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Funding Round-up – Community (part 2), September/October 2021
Here is another 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.
KCC - Combined Members Grants
The Kent County Council (KCC) is offering its annual round of funding to help community projects across Kent by using the Combined Members Grant to fund them.
In 2021/22, each Kent County Council Member has £10,000 to allocate for community grants. These grants can support a lot of different activities, which can include:
- Community safety schemes
- Sports projects
- Larger refurbishment projects in community halls
KCC advise that applicants contact their local county councillor, who can also advise them if they are unsure if their group or organisation is eligible and to find out how to apply.
At the time of writing, KCC advised this scheme is a Continuous Rolling Programme OR until funding is spent.
For more information and how to apply, visit the KCC website.
KCC - COVID-19 Local Recovery Fund
Kent County Council’s (KCC) is offering grants of up to £2,000 to organisations and community groups that may have struggled to sustain funding throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
As part the Council’s Helping Hands Scheme, each county councillor has access to £6,000 in grants and can use their local knowledge to send out this funding where it is most needed.
To be eligible, KCC advises that applicants should show how their project responds to the pandemic, such as:
- Food banks supporting residents that have suffered financial hardship as a result of the pandemic
- Befriending schemes to tackle loneliness
- Youth groups providing opportunities for young people
- Grassroots sports clubs who need funding to purchase kit and equipment for children to encourage increased fitness and mental wellbeing
- Support schemes targeting residents whose mental health has suffered as a result of the pandemic
- Schemes to support employability programmes for residents that have faced unemployment caused by the pandemic, or
- Projects designed to improve the local environment, encouraging residents to access nature for exercise and wellbeing.
At the time of writing, KCC advised this scheme is a Continuous Rolling Programme OR until funding is spent.
For more information and how to apply, visit the KCC website.
The Awards for All: COVID-19 Programme from National Lottery
Normally a quick and easy way to get a small Lottery grant for a wide range of community projects and activities, in April 2020, the National Lottery Community Fund announced that for the next six months it would be prioritising applications that are addressing the Coronavirus crisis.
Grants of up to £10,000 are still available to community groups, not-for-profit groups, parish or town councils, or schools to support grassroots and community activity that aims to improve life for local people and neighbourhoods.
At the time of writing there is no identified deadline, suggesting applications would be accepted at any time.
Further information is available at the National Lottery website.
National Lottery Community Fund’s Partnerships Programme
The Partnerships programme from The National Lottery Community Fund offers grants over £10,000
to charities, voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, schools and town/parish councils who share responsibility and influence with others, who have a shared set of goals and values, and achieve their mission by starting with the bigger picture rather than just what their organisation can do on its own.
Unincorporated groups are also eligible, where funds are expected to be used to incorporate and, where appropriate, register as a charity.
In light of concerns the Coronavirus pandemic has brought, TNL will continue to support people and communities most adversely impacted by COVID-19, allowing charities and their partners the opportunity to:
- Continue to deliver activity, whether they are supporting existing users, responding to the immediate crisis or undertaking recovery activity
- Change and adapt, becoming more resilient in order to respond to new and future challenges.
More details and how to apply can be found at the Community Fund’s website.
Screwfix Foundation
The Foundation is offering grants of up to £5,000 to UK registered charities for projects that fix, repair, maintain and improve properties and community facilities for those in need across the UK.
The Foundation says the scheme is a Continuous Rolling Programme, and whilst there is no deadline and applications can be submitted at any time, with projects reviewed on a quarterly basis.
More information can be found at the Screwfix Foundation website.
Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation
Grants are available to registered charities for projects in the areas of community, education, health and social welfare.
The Foundation says funding is for one -off capital projects (not running costs) such as new buildings, major refurbishments, transport and equipment.
Normally awarding grants of up to £5,000, grants above this are not uncommon but are typically awarded to major capital projects.
This scheme can be seen as a continuous rolling programme, so there is no deadline and applications can be accepted at any time.
More information can be found at the Foundation’s website.
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.