The guidance set out below does not represent the rules of the Trust, but is based on our experience and awards made to date. It is designed to assist applicants in making their applications to the Trust. In other words, there is no guarantee that any application matching the criteria below will be successful. APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A BUSINESS PLAN [See Section 5 below]. WE WILL NOT REPLY UNTIL WE HAVE THE BUSINESS PLAN. You may find it helpful to get a start up pack which most high street banks have developed and which they make available on request. These contain useful advice and some give examples on how to present a profit and cash forecast.
The PRINCE’S TRUST BUSINESS PLAN WEBPAGE COVERS THE INFO WE WANT. Another alternative is the UK government business / finance support page.
If the applicant wishes to discuss any aspect of the application prior to submitting the application please refer to Joy Bennett. Email: info@olibennett.org.uk
A] The Trust is aimed at young people, applicants must be 18 up to their 30th birthday.
B] The Trustees prefer to assist in buying a business asset as opposed to providing funds for general expenses. The Trust supports new or very young businesses rather than assisting with expansion plans for larger businesses. We are a relatively small Charity, no applicant has received a grant in excess of £2000.
C] WE DO NOT GIVE MONEY FOR TRAINING COURSES
1.0 Personal details
Personal details: as in the application form: plus please attach some proof of identity and date of birth [e.g. p/copy of birth certificate, driving licence or passport]
2.0 Project description
- Description of project
- How applicant became associated with product or service
- Markets and methods of marketing
- Comment on the need for product or service
- Who else is in the market
- Does the product or service have something unique about it
- What is the experience of the applicant in this field
- How will the project be managed, where will it operate and what advisors have you used
- Comment on future development of product or service
- Summarise strenghts and weaknesses
3.0 Commercial aspects of the Project
- Comment on the selling price and how it compares with the competition
- Comment on any sales growth which may be forecast
- Comment on the cost of the project
- Comment on advertising and selling costs
- Comment on accomodation costs
- Comment on administration costs
4.0 Finance required
- Summarise finance required and what item[s] you need that we might give a grant to purchase
- Details of finance offered from other sources [e.g Princes Trust]
- Details of any requests for finance which may be outstanding
- Amount requested from The Oli Bennett Trust
5.0 Include a business plan
YOU MUST INCLUDE A BUSINESS PLAN. NO APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT A BUSINESS PLAN, WHICH MUST INCLUDE A PROFIT, LOSS AND CASH FORECAST. See introduction for a comment on format. BUSINESS PLANS may be sent as an attachment to info@olibennett.org.uk.