants are awarded fairly, transparently, and in line with DNC’s charitable purposes.
DNC is established to work in the interest of the local community initiated by the Nepalese community for the well-being, education, culture and training of beneficiaries across Dartford and surrounding areas where appropriate.
The policy also supports compliance with Charity Commission expectations and ensures that grants deliver clear public benefit.
2. Grant-Making Principles
The Board of Trustees has ultimate responsibility for all grant-making decisions. Trustees may delegate assessment and recommendation functions to a grants panel or designated officers, but final accountability remains with the Board.
DNC will ensure that:
• Grants are awarded in furtherance of DNC’s charitable objectives.
• Decisions are made fairly, consistently, and without discrimination.
• Conflicts of interest are declared and managed appropriately.
• Grants demonstrate public benefit and community impact.
• Appropriate due diligence is undertaken before funds are awarded.
• Monitoring and reporting arrangements are proportionate to the size of the grant.
Trustees reserve the right to refuse any application that:
• Does not align with DNC’s charitable purposes;
• Presents financial, safeguarding, reputational, or governance risks;
• Is incomplete or misleading; or
• Falls outside the available funding priorities.
3. Funding Priorities
DNC will prioritise grants that support:
a. Education and Training
Including:
• Nepali language classes for children;
• English language support for elderly Nepalese residents;
• Basic digital and IT skills training;
• Workshops, seminars, and educational activities that improve knowledge and confidence.
b. Well-being and Community Integration
Including:
• Activities reducing isolation among elderly or vulnerable individuals;
• Community participation and inclusion projects;
• Cultural and intergenerational engagement;
• Initiatives supporting social cohesion and mental well-being.
c. Community Development
Including:
• Grassroots voluntary groups serving the Nepalese community;
• Small community-led initiatives with measurable impact;
• Projects promoting equality, inclusion, and public benefit.
Priority will generally be given to projects benefiting children, elderly people, and people of Nepalese origin who may face barriers accessing mainstream services.
4. Eligibility
DNC may award grants to:
• Registered charities;
• Constituted community groups;
• Community Interest Companies (CICs) with a clear charitable purpose;
• Informal community groups working with an accountable body; and
• Individuals in exceptional circumstances where the grant clearly advances DNC’s charitable aims.
Applicants must:
• Demonstrate a clear community need;
• Show how the funding will achieve public benefit;
• Have appropriate governance and financial controls;
• Operate in line with safeguarding and equality principles where applicable; and
• Agree to provide monitoring information on the use of the grant.
DNC will not normally fund:
• Political activities or campaigns;
• Religious activities that do not provide wider public benefit;
• Retrospective funding for activities already completed;
• Private businesses for commercial profit;
• Activities that duplicate statutory responsibilities; or
• Organisations with inadequate safeguarding or financial procedures.
5. Application and Decision-Making Process
Applications may be submitted through a grant application form, email proposal, or funding call issued by DNC.
The grant-making process will normally include:
1. Submission – receipt of an application or funding request;
2. Eligibility Check – confirmation that the request meets DNC criteria;
3. Assessment – review of community need, impact, safeguarding, governance, and value for money;
4. Decision – approval or rejection by trustees or delegated panel; and
5. Monitoring – collection of feedback or reports demonstrating outcomes.
Trustees may request additional information before making a decision.
Where a trustee has a conflict of interest relating to an application, they must withdraw from discussion and decision-making.
6. Monitoring and Review
Grant recipients may be required to provide:
• A brief summary of activities delivered;
• Evidence of expenditure;
• Information about outcomes and beneficiaries; and
• Photographs, testimonials, or case studies where appropriate.
DNC reserves the right to request repayment of funds where grants are misused or not applied for the agreed charitable purpose.
The Board of Trustees will review this policy annually and may amend it to reflect changes in charity law, operational practice, or organisational priorities.
7. Related Policies
This policy should be read alongside:
• Safeguarding Policy;
• Financial Controls Policy;
• Conflict of Interest Policy; and
• Equality and Diversity Policy.
