Grants

Grants are sums of money awarded, by the government or other organisations, for a specific project or purpose. Generally the amount is not repayable. If your business is in the West Midlands area we, at CK Chartered Accountants, can help you find an appropriate source of grant funds and help you with your business plans.

Ensuring adequate finance is a fact of life if you run a business. Whether you are looking to expand, undertake a specific project or simply fund your day to day purchases, finance is essential.

Obtaining finance is not always easy especially if yours is a small business and particularly if it is a recent start-up. Borrowing may be difficult due to lack of security.

A grant may be the answer.

What is a grant?

A grant is a sum of money awarded, by the government or other organisation, for a specific project or purpose. Normally it will cover only some of the costs (typically between 15% and 50%); the business will need to fund the balance. One of the main features of a grant is that the money is not repayable provided that the terms and conditions of the grant are met but, having said that, their availability is limited and competition for the funds can be quite intense.

This sounds quite simple in principle. However, in practice, it can be somewhat daunting because of the huge number of different schemes in operation and the fact that schemes are constantly changing. Government grants are distributed through a variety of ministries, departments and agencies both on a national and local basis.  They are usually for proposed projects only, so ensure you have not already started the project otherwise you may not be entitled to the grant.

The following website may help with initial research into grant availability: www.gov.uk/business-finance-support-finder.

Grants can also be received through Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), local authorities and charitable organisations.

Is my business eligible?

Many of the available schemes are open to all without restriction. Eligibility for others will generally depend upon a number of factors:

Applying for a grant

Before applying

Initial research is essential so that you know what’s on offer.

It is also necessary to ensure that you:

Making the application

It is a good idea, if possible, to make personal contact with an individual involved in administering your chosen scheme. This will give you a feel for whether it is worthwhile proceeding before you spend too much time on a detailed application. You may also be able to get some help and advice on making the application.

It is also a good idea where you can to apply as soon as possible after launch of the scheme. Many grant schemes run for a limited period of time; there will be more money available at an early stage and the administrators will be keen to receive applications and make awards.

The application itself should focus on the project for which you are claiming a grant. It should include an explanation of the potential benefits of the project as well as a detailed plan with costings. You should ensure that your application matches the objectives of the scheme. You will almost certainly need to submit a business plan as part of the application. It is important to show that the project is dependent on grant funds to proceed and that you have matching funds available.

Hearing back

This can take anything from a few weeks to a year or more. Your application will generally be assessed by looking at a variety of factors including your approach, your expertise, your innovation and your need for the grant.

Why you might be turned down

There are various reasons why your application may be turned down. The common ones include:

Finally, if your application is unsuccessful, ask for feedback. This will help you to be more effective when applying for funds in the future.

How we can help

If your business is in the West Midlands area we can help you to find an appropriate source of grant funds and also assist with your business plan and detailed application. Contact us at CK Chartered Accountants to find out more.