Grants are available from Wealden District Council to help local groups and village organisations continue the valuable work they do for the community.—Wealden District Council, 30 August 2016
Applications are being invited for the Wealden’s Small and Capital Grant Schemes by 30 November 2016 so that awards can be made for the 2017/18 financial year.
Small grants can offer up to £3000 for equipment and programmes run by clubs and societies; Capital grants offer up to £10,000 for improvements to community buildings and sports grounds.
“Last year we made awards totalling £23,000 through our small Grants Scheme and £76,000 through our Capital Grants scheme to 41 local organisations providing a range of sports, activities and help to local communities,” said Councillor Claire Dowling, Cabinet member for Public Health and Community Safety. “This money can really make a difference, particularly for well-supported groups of limited financial means. Organisations should take the time to visit the Wealden website to find out how these grants can help them.
“We have also organised a series of pre-application advice sessions at Hailsham, Uckfield, Forest Row and Crowborough to help organisations make the best use of this funding opportunity.
“Grants have to be match funded, but this can be entirely ‘in-kind’ through volunteer time.”
The deadline for applications is 30 November 2016. Funds for Capital and Small Grants must be spent within the next financial year April 2017/March 2018.
The Wealden Small Grant Scheme offers grants of between £500 – £3,000. This year it supported Foresters Short Mat Bowls Club, Buxted Allotments Association, the Friends of Crowborough Regional Music Services, Little Arts Festival on Rushlake Green and the Wealden Senior Citizens’ Partnership, to mention but a few.for a book club meeting in Hailsham for blind and partially sighted members
The Wealden Capital Grants Scheme offers amounts between £1,000 – £10,000. This year it helped with improvements to community halls in Hadlow Down, Hartfield, Herstmonceux and Wartling. It has also helped ensure cricket can continue at Alfriston, Herstmonceux and Uckfield, and football at Crowborough.
A limited number of 40 minute pre-application advice sessions will take place on:
- Uckfield – Tuesday 11 Oct (am)
- Crowborough – Friday 14 Oct (pm) and Monday 17 Oct (am)
- Hailsham – Thursday 20 Oct (am) and Wed 2 Nov (pm)
- Forest Row – Tuesday 1 Nov (am)
Sessions must be booked in advance and are to discuss a drafted application for your organisation. They should be pre-booked on 01323 443520 or email .
Organisations that cannot attend a session can submit a draft application form by 15 November, and we will provide feedback to help to strengthen the application, although it cannot guarantee success.
The application forms contain guidance and notes. Further questions can also be answered by contacting our funding support officer.
A full list of what we have funded this year can be found by searching for grant funding on the Council’s website: www.wealden.gov.uk.
Wealden’s Partnerships and Funding Support Officer Michelle Gray also gives support to third sector organisations on:
- Sourcing relevant funding
- Assistance with applications
- Sustainable income advice
- Signposting Advice
