NVSC

We are delighted to announce that Newham Voluntary Sector Consortium will be administering grassroots grants, from September 2008 to March 2011. NVSC has been awarded £486,536.74 to make grants from between £250 to £5,000, to voluntary and community groups with annual incomes below £20,000.

Small community groups and projects in the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham and the City of London are to benefit from a cash injection of over £1.3 million, after the East End and City Consortium made a successful bid to distribute Government funding to grassroots initiatives, it was announced in mid July. The consortium is led by St Katharine & Shadwell Trust, the community foundation for the East End and City of London, and three local Councils for Voluntary Service, Hackney Council for Voluntary Service, Newham Voluntary Sector Consortium and City.Com.

The Consortium will manage the funds for the boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham and the City of London. The initiative, called ‘Grassroots Grants’, is a three year grants and endowment programme that will provide much needed funding to small community groups. The funding comes from the Office of the Third  Sector and is administered nationally by the Community Development Foundation.The money is part of a £130 million nationwide drive by the Government to support thousands of groups and projects across the country, working to improve their local communities. The East End and City Consortium will be able distribute over £1.3 million in small grants over the next three years, using its expertise and knowledge of the local areas to identify those small local charitable organisations, best able to use the money to make a real difference.

Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, said:

“Newham is full of small groups and individuals who work tirelessly to tackle local problems and this £1.3 million fund is dedicated to supporting their efforts. Grassroots Grants will put essential cash in the hands of small local voluntary groups without all the paper work required for larger grants. I urge local leaders and businesses to make an investment in the future of their community by contributing to the new endowment funds. Every penny that goes in will return a much greater value, particularly as donations will also be eligible for Gift Aid”.

Local community organisations could also stand to benefit from a further £1.3 million if local philanthropists and businesses come forward to put up cash to match some of the government’s funds announced today. The Consortium have set up an endowment fund—and every pound raised for that fund will be matched by the Government — if the target is reached that will mean that the grassroots fund will continue to provide grants for community use.

Newham Council Chief Executive Joe Duckworth said:

“This is an exciting opportunity for grassroots groups to get financial help in providing the opportunities that meets Newham’s needs and aspirations. Improving Newham and providing residents with the services they deserve is important to all of us. With more than 1,400 voluntary, faith and community groups in the borough, the scheme can really promote and support confident, cohesive and sustainable communities”.

For an application pack please email Ali on ali@nvsc.org.uk.

Telephone: 020 8519 9500