Support in kind
This information sheet is for prospective applicants to the Grants for the arts programme,
who will be applying from 1 July 2013. Please also read our ‘How to apply guidance’ before
you submit your application. Download it from our website or contact us for a copy
(enquiries@artscouncil.org.uk, 0845 300 6200). This information sheet complements the
‘How to apply guidance’, but does not replace it.
Contents
1 What is support in kind?
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2 What can be included as support in kind
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3 Time in given in kind by an applicant or volunteer
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4 How to value non-cash contributions
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5 Completing the budget for your activity
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6 Contact us
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What is support in kind?
Arts Council England understands how non-cash contributions can contribute to the
successful delivery of an arts activity. Support in kind is used to describe any materials or
services for an activity that are provided free of charge or at a reduced rate, and
demonstrates a third-party backing or investment in the work that you are seeking funding
for. The value of support in kind contributes towards match funding and is considered to be
part of the total activity cost.
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What can be included as support in kind?
Support in kind could be:

materials needed to create or present the work (e.g. fabric, paint and metal, or
frames, projectors and speakers) that you have been given or already own and
would otherwise have to pay for

equipment that would normally come with a rate of hire (e.g. instruments, vehicles,
PA or IT systems)

waived venue hire (e.g. studio, rehearsal, or exhibition space)

waived fees/specialist support (e.g. mentor, consultant, business advisor,
fundraiser)

marketing and promotional support (e.g. website development, e-print, digital
marketing)

filming, photography, documenting work etc

reduced rates

volunteer time – see section 3 ‘Time in given in kind by an applicant or volunteer’
You cannot include:

activities, materials or services that were provided before we are able to make a
decision on your application

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cash contributions (these should come under activity income)
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Time in given in kind by an applicant or volunteer
Arts Council England is committed to ensuring proper and fair payment to artists and those
who work in the creative industries in recognition of their professional status, skills and
experience. While we recognise that there is a great value in people having access to work
experience where it is offered and arranged properly and is a mutually beneficial
arrangement, this should not be used as a means of attempting to circumvent the Minimum
Wage Regulations. Our information sheet ‘How to pay artists’ provides further details.
It is useful for applicants to value the time they work and reflect the contribution they give in
kind. This supports our ability to understand any risk to successful delivery and/or how
sustainable an activity is. It is particularly useful for an applicant to reflect additional time
given in kind within an activity report so they can learn what resource assumptions need to
be made to deliver similar activity in the future.
Time given in kind by an applicant or volunteer could include:

a project co-ordinator who offers administration support over the duration of the
activity in kind

when the applicant is an organisation and they are giving time in kind (marketing
support, for example)

it might be appropriate for an artist to request payment for 80 per cent of their
hours worked, and give 20 per cent in kind
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How to value non-cash contributions
If your volunteers are arts professionals, you should value their time as if they were taking a
professional wage.
For venue or equipment hire, you should obtain quotes or undertake research to establish
how much these services would usually cost if you had to pay for them. Ask the providers of
the services, or compare with similar local businesses.
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For services provided at a reduced rate the expenditure should reflect the amount paid, and
the discount amount should be accounted for in the support in kind. For example, if a
performance hall usually costing £1,000 is being provided for £800, then the expenditure for
this item would be £800, with support in kind valued at £200.
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Completing the budget for your activity
Support in kind should not be included in either the income or expenditure sections of your
budget. We will ask you to tell us about non-cash contributions separately, in the Support in
kind section of the application form.
Further advice on completing your budget can be found in the ‘How to apply guidance’ and
‘Example budgets’ information sheet.
If you are experiencing problems completing the budget section of your application please
contact us. We can co-browse open draft applications and check your budget with you
before you submit. Please be aware that we cannot read full applications before they are
submitted.
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Contact us
Arts Council England
Phone:
0845 300 6200
Email:
enquiries@artscouncil.org.uk
Textphone: 020 7973 6564
Website:
www.artscouncil.org.uk
Post:
Arts Council England
Grants for the arts
PO Box 4353
Manchester
M61 0DQ.
© Arts Council England June 2013
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