HSBC Hong Kong Community
Partnership Programme 2020
- Support Hong Kong!

Application from
HKD200,000 to HKD700,000

Application guidelines
and donation assessment criteria


Who are eligible?

  1. Applicants must be non-profit organisations registered under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap112) for at least 3 years.
  2. Applications from individuals and commercial ventures will not be considered.

What activities are eligible?

  1. District-based, one-off projects fulfilling the funding focus.
  2. Project activities should consider the use of environmental materials and the 4R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Replace) Principles as far as possible.
  3. At least 1 signature programme (activities that draw wider participation in the community and demonstrate creative ideas) to be organised in the district, during the HSBC Hong Kong Community Festival. The activities can be indoor or outdoor.
  4. Large scale activities with mass community participation to be held at Chater Road for the HSBC Hong Kong Community Festival will also be considered.
  5. At least 1 activity to engage school and provide student ambassadors with volunteer opportunities to participate in the programme. Volunteering opportunities for HSBC staff are welcome.
  6. Projects could accept non-cash support from non-financial organisations and partners (e.g. venue support), but must not involve any kind or form of commercial promotions at any time.
  7. The project does not receive any grant or funding from other funding organisations (both commercial or non-commercial) during the project period.

Funding Levels

  1. Each project will range from HKD200,000 to HKD700,000. Extended 40% higher for the grant amount ceiling, enabling charities to take on projects with greater impact.
  2. Project duration is 12 months, starting from September of this year and to be completed by August of next year.

Priority will be given to projects that will:

  1. Promptness (New criterion)
    Provide prompt and immediate support in response to urgent and immediate needs of disadvantaged groups – a new criterion.
  2. Participation and collaboration
    Open up a wide range of opportunities for the community and volunteers to participate, serve, share, learn, develop and innovate.
  3. Community need
    Drive programme and activities on meaningful social needs to benefit the community through leveraging the charity’s expertise and resources in the most effective way.
  4. Planning
    Efficient planning with a realistic implementation and budget plan and clearly defined indicators to measure project performance.

Budgetary guidelines:

  1. Manpower costs on direct services and professional staff on programme delivery are considered as programme expenses. Such expenses should not exceed 40% of the total requested sum. Full-time staff requests will not be considered.
  2. Administrative manpower costs that do not exceed 10% of the total requested sum can be considered. Applicants should provide job descriptions and related time spent information. Full-time staff requests will not be considered.
  3. Request for non-consumables should not exceed 10% of the total requested sum. Depending on the value and nature of such items, applicants will be asked to provide inventory management measures, usage justifications beyond the programme period as well as being subject to spot checks upon after project completion.
  4. Substantial/excessive expenses on production of publications, advertising, meals/tours, and ceremonial arrangements are not encouraged.

Award
programmes

  1. Future Skills Award:
    (Certificate of Appreciation and HKD10,000 cash award)
    - To the project which best amplify future skills in promoting worthy social causes.
  2. Outstanding Creativity Award:
    (Certificate of Appreciation and HKD10,000 cash award)
    - To the project which shows the greatest creativity and flair in bringing positive energy to the community.
  3. Outstanding Participation Award:
    (Certificate of Appreciation and HKD10,000 cash award)
    - To the project which is most successful in enhancing social participation and creating common grounds across people with different age, ethnics, social and economic background.
  4. Outstanding Collaborative Partnerships Award:
    (Certificate of Appreciation and HKD10,000 cash award)
    - To the project which builds the most meaningful collaborative partnerships for the betterment of the community.
  5. Outstanding Community Project Award:
    (Certificate of Appreciation and HKD10,000 cash award)
    - To the project which fills service gaps and benefits the community through leveraging the charity’s expertise and resources in the most effective way.
  6. Outstanding FinFit Project Award:
    (Certificate of Appreciation and HKD10,000 cash award)
    - To recognise the project that demonstrates the most innovative and effective approach in enhancing the long-term financial fitness for targeted groups.

How funded projects will be monitored?

  1. Grantees are required to submit a work plan upon the result announcement, a half-yearly report and a final report within 1 month after project completion. All projects must be completed no later than 31 August of next year.
  2. HSBC and HKCSS will conduct project visits and request for information to monitor the project progress.
  3. HKCSS will appoint a third party organisation to review the funded projects. Grantees will be asked to provide programme and financial records for review.
  4. If in case a grantee fails to demonstrate its accountability and unable to comply with the reporting requirements, its future funding applications will not be considered.