Community Development Foundation appointed to deliver £130 million
‘grassroots grants’ scheme
12 December 2007
CAB/095/07
The Cabinet Office today unveiled the name of a new, multi-million pound
funding programme to boost local community organisations with much-needed
access to small grants and long-term financing. It also announced the
appointment of the Community Development Foundation as its lead national
partner in delivering the scheme.
‘Grassroots Grants’ will launch in the new year with £130 million available
from 2008-2011 to strengthen the community sector. It 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
foundations to generate additional donations from the private sector on a
matched basis and invest them in endowments, thereby building their
capacity to provide long-term funding for frontline community
organisations.
The Community Development Foundation (CDF) will open an application process
in January to identify and appoint local funders who will deliver
Grassroots Grants locally. Applications will be invited by April with
further details of the process and the programme to be confirmed next
month.
Minister for the Third Sector, Phil Hope, said:
‘The allocation of £130 million to this scheme reflects the
Government's recognition of the vital role community organisations
play in strengthening communities.
‘Community-based organisations are at the very root of civil renewal,
bringing local people together and empowering them to meet local needs or
transform local environments. Yet we know they often struggle to gain
finance, placing enormous constraints on their ability to operate.
That's why Grassroots Grants is aimed at improving the funding
available to the very smallest of community organisations.
‘I am delighted that the Community Development Foundation will be our
lead national partner in delivering the scheme. Their experience and
understanding of the community sector, as well as their track record in
successfully delivering grants, will be of enormous benefit in getting
Grassroots Grants up and running quickly.’
Alison Seabrooke, Chief Executive of the Community Development Foundation,
said:
‘Community Development Foundation is delighted to be the national lead
partner appointed to oversee and evaluate Grassroots Grants on behalf of
the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office.
‘At a local level grassroots grants will support local community based
activity in small voluntary and community groups through the small grants
programme, whilst also building the capacity of local funding partners
and sustaining small grant giving through the endowment programme.
‘All existing local grant givers who meet the criteria are welcome to
apply to become local funding partners - and we look forward to receiving
their applications after we open the application process.’
Notes to editors:
-
A Written Ministerial Statement by Minister for the Third Sector Phil
Hope was placed before Parliament today confirming the lead national
partner.
-
The Government's intention to provide £80 million in small grants to
community organisations and £50 million endowments funds to local
foundations over the CSR years of 2008-2011 was announced in, ‘The future
role of the third sector in social and economic regeneration’ published
by the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury in July 2007.
Cabinet Office
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