Launch of grants programme worth £750,000 to community groups in Hackney

Hackney’s voluntary and community sector (VCS) groups have the opportunity to apply for a total of £750,000 with the launch this week of Team Hackney Community Grants.  

Groups can apply for up to £5,000 through the small grants stream, while larger groups who feel they are ready to make the jump to bidding for contracts through commissioning are encouraged to go for the larger grants of up to £50,000.

Last year, Team Hackney Community Grants awarded 120 grants to local groups to run projects which ranged from homework clubs and health training for young carers, to employment training, and activities for older people.  This year, Hackney’s VCS organisations -  including Tenants’ & Residents’ Associations - can apply for funding for projects which improve  employment opportunities, health, educational attainment and the environment or which tackle or prevent crime.

Last year, for example, the Tohum Cultural Centre in Stoke Newington ran a young people’s project to tackle the problems associated with gun and gangs culture. Mansford College in Hackney Wick used their small grant to offer local unemployed people the opportunity to take part in Security Training and Employment Pathway [STEP].  More than 80% of those that completed the course are now working in the security industry.

Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney and Chair of Team Hackney, said: We all recognize that by working in partnership towards common aims and objectives we can deliver more for the people of Hackney than we could alone.  This grants programme will help ensure that activity at the community and voluntary level in Hackney complements the work being done by statutory organizations such as the Council, the health services, the police and schools.”

Grants Manager at Hackney Council for Voluntary Service (HCVS), Elizabeth Adebola, said: ‘We have worked really hard to make this year’s application process clearer.  Also there are minor changes to the grants objectives, so I would encourage applicants to read through the pack carefully to see how each question is scored.  Anyone who wants extra help can come along to our application support workshop or book a free session with one of our advisors.’

The grants programme is being managed by HCVS on behalf of Team Hackney.  Application packs are available from HCVS – call 020 7923 1962, email: elizabeth@hcvs.org.uk or download a pack from www.hcvs.org.uk and click on Funding and Commissioning.  The programme closes at 12noon on Friday, 27 March 2009.

The Team Hackney Community Grants programme for 2008 / 09 is an investment of £750,000 by Team Hackney in local community projects which meet priorities for the borough as identified in the Local Area Agreement.  The programme is made up of three rounds: the first - Fast Track grants, awarded 44 local projects up to £1,000 in autumn 2008. The small and large grants are available from today, Monday, 9 February.  Groups have until 27 March 2009 to apply for £1,000 - £5,00 through the small grants stream and until 1 May 2009 to apply for a large grants of up to £50,000.  

Not sure how to apply?  HCVS are running an application support workshop on Thursday, 12 Feb, 10am - 3pm, at HCVS, 84 Springfield House, 5 Tyssen Street London E8 2LY.   

You can also book a free advice session with a fundraising advisor at HCVS to help you put together a winning application. For full details and application forms, see http://www.hcvs.org.uk//en/pages/funding-grants/thch09.aspx.

Team Hackney Community Grants flyer and photos of two of last year’s grants recipients.

Team Hackney Community Grants 2009