The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead is inviting not-for-profit voluntary organisations to apply for grants for community projects and activities that make a positive difference within their neighbourhoods.
Eligible organisations have until Friday 30 September to apply for a share of funding totalling nearly £91,000 across two separate categories, through the council’s Annual Grants Funding Scheme.
Capital funding totalling £75,000 is available towards capital projects, such as buying land, the acquisition, construction or improvement of buildings, and/or the purchase of equipment to provide new or improved facilities.
These projects must seek to address specific issues of need identified by local communities and their residents, to encourage new groups to be established or to increase levels of local civic participation and volunteering.
In addition, the council is inviting applications for a share of £15,940 from the Kidwells Park Trust, of which the council is trustee. Kidwells grants are available to assist in providing facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupation for the benefit of residents of the borough.
Organisations seeking revenue funding should apply to our funding partner, the Berkshire Community Foundation, which provides a range of revenue funding opportunities. The council’s community development service is also on hand to help voluntary and community sector organisations access a range of external funding opportunities. In addition, the council is exploring the option of establishing a ‘good causes lottery’ to help community organisations with day-to-day running costs.
Cllr David Hilton, chairman of the Grants Panel and Cabinet Member for Asset Management & Commercialisation, Finance, & Ascot, said: “The Annual Grants Funding Scheme is part of our work to support the many valued not-for-profit voluntary organisations who contribute so much to life in the Royal Borough.
“We know that small grants like these can make a big difference to communities. A wide range of organisations benefitted from the scheme last year and we’re looking forward to receiving another strong set of applications this year. Please read the eligibility and funding criteria carefully and apply as soon as possible.”
Last year’s grants included £3,000 for the Autism Group to buy a smartboard to deliver parent workshops, £2,000 for Windsor Festival Society for the Berkshire Young Musician of the Year event, £500 for improvements to Cheapside Village Hall, and £250 for Boyn Grove Community Allotment to buy plants and seeds for a sensory garden at the Boyn Grove Centre.
In addition, Earleywood Scout Campsite was awarded £750 to build an assault course, Pickles Hedgehogs got £250 for an incubator, Windsor Talking Newspapers got £500 to purchase equipment to produce their weekly recordings, and Wraysbury Matters was handed £500 to buy a ‘chat bench’ for mental wellbeing.
Visit www.rbwm.gov.uk and search for ‘grants’ for more information, criteria and the application form.