Distribution Principles for South West Legal Support Trust
The principle objective of the Trust is to provide financial support to organisations which provide (or organise or facilitate the provision of) free legal advice and assistance to those in need. As one of a matrix of 7 Legal Support Trusts, our remit is limited to those organisations providing these services in the following areas:
We raise funds entirely through donations and fundraising events such as the various Legal Walks detailed elsewhere on the site. We distribute funds in 2 ways. First by grants rounds and secondly by enabling legal advice charities to retain all or part of the funds they raise when participating in a Legal Walk.
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Dorset (inc. Bournemouth and Poole)
- Gloucestershire (inc. Bristol)
- Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
- Somerset
- Wiltshire
We raise funds entirely through donations and fundraising events such as the various Legal Walks detailed elsewhere on the site. We distribute funds in 2 ways. First by grants rounds and secondly by enabling legal advice charities to retain all or part of the funds they raise when participating in a Legal Walk.
Grants Rounds
The Trust intends to hold at least 1 funding round per year details of which will be published here. If there is an urgent need for funds we may be able to consider an interim application in exceptional circumstances. Please contact us.
The primary objective of the funding will be to support the provision of free legal advice. Preference will be given to activities that enable the provision of free legal advice to members of the public who would otherwise be disadvantaged. The Trust will only fund not-for-profit activity and will not support projects where the Trustees consider that LSC funding is suitable and practical within a reasonable time frame.
Our overriding objective is to provide support to those organisations which are demonstrably providing an effective service for those in need. Particular priority will be given to those services which constitute the only provision in a particular area and/or are at risk of having to cease. As the funds available are modest, grants are small and so we aim to see that they are leveraged as effectively as possible so as to make a real difference where possible.
That aside, we apply no strict criteria so as to exclude any provider of free legal advice from applying for a grant. However, as each grants round has been very significantly over-subscribed the following guidelines may be helpful:
The primary objective of the funding will be to support the provision of free legal advice. Preference will be given to activities that enable the provision of free legal advice to members of the public who would otherwise be disadvantaged. The Trust will only fund not-for-profit activity and will not support projects where the Trustees consider that LSC funding is suitable and practical within a reasonable time frame.
Our overriding objective is to provide support to those organisations which are demonstrably providing an effective service for those in need. Particular priority will be given to those services which constitute the only provision in a particular area and/or are at risk of having to cease. As the funds available are modest, grants are small and so we aim to see that they are leveraged as effectively as possible so as to make a real difference where possible.
That aside, we apply no strict criteria so as to exclude any provider of free legal advice from applying for a grant. However, as each grants round has been very significantly over-subscribed the following guidelines may be helpful:
- We will not usually fund anything that should normally form part of core funding, such as contributions to rent, rates or utility bills, but will consider anything that will either enhance existing legal services or enable the provision of new legal services, based on leverage of existing assets.
- Equally, we do not expect applicants to have to create a specific project or service simply to apply for funding. We welcome the opportunity to support the continuation or enhancement of existing projects or to help match fund.
- Grants are small. The largest single grant we normally make is £5,000. Within those limits we have in the past contributed to short term funding of part time posts, funded purchase of IT equipment which would enable a specific service and supported the co-ordination and training of volunteers.
- Please bear in mind when entering any longer term commitment that the Trust can never undertake that further grants for a similar purpose will be available in the future.
- Grants made will be conditional upon their being used for the purpose for which they were awarded within no more than 12 months from payment and to the provision of a brief report as the impact achieved from the grant.
Fundraising Events
Legal advice charities
If you are a legal advice charity taking part in one of our fundraising events, 100% of the funds that you raise may be kept by your charity.
Online funds
All money donated through your online fundraising page will automatically be paid to the SWLST. The SWLST will then pass these funds to your charity without deduction.
Offline funds
Any funds raised offline (i.e. cash donations) do not need to be sent to the SWLST, though we do ask that you inform us of the total amount raised in offline donations.
If you are a legal advice charity taking part in one of our fundraising events, 100% of the funds that you raise may be kept by your charity.
Online funds
All money donated through your online fundraising page will automatically be paid to the SWLST. The SWLST will then pass these funds to your charity without deduction.
Offline funds
Any funds raised offline (i.e. cash donations) do not need to be sent to the SWLST, though we do ask that you inform us of the total amount raised in offline donations.
Commercial organisations and other professional bodies
If you are not a legal advice charity, you may either:
If you are not a legal advice charity, you may either:
- Raise 100% of funds for the SWLST; or
- Nominate a legal advice charity of your choice to receive up to 50% of the funds that you raise. In this instance you must inform us at the time of registering which legal advice charity you would like to donate to, and provide us with their contact details. 100% of funds raised must be paid to the SWLST. The SWLST will then distribute these funds to the nominated charity on your behalf.
