Funding Round-up – Community (part 1), September/October 2021

Here is a collection of funding rounds from local and national organisations focusing on community themes aimed at helping charities continue their work in light of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Due to the varying nature and progress of the pandemic, MVA do advise that some of the information below may have changed since the time of its issue, and ask that readers please check each organisation’s website for the latest information.

Postcode Society Trust from People’s Postcode Lottery
The Postcode Society Trust is offering grants of up to £20,000 to smaller charities and good causes carrying out activities in the South of England.
Project and core funding will be provided under the following themes:

• Improving mental wellbeing
• Enabling community participation in the arts
• Preventing/reducing the impact of poverty
• Supporting marginalised groups and promoting equality
• Improving biodiversity & green spaces
• Enabling participation in physical activity
• Responding to the climate emergency & promoting sustainability
• Increasing community access to outdoor space

The Trust says there will be monthly deadlines for applications until 15^th October 2021
For more details and how to apply, visit the Trust’s website.

Bringing People Together from the National Lottery
The National Lottery Community Fund is offering grants of up to £300,000 to voluntary and community organisations for projects that will build stronger connections across communities, and improve the infrastructure and conditions that are needed to strengthen these connections.
The funder says eligible costs can include:

• Staff costs and volunteer expenses
• Development work
• Transport
• Utilities or running costs
• Equipment and Capital costs

At the time of writing, the Community Fund advises that applications can be accepted at any time while funding remains available.
More information is available at the National Lottery website.

Alpkit Foundation – Grassroots Support Now
With grants of up to £500, funding is available for organisations helping those affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
At the time of writing there was no identified deadline, which means enquiries to apply for the Support Scheme could be made at any time.
For more information, visit the Foundation website.

Community Funding Support Website for the Kent area from Idox
Kent 4 Community is a free to register search tool for helping you to seek out grants, awards and other funding which may be relevant to your organisation.
Find out more at Kent 4 Community’s dedicated website.

Exclusive! Government to Re-open Funding Scheme to help Charities run Local Assets
Charities and community groups can apply for grants from a new Government programme to take over local assets such as pubs, theatres and parks.
The next round of the Government’s Community Ownership Fund (COF) is set to re-open for applications in December 2021.
It will distribute £150m in the next four years.
Charities can bid for grants of up to £50,000 in revenue funding, and the Government will match-fund up to £250,000 in capital costs.
Find out more here.

If you would like to see coverage of specific funding or grant rounds to help your charity, your project, your community group or enterprise, you can get in touch by email at info@mva.org.uk, you can also contact MVA via the website.