Grants

Introduction

Does your society need help with funding? Got a great idea for a project?

Then the AHS would love to hear from you.

Atheist, humanist and secular student societies have only come to prominence in the last few years in the UK and Republic of Ireland. They do not necessarily have access to the pool of alumni and national funding that religious societies benefit from. We want to change that.

The British Humanist Association (BHA) has contributed an initial total fund of £3000 to allow student societies to put on the inspiring events that a lack of funds has so far precluded. These events can be any that further the aims of The AHS, launch events to establish a new society, Awareness Week events to build an existing one or even a Regional Convention to encourage joint-actions between multiple societies.

Applying for a Grant

Eligibility

The AHS Grants Committee invites applications from any society which is a member or an associate member of the AHS. Regional Development Officers may also apply for grants with a view to starting a new society or encouraging joint-actions between existing ones.

How to Apply

The AHS Grants Committee is looking to award a large number of small grants. Around £3000 is available, with individual grants ranging from £50 to £300, though larger awards will be considered. To spread resources as widely as possible, the AHS Grants Committee looks favourably on applicants who have raised part of the funds needed for their project from alternative sources.

Societies wishing to apply for a grant should complete an application form, including an outline budget and one side of A4 describing:

• what they are trying to do;
• how many people (students/others) will be involved and how they will benefit;
• how they will publicise the AHS and BHA if they receive an award.

Please note that additional papers submitted with your application may not be considered.

Download the application form here. An example application is here.

Guidance

The AHS Grants Committee has some general guidelines which it uses when discussing applications. These are as follows:

1. The AHS Grants Committee will support events which fulfil the aims of the AHS, so your application is more likely to be successful if you explains how it fulfils these aims:
   1. building and growing your society
   2. facilitating communications with other societies
   3. encouraging joint actions with other societies
2. Events that the AHS Grants Committee will support include, but are not limited to, society start-up events, Awareness Weeks and Regional Conventions.
3. The peculiar enthusiasms of individuals are not usually supported. Ideas have to be mainstream and benefit more than one person. Make sure to describe how those organising the event and those attending the event will benefit from it.

Other Benefits

1. Your event will be publicised through the AHS Newsletter, Facebook, Twitter and Google+ media streams and, where appropriate, through the BHA as well.
2. You will receive help from the AHS and BHA to secure any speakers you may need for your event.
3. Getting a grant from the AHS Grants Committee is a prestigious award which will reflect well on those organising events and their societies as a whole.

Conditions

Applicants for grants should note that they are awarded on two conditions. If your application is successful and you receive a grant, you must:

1. Publicise, where possible, the support of the AHS and BHA in association with your events, for instance by displaying the AHS and BHA logos in your literature or on posters.
2. Provide feedback to the AHS within one month of the completion of your event. This feedback should include photographs and a short report which will be used to promote the AHS Grants Committee to donors and to encourage future applications. Failure to provide feedback may jeopardise future applications from your society.

Submission of Request

Applications should be sent by e-mail to the AHS Grants Committee: grants@ahsstudents.org.uk. Please refer to the application deadlines for details of when to submit your application. Grant applications will only be considered at AHS Grants Committee meetings.

Prior to submitting your application, please make sure you have read all the guidance in this guide. Please also contact the President of the AHS to discuss your proposal: president@ahsstudents.org.uk.

AHS Grants Committee Meetings

The AHS Grants Committee is made up of four members, two of whom are appointed by the AHS Executive and two by the BHA. It meets before every AHS board meeting to consider the grant applications received. You will be informed of the success or otherwise of your application shortly after the AHS Grants Committee meeting.

Dates for 2012

Collecting your Grant

Congratulations! You've been awarded a grant!

The AHS Grants Committee will contact you to discuss where the funding comes from, and what we'd like you to do to promote the work of the AHS and BHA. The AHS Grants Committee will also arrange for a cheque to be made out to your society and sent by post to a nominated person and address.