Community groups in the area looking for vital funding are invited to apply to Dover District Council’s Community Grants Scheme.
DDC is asking community groups who can benefit the local area to put themselves forward for grants from £100 up to £1,000. Bids will be accepted from Monday 15 June until 12 noon on Monday 13 July 2020.
The scheme encourages and supports community-led activities that result in a direct community benefit for Dover District residents. The grant must be used to pay for clearly defined future costs associated with local projects.
This year, the scheme will also support recovery projects so that organisations can adapt their offer in accordance with COVID-19 guidance, to support communities going forward.
Applications are welcomed from community organisations and groups who are based within the Dover District, or who are seeking a grant to support activities that will benefit a community within the Dover District. This includes:
- Registered Charities
- Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO)
- Community Interest Companies (CIC)
- Social Enterprises
- Constituted Voluntary/Community groups
- Constituted Sports Clubs/groups (with club mark)
- Constituted Youth Clubs/groups
- Constituted School related groups e.g. PFTA
- Constituted Church/Faith groups
A total budget of £35,000 has been agreed for both Community Grant Scheme rounds including £22.5k from Council budgets, and £12.5k from the Dover District Lotto (for every pound spent on the Lotto, 60p goes back into the local community). The £35,000 will be split into two with an additional ‘winter round’ open later on in the year. Successful applicants will be notified in early August.
This scheme continues to build on previous successes, with a bumper year for applications last year.
Cllr MJ Holloway, DDC Cabinet Member for Community, said: “In these unsettled times, community groups really need our support. This money will enable them to adapt where necessary in response to the covid-19 guidance and also means they can buy much needed resources. We have seen an increased number of quality bids year on year which demonstrates its success and the impact it has had across the district.
“It’s good to see the Lotto continuing to bring extra funding to communities. We hope as many groups as possible apply. We welcome community groups contacting us about the scheme before they make their application so that they can submit an effective bid and better understand how it has already benefitted so many other groups in the past.”
All grants will be awarded through the framework of the Dover District Council Community Grant Scheme. The grant funds are allocated across five areas (Sandwich & Area, Deal and Walmer, Dover North, Dover Town and Dover West).
Every application will also be allocated to one of these five areas, depending on the project location.
Community groups and charities can apply for a community grant online on the DDC website
For more information, please call 01304 872277 or email communitygrants@dover.gov.uk
Posted on 04 June 2020