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.
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, Head of Central Support Service or Student
Association Staff Office.
2.7. All submissions for student-led projects must go through the Alumni and Donor
Relations Office at amaravathy.sivalingam@nottingham.edu.my. Projects
supporting student association-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.
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 Student Association
Staff Office.
3.7. Projects that have previously been awarded Cascade (Annual Fund) funding.
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 the Campaign Strategy Group
(CSG), chaired by the Vice-Chancellor.
4.3. All applications remaining are then reviewed by a panel of Cascade donors.
5. Submission details
6.
6.1. All applications to be submitted to Alumni and Donor Relations Office, UNMC at
amaravathy.sivalingam@nottingham.edu.my.
6.2. The next application deadline is midnight on Tuesday, 30 December 2014 for
review by the CSG at their next meeting, and subsequently, the Cascade Grants
Panel.
6.3. Applications passing through the initial selection stage may be required to make
a short presentation to a live panel.
6.4. 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.
6.5. If you have any further queries or require more information regarding the
submission of an application, please email to
amaravathy.sivalingam@nottingham.edu.my or contact Amaravathy, Manager of
Alumni and Donor Relations Office at 03-8725 3665.