Microsoft West London Community Fund

Frequently asked questions

• How does the application process work?

  We aim to make the application process as quick and easy as possible.

  • If applying to start a proven idea in your community, you will be asked for details such as the address of your project, and your motivation for starting the project in a short application form. Once you apply you will start the 30 Day Challenge. Funding is allocated to applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more.

  • If applying with your own project, you will be asked to share a project description, its potential impact, and scope, along with some other details in an application form. We will review your application in the context of the fund criteria and other applications. If it is allocated funding, you will then have to complete one or two very simple steps within 30 days. Learn more.

• What are the reporting requirements and funding process?

  You are required to share the progress and outcomes of your project with us, the impact data will be shared with our partners.

  Funding is allocated to applicants that start a proven idea on successful completion of the 30 Day Challenge on a first come, first served basis. Applicants who submit their own project will undergo a review by our team before being allocated funding.

  The funding allocated to your project is divided into two payments.

  • If applying to start a proven idea, the first payment (usually 70% of the total funding amount) is unlocked upon successful completion of the 30 Day Challenge. If you do not complete the 30 Day Challenge within the allocated time (30 days from registration) your funding will be reallocated to another group.
  • If applying with your own project, this funding is unlocked once your project has been approved by our Team.
  • The second payment (usually 30% of the total funding amount) will be unlocked after you have completed a brief impact survey and shared a project summary and photos that demonstrate the outcome of your project. This is usually required 2 to 6 months after the first payment, although the timeline may vary and will be highlighted to you throughout the process.
• What can and can’t funding be used for?

  Funds can be used to cover:

  • Direct costs for the set-up or maintenance of the project, e.g., space rental, insurance fees, seeds and planting materials, tools, training fees.
  • If applying with your own project, some funds may be used to pay those working on the project.

  Funds cannot be used to cover:

  • Cost of work that has already been carried out or anything that is not related to the setup and maintenance of the community project.
  • If applying to start a proven idea, funds may not be used to pay those working on the project.
  • Promotion of religious causes, non-charitable activities, sponsorship, or fundraising events.
  • Promotion of or engagement in criminal acts of violence, terrorism, hate crimes, discrimination based on various grounds, or support of any entity that engages in these activities.
• How will I receive the funding?

  You must have a bank account to receive funding. Once you’ve successfully completed the required steps within 30 days, you can enter your bank details on the ChangeX website to facilitate the bank transfer through a secure payment provider. ChangeX will then review your application to make sure all elements have been completed successfully before making the payment transfer to your account.

• How much funding will I get?

  The amount of funding available for your project depends on the idea you choose or the needs of your project. For proven ideas, funding amounts align with the cost of starting each project in your region. The maximum amount of funding available per project is stated in the green box above.

• How many projects can I apply for?

  • Individuals and informal organisations can apply for and receive funding for one project at a time. You must report back on the impact of any previously funded projects to be able to apply to start a new project. Informal organisations include groups or associations that are not legally registered organisations.

  • Legally registered organisations can apply for and receive funding for up to three different projects at a time, as long as each application and the resulting project is submitted and led by a different member of the organisation's team. If multiple projects will take place at the same location, they must be different.

  • Organisations must be legally registered in the country where they operate, they often include non-profits, schools, libraries, and other legally registered community groups.

  • If you have applied previously and failed the 30 Day Challenge or your project was not selected to receive funding, you are eligible to submit a new application. If you received funding in the past and did not report back on the impact of the project, you are not eligible to apply again.

• How can I ask for accessibility support?

  If you require any additional support to complete the application process or access resources please contact [email protected] and we will help.