This grant programme aims to enable local people begin to create lasting change in their communities. Projects should benefit the Lower Grange community and be run by people who have identified a way to engage with others to tackle an issue affecting them or their families (for example, improving relationships between different people in the community, raising awareness around issues that affect their quality of life or giving people the skills and confidence to increase their wellbeing or access to opportunities).

Priority will be given to private individuals who have not run their own funded project previously (or to small, locally based informal groups or organisations not currently in receipt of funding) that have a clear understanding of the needs of their community. Grants are between £250-500 and can be used to test an idea by piloting a project and capturing the learning, so that the project builds an evidence base for either obtaining further funding or contributing to wider work by other organisations in the area.

To be eligible for a grant, applicants are invited to and must complete four 2 hour workshops as part of our free Social Venture School, run by Participate Projects at Lower Grange Community Centre on Friday afternoons, 1pm – 3pm on 4 consecutive Fridays from 8th November to 29th November 2019. These sessions are designed to give you an overview of how to make your project a success and consider what steps you may wish to take following successful delivery of the project, such as making the case for further funding or registering your project/group as a recognised organisation.

Who can apply?

Whilst grants are aimed at private individuals who we hope will become the agents of change of the future in Lower Grange, we may consider applications from small existing local groups who have identified and wish to ‘sponsor’ an application on behalf of an individual they are supporting (for example if they feel that the individual lacks the confidence or skills to be able to make an application on their own).

As long as they are supporting a named individual who will be responsible for the project and attend Social Venture School, organisations or groups established for charitable purposes can apply which operate in and\or directly benefit people who live in Lower Grange, including:

  • Community Groups
  • Resident Associations
  • Community Centres
  • Social Enterprises/Community Interest Companies/Community Interest Organisations
  • Youth Groups / Clubs

When can I apply?

We are open for applications now, by completing the Expression of Interest form for Social Venture School. If accepted onto the training programme, during the final week you will be given the full grant application form and if needed, face to face or e-mail support to complete it.

What can the Fund support?

Projects should address one or more of the LGCA Priority themes:

  • Children’s and young people’s programmes
  • Education and skills
  • Employability/self-employment support
  • Physical and/or mental health
  • Social and environmental issues
  • Support for the elderly and disabled
  • Recreation/leisure (activities that contribute to another LGCA priority)
  • Housing related issues or Crime reduction

How to apply?  

  • For an application pack (which includes the Expression of Interest form for Social Venture School and further information on the Imagine Grant process for those successfully completing the 4 weeks training) please email: alexdilger@btinternet.com