The VAST Bursary Fund

The VAST Bursary aims to support Staffordshire’s voluntary sector organisations to access VAST’s eligible business services.

  • Accountancy
  • Training & Consultation, or
  • Project Evaluation


Can we apply?

Bursaries are available to voluntary sector groups, charities, CIC’s and social enterprises based in, or primarily working in Staffordshire and/or Stoke on Trent.

Organisations must be either a full, or associate member of VAST and have an income of less than £250,000 per year.

Please read the guidance, criteria, terms, and conditions document before applying for a Bursary.


How do we do it?

Complete the application form. Please give as much detail as possible for us to provide an accurate quote or award (up to £500).

The deadline for applications is 15:30 on the last Friday of the month (there is no deadline for December).

Click here to fill out the application form.


What happens next?

Applications that pass pre-panel checks will be assessed by the panel.

If we need more information, we will contact the person stated on the application form by email as soon as possible. Please note that applications that need supporting information may be carried over to the following month’s panel, depending on when the application is initially submitted.

The panel will assess applications and award a suitable amount to cover the services required (up to £500).

Applications that request services worth over £500 will be assessed on a part-funded basis.

Applicants will be informed of the panel’s decision by the last Friday of the month following the submission deadline. E.g., if the application deadline is Friday 22nd February 2019, applicants will receive a notification no later than Friday 29th March 2019.


We’ve been awarded a Bursary; what should we do now?

When applicants are notified of an award, the email will include the contact name, department, telephone number, and email address of the person they need to contact.

Applicants who receive an award will have six months to contact the relevant person to discuss the work to be carried out. An expiration date for the award will be included in the notification email. If successful applicants do not contact the relevant person or department before the expiration date, the award will be automatically withdrawn.

Apply for the VAST Bursary