The fund is now closed for applications.
I submitted an application. What happens next?
Our aim is to make the assessment process as inclusive and equitable as possible, and to get decisions to you quickly. Below we explain how we'll do this. (You can also read more about our commitments to inclusion.)
How long will it take to get a decision?
We are committed to getting the funds to you as soon as possible. But we are also aware that there will be a lot of applications for this fund.
Our aim is to provide you with a decision on your grant application within six to ten weeks of the closing date, but sometimes it may take longer.
If you haven’t heard from one of the partners or from the Portal Management Team within three weeks of submitting your application, please check your junk mail and then contact us on [email protected].
Assessment process & decision-making
- Your submitted application will be screened to ensure it is complete (see below on "missing documents").
- Screened applications will then be allocated to a partner organisation for assessment.
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Your application will be assessed by one of the partners against the criteria and priorities published in the application guidance (below).
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The assessors may contact you by email or phone if they require further information. This doesn’t mean your application is more or less likely to be successful.
- Once assessed, your application will go to a Grants Panel, which includes staff and/or Board members from the SESF Partner, plus at least two independent partners who are from Black Asian or minority ethnic communities, are disabled people or people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and who have led or been senior leaders in social enterprises themselves. (This is part of our commitments to inclusion.)
Missing documents
If your application arrives incomplete or with documents missing, we will contact you. You must respond to this email to be considered further.
All applicants should check their email and junk folders regularly after submitting. You will need to respond within 2 working days or we may reject your application as incomplete. Missing documents are likely to delay your application being assessed.
If your application is successful
The partner that assesses your application will confirm whether a grant has been agreed. They will also arrange for the grant to be paid. You will need to sign and return a grant agreement prior to the grant being paid.
We will also require further information, including bank evidence and proof of identity for key people in your organisation, prior to the grant being paid.
If your application is not successful
If your application is not successful, we will contact you to let you know. You will not be able to reapply unless we invite you to do so. We will be carrying out an evaluation of the impact and reach of this fund. We may ask you to participate, even if you are not successful, so that we can learn and improve.
Please read the application guidance and FAQs for more information on assessment and decision making.
Application guidance and FAQs
For your reference, here is the guidance for round 2 (now closed for applications):
- Application guidance and FAQs (pdf)
- Application guidance and FAQs - large print, plain text version (Word)
If these documents are formatted in a way that is not accessible to you, please contact [email protected] and we will share this information in a more appropriate format.
Rounds of applications
The portal was open for applications on these dates:
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Round 1: 1pm on Thursday 25th November 2021, to 1pm on Tuesday 21st December 2021
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Round 2: 1pm on Monday 28 February 2022, to 1pm on Thursday 24 March 2022