Apply for support

You must be a community-based, not-for-profit group working for the social and economic regeneration of your local area and should fit within the following criteria:

• Have a track record of working successfully with the local community
• Have no funding available for the specific project and not paid advisors retained to do the work
• If part of a national organisation, your branch must be locally constituted, and prove that neither the expertise nor the funding to pay for the work is available centrally
• Your project must be realistic and viable
• Your governing body must be willing to authorise the involvement of ProHelp

• Applications for assistance with litigation will not be considered
• Help is not normally given to animal welfare organisations nor organisations whose primary focus is overseas aid
• Assistance to religious groups will only be offered if the project benefits the wider community

• Have you identified your project brief? our Identifying Your Need page gives you guidance on the kinds of support available and what is right for you.  It is important on your application to communicate clearly the type of support you are seeking, this will help us match you with a firm.  The more clearly and appealingly you can communicate your need, the more likely it is that your project will be picked up.  ProHelp offers support for one-off projects, not ongoing support.
• Are there deadlies to be met? It can sometimes take a few weeks to match your project and we are unlikely to help if the deadline is urgent.  If you need to discuss your application please contact the ProHelp manager of the local ProHelp group.
• Are you ready to work with a professional firm? It is important that you have adequate time and resource available to work with a professional if they are allocated to your request.  For example, if you are applying for support with writing a business plan, you should have the necessary information on your organisation available and be ready to meet with the business.

If you are eligible for support and have identified how we can help, the next step is to complete an application form that provides us with some background information on your organisation and details of the project you need help with.

Your organisation will need to be able to provide your latest accounts and a copy of your constitution or memorandum and articles of association.

ProHelp operates in 33 locations and matches local firms with local community organisations.  Please complete the application form document on the local group page.  See ProHelp in the Regions to find your local group.

Your completed Application Form will be checked by the local ProHelp Manager once it is received.  They will contact you if they have any questions or need to discuss the application.

Sometimes it may be necessary for you to meet with a representative from ProHelp to develop a fuller brief for the project assignment.

A summary of your request will then be taken to ProHelp members to consider and where possible match.  If a firm is able to help, a meeting will then be arranged with you to take things further.

We are not always able to help with every project request but will always communicate this to you and where possible make alternative suggestions for organisations who may be able to help.  It can take a couple of weeks or often much longer to match a project, the local ProHelp Manager will give you an indication, your patience is appreciated.

• How did we do?  We always encourage community groups to let us know the difference ProHelp has made to them so do let us know what we're doing well, what the impact has been in your community and also what we could be doing better!
• Thank you: ProHelp members give their time for free because they are committed to making a difference in their community.  A 'thank you' from you at the end of a project is always really appreciated - so don't be shy, let them know their support has helped!
• Spread the word: If you have benefit from ProHelp support and know other community organisations who may want some support - spread the word www.prohelp.org.uk