ERSF Trustees will no longer be meeting quarterly to decide applications. Dates and deadlines for meetings will be published on the website as and when they are set.
Application Process
The ERSF Trustees meet a maximum of four times a year. The meetings are held within two months of each deadline which will be published on the website as and when they are set.
For the foreseeable future, the Trustees of ERSF wish to concentrate on the large number of charities and causes already known to them. NO grants will be made to INDIA unless the application has been specifically requested by an ERSF Trustee; this includes organisations who have successfully applied before.
Please do NOT apply unless you have met with, or have been given the approval of, either the ERSF Administrator, an ERSF Trustee or are a direct relation of Erach or Roshan Sadri – or unless you have successfully applied for an ERSF grant before. It is not possible to solicit such approval so please do not try and establish contact.
If you have applied before but have been unsuccessful please do NOT reapply – your application will not be successful. It is recommended that you monitor this website for a relaxation of this criteria but, for the foreseeable future, all applications will be dealt with in this way.
To summarise, only send a filled application form if:
1. You have received funding from ERSF before.
2. You have been told in person, or in writing, by an ERSF Trustee or the Administrator, to send an application with their recommendation.
We are forthright with this action with regret, but we wish to make our policy clear to save potential applicants wasting time and also because of the vast number of applications that are encouraged by third parties who have a commercial interest in so doing. Our listing on a number of websites and grant application trust fund lists is also misleading charities and good causes.
As you can see, ERSF is well established and funds a large number of good causes and there are only so many possibilities for a small organisation of this size to fund.
ERSF Grant System
1. All applications to be sent on application form by email or post. You must fill in the form
provided as this will be the only application form considered by the grant-making committee.
Do NOT adapt or expand this application form or application requirement. Keep it short
and attach extra paper and annexes only if absolutely necessary. It is important that the Additional Important Information requested must be provided in the body of the Application Form or Annexed to the form. Without this information the Application will not be considered. If ERSF require more
information they will ask for it. Long applications with unnecessary papers invariably get
rejected. We believe that if you know your subject you are able to put your case simply and
succinctly. Paper/postal applications are preferred but email is perfectly acceptable. However,
please do not send duplicate applications
2. You will receive no acknowledgment that the application has been received
3. We try no later than two months after the relevant deadline to inform all successful applicants
as to their success but cannot guarantee to do this. Due to the volume of applications
we are unable to inform you if you’ve been unsuccessful – the best way of monitoring this is
to look at the results of the grants giving meetings which are always posted on the website
within one week of the decision being made
4. Successful applicants are informed as soon as possible after the grant meeting and requested
to follow the grant acceptance procedure
Criteria Definitions (From Objects Of The Charity):
Whilst in the main the Foundation expect applications from charities and organisations the
Trustees will consider applications from individuals, provided they are supported by credible
referees, charities and/or educational institutions and meet the requirements below.
Individual applicants:
Individual grants for educational purposes will not be funded unless they meet all the requirements
in A and at least one in B given below:
Criteria A
The education will benefit society (e.g. medical, social, engineering etc) and the recipient
will commit to undertaking voluntary work or provide services to deprived or disadvantaged
communities after graduating. (Note this requirement will not have to be met by disabled or
handicapped individuals). The recipient will explain what steps they have already taken to put in place to undertake the voluntary work.
The education course is not researched based or a post graduate course or supporting
voluntary work after graduating.
Supporting character references from teachers/institutions are provided with the
application.
Criteria B
The applicant can demonstrate he/she cannot obtain funding from the family or other sources.
The applicant is disabled or from a disadvantaged background
The applicant is from the Zoroastrian Community.
Guidance for individual applicants
1. Individual applicants must also fill in the application processs, although it is accepted that not all questions are relevant to the application
2. All individual applications must be supported by a charity or academic institution
3. Any grants made to individuals are paid direct to a charity or academic establishment only, details of which must be included in the application
4. Individuals should be aware that it is in exceptional cases that individuals are funded, as the norm for ERSF is to fund educational programmes funded by charities, schools and universities
5. Individual applicants must prove that their application will directly benefit a deprived community
6. ERSF does not support educational living expenses
EDUCATION
We like to make grants which will make a difference; preference will be given to charities, individuals or projects which are having difficulty getting started, or raising funds from other sources. This often means that the Foundation is funding capital projects.
