Lush 「慈善愛心潤膚乳」計畫 — 常見問題

我們支持世界各地正在為環境保護、動物權益和人民權益發聲的慈善團體。

如何提交申請？

你需要填寫一份申請表格，請以「索取申請表格」為主旨傳送電子郵件至 [email protected] 向我們索取申請表格，連同你所屬團體和你想申請資助的項目簡介（幾段文字即可），我們會盡快回覆。

是否有提交申請的截止日呢？

我們每月都會處理申請，也無截止提交申請的期限。但是，我們建議你在項目開始前至少三個月開始申請資助。

何時能得知申請成功與否？

一般情況下，我們會於收到申請後 6 – 8 星期通知你申請狀況 — 是否入圍或被拒絕。至於入圍計畫的最終決定，則會取決於個別個案情況，如果需進一步聯絡推薦人（請小心選擇推薦人，因為這部分可能需要很長時間）、或跟進其他問題等，一般大概需要數個星期的時間。如果你的申請非常緊急，請在申請信件中特別註明。我們一般會在每個月底審查申請，我們建議你在項目開始前至少三個月申請資助。請注意，於 11 或 12 月提交的申請處理需時可能會較長，因為這是我們一年中最繁忙的時段。

我可申請的資助金額為多少？

每個項目的最高資助額為 NT$400,000。但是，我們並不經常撥出 NT$400,000 的資助，因為我們希望能支持更多的項目。我們平均的資助金額範圍為 NT$70,000 至 NT$150,000 不等。申請不限台灣任何地區。

我的組織不是註冊的慈善團體，可以提交申請嗎？

可以可以，我們會資助任何類型的團體；申請團體不必一定是註冊慈善團體。我們希望支持小規模、以義工主導，以及提倡運動的團體，因為這些小團體通常還未能取得慈善團體證照，但卻能為社會貢獻良多。

你們會否資助台灣以外的項目？

我們會支持世界各地的項目，如果你的項目位於或接近其他推行慈善愛心潤膚乳計畫的 Lush 所在國家及地區，我們會為你們引薦。目前，慈善愛心潤膚乳計畫在大概 35 個國家推行，包括英國、大部分的歐洲國家、美國、加拿大、日本、澳洲、紐西蘭、俄羅斯、南非等。你可瀏覽 www.lush.com 查閱各地區的聯絡人資料。至於海外計畫，我們要求你提供至少一個你曾經合作、來自國際非盈利組織的推薦人；你必須提供一個組織的官方聯絡電子郵件（請參閱以下細節）。

我可否申請資助一些基本營運開支？

可以的，你可以申請資助一些基本營運開支，但必須提供詳細的計畫預算。雖然我們會優先考慮資助計畫的開支，但我們也明白基本營運開支的重要性，所以我們會接受基本營運開支的資助申請。

我是否可以申請薪資的資助？

我們希望資助由義工領導的倡議運動，因為這些一般都比較難從其他地方取得資助。我們很少會資助薪資，因為我們沒有足夠資源去為每個運動及項目提供薪資資助，也沒有可能只支持其中一些計畫的薪資，我們覺得這是不公平的，同時，我們認為義務性質的組織最有可能好好運用我們的資助。

你們會支持電影嗎？

除了特殊情況，原則上我們不會資助長篇電影。我們通常都是以捐款而不是贊助的形式去支持非盈利的電影製作項目。我們期望可看到有關作品的放映計劃，了解作品是否能有效地傳遞訊息給大眾。

你們會贊助活動嗎？

我們採取零付費廣告政策，因此我們不會贊助活動。但是，如果該活動的理念與我們三個核心價值相符，我們仍會考慮資助舉辦活動的費用。因為大型公眾活動一般會比其他類型的活動更易吸引大眾目光，同時有更多的籌款機會，所以我們仍是會優先考慮去資助難以從其他途徑取得支持的項目。

