North West Legal Support Trust Small Grant Awards January 2013

The North West Legal Support Trust has limited funds and has to consider the needs of a range of organisations.  The Trust was set up to further the interests of quality civil legal advice in areas of unmet need to those most disadvantaged.  Trustees wish to support those where there is demonstrable need and in particular where the current environment of funding is putting well-run projects at risk. 

The following notes may help you to consider whether or not to apply. These are not definitive or a complete list but simply indicative of an approach to assessment;

The NWLST is more likely to fund - 

• Where there is a track record of quality legal advice delivery.
• Where there is a new project with demonstrable robust resources to sustain delivery.
• Where the company or agency structure indicates good transparent governance and financial oversight, such as Company and charitable registration, or CIC registration and the main work takes place in the North West of England.
• Where there is a lawyer (solicitor / barrister / ILEX / LSC SQM Supervisor / or accredited immigration provider at least at OISC Level 2 or equivalent,) employed or associated in the organisation illustrating a level of regular supervision involved in that part of the project to be funded, for example, affiliations with pro bono schemes.
• Where close affiliations with pro bono schemes illustrate a level of active involvement and legal advice supervision.
• Where there is a significant drop in income that is forecast or confirmed for the period of grant request.
• Where the most recent annual accounts do not indicate that there is an income drop but that is explained in the grant application.
• Where the activity relates to direct legal advice provision, second tier legal advice support or increasing the capacity of either: examples may be volunteer training programmes to enhance support of legal advice or equipment provision to help access to the project.

The NWLST is less likely to fund -

• Where there is lack of information about the project or level of activity that delivers legal advice.
• Where the organisation has considerable other income and / or reserves that are not restricted.
• Where the main activity is pastoral or health / well-being support of the disadvantaged group.
• Where the project is set up and run by one or two people who are also the employees.

To make an application please visit http://www.nwlst.org.uk to download an application form.  Please note our deadline for applications for this grant round is the 14th January 2013.