Grants

Appologies

BBACT's Small Grants Programme has currently been suspended.   However, Trustees hope to reinstate the programme at some point so please contact our help-line for an update.  

BBACT administers a small grants fund to assist blind and partially sighted entrepreneurs with the purchase of essential equipment and materials and for education and training purposes. We can also provide grants to aid business expansion or provide specialised equipment not covered under the Access to Work Scheme.

We have provided funds for an amazing variety of needs and enterprises, dramatically demonstrating that whatever a sighted person can do — a blind person can do even better! These include; educational grants for: legal studies; RCM music diplomas, degrees in social counselling, a librarianship diploma, ITC qualifications ...and many more..

Start-up businesses supported have included;
Therapists, Craft workers, accountants, telemarketers, window cleaners, project managers, computer trainers and retailers, printers, councillors, business consultants, artists, musicians, actors, authors, agriculturists and more.

Who can apply

BBACT can only consider making grants to:

• people who are registered Blind or partially sighted and resident in the United Kingdom who are Taking steps to set up their own business;
• People already in self-employment and requiring specific assistance;
• Students who wish to undertake a course leading to vocational or professional qualifications that will enable them to become self employed in due course.
  

We cannot make grants to:

• People already in paid employment or going into paid employment;
• People requiring equipment for home use not connected with self-employment;
• People who have a business  idea but are not yet near converting it into a business plan;.
• People who have received a grant within the previous two years.
  

Grant Application requirements:

All applicants either starting a new business or requesting assistance with the development of an existing business, are required to submit a fully completed business plan. The business plan must include a clear explanation of the business ideas, and statements of what money is required and for what purpose. BBACT has produced an advisory document - New Business Start-up Advisor - containing guidance on what to include and how to develop your business ideas, which is available to assist you. We are also able to offer support by way of a mentor to help you through this process.

We will require a letter clearly outlining for what purpose funding is being sort, a copy of your Curriculum Vitae and accompanying written quotations connected to any equipment or service for which you are seeking support.

If you already own a Business and are seeking a grant to enable further development, we will also require a set of financial accounts for at least the last full year of your business.

If you are a student we will require a clear letter stating what course you wish to follow, why, what qualification/s you may have already, to what further qualification this course will lead and how the course will result to self-employment.

Applications should be sent wherever possible  in electronic format, to the trusts Projects and administration Manager- details are on the contacts page. All information that you supply to us will be held in the strictest confidence.

How we will pay your Grant.

We will generally ask for copies of invoices and pay the suppliers directly. However, if you choose, we can reimburse the cost to you.

We cannot cover any VAT element of your purchases, but in many cases you can claim exemptions, as a disabled person, from VAT on items, which specifically alleviate your disability.

Deadlines for Applications

Grants are considered at Trustee meetings which generally take place  on a quarterly basis.  Applications should reach our office 1 month prior to each meeting so that we have an opportunity to consider the request in detail and if necessary, contact applicants for further information should we require it. 

Please contact our help-line for further advice.