你會資助個人嗎？

不會的，我們只會資助團體和計畫。我們只會將捐款匯至團體的銀行帳戶，個人銀行帳戶將不作考慮（請參閱以下細節）。

你會資助新成立的團體嗎？

會的，我們理解新成立的團體往往缺乏資金，難於募集經費。透過我們的資助，我們期望能幫助他們帶動改變。為了讓我們更容易處理你的申請，請提供組織主要負責人員的過往行動紀錄及其他相關資料以供參考。

如我的項目超過 NT$400,000，我可以申請部分金額的資助嗎？

可以，你可以為超過 NT$400,000 的計畫提交資助申請，但我們會優先考慮小型計畫。你也需向我們證明你能在其他途徑找到剩下的資金。若計畫的總預算超過 NT$400,000，我們有機會請你於確定能募集剩下資金後再次提交申請。

我可否提交多於一個項目的申請？

可以，同一份申請表格上可填寫超過一個計畫的申請，每份申請表格的上限是 NT$400,000，同時每個計畫都應有詳細的預算。因應不同情況，我們會考慮資助其中一個或多個計畫。

我們的團體沒有銀行帳戶，能提交申請嗎？

我們認為設立銀行帳戶能幫助一個團體及項目的長遠發展。因應個別情況，我們會考慮將捐款匯至第三方的銀行帳戶，一個與你有合作關係的慈善團體。我們不會將捐款匯至個人的帳戶。

申請團體有責任提供正確的銀行帳戶資料。提供錯誤的資料會令審核時間延長，也會加重我們的行政費用。我們有權拒絕任何提供錯誤銀行帳戶資料的申請。

你們如何決定誰是你的資助對象？

如上所述，我們會優先考慮某些性質類別的團體及計畫，特別是小規模和草根團體的行動。我們的委員會根據申請表格上的計畫資訊及推薦人所提供的資料去進行入圍和最終評選（請參閱以下細節）。因資源有限，我們並不能資助所有申請團體，如你的申請未被接納，這並不代表我們不支持你的計畫。你可以考慮未來再次提交申請。

誰是合適的推薦人或團體？

推薦人必需盡量保持中立，而且與申請團體並無任何附帶關係。他們應有和你合作的經驗，對你所針對的議題有一定程度的了解，例如：幫你製作印刷品的公司可能對你十分熟悉，但並不會了解你的工作。因人手有限，我們並不能探訪每個申請團體，所以合適的推薦人十分重要。若他們不理解申請計畫的重要性和迫切性，申請處理所需時間則很有機會被延長。入圍申請團體將獲個別通知，你可通知你的推薦人或團體，我們將以電郵或電話聯絡他們。

所有海外的申請必須提供至少一個國際非盈利組織的推薦人，如 International Rivers、Amazon Watch、Friends of the Earth International（包括各地區分部）、Indigenous Environmental Network、Rainforest Foundation、Survival International、War on Want、Global Justice Now、Oil Watch、World Society for the Protection of Animals、International Animal Rescue 等。你必須提供一個組織的官方聯絡電子郵件，Gmail 或 Yahoo 電子郵件一概不受理。我們不接受其他捐贈者作推薦人。

如果申請成功，我的團體需要做什麼去答謝 Lush 的支持？

不需要。我們非常高興能夠為你們提供幫助，也不期待獲得任何回報。但是，在一些特別情況下，例如：如想把我們公司的標誌放在你們的網頁上，請提早告知我們。同時，我們會更新網站，將曾資助過的組織放在相關文章上，讓客人和員工更清楚慈善愛心潤膚乳捐款的去向。如果你希望捐款保密，我們絕對尊重你的意願，請於申請表格上註明。

如果申請成功，我需要匯報有關項目的進度嗎？

我們期望所有成功申請的團體都會給予定期更新，讓我們了解計畫的進度及成果。同時，如果你願意，我們會將這些訊息發放給我們的客人（你的支持者！）。

我可否提交第二次的資助申請？

可以。你可於上一次獲得資助至少一年後再次提交申請。我們會根據當下的可用資金、過往所資助的計畫是否成功、以及是否有為我們提供定期的更新或報告，再決定是否接納第二次的申請。

