Frequently asked questions
What do you define as an ‘arts or cultural organisation’?
What is a constituted organisation?
Why can’t individuals or freelancers apply?
Why do you need our financial information?
What are the One Coventry priorities?
How will applications be assessed?
What happens if I am successful in my application?
How long do I have to use the grant?
Will I have to report on how the grant is being used?
What do you define as an ‘arts or cultural organisation’?
We will accept applications from organisations working in the following areas:
- Arts, including performing arts such as music, dance, circus and theatre
- Arts, including visual arts and any type of artistic creation
- Literature and spoken word, poetry
- Crafts (limited to artists/makers working by hand within a craft medium)
- Museums and galleries
- Libraries and archives
- Cultural education (excluding statutory education, further education, or higher education)
- Combined arts
- Community organisations providing arts and creative activities
- Digital art and film/video art
- Photography
- Independent publishers
- Arts and/or artist management, producing
What is a small organisation?
We have used the Companies Regulations 2024 classification of micro-entities with an annual turnover of £1 million or less
Financial turnover is the total amount of money an organisation makes from selling its products or services over a defined period, such as a year. It doesn’t mean profit - it’s just how much money came in before paying for costs such as utilities, wages, or supplies
What is a constituted organisation?
A constituted organisation is a formally registered organisation with its own written constitution. This may take a number of different not-for profit forms, including charity, company limited by guarantee or a CIC (Community Interest Company). We will also accept applications from registered community associations with a clearly defined Memorandum of Articles.
Why can’t individuals or freelancers apply?
For this particular scheme eligibility is restricted to not-for-profit constituted organisations.
Constituted organisations have the capacity for greater reach in the services they provide, which will bring benefit to more Coventry residents through resilience grant support. While individuals can’t apply directly, maintaining the activity of these organisations helps support ongoing opportunities for freelancers through their projects and partnerships.
Individuals/freelancers may find guidance and support for business development through the Council’s Business Investment team https://www.coventry.gov.uk/support-services
Why do you need our financial information?
As a public authority we need to exercise due diligence in the use of public monies. This will include checks on the eligibility of your organisation with Companies House or the Charity Commission, and inspection of your financial information:
- we need to confirm that you are currently engaged in arts and cultural activity
- we need to assess your financial need, and the viability of your organisation to remain operational for the duration of the grant delivery period
- ensure that the grant will be used to support activities that will strengthen your organisation’s future
Please note that personal bank statements will not be acceptable.
What are the One Coventry priorities?
These are Coventry City Council's priorities identified in its One Coventry Plan 2022-2030 as the areas most important to the growth of a healthy and prosperous city:
- increasing the economic prosperity of the city and region
- improving outcomes and tackling inequalities within our communities
- tackling the causes and consequences of climate change
Applicants are asked to explain what difference the grant will make to Coventry and its residents, referencing one or more of the One Coventry priorities
How will applications be assessed?
Application assessment will be based on:
- the eligibility of your organisation and your planned grant expenditure
- whether you have fully completed all required parts of the application and provided any additional information or documents requested
- how you have answered each of the questions asked
- the detail and accuracy of your proposed budget
- evidence of diversity in leadership or governance (this is not a compulsory requirement but will be considered during the assessment process)
Once initial eligibility and due diligence checks have been carried out on your organisation, an assessment panel will score applications to arrive at its preliminary decision.
If further questions are required before a decision can be made, shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Preliminary decisions will be scrutinised by additional individuals not part of the assessment panel before final decisions are made.
What happens if I am successful in my application?
If successful, you will:
- receive a confirmation letter by email, followed by a grant agreement outlining terms and conditions
- be issued with a purchase order with which to invoice for your grant payment
How will the grant be paid?
We wish to provide the majority of the grant straight away to enable you to implement your plans with minimal financial risk. Grants will be paid in two instalments:
- 90% following acceptance of award
- 10% at end of delivery period following submission of your evaluation report
Please note that it may take up to 28 days from receipt of invoice until payments can be made.
How long do I have to use the grant?
You will have up to 12 months from the date of payment to complete your funded activities. The exact timeline will be confirmed in your grant agreement.
Will I have to report on how the grant is being used?
A short evaluation report will be required at the end of the delivery period. This should explain:
- a full budget breakdown showing how the grant was spent
- how the grant has delivered on intended outcomes - what difference it made to your organisation’s resilience
- what benefits were delivered for Coventry residents
This is essential to receive the final 10% of your grant.
In addition, there will be informal check-ins during the delivery period to offer support, answer questions, and ensure your funded activity is progressing as planned.