Cascade Grants Programme
Funding Transformative Student Projects
Guidance for Applicants
1. Overview
1.1. The Cascade Grants Programme (formerly the Annual Fund) was established in
2007. Since then over £1 million has funded more than 100 projects.
1.2. The Cascade Grants Programme uses donations from alumni and friends of the
University to support projects which directly enhance the experience of
students. These projects may be academic, pastoral or extracurricular, or
enhance student outreach or community activities.
1.3. Projects funded by Cascade must help to demonstrate to alumni and others the
importance of their support and the difference their donations make. By
regularly communicating the impact of these projects, it is intended that the
Cascade Grants Programme will celebrate philanthropy and encourage more
alumni and friends of the University to contribute.
1.4. The average grant awarded by the Cascade Grants Programme will be no more
than £10,000. In exceptional circumstances, however, a grant of up to
£25,000 may be made available.
2. Project criteria:
2.1. Projects must have a direct, significantly positive and long-lasting impact
on the Nottingham student experience.
2.2. Projects must either:
a) be of benefit to the wider student community,
b) assist students to engage with other communities (including alumni),
or c) provide significant benefit to a specific group of students.
2.3. Both Cascade donors and the Campaign Office appreciate hearing about projects
Cascade has funded. As a minimum requirement, project managers in receipt of
a Cascade award must send a written report to the Campaign Office on
completion of the project, which should include:
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A summary and evidence of the impact and benefits of your project.
Quotes from students and other participants, including partner organisations.
Print quality electronic photographs.
2.4. Where appropriate, projects successful in their applications should be credited as
being funded or part-funded by Cascade (advice can be given on this, if required,
by the Campaign Office.)
2.5. If the overall budget is more than the amount requested, applications must
demonstrate the availability of additional funding or activities to secure this
funding.
2.6. All projects must have the explicit approval of the relevant Head of Department
or School, Dean, Pro-Vice Chancellor, or Head of Central Support Service, or SU
President (see 2.7)
2.7. Applications from the Students’ Union (SU) or SU Societies must be approved by
the President. Projects supporting Union-wide activities that bring benefit to the
largest possible numbers of students will be viewed more favourably than those
from an individual society where the project is of benefit to a small number of
members.
2.8. The applicant must be a current University of Nottingham member of staff or
student for the duration of the project.
3. Exclusions - the following projects will not be accepted for review:
3.1. Projects that do not directly enhance the student experience.
3.2. Any project requesting research funding.
3.3. Any project covering staff costs unless the work of that staff member is focused
entirely on supporting the student experience and the funding is intended as
seed corn or for a trial period. Establishment posts will not be supported.
3.4. Projects where funding would normally be expected to come from University or
external sources.
3.5. Projects that exclusively support alumni will not normally be considered.
3.6. Applications from individual students or student societies, unless the project
clearly benefits the wider student community or communities outside the
University. These applications must be endorsed by the President of the
Students’ Union.
3.7. Projects that have previously been awarded Cascade (Annual Fund) funding.
3.8. Projects that only provide benefit to one student.
4. The review process
4.1. The Head of Development (Regular Giving) will review each application on
receipt to ensure eligibility.
4.2. Eligible applications will then be submitted to representatives of the Campaign
Strategy Group (CSG).
4.3. All applications remaining are then reviewed by a panel of Cascade donors.
5. Submission details
5.1. All applications to be submitted to cascade@nottingham.ac.uk
5.2. The next application deadline is midnight on Monday 7 March 2016
5.3. Applications passing through the initial selection stage may be required to make
a short presentation to a live panel.
5.4. Information about applications (including project title, associated
school/department or SU society, amount requested and amount funded), whether
successfully funded or not, may be made public. Information about individual
applicants will not be made public without prior permission of the applicant.
5.5. If you have any further queries or require more information regarding the
submission of an application, please email cascade@nottingham.ac.uk or contact
Simon Buttenshaw, Head of Development (Regular Giving) on 0115 951 3998.