Community grant fund opens for applications
Community groups and charities in St Albans District can apply for grants of up to £5,000 for projects that help vulnerable people.
St Albans City and District Council has launched its £50,000 Community Project Fund for 2022/23.
The fund supports the delivery of projects and activities that benefit the whole community and are in keeping with the Council’s inclusion strategy.
Grants are primarily for time-limited projects run by smaller organisations and which meet a community need.
There are two rounds of funding this year with the first opening on Thursday 16 June. A second round starts in November.
Among the organisations to receive a grant last year was the Phoenix Group for Deaf Children and Adults.
They were awarded £2,242 to run British Sign Language (BSL) courses within the community with the aim of increasing BSL skills and inclusion for deaf people.
Christchurch St Albans was awarded £2,715 to stage a free festival to help families, especially the more deprived, to have fun together over the summer holidays
Councillor Sarwar Shamsher, Vice-Chair of the Housing and Inclusion Committee, said:
These grants offer very valuable assistance to the District’s voluntary and community groups and can be used for sport, arts, music, outdoor activities or social groups.
The fund is a major part of our inclusion strategy that is intended to support residents who are in need. The groups who benefit do a great deal of important work that has helped thousands of people across the District.
Communities 1st, an organisation that provides advice to charities and encourages volunteering, helps the Council administer the fund.
The Council and Communities 1st will be hosting an information event on Thursday 16 July at 6pm to 7pm at the Civic Centre, St Peters Street. There is no need to book.
The Council’s Response Fund for 2022/23 has also opened for applications for grants from between £200 to £2,000 from a pot totalling £10,000.
Voluntary and community sector organisations, social enterprise organisations and community interest companies can apply here: www.stalbans.gov.uk/grants.
These grants are for small capital items or for funding for projects that need to be implemented quickly.
Local organisations are also encouraged to sign up as a good cause to the St Albans District Community Lottery. They can do so at www.stalbansdistrictlottery.co.uk/good-causes as a way of raising more funds.
Since the first draw in April, 25 good causes have signed up and received £2,000 in extra funds between them.
Councillor contact: Councillor Sarwar Shamsher, Vice-Chair of the Housing and Inclusion Committee, cllr.s.shamsher@councillor.stalbans.gov.uk; 07883 024251.
Contact for the media: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.