Help at hand for community groups
Published: 28 January 2021
There’s help at hand for community groups and organisations across Exeter in the shape of grants from the City Council.
The local authority still has money available as part of its Exeter Covid-19 Community Action Fund.
The Fund was set up at the outset of the pandemic to help community groups and organisations as they step up to help those people most affected by the virus. The fund is supported by Exeter City Council and a generous £100,000 contribution from Exeter Chiefs Foundation.
The initial fund offered up to £3,000 to community organisations who were facing a loss of income. Business grant support became available in May at which point the £3,000 grant was stopped.
The Fund is still open to support groups and organisations with a one-off grant of up to £1,000 to support projects for community led activities that will:
- meet urgent needs within the community
- cover transport costs for getting vital supplies to people isolated at home
- help people to stay connected and informed
- help people maintain and support mental health and wellbeing.
Out of 128 applications received, 91 were successful.
Cllr Amal Ghusain, Lead Councillor for Communities and Culture, said: “We’re keen to help community groups in Exeter deliver vital support to the people of the city. My advice for groups would be to visit our website and see if you meet the criteria for a grant. If so, then it has to be worth applying!”
There’s also an opportunity to apply for Ward Grants. This programme was reinstated in September.
From a total pot of £32,500, each ward in Exeter has £2,500 to award until the end of the current financial year.
Ward councillors can use this to support local intititaves. Initiatives must meet up current government guidelines to be elligible for a grant. Community groups can apply for a maximum grant of £500. A Ward Grant can support a community project, a local community festival, a local theatre production or a craft group. Examples of costs that could be supported include equipment or resources, publicity, materials, and refreshments. Applicants for a Ward Grant will need to demonstrate that there is community support for the project.
A total of 34 Ward Grant applications have so far been approved by their local councillors.
To find out more about grants and the application process, go to https://exeter.gov.uk/people-and-communities/grants/exeter-grants-programme/