如果我的申請不成功，是否可以知道收到申請失敗的原因？

因申請眾多，很抱歉我們無法為失敗的申請提供原因。你可參考上述申請未被接納的主要原因。

如果我的申請失敗，我可否再次提交申請？

可以！因資源有限，我們並不能資助所有提出申請的慈善團體。未被接受你的申請不代表我們不支持你的團體。若你決定再次提交申請，請詳閱申請指引，為再次提交申請的計畫做出相應調整，以在符合我們的資助準則。

Lush Charity Pot Funding – FAQs

We support small, grassroots organisations around the world that are working in the areas of animal protection, the environment, and human rights.

How do I apply for a grant from Charity Pot?

To apply for a Charity Pot grant you will need to complete a new funding application form. To request an application form, please send an email to [email protected] with the subject “Application Form Request”. In your email please give a brief description of your organisation and the project you’d like funding for (no more than a couple of paragraphs). We will respond as soon as we can.

Do you have any deadlines for applications?

No, you can apply at any time. Please note that typically we assess applications monthly. We would recommend that you apply for projects that start no less than 3 months after the submission of the application.

When will I know if my application is successful?

We aim to let you know if your application has been short-listed or not within 6-8 weeks, after it has been reviewed by a panel. We then check references which can take a further couple of weeks, depending on how quickly your references respond (choose them carefully, as this part of the process can often take the longest). The panel may also have further questions about your application. If your application is urgent please make this clear in your application form. Please note that applications received in November and December may take longer to assess, as this is our busiest time of year as a business.

How much can I apply for?

Our support ranges from a couple thousands to a maximum of NTD$460,000 per project. However we rarely give out NTD$460,000 as that means we can only fund a few projects. Our average grant is around NTD$150,000 to NTD$260,000.

My organisation is not a registered charity, does that matter?

No, we fund all types of organisations; it is not necessary to be a registered charity. Our focus is to support small, volunteer run grassroots groups and particularly campaign groups, which are often unable to register as charity yet play an important role in society.

Do you fund projects outside Taiwan?

Yes, we fund projects all around the world. If your project is in or close to another Lush country which has a Charity Pot scheme, we may refer you on to them. We have Charity Pot schemes in 35 different countries now including the UK, most of Europe, USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and South Africa. You can find contact details for them at www.lush.com. For projects overseas we require at least one of your references to be from a known international NGO you work with, with an official work email address (see below).

Can I apply for core costs/general running costs?

Yes, you can apply for core/ general running costs so long as you give a detailed breakdown of those costs. Although we prefer to fund project costs, we realise that without core costs covered an organisation cannot operate at all so we do consider applications with core costs included.

Can I apply for salary costs?

We prefer to direct our funding to voluntary campaigning (which struggles to attract funding) and we very rarely fund salaries.  We simply cannot afford to pay salaries for all those campaigning and it would be unfair to pay salaries for some, and not for others. We feel our limited funds are best spent on supporting the underfunded voluntary groups.

Do you fund films?

Generally we don’t fund feature length films apart from exceptional cases. When we do fund films this would be as a donation rather than investment in the film and we’d expect the project to be a non-profit venture. We would like to see evidence of plans for any film produced that demonstrate it will be useful and widely viewed.

Do you sponsor events?

We have a policy against paid advertising so we do not sponsor events. However, we are willing to consider giving a donation towards the costs of running an event if its aim falls in to one of our three focus areas. Please note that as public events would usually attract hundreds of participants these projects tend to have a much better opportunity for raising funds than many of those we are asked to support and our priority is to help those projects which need our help the most.

Do you fund individuals?

No, we usually only support organisations and projects. We do not pay grants into an individual’s account either, and you will need a group bank account (see below).

Do you fund start-ups and new organisations?

Yes. We recognise that many new organisations and start-ups struggle to find the funds they need to get up on their feet and we like to give people a chance to make a difference. We ask that you provide references for, and track records of, the main individuals involved in the organisation, which we can use to assess the application.

