Apply For Funding Today!
Lichfield District Council is an enthusiastic supporter of local voluntary and community organisations that provide a wide range of social, welfare, environmental, cultural and leisure services to people across the district.
Since 2009, the council has invested more than £600,000 through three-year agreements with a number of local voluntary organisations, to improve the quality of life in local communities.
This is a substantial amount of money and it makes a big difference to the groups that receive it. The current agreements end in March 2012, and the local authority has been reviewing the way it invests its major grants within the community, before entering into new agreements from April 2012.
Over the summer, the district council asked local people what issues should take priority, so it can decide how to invest in the future. The six investment priorities chosen were:
· Advice, information and guidance for legal, welfare, debt and benefits issues
· Support for local voluntary and community organisations to help them grow and develop
· Support disadvantaged families and help them get back into work, particularly in areas where there are higher levels of unemployment
· Help for vulnerable people, and their carers, so they can live safely and independently at home
· Initiatives to reduce anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime, particularly in relation to alcohol and other substance misuse by young people
· A more prosperous district through tourism, heritage, arts and culture
The council is now inviting applications from local not for profit organisations and voluntary groups, and has £588,000 to invest in the next round of agreements. Under this new approach, it will only enter into an agreement, where one or more of these priorities will be addressed.
The activities could be anything - from street outreach programmes for young people, to work clubs that offer advice for people looking for employment, through to festivals and heritage venues that attract more people to the district.
Councillor Colin Greatorex, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Community, said: "This new way of investing in local community groups and voluntary organisations will make sure the money is spent effectively to the best advantage of Lichfield District."
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 9 December 2011.
The council is also reminding local groups that they can apply for a small grant of up to £1,000 through its separate Grant Aid scheme.
"We're pleased to once again offer all Lichfield District not for profit organisations, which provide a service to the local community, the opportunity to apply for a small grant.
"The project could be anything from £100 to buy new toys for a parent and toddler group or £1,000 to redecorate a local Scout troop's headquarters.
"So, as long as you have a bank account in your group's name, you can apply for a small grant today. And, if your organisation's work benefits the whole district, you could even apply for a larger amount (up to £5,000),” continued Cllr Greatorex.
The deadline for applications for the Grant Aid scheme is 5pm on Friday 16 December 2011.
To see the funding criteria and to download an application form, visit Lichfield District Council’s funding section on the website at www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/funding or contact Steve Lightfoot 01543 308220 or email stephen.lightfoot@lichfielddc.gov.uk.
