The PSG does not distribute money; rather it allocates the time of the professional member to meet the needs of the Voluntary/Community Group.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

In order to be eligible to make an application for PSG support applicants must evidence the following criteria:

1. The organisation making the application must be based within the Tees Valley areas of Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland or Stockton on Tees.
2. Projects in immediate surrounding areas will be dealt with on a discretionary basis such as Stokesley, Great Ayton and Sedgefield.
3. Applicants must evidence that they have clear charitable/social aims and that these benefit residents and/or the local community within the Tees Valley areas of Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland or Stockton on Tees.
4. Applicants must evidence a track record of delivery of services or if a new group have a viable plan to forecast project activities.
5. Applicants must evidence that they have a signed constitution detailing clear aims and objectives and accountability of the organisation.
6. Applicants must evidence a set of adopted trading accounts and show the amount of reserves held by the organisation; guidance is that up to 12 months unrestricted running costs are acceptable.

Decisions for support remain at the discretion of the PSG Trustees/Board made up of a panel of local professional representatives.

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA

It should be noted that applicants might have an element of earned income (income gained from sale of their products or services) however if they are able to access support from other sources such as Business Link, a referral should be made rather than direct support from PSG.

The following cannot apply or be supported by PSG:

1. Animal Charities– unless they can evidence benefit to the local community as a whole and not just of animals.
2. Aid Agencies
3. Religious Groups– PSG cannot support organisations promoting a particular religious view or one that has closed membership.  Discretion may be given if organisation can show their activities benefit the whole community.
4. Commercial Businessesthat do not have a social aim
5. PSG can not support any areas of litigation, arbitration or other dispute resolution process where there is the potential of a legal proceeding in a court or other forum.
6. Audit Services– members of the PSG do not act as retained advisors or office holders (e.g. Auditors)

PSG will not support activities that may bring them into disrepute