If my project costs more than NTD$460,000, can I apply for part of the costs?

Yes, you can apply for funding towards a project with a total budget of over NTD$460,000, but we prefer to fund small projects. We would need to see evidence of how you plan to raise the remainder of the project cost. If the total budget is substantially over NTD$460,000 we may ask you to come back again once you have raised the balance of the funds.

Can I apply for more than one project?

Yes, you can do this and can include all projects on the same application form so long as each has a detailed budget, and the total is under NTD$460,000. However, the funding panels may choose to fund only one or some of the projects.

Does it matter if we don’t have a bank account for our organisation?

We prefer to fund organisations that show commitment to their project by setting up a bank account. However if this is not possible or time scales do not allow it, we may consider paying the donation into an account of another organisation that you work closely with. We do not pay money into individual’s accounts, for obvious reasons.

Please ensure all your account details are correct. Many applications have incorrect bank details which causes a huge administrative burden on Charity Pot staff, delays your application, and costs us in bank charges. We will reject all applications with incorrect bank details, so it is your responsibility to get these crucial details right.

How do you decide who to fund?

As above, there are certain organisations and projects we prioritise for funding. We will use the application form to assess the project and will also ask for two references (see below). Our funding panels will short list, based on our priorities to fund grassroots campaigning. If your application is rejected, it may mean we were particularly heavily subscribed that month, not that we don’t support your project. Please consider applying again.

Which individuals/organisations would be considered suitable referees?

Referees should be as unbiased as possible and independent of your organisation. They should also have some experience and expertise in the area in which you work, for example, your printing company may know you well as individuals but probably aren’t best positioned to vouch for the quality and integrity of your work. As a small team, we are unable to visit all the groups we support or are considering supporting; therefore good referees are crucial. However choose them carefully as referees can often delay the approval of funds by weeks/months if they don’t appreciate the urgency of your application. We will notify you if you have been short listed, so you can alert your references to expect an email or phone call from us.

We will no longer be accepting applications for groups overseas unless you can supply at least one reference from a known international NGO, with a work email address, such as International Rivers, Amazon Watch, Friends of the Earth International (including member groups), Indigenous Environmental Network, Rainforest Foundation, Survival International, War on Want, Global Justice Now, Oil Watch, World Society for the Protection of Animals, International Animal Rescue. They must have an organisational NGO email address, i.e not a gmail or yahoo address. Please note we do not accept references from funders.

If my application is successful, what will my organisation need to do to acknowledge Lush’s support?

Nothing; we are happy to help and don’t expect anything in return. However if you feel it would be beneficial to you to use our logo on your website or send out a press release about our donation, please always discuss this with us first as it can create a lot of extra work for us. We do list our donations on our website, to provide transparency to our customers and staff about how Charity Pot funds are spent. Many groups welcome this publicity, however if you would prefer that our donation to you is kept confidential, that is absolutely fine and please discuss this with us and make this clear on your application form.

What reporting requirements are there if I am successful?

We expect all successful applicants to report back on how the money was spent, and the outcomes. In the meantime, we’d love to hear from you regularly to hear how the project is progressing; this also gives us the opportunity to share your news with our customers (i.e. your potential supporters!) if you’d like us to.

Can I apply for a second grant?

Yes. We give repeat grants, after at least a year of receiving previous funding. This wholly depends on funds available, the success of the first project and whether reporting requirements have been satisfied.

Will you give me feedback if my application is unsuccessful?

We’re sorry that the high level of applications we receive mean it is not possible to give reasons why your application was not successful. However, please see the common reasons given above for unsuccessful applications.

If my application is unsuccessful, can I apply again?

Yes please! We get more applications than we can afford to fund, and rejection of your application does not mean we don’t support your group. However, if you wish to reapply, please re-read our funding guidelines again to ensure you fit our funding criteria as this was probably the most likely reason you were unsuccessful before. You would need to demonstrate that the project has changed significantly.