Posted on 7th February 2008
The Grassroots Grants scheme announced in July’s government Third Sector Review has come to fruition with philanthropists across the country being invited to become local partners in delivering a £130m fund.
The fund, which will run from 2008-2011, will be administered nationally by The Community Development Foundation (CDF), and grass roots third sector organisations will have access to grants of as little as £250.
There will also be a £50m endowments programme to enable local funders to generate additional donations on a matched basis and invest them in endowments, thereby building their capacity to provide long-term funding for frontline community organisations. An £80m small grants fund is for community organisations.
The £50m fund aims to incentivise and encourage philanthropists to support small community projects by more than trebling the value of their donations. Under the rules proposed for the scheme, higher-rate taxpayers could see their net gifts increase by up to 333%, as every £1 they donate at their higher rate of Gift Aid relief will be topped up with up to £1 of government money.
Local funders interested in applying should go to CDF’s website to download a copy of the guidance notes and application form. The closing date for applications for local funders is 30 April 2008. The funding is only available in England.
