SUA GRANT-GIVING POLICY
February 2020
1. The SUA is a charity within the UK Unitarian community, recognised by and under the umbrella of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches (GA). As such the SUA is open to considering custom and practice in other UK districts as it makes its decisions regarding grants to congregations and individual persons residing or working within, or closely associated with, the Southern district as defined in the SUA Constitution.
2. The SUA will seek to make grants as often as possible, using a liberal interpretation of what activities fall within the remit of the SUA Objects. At present, and in general terms, the Aim of the SUA can be worded thus:
“Building a fruitful Unitarian life in the region – Developing and supporting Unitarian activity and communities in the region”
3. The SUA will act in a spirit of equality and diversity in making grants.
4. The presumption is that the SUA will decide in favour of all reasonable applications, up to a limit of 50% of the cost of any proposal that has been properly described and which shows potential for benefitting the proposal’s stakeholder(s). Exceptional grants of more than 50% may also be negotiated and are NOT disallowed. See also the policy on payment of travel expenses, which applies in conjunction with this grant-giving policy.
5. In any financial year (starting 1 Oct and ending 30 Sep), grant applications will be considered on a ‘first to come, first served’ basis. Congregations and individuals are encouraged to apply early in the year.
6. It is the policy that it would not be usual to make more than one grant against a specified outcome; so applicants are to be encouraged to consider all components of the cost before submitting an application. Grants may be spread over several years should the nature of the overall project require it.
7. In years when there are a number of applications for grants, the SUA will seek to deliver a policy of preserving equity between congregations, not in terms of the scale of funds granted, but in terms of ensuring that all congregations are enabled to operate and deliver their missions.
8. In giving grants, the SUA will seek to achieve a balance between supporting (a) initiatives that will enrich the spiritual life of the bidding congregations and individuals, and (b) infrastructure requirements (bricks and mortar, functional maintenance or enhancements).
8. It would be unusual but not impossible for an individual applicant to receive more than one grant in one year (1 Oct to 30 Sep) but see also para 6 above.
9. A supportable balance between competing bids is to be achieved through the natural balance of views expected to be expressed by trustees following due process (see below).
NOTES ON PROCESS
A. Where multiple proposals are submitted, which together exceed the funds available, the Executive Committee will formally meet to decide on the applications. The Constitution describes how meetings are to be announced and convened.
B. In the case that an application be received, which is heavily dependent on a swift decision, provided that:
i. the numbers of trustees, as would have otherwise have met, can be consulted ex-committee;
ii. an agreement can be reached; and
iii. records can be kept — by the officers — of the views and advice received;
then, the requirement for a full, face-to-face meeting to be held may be set aside.
C. When there is a low rate of grant applications being received, the Executive Committee may delegate the grant decisions to the sub-committee of officers (the President, the Hon Sec and the Hon Treasurer); but the sub-committee will refer back to the full Executive Committee any applications that are novel or contentious.
