£125,000 available for community projects

Devon Community Foundation is delighted to announce that its Summer Grant Round is open with £125,000 available for Community Projects across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay helping to build thriving communities.

For this round the Foundation are looking to support community projects mainly run by volunteers with an income of less than £30,000 pa which are helping to bring the local community together, with grants between £500 and £1,000. For those looking for grants on a larger scale the Foundation does have a limited number of grants between £1,000 and £10,000, but the grant must be at least 30% of the total project cost. These are for projects looking to empower local people, enabling them to create lasting change in their communities.

Grants between £500 and £5,000 are also being offered for disability projects. The fund seeks to support community groups to alleviate mobility in relation to disability or ill-health such as helping with specialised transport needs. As well as grants of up to £1,000 to support disability projects which provide services or support to disabled adults or children including physical, mental, sensory and learning disabilities. Priority will be given to small groups, with strong support from volunteers.

Projects helping to build safer communities can also apply for funding as grants are available to support work that benefits community residents by promoting crime prevention and/or community safety. These projects must enhance the skills and personal development of people who are at risk of; offending, anti-social behaviour, drug and alcohol abuse or school absenteeism.

A number of individual donor funds are open addressing a variety of different themes and issues across Devon including:

* Support for community organisations working with young carers or young people whose lives are affected by drug misuse.

* Looking to fund exciting and innovative social enterprises.

* Sustainable projects that shape the local community for future generations. In particular projects that are eco-friendly, address the growing and sharing of local produce, or focus on befriending and intergenerational work.

If you think your community project or charity would be suitable for any of these funds then submit your expression of interest now as the deadline is only weeks away on 14 August.

You can find out more at http://devoncf.com/apply-for-a-grant/ or contact the Grants Team on 01884 235887.