New £130million Grassroots Grants programme seeks local funders
Local third sector funders across the country are today invited to become a
local partner in delivering a ground-breaking £130million fund that will
give grass roots third sector organisations access to grants for as little
as £250.
As well as providing much-needed small grants for third sector
organisations, the Grassroots Grants programme will also help local funders
to build endowment funds to provide a continuous source of small grant
funding, by matching the money that the local funder raises in the
community. The Community Development Foundation (CDF) is administering the
programme nationally and the search has begun for local funders.
The £130 million fund, which will run from 2008-2011 will be divided into
two parts: an £80 million small grants fund for community organisations;
and a groundbreaking £50 million endowments programme to enable local
funders to generate additional donations on a matched basis and invest them
in endowments, thereby building their capacity to provide long-term funding
for frontline community organisations.
Alison Seabrooke, Chief Executive of the Community Development Foundation
said:
“The Grassroots Grants programme is a great opportunity for local funders
to build not just the capacity of local community and voluntary groups in
their area but their own. CDF are delighted to be involved in the
programme and look forward to receiving applications from local funders.”
Phil Hope MP, Minister for the Third Sector said:
“Sometimes it only takes a little money to make a massive difference.
Grassroots Grants will give the groups which are tackling local issues
the support they need to make a difference. It is a ground-breaking
programme with £130million from central government to boost the smallest
third sector organisations and the local funders that are often the best
at reaching out to the most vulnerable people in our communities.
“I want grass roots organisations in our communities to thrive so that
they can help with the individual challenges that face each local
community. The Government recognises their work and is prepared to take
action to support them. £130million will go a long way and help many
groups but it is vital that we have local funders to help us deliver the
money where it is needed and to raise and build endowments to sustain
funding in the future.”
The Government first announced plans for the Grassroots Grants Programme in
July in the Third Sector Review which involved the widest ever consultation
with the third sector through which small organisations told the Government
that they were often unable to get the small amounts of money they needed
to do their work because traditional funding focuses on larger projects.
Local funders interested in applying should go to http://www.cdf.org.uk [External website] and
download a copy of the guidance notes and application form. The closing
date for applications for local funders is 30 April 2008. The funding is
only available in England.
For further information contact:
Cara MacDowall, Communications Manager, CDF
020 7812 5444 or email: cara.macdowall@cdf.org.uk
Notes to editors
-
Funding for community and voluntary groups will not open until after July
2008 but each local area will open at different times – as the programme
may fit in with local funding streams.
-
The closing date for local funders to apply for funding is 30 April 2008.
Local funders in each top local authority area will be told whether they
are successful or not by the beginning of July 2008.