Projects that will be considered include benefiting people of all ages and backgrounds. They may be able to provide formal education including further education, to teach vocational skills to enhance the possibility of employment, to enhance computer skills, health awareness, distance learning and self sufficiency. All education, skills and training that will benefit the community.
The Foundation prefers to make donations to projects that are of benefit to society and especially those of poor backgrounds.
WELFARE PURPOSES
In the main the projects that will be supported under welfare are those concerning children to the age of 18 and charities and causes known to have been supported by Erach and Roshan Sadri during their life time.
The Foundation defines welfare support as: ‘providing financial support to assist those who (person or community) need support during a period of difficulty or are disadvantaged by circumstances beyond their control’.
The Foundation prefers to make one-off donations to get projects started or support specific projects or one off events.
HOMELESSNESS
The Foundation aims to support homelessness through existing charities that exist to alleviate the plight of the poor who live on the streets. It does not consider those who are homeless as a result of ‘so called’ self inflicted circumstances (however deserving and tragic the case) such as drug addicts and alcoholics.
The Foundation takes interest in those who are made homeless by natural disasters or political activity beyond their control. This definition does not extend to short-term refugees.
The Foundation prefers to make one-off donations to get projects started or support specific projects.
ASSISTANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE ZOROASTRIAN RELIGIOUS FAITH
The Zoroastrian Faith is the oldest of the revealed world-religions has had a great influence on all mankind directly and indirectly. Its theology has had a great impact on Judaism, Christianity and other later religions.
Founded by the Persian Zarathushtra in approximately 6000 BC the faith still thrives today with about 140,000 members.
The Foundation will look favourably on applications made by Zoroastrians either on behalf of members who are disadvantaged (particularly in the categories above) or for projects they support. Community projects as well as appeals for disadvantaged or poor individuals are encouraged.
Applications by Zoroastrians should be made with the support of the Zoroastrian Trust Fund of Europe and the World Zoroastrian Organisation.
GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
This is a broad area with limited funding which allows Trustees to consider grant applications which fall outside the four main criteria but have particular appeal to them.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
The Trustees wish to encourage all applications on behalf of causes that come under the general Objects of the Charity. The Trustees are flexible in their approach and take into account the following when considering a project:
1. ‘Pump-priming’ donations are offered – usually given to new organisations and areas.
2. The ability to evaluate plays a crucial part
3. Local involvement in overseas projects
4. Involvement with a third party – for example ODA (Overseas Development Agency), NGO (Non Governmental Organisation)
5. Administration costs as a percentage of funds raised
6. To what extent has the organisation helped themselves
7. The record of the organisation on previous projects and charitable output
8. Whether the applicant has been the subject of any adverse comment or action by the Charity Commission – If so full details must be provided
9. Benefit to community that will arise from a grant
10. What leverage to the donation can be acquired by partnership with other organisations or individuals
11. The fund raising efforts made by the Charity and amount of contribution made towards the funding required
12 The objective of self-sustainability particularly those who have been supported through training , education will contribute in the future to assist the Charity
NOTES ON APPLYING TO THE TRUST
1. Applications must be made on the Application Form and must be sent to the Director, and will not be considered under any circumstances if not. See below. The application form is designed to help you in the application process, whilst conforming with it helps the Foundation it is acccepted that not all questions can be answered and some questions are inappropriate to specific applications, therefore applicants are asked to regard the application procedure as a guideline to be adhered to where possible
2. All appeals for funding should include clear details of the need the intended project is designed to meet
3. Applications are prefered to be from a registered charity or must give the name of a registered charity (where possible) which will endorse the application and accept the grant on its behalf in some cases this may be the ERSF itself when funding a project it has created or has asked to be created on its behalf. The Trustees recognise that in certain cases a registered charity’s involvement may not be possible. In such cases the applicant should detail how the Trustees can be assured that the funding will be used for the purposes it has been granted and provide referees for the project
4. Accounts for the Charity and a budget for the proposed project should be available
5. Once a donation is approved the Trust requires feedback within the first year and further reports annually, if relevant. Failure to provide this information may result in the donation having to be returned
YOUR APPLICATION IS UNLIKELY TO BE SUCCESSFUL IF IT:
1. Involves animal welfare or heritage
2. Is a general appeal from large national organisations
YOU CAN APPLY IF:
1. The purpose for which you are applying is legally charitable and your constitution allows you to carry out that work.
2. Your proposal falls within our funding criteria under the Objects of the Foundation.
3. The work for which you want funding has not already taken place.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL NOTES
The information and compliance required is to be provided by the applicant where relevant to your application. Failure to supply information will result in the application being denied. Should you not be able to provide information expected please give the credible reasons. Please answer all questions applicable to your request for funding. (ERSF will carry out audits to ensure compliance during and on completion).
