The deadline to apply is midday on 18 September 2024, and the council is running a number of information sessions to support groups with their applications:
- An online webinar, Tuesday 6 August, 7 to 8.30pm
- In-person appointments on Wednesday 14 August and Wednesday 4 September, between 10am and 4pm, at Cambridge Council for Voluntary Services’ office.
Contact the council’s grants team to book a place at the webinar or an in-person appointment by emailing grants@cambridge.gov.uk or calling 01223 457875.
Groups can apply to the ‘Over £5,000 Community Grant fund’ to run an activity that will help to reduce social or economic inequality in Cambridge. The activity can be open to residents across the city, or to those living in a particular area of Cambridge.
Your activity must meet one of the following priorities:
- promote active lifestyles
- arts and culture
- community development
- reduce poverty
- employment support
A separate application process will run from 26 November for groups wanting to apply for £5,000 or less, with a further round opening on 23 April 2025. The £5,000 and under fund replaces Area Committee Grants. Groups can only apply to the ‘Over £5,000 Community Grants fund’ or the ‘£5,000 and under Community Grant fund’, so please check the guidelines to ensure you are applying for the correct community grant: cambridge.gov.uk/grants-and-funding
The two other grants that have launched this week are the Sustainable City Grants and Homelessness Prevention Grants.
- The Sustainable City Grants of up to £10,000 are available for groups working to reduce energy, waste and emissions, and to prepare for the impacts of climate change.
- The Homelessness Prevention Grants are available to organisations preventing and relieving homelessness and rough sleeping in Cambridge.
Cllr Rachel Wade, Executive Councillor for Communities, said: “Thank you to all of the fantastic, hard-working charities, voluntary and community groups who give so much of their time and care to supporting people in all walks of life in our city, helping their local community in so many ways.
“If you and your organisation could benefit from some extra funding to support your work, I would urge you to apply for one of the grants. If you are not sure if your organisation is eligible, do come along to have a chat with our Grants team at one of our information sessions, where the team would be happy to help to take you through the process and give advice."
Each fund has detailed eligibility criteria available online. Applications will be considered by councillors in January and subject to the council’s budget being approved at the full council meeting in February. Successful applicants will be paid grants from 1 April 2025. For all three grant schemes, any funding received would need to be spent on projects running between April 2024 and March 2025.
Further information on all the funds is available online: cambridge.gov.uk/grants-and-funding. Alternatively potential applicants are encouraged to email grants@cambridge.gov.uk for further information or guidance.
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