FUNDING POLICIES

• Children and Youth shall be the central beneficiaries of the fund.
• The NMCF will strive in all its activities to be inclusive and to have balanced participation with regard to race and gender.
• In all its activities the NMCF will strive to empower children and youth who live in seriously disadvantaged circumstances.
• All funding requests will be assessed in terms of our programme criteria and procedures. This assessment is likely to include an interview with the applicant and a visit to the project concerned.
• We prefer to deal directly with the proposed recipients of our funds and not through funding agencies.
• We seek to build long-term relationships with partners and will do our best to ensure-open and honest communication between the partners and ourselves.
• We would consider funding projects jointly with others.

FUNDING CRITERIA
Projects we fund should strive to: 

• Have sound action plans and efficient administration to ensure sustainability.
• Have strong youth participation.
• Have the support of the community in which it operates.
• Show a desire for learning and self-reliance.
• Empower the youth with whom it works.
• Have established financial management systems or show that such are being developed.
• Have a legal charter or constitution
• Have a governing structure such as board of trustees, a management board, or committee representative of the community.
• Create a plan for future sustainability.

FORMAT FOR FUNDING REQUESTS

• All requests must be submitted in the required format.
• Additional documentation including annual reports, brochures, etc. may be attached.
• The application should, if possible, be in English and typed.
• All questions should be answered. If they are not applicable state why.

REPORTING

• All recipients of funds from the NMCF will be expected to submit written reports detailing progress twice a year or as requested.
• Audited financial statements shall be submitted once a year for the duration of the funding agreement.
• Management reports, newsletters and annual reports shall be made available to the Fund.

HOW THE FUND OPERATES

• Receipt of all applications for funding will be acknowledged promptly.
• Assessment of the request may include an interview or a visit to the project.
• Once the assessment has been completed, a proposal will be put forward on your behalf to trustees. 
• Trustees' meetings are held three times a year. 
• Decisions made by the trustees are final.
• You will be informed by post/email about the trustees' decision.
• Applicants should allow up to four months after the date of the submission of the funding request for a decision.

WE DO NOT FUND

• Motor vehicles, school buses
• Conferences, seminars, once-off events and accommodation
• Student exchange programmes
• Tertiary bursaries and School fees
• Sponsorships and promotions
• Profit making initiatives
• Projects outside South Africa
• Children in dire straits (e.g.: medical expenses for individuals with serious medical conditions)
• Building of class rooms and school facilities