Reading small grants fund 2022/23 (round 2)

Reading Borough Council has allocated £200,000 for small grants to the voluntary and community sector for the year 2022/23.

The council invited applications for funding for community-led activities that support inclusion and connectivity for the most marginalised groups and most vulnerable adults and children in our communities.

The funding is available to support the infrastructure and/or additional capacity needed by voluntary and community organisations to expand existing services, deliver services in a different way or to develop new activities

Round 2: deadline for applications was the 21 November 2022. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by 12 December 2022.

Applicants for Round 1 should not apply for Round 2 unless they have been advised to resubmit.

If you have any queries please contact Clare Muir, Policy and Voluntary Sector Manager email: clare.muir@reading.gov.uk / tel: 0118 9372119.

Purpose of the funding

A key theme of our Corporate Plan 2022-2025 is Thriving Communities, recognising that it is the people of Reading, who make our town an exciting and diverse place to live and work. After the devastating attacks in Forbury Gardens in June 2020, we saw people unite under #ReadingTogether. Our aspiration is that this spirit of inclusivity and community is carried into every aspect of life in Reading, wherever people live and whatever their stage of life.

We know that where there is greater connectivity in communities, residents feel safer and are more resilient against risk, harm or emergency. We have seen this in the way communities came together around Covid-19. This connectedness also enhances a sense of belonging and wellbeing.

With this fund we want to focus on inclusion and connectivity for the most marginalised groups and the most vulnerable adults and children in our communities. Through activities that break down barriers of prejudice, discrimination, language, culture; that raise awareness, understanding and empathy; that engender hope through friendship, new skills, physical and mental wellbeing and respect for self and others.

What can you apply for?

Grants of up to £5,000 are available – increased to £10,000 for bids made in partnership proposing a co-ordinated approach by more than one organisation to support the infrastructure and/or additional capacity needed by organisations to expand existing service, deliver services in a different way or to develop new services.

Who can apply?

The grants programme is aimed at voluntary and community groups and schools based in Reading borough:

  • Charitable organisations
  • Voluntary organisations
  • Community groups
  • Faith groups
  • Sports groups
  • Arts groups
  • Cultural organisations
  • Uniformed groups (scouts, guides etc)
  • Schools
  • Not-for-profit social enterprises

What will be funded?

Activities that promote inclusion and connectivity for marginalised groups and the most vulnerable adults and children in our communities. This could be activities that:

  • break down barriers of prejudice, discrimination, language, culture
  • raise awareness, understanding and empathy;
  • engender hope through friendship, new skills, physical and mental wellbeing and respect for self and others.

But you know your communities best.  So, you may have other ideas and we welcome them.

And

Demonstrate benefit people beyond the life of the project, in terms of skills gained; increased knowledge, confidence, self-esteem, independence; relationships built, self-help groups established etc

Grants can be awarded for purposes such as:

  • Local ‘one off’ and small projects
  • Running events
  • Minor start-up costs (e.g. to get a new idea/project ‘off the ground’)
  • Purchasing equipment
  • Sessional costs

Funding will only be given to projects or activities that address the grant criteria above and is not funded or able to be funded through other sources. Applicants will be expected to disclose their other funding sources.

What should applications include?

Applications will be required to:

  • Show evidence of need (data, research, community feedback, examples)
  • Describe what the grant will be used for and how many people are expected to benefit
  • State how it will make a difference/how this will address the need
  • Provide a realistic delivery plan
  • Provide organisation’s constitution, if you are not a registered charity or CIC.

Funding conditions

  • The funding will be required to be spent within 12 months of the award.
  • Monitoring – Successful applicants will be expected to provide an interim report on their project after 6 months and a full report at the end of the project (12 months)