News

Funding Round-up – Community (part 2), April 2023

Here is another collection of funding rounds from local and national organisations focusing on community themes aimed at helping charities continue work.

Due to the varying nature and progress of public policies and other related activity, MVA do advise that some of the information below may have changed since the time of its issue, and whilst every effort has been made to provide up-to-date details, they ask that readers please check with each organisation’s website for the latest news.

The Linda Hogan Community Fund
Administered by Kent charity West Kent Extra (WKE) grants are available from the Linda Hogan Community Fund to groups and organisations who provide, or will provide, services to residents living in areas across Kent.

Now using a more straightforward application process, the organisers say the funding is intended to support community groups for projects and activities that help their local communities.

The funders say they are particularly interested in applications from:
  • Smaller groups or organisations that are led or managed by local people and involve volunteers and community champions delivering the activity
  • Activities that will benefit West Kent Housing Association tenants and neighbourhoods
The deadline for applications is 15th June 2023 with further dates to be announced later in the year.

More information and how to apply can be found at the WKE website.

FCC Community Action Fund
Grants are available to not-for-profit organisations for amenity projects eligible under Object D of the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF);

“..the provision, maintenance or improvement of a public park or another public amenity..”

Capital grants of up to £100,000 are available, but the funders advise that projects be within 10 miles of an eligible FCC Environment waste facility site.

The organisers also specify the funding should be used for the provision, maintenance, or improvement of the following types of public amenity:
  • Village halls and community centres
  • Public play areas
  • Publicly available Multi use games areas, skate parks and BMX tracks
  • Sport and recreation grounds including pavilions and clubhouses with full public access
  • Churches – community spaces only
  • Nature reserves
  • Public gardens, parks, country parks, woodlands with dawn to dusk access
  • Museums
The funders say costs for the required funding can include contractors, materials, capital items, small items of equipment used by volunteers and staff to deliver the project.

Relaunched in late March 2023, the deadline for applications is 5pm on 7th June 2023 with further dates to announced later in the year.

More information and how to apply can be found at the funder’s website.

Localgiving’s Magic Little Grants
Funded by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, The Magic Little Grants Fund from national group Localgiving distributes small grants to charities and community groups addressing issues which can cover:
  • Improving mental wellbeing
  • Enabling community participation in the arts
  • Preventing or reducing the impact of poverty
  • Supporting marginalised groups and promoting equality
  • Improving biodiversity and green spaces
  • Enabling participation in physical activity
  • Responding to the climate emergency and promoting sustainability
  • Increasing community access to outdoor space
Localgiving say the funding can be used to launch new projects, support existing ones, or cover core costs associated with ongoing work.

Relaunched recently, the Funder says applications will be accepted at any time until 31st October 2023.

More information and how to apply can be found at the Localgiving website.

Village and Community Hall Grant Scheme from KCC
Kent County Council (KCC) is offering grants for local communities to improve an existing hall or build a new hall.

A grant is conditional upon 50% match funding against eligible project costs, and projects supported by the scheme include:
  • Building an extension
  • New halls
  • Upgrade of toilets
  • Replacement windows and heating systems, and
  • Improved insulation
The Council advise grants are normally allocated once a year, and that applications should be submitted by 31st December (Grants are then decided 3 months later)

More information can be found at the KCC 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.