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Last updated: 23 November 2008
12 November 2008
A children’s music group in Southwark, London has been awarded £5000 and become the 1000th grant recipient of the Office of the Third Sector's groundbreaking £130m Grassroots Grants scheme. Grassroots Grants aims to boost local community organisations with much-needed access to small grants and long-term financing through an endowment fund.
Since launching in September, Grassroots Grants has made 1000 grants to local community groups, supporting them to meet the particular challenges they see in their local community.
Southwark Children’s Foundation was delighted to be presented with the £5000 cheque from Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector. The group, run entirely by volunteers, gives up to 60 children the chance to learn and play brass musical instruments for free.
Southwark Children’s Foundation applied to Capital Community Foundation, one of 67 Local Funders selected across England to distribute Grassroots Grants. Local community groups with annual incomes below £20,000 can apply for grants of £250 to £5000 in a straightforward and easy way.
Gary Foskett, Trustee of the Southwark Children’s Foundation said:
“Southwark Children's Foundation is delighted to be the recipient of the 1,000th Grassroots award. In recent times we've found it very difficult to raise funds for our Foundation, which has been running for 30 years. This award has been a life-saver giving our trustees and volunteers a much needed boost to continue with and hopefully expand our activities for children and their families throughout Southwark."
Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector said:
“Presenting the 1000th Grassroots Grant today to Southwark Children’s Foundation is a privilege. The £130m Grassroots Grants programme is a groundbreaking Government initiative, which awards grants to the smallest volunteer-led community groups and match-funds private donations to support local communities.
"I believe passionately in the power of music to transform young lives. The volunteers at Southwark Children’s Foundation are using music to empower young people, contributing to their development through building friendships, raising children’s self-esteem and aspirations, and having respect for their peers and community. I look forward to tens of thousands of more cheques being given to community groups like this one.”
Alison Seabrooke, CDF Chief Executive said:
“With the economic climate, this is a difficult time for the voluntary sector, particularly for very small community and voluntary groups. The Community Development Foundation is delighted that 1000 grants have already been awarded through Grassroots Grants. These are giving immediate support to groups like Southwark Children’s Foundation, which make such a difference to the lives of local people.”
Grassroots Grants is a £130 million programme funded by the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office and administered by the Community Development Foundation. The programme combines two elements – an £80 million small grants scheme and innovative £50million endowment match challenge.
Under the challenge, the Government will match individual and business donations made to Local Funders. Local Funders will invest these donations and use the returns to provide grant funding to small, local community groups into the future.
If you would like to find out about applying for a small grant or making a donation, please contact your nearest Local Funder, details of which can be found at the CDF website: