In all matters to do with grant awards, payments and grants management, The MSE Charity expects that all the information provided by applicants is given in good faith, with due care and attention and, to the best of the applicant’s knowledge, is accurate. This applies to all information given in writing, (the application form, proposal document, project feedback reports, beneficiary surveys) information and any correspondence by email, or verbally over the telephone.

We reserve the right to speak to other grant making trusts, other funders and other relevant parties in carrying out our due diligence at any point in the grant application process, either before, during or after a grant has been approved. We also reserve the right to share relevant information in our possession with other funders subject to current data protection legislation.

The discovery of any information being provided fraudulently or not in good faith is likely to result in a grant not being awarded, or a grant which has been awarded being cancelled. Where payment has already been made it is likely we will require that funds are returned.

If we feel there is sufficient evidence to suggest we have been the subject of a fraud or attempted fraud then we will report the fraud to the appropriate authorities. This is likely to include the police and the Charity Commission. (Please see the following guidance from the Charity Commission which Trustees of The MSE Charity adhere to).

Upon detection of fraud or any related criminal activity we will work with the relevant authorities to investigate the incident and to pursue prosecution. In addition we reserve the right to seek civil recovery of any funds that have not been used for the stated purposes as well as our reasonable costs incurred in our seeking recovery of such funds.

The MSE Charity does not tolerate any form of fraud, corruption or bribery and will therefore take appropriate action against any employee, volunteer assessor, trustee, grant applicant or other external party or person engaged in any such practices whether in a direct attempt to influence the outcome of a grant award or to obtain other favourable treatment.

We would expect any member of staff, GAP member, trustee or external party or person to advise us if they are aware or suspect that someone might be stealing from, defrauding or attempting to use inappropriate influence with The MSE Charity or is misusing any grant that we have awarded.