APPLY FOR FUNDING

INTRODUCTION

Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) is a self-funded, regional charity which supports the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit, network clinics, its patients with congenital heart disease, and their families from across Yorkshire, the Humber, North East Lincolnshire and North Derbyshire.

For over 35 years, CHSF has awarded more than £10 million in hundreds of grants to the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit, regional CHD network, its patients and their families.

We achieve this by raising funds each year from individual donors, trusts and foundations, businesses, and through fundraising activities undertaken by families, their friends and colleagues.

We invite those who support or care for babies, children and adults with congenital heart disease in Yorkshire, the Humber, North Lincolnshire and North East Derbyshire to apply to us for grants for projects that support our charity’s aim and mission.

CHSF encourages applications from all backgrounds, communities and departments. All applications will be considered impartially.

Before making an application, we expect that anyone who works for the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust will usually have first asked the Trust to support their project and will have been turned down for funding or have been offered part-funding only. If you have not approached the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, please ensure you state why in your application.

To make a funding application, please complete the online form which can be accessed below. If you are unable to complete a form online, please contact Katherine Lodge at info@chsf.org.uk.

• When completing the form, bear in mind CHSF’s aim and mission (above) and refer to these in your application.
• Please answer all questions. An incomplete application will not be considered for funding.

Your completed application will be considered by the CEO and Trustees of CHSF. You may be contacted to provide more information or for an informal discussion.

• • Projects costing up to £5,000 will be reviewed and approved by the CEO.
  • Projects costing between £5,000 and £10,000 will be reviewed and approved by Trustees on the Finance Sub-Committee.
  • Projects costing £10,000 and over will be considered by the full Trustee Board at quarterly meetings.
• For full Trustee Board meetings, you may be asked to attend the meeting for 15/20 minutes to talk further about your project and answer questions.
• The time taken to consider and approve an application will be faster for projects costing under £5,000. It can take up to six months to consider an application for a project costing more than £10,000.
• If the application is approved, you will not receive the grant directly. CHSF will pay invoices for all projects, liaising with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, as appropriate.
• You will be given a time frame for when payment/orders/delivery will be made. This can sometimes take up to 12 months, depending on the size and type of project.
• Receiving a grant is dependent on the applicant committing to provide feedback pro-actively. You will be expected to supply a relevant photo and written feedback to illustrate its impact, within six months of receiving the subject of the grant. And in the case of an activity, up to 1 month after the event. Please diarise to email this material to finance@chsf.org.uk.

We understand that applying for grants can be time-consuming, so we aim to make the application process as simple as possible.

Who can apply?

Anyone who supports or cares for babies, children and adults with congenital heart disease in Yorkshire, the Humber, North East Lincolnshire and North Derbyshire can apply to CHSF for a grant.

Do I need to notify my manager if I work for the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust before I apply?

Yes, you must notify your manager/senior member of staff as we will be contacting them for further information/references.

What can I apply for?

You can apply for anything that will directly support people with congenital heart disease. This can include, but is not limited to, small and large items of medical and other equipment, training, staff posts, attendance at conferences, research, toys for patients etc. Our Social Impact Report details the wide range of projects we support each year.

How much can I apply for?

CHSF awards grants ranging from £50 to over £100,000. Submitting applications for grants over £10,000 are subject to agreement from the CEO.

When should I apply?

Please apply as far in advance as possible. It can take CHSF up to 12 months to raise funds for projects, particularly large items of equipment, once applications have been approved. We have high success rates in this approach.

Do I have to ask CHSF to fund the entire project?

No, we are happy to part-fund projects.

How often can I apply to you?

You can apply each calendar year, and potentially for more than one project each year. However, you must first have sent us reports we have requested for previous grants we have awarded to you.

Can I discuss my application with you before I apply?

Yes, please contact Katherine Lodge at info@chsf.org.uk and she will arrange, where appropriate, a conversation with the CEO and other members of CHSF staff.