International Donations to all countries outside the United Kingdom
For international donations the applicant is to provide a Certificate not more than 5 years old that they are compliant with Foreign Exchange Regulations of the Country in which they are based. Furthermore a letter from the applicants bank that funds can be remitted to the Nominated account for the organisation /charity receiving the funds. (The account must be in the name of the charity/organisation and not a personal account.)
Please list and provide contact details for all senior executives and trustees of the charity and any related party connections or relationships.
Confirmation
Confirmation Statement that you not received any funding unless stated in your application from other sources or donors for the grant requested.
Confirmation on Capital Goods
Confirmation that 3 quotations will be obtained for any capital goods purchased and these quotations will be available for inspection by ERSF.
List the capital goods to be purchased above a value of £200 (overseas applicants ) and £500 ( UK applicants)
Confirmation that the capital goods purchased will be retained by the charity and photographic evidence will be provided in their reporting to the charity during if requested, and on completion.
References
Provide 3 references and contact details from other donors and/or charitable organisations which have provided funding.
Auditors
Please provide full details of your certified auditors including email/telephone contact details
Financial Template
Explain how you will monitor expenditure on the grant /month and provide a template for monitoring the costs. Confirmation that all expenditure will be demonstrated by signed receipts/invoices and be available for inspection by ERSF ’s auditors
Specific grants (if not applicable please indicate)
- Training
Where training is to be provided confirmation that certified teachers will be employed, attendance records kept and a register of those trained. Confirmation for trade/computer skills a valid certificate from a competent authority (to be named) will be provided to those who successfully attended the course. The charity will also advise how those trained will contribute their services or funds to repay the cost of their training.
- Construction/Rebuild Projects
On construction projects the applicant has to submit a programme of works, detailed cost estimates from two builders and explain how the project will be supervised by a competent engineer. An estimate of the cost by square foot for the construction should be provided.
- Micro Credit
Explain how the micro credit will be managed and monitored and interest if any charged and at what rates. The charity will advise how those assisted will contribute their services /funds to the charity on completion of the loan.
- Health
Full explanation for the need for equipment to be purchased.
Detailed quotations and thereafter-certified invoices (attached to the Monitoring form) for equipment purchase must be provided together with photographic evidence of purchase. Confirmation that the medical facility will have certified trained personnel to operate the equipment and funds are in place to properly maintain the equipment. The likely number of patients to be treated and confirmation that a register of patients will be kept for inspection. If patients are charged what will be the cost of treatment to them. Confirmation that all equipment will remain the property of the charity
Application Method:
Dear Applicant – Thank you for your interest in the Erach and Roshan Sadri Foundation. Please understand the Foundation expects to receive many hundreds of proposals each year and it is worth noting that, despite the high number of well deserving applications, only a very few will be successful. Those that are successful will have a ‘best fit’ with the aims of the Foundation and it is therefore very important to refer to these guidelines before submitting an appeal for funding. The Trustees normally meet in March, June, September and December each year. It can take several months for the Foundation to respond to an appeal. Please ensure that the Foundation will have time to consider your application before the funds are required. We will inform you of any decision when it is reached. We look forward to receiving your application in due course. Please ensure you provide ALL the information requested in the Application form and listed in the Important Additional Notes and Sections above otherwise your application will not be considered.
Yours sincerely.
The level of detail required in an application should vary dependent on the
size of the request. Small grants below £2,000 need only a one-page letter
Click here to download the application form checklist
(Right Click to download – Choose Save File As)
Roshan Sadri Foundation, 10A High Street, Pewsey, Wiltshire SN9 5AQ, email
markcann@ersf2.wpengine.com. Please provide a one-page covering letter which is, in
effect, an Executive Summary, with the form filled in where possible. Do not
worry if you are unable to provide a completed form.
the return of the application form as it does not fit the criteria or is incorrectly
filled in or the Trustees will consider the application at the next meeting
and you will hear within a maximum of one month after that meeting is
held if your grant was successful and the result will also be posted on this
website under Grants Given. Meetings are held four times a year and the four
deadlines for applications to be considered at the next meeting are March
1st, June 1st, September 1st and December 1st
