Malvern Hills Growth Fund Guidance for Successful Applicants

• Read and sign the letter about Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA), if received.
• Read and sign your Grant Funding Agreement (GFA)
• Do not start your project until the GFA is signed
• Complete the creditor form so we can pay you
• Keep invoices, proof of payment, and photos
• Submit a claim form when ready
• Contact us before making any changes
• Complete a final Outputs report.

Some grants count as subsidy under MFA rules.

• Funding limit: £315,000 over a rolling 3-year period

What you need to do:

• Received a letter?→ Sign and return it
• No letter? → No action needed
• Unsure if you may exceed the limit? → Contact us

You will receive a confirmation letter after your final payment. Please retain this for 3 years.

You must read the full GFA before signing.

Key rules

• Do not start your project before the GFA is signed and your project start date has passed
• Funding is paid in arrears
• Assets must be kept for up to 2 years
• Funds must only be used for approved purposes

You can request up to three stage payments to help with cash flow

Contact us before signing your GFA to arrange this.

1. You will receive your GFA via Nitro Workspace.
• No software download is required
• You can sign directly in your web browser
• The agreement must be signed by an authorised signatory
2. We will countersign and return a copy to you.
3. Once you have received the countersigned agreement, you may begin your project in line with the approved terms.

Step 1: Set up payment

We will send you a creditor form, which must be completed before any payments can be made.

Step 2: Submit a Claim

Near your project end date, you will receive a link to an online Claim Form (no account required).

You must upload:

• Invoices (matching approved costs)
• Proof of payment (e.g. bank statements)
• Photos of the project or equipment

Important:

• Costs incurred before the project start date are not eligible
• You may claim up to the approved grant amount or agreed percentage, whichever is lower

• Payments to suppliers or contractors must not be made by cash or cheque unless agreed with us in advance. Payments should be made from a bank account or credit card held in the name of your business. When submitting your claim, you will be required to provide a bank statement or credit card statement as evidence of payment.

Step 3: Claim assessment

We will review your claim for completeness and accuracy.

Indicative timescales:

We may contact you to request additional information or clarification about your claim. If further information is required, the assessment timescales may be extended and payment may take longer than indicated above

You must contact us in advance of making any changes.

Examples of changes that require approval include:

• Suppliers or contractors
• Equipment, goods, services, or works being purchase
• Approved project costs or budgets
• Project timescales or completion dates
• Outputs or deliverables
• Match funding arrangements

Please note that approval is not automatic. Costs incurred or commitments made before approval is received may not be eligible for grant funding.

If a change is approved, we will confirm this in writing by email. Please retain this confirmation for your records.

You must acknowledge funding support.

You are required to:

• Follow the publicity requirements set out in your GFA
• Display a plaque at your premises (provided upon project completion)

During delivery, we may contact you to review progress and confirm that you remain on track. Site visits may also take place.

We ask that you respond promptly and fully to any queries. Our aim is to support you in delivering a successful project.

After completion:

• 2–3 months after project completion, you will receive a link to an Outcomes Report

This must be used to report on the outputs agreed in your GFA

• Starting your project before signing the GFA
• Submitting claims without proof of payment
• Making changes without prior approval
• Not completing the creditor form
• Exceeding agreed costs or scope

If you are unsure about anything, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or alternatively:

Adrian Rosten-Smart, Economic Development Grants Officer

• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Phone: 01386 565453