Applying to the Kids Fund
What is the Kids Fund?
The Kids Fund is part of the Field Studies Council (FSC) which is a registered charity (number 313364) aiming to 'Bring Environmental Understanding to All’.
The FSC is an independent educational charity committed to raising awareness about the natural world. We work through a network of 17 learning locations (residential and day) in the UK providing courses for schools and colleges at all levels in addition to adult Individuals & Families courses, outreach education, training and consultancy. We also publish many titles to support our work.
The Kids Fund is funded by donations, mainly from FSC members who commit part of their membership subscription to the Fund but also through donations and fundraising events.
The Kids Fund aims to:
- bring environmental understanding to disadvantaged young people by attending a course at an FSC learning location.
- help disadvantaged young people to attend a course who may otherwise be excluded due to some form of disadvantage - health, mobility, deprivation or financial.
Who is it for?
Groups who meet one of the three following criteria will be eligible:
- Disadvantaged young people aged 8-18 years (or up to 25 years for those with special needs).
- Voluntary youth groups (either run by voluntary leaders, managed by a voluntary organisation, a registered charity).
- A school group may apply if they are aiming to provide benefits which are additional to the statutory school curriculum or clearly show added value, depth and breadth to the taught curriculum. The FSC Kids Fund will not pay for young people to attend standard curriculum-focused FSC courses.
All applicants must be based in the UK, Isle of Man, Channel Isles and Republic of Ireland.
What does it fund?
Kids Fund will pay for up to 80% of the course fee for groups of disadvantaged young people to attend a non-curriculum course at an FSC Learning Location. This includes all accommodation, food, equipment, tuition and waterproof hire costs. 1 staff/adult attends with every 12 students; additional adults pay 20%+VAT.
The course content will be discussed with the group and the learning location. Course content could include:
o Hands on investigation of life in ponds and rivers
o Catching small mammals like woodmice or shrews
o Nightwalks and use of bat detectors
o Challenge activities such as low ropes courses, natural wall climbing or raft building
o Fun activities with an environmental theme to build teamwork
o Campfires and BBQs
What does it not fund?
Groups to attend standard curriculum focused FSC courses (see FSC Bursary Fund)
Visits to non FSC Learning Locations
Transport costs to the FSC Centre for residential courses. If exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated the fund may consider a contribution towards the transport costs for day visits
Individuals wishing to visit an FSC Centre
Groups of people aged under 8 or over 18yrs (except young people with special needs up to 25yrs)
Personal equipment needed on the course eg. clothing, daysacks, snacks, toiletries
How do we apply?
Please complete the application form and post it or email it to Kids Fund at the address below.
Application Form (pdf)
Application Form (Word)
When can we apply?
You may apply at any time and your application will be held until the next decision round. The decision rounds close on 1st February, 1st June and 1st October each year.
What happens once we have applied?
Applications will be looked at by the Kids Fund decision group during the first two weeks of February, June and October each year.
Decisions will be made during the following month, based on:
• how closely the information provided fits with the aims of the Kids Fund
• how closely we are able to match your wishes of course content, timing and location
• how much match funding your group has raised
• how much money is available to spend.
Successful applicants will be contacted by phone and/or letter and at this point we will discuss course content and location. Courses can be tailored to the needs of your group. We will discuss dates when you would like to attend and when there is Centre availability. The application form gives you space to state a preference of geographical/Centre location and type of course. Some courses only run at certain locations. We will request a 500 word report on your visit to be sent to FSC Head Office within one month of your visit and this may be used on the FSC web site or the FSC magazine.
We will contact unsuccessful applicants and try to give some feedback.
Decisions made by the group will be final and no appeals will be heard, but if you are unsuccessful you are welcome to apply again after 12 months have lapsed.
What will give me the best chance of a successful application?
- Convincing the Kids Fund decision group that the grant is critical for your group
- Raising at least 20% of the cost of the course yourselves
- Showing how your group is disadvantaged
- Showing that this course is part of a longer term plan for your group as opposed to a ‘one off trip’
- Showing that there is some benefit to the environment, which can be sustained through your groups activities
- If you are applying from a school make it very clear how Kids Fund is supporting young people in work which is beyond the statutory taught curriculum
Contact details:
Kids Fund
FSC Head Office
Preston Montford
Montford Bridge
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
SY4 1HW
