CABINET OFFICE News
Release (CDF) issued by The Government News Network on 31 January 2008
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 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.
-ends-
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.