How to apply to The MSE Charity
Grants are available both for individuals seeking to educate themselves and for groups/charities looking to develop projects.
Information for individuals
If you want to apply for a grant, don't worry, it's easy. If you're struggling with your application you can e-mail for help.
Who can apply?
Anyone resident in the United Kingdom over the age of 18 can apply for an individual grant of up to £500 to help pay towards a recognised and approved course that will help improve their ability to budget and manage their finances. The money can be used to pay for financial education course fees and other necessary expenses associated with the course. We cannot support any career development or vocational courses. For eligible courses and applications for under 18's please see FAQ.
When should I apply?
The 'Grant Approval Panel' meets three times a year to discuss application rounds. The closing date for each round will be announced on this website and in the free weekly MoneySavingExpert.com email.
WE ARE UPDATING THE WEBSITE AND IMPROVING THE APPLICATION PROCESS BECAUSE OF THIS FULL GROUP APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AFTER THE 31ST MARCH 2010 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. WE SHALL THOUGH BE CONTINUING WITH INDIVIDUAL GRANT APPLICATIONS AND FAST TRACK GROUP APPLICATIONS
Applications for support for Individual Courses will next be considered on the September 1st 2010.
Groups applying for less than £950 should apply for an application form by emailing to charity@moneysavingexpert.com stating FAST TRACK Application.
The online application form.
To apply, just fill out this online application form;
If you are having problems and need help filling it in e-mail individualapplications@msecharity.com
What happens after I apply?
After a provisional check that your application meets the requirements of the charity and it's correctly filled in, it will be put to the 'Grant Approval Panel (GAP)' whose job it is to distribute the funds. We hope to make a decision within six weeks of the deadline, and will inform all applicants of the outcome after that.
Got any questions?
If you have any other queries, first consult our Frequently Asked Questions section. If you can't find an answer there, then contact the Operations Manager: stuart@msecharity.com
Information for groups/innovative projects
The MSE Charity supports projects such as self-help groups and other innovative projects that will help educate people about money/debt/consumer issues. So whether you're a charity, or an individual with a good idea, let us know and we'll see what can be done to help.
What type of projects?
Anything that fits the charity's remit. Whether it's a project to teach squaddies about money before they leave the army, or to set up a debt support group - it'll be considered. Grants of up to £5000 are available. However you will need to adhere to the following criteria:
- Projects must assist people to improve their quality of life through knowledge and understanding of how to manage and take control of their own financial situation.
- Groups will need to demonstrate that they have researched and assessed the need for the project.
- Groups must demonstrate that the project will make a significant difference to the beneficiaries so the OUTPUTS must be achievable, measurable, deliverable within budget and within a time frame and be sustainable.
- Groups will also need to show that the project will also provide outcomes that will benefit their wider communities.
- It will be necessary for groups to demonstrate that they has the skills, ability and experience to deliver the project.
- The MSE Charity will consider full project cost recovery, but costs must only relate to the project itself and not the organisations core funding.
- Projects must provide value for money.
- For existing projects with a proven success record, consideration will only be given to those that can demonstrate that funding will be used to extend the project beyond its existing boundaries in terms of the scope of project, number of beneficiaries and/or time frame.
Can anyone apply for this?
Before we can give you funding, you will need to become a 'constituted group'. This roughly means an organisation with its own bank account and rules to make it accountable.
Don't worry, if needed we can put you in touch with people who'll help you do this (contact stuart@msecharity.com).
How to apply?
To register your interests at any time, simply complete the initial Group Application Form online. We'll then get in touch to discuss it further and see if it fits within the charity's aims.
Applications for special consideration by the Trustees.
The Trustees want to encourage all activities and ideas that will promote the charity's educational aims. They recognise that there will be such schemes that don’t fit the previous categories, or require additional expenditure. Such projects must be of national significance and the benefits must be widespread or cascade out to other worthy causes.
If you have something you consider to be special then write directly to the Operations Manager (stuart@msecharity.com), who will bring it to the attention of the Trustees.