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Grassroots Grant - New Funding From the Berkshire Community Foundation

A new Government Grant scheme, which is to be administered by the Berkshire Community Foundation. The aim of Grassroots Grants is to invest in the community sector, and is funded by the Office of the Third Sector. The grants scheme will run for the next 33 months, ending March 2011, and there is a total fund of £926,190 available to local community groups in Berkshire. This amount is divided over the three financial years, and also by the six Unitary Authorities.
What this means for you.
Grants are now available from £250 to £5,000. £5,000 is the maximum amount you can receive from Grassroots Grants over the three years. You do not have to apply for it all at once.

Eligibility
1. Groups must be a not-for-profit, third sector voluntary or community group
2. Groups must have been established for at least 1 year prior to 31st December 2007 ie. Each group applying must have some evidence of being in existence from at least 1st January 2007.
3. Groups must have an annual income of less than £20,000, taken as an average over the last three years
4. Must be volunteer led 5. Be connected with and/or meeting the needs of the local community 6. Must have a constitution or terms of reference

Groups who cannot be funded
Statutory Organisations, local offices of a National Organisation, unless they have a local committee and separate accounts, groups who promote religious causes or political causes, commercial ventures, organisations for the sole relief of plants or animals.

What is the Funding Available For?
The grant scheme is extremely flexible and can be used for most things including core running costs, staff costs, items of equipment, costs of attending conferences, training costs and to support costs in achieving a quality standard. Please contact a Grants Officer if you have any queries on the items you would like funding for.

What Should I do now?
If you already have something which you need funding for, contact the Berkshire Community Foundation on 0118 930 3021 or email grantsofficer@berkshirecommunityfoundation.org.uk, who will arrange for an Application Pack to be sent. This can either be by email or post. In due course, we aim to have the application form available on our website www.berkshirecommunityfoundation.org.uk. For grants over £900, the closing date is the 1st of each month, starting on 1st September. Decisions will be made within one month, provided the application form is complete. For grants under £900 apply anytime from now. Decisions will be made within one month of receipt of complete application. Do not delay if you have a funding requirement. The Berkshire Community Foundation must award £289,434 across the county of Berkshire by the end of March 2009, otherwise it has to be returned to Government.

Advice and Help
If you would like advice on Grassroots Grants, or any of our other Grant Schemes, please contact either Ray Emmans, Carole Allen, Rachel Hughes on 0118 930 3021.