Launch of Leicestershire Communities Fund Round 3
We are pleased to announce that a third round of funding has been agreed by Leicestershire County Council to support community organisations affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
A total of £600,000 is being made available in Round 3 of the Leicestershire Communities Fund for a limited period of time (until 22nd January 2021), for organisations delivering services for vulnerable people who live in Leicestershire.
The funding can also be used for community-based organisations to develop new and innovative ways of working, to help deliver services for vulnerable people more effectively now and in the future.
The maximum amount available to any one organisation will be £15,000 and the minimum amount is £500.
Charities, constituted voluntary and community organisations, social enterprises and faith-based organisations can apply for a maximum of £15,000 for support with the following activities:
- Support for core running costs – for organisations who have experienced a loss of income due to services closing or operating at a reduced level and where this may lead to the permanent closure of the organisation
- Extra staffing – capacity required to meet existing or increased demand for services, to support vulnerable people during the pandemic
- Adapting services – the need to adapt service delivery models to ensure key services can continue to be delivered
- Transitional costs – costs associated with developing new ways of delivering services in the future, including partnership/collaborative approaches
- Equipment – funding for ICT equipment, safety/PPE equipment, or other capital costs for items/equipment deemed acceptable in relation to the fund
- Digital Inclusion – funding to help enable service users to access services using digital technology
- Community Buildings – funding to help with the safe re-opening, usage and cleansing of community buildings, to enable services to be delivered
- Transport – funding for use of vehicles, transport, fuel etc. to enable visits to service users
- Expenses – funding for increased expenses costs such as reimbursing travel costs for staff/volunteers who need to visit service users, if it safe to do so, in their home or in other locations.
- Other – anything else deemed acceptable in relation to the criteria for the Fund
Round 3 will have an additional focus on supporting community groups who are providing a vital service to local people during the pandemic, including:
- support for people who are described as clinically extremely vulnerable
- the provision of welfare and associated support for vulnerable and disadvantaged people and families, including money/debt advice services; employment related support; food bank and associated food provisions; and access to other essential supplies and equipment
- support to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people affected by the pandemic, including projects which reduce isolation and loneliness
If you are a charity, community organisation, social enterprise or faith-based organisation who fulfils any of the above criteria, you can apply for a grant online on the Leicestershire Communities website.
Parish and Town Councils can also apply on behalf of non-constituted community organisations.
Please complete the online application form to tell us how much funding you are requesting and what the funding will be used for.
For more details, please go to: www.leicestershirecommunities.org.uk/communities-fund-round-3