Code of Conduct

Submission of a Spark Grants application requires your consent to this Code of Conduct. This Code applies to any activities related to the initiative you're applying with, and is in effect for the duration of your work on it and communication about it. This Code of Conduct applies to any organisers involved, and it is the responsibility of the Project Lead to ensure the full team understand and comply with this Code. If you have any questions, please contact hello@sparkgrants.org.

What you're signing up to

Spark Grants exists to make the UK a more dynamic place – more ambitious rooms, meeting more often, building more things. Applying means you share that goal and your initiative works towards it. You can read more about the UK Dynamism Fund, which backs Spark Grants.

Your initiative is yours

You're the organiser, and you're responsible for running it — venue, permissions, licences, safety, online communication, who you invite, where it’s publicised and what happens. 

Spark Grants, and any organisations or individuals associated, are not responsible for incidents that arise at, or because of, your initiative. 

Spending the grant

Spend it on what you told us you'd spend it on. The grant can't go towards:

  • Alcohol. Serve it if you want, at your own or a sponsor's cost, and on your own responsibility.

  • Prizes, bursaries or anything that passes the money on. We can't re-grant.

  • Party-political activity. We're non-partisan. Non-partisan policy discussion and research are fine; doing it for a party isn't.

  • Anything taking place in, or involving travel to or from, the United States.

You also confirm that you're not subject to financial sanctions and aren't acting for anyone who is; that you won't use the grant to support terrorism, launder money, or pay or influence public officials; and that you'll follow the law. 

If it doesn't go ahead, or you underspend

Tell us promptly. 

Anything unspent comes back to us, and you commit to transparency and quick resolution where this is the case. You may re-apply with a new Spark Grant idea which unspent funds can be directed to - we retain the right to decline this second application as per typical processes. 

How you treat people

Whatever you're building — an event, a publication, a group, something online — you're creating a space, and you're responsible for what it's like to be in it.

  • Treat people with respect. No harassment, bullying, intimidation or discrimination, in any form, at any point.

  • Harassment includes unwelcome physical contact, sexual advances or suggestive behaviour, slurs, deliberate intimidation, and photographing or recording someone who doesn't want it. 

  • Make it welcoming to people who don't already know you. Give people room to speak, particularly the ones who don't usually get it.

  • Don't publish or promote content (or conversation) that's discriminatory, degrading, gratuitously offensive, or in any way is party-political and/or advocating or endorsing a candidate in or running for public office. This applies to newsletters, articles, videos and social posts as much as to an event itself. 

  • If something goes wrong, deal with it — and tell us. You can reach Leone directly or email hello@sparkgrants.org. You commit to telling us early, transparently, and taking initiative to solve any issue as quickly as possible. 

Your communication with us

Spark Grants continues because we can point to what it produces. New collaborations, follow-on events, new companies - you commit to sharing what comes of your initiative, and helping us communicate about this impact. You understand that this will enable future initiatives like yours to be funded. 

In particular, you commit to: 

  • Mentioning Spark Grants, with our website hyperlinked, on materials or registration pages associated with the initiative. 

  • Completing the ‘30 Day Impact Form’ we’ll share with you within seven days of receiving it, and answer it to the best of your ability. Any reporting of impact, such as this form, you understand enables us to run a scheme like Spark Grants. 

  • Telling us when things change. Small adjustments are expected and fine. If the date, format, scale or purpose shifts significantly, you commit to letting us know before it happens. In some cases, where the scope of the initiative is materially different to your initial application, we may request a return of funds. 

Your communication about us

We'll announce you as a grantee and may share your initiative on our channels, unless you tell us in writing that you don’t want this. 

You can say Spark Grants is backing the initiative. You can’t imply that Spark Grants, the UK Dynamism Fund or Renaissance Philanthropy is co-organising, co-hosting or partnering on your initiative, or that you work for or represent any of these bodies. Other than naming Spark Grants as your backer, don't use any associated logos or names without prior written consent. 

The grantee group

Funded grantees are invited to a whatsapp group with other Project Leads. It's informal, and all aspects of this Code of Conduct apply there. You commit to being someone other people are glad is in the room, and act professionally within conversations with us, any funders, any supporters of Spark Grants and other grantees.

Under-18s

Spark Grants is aimed at people 18 and over, and you need to be 18 or over to receive a grant. If your initiative is likely to involve under-18s, tell us before it happens, and take responsibility for appropriate safeguarding. 

Tax

You're responsible for your own tax position. We can't give tax advice — please speak to someone who can if you're unsure.

Your data

We handle your personal data in line with Renaissance Philanthropy's Privacy Policy, and at the point of application you give consent to sharing information you provide with, and being contacted by, third parties and individuals critical to running Spark Grants. 

Termination

If we discover this Code of Conduct is not complied with, or other actions and/or communication by yourself or associated with your initiative act against the purpose of the UK Dynamism Fund, we reserve the right - at our discretion - to revoke our commitment to fund your initiative. Where funds have already been received, and we ask them to be returned, you commit to doing so in a timely manner. Where funding has already been spent, you a) agree to stop describing your initiative as currently supported by Spark Grants, and b) work to remove our name and logo from your materials, and c) commit to making no reference to Spark Grants, UK Dynamism Fund, Renaissance Philanthropy and/or any associated funders or third parties in any of your written or verbal communications about the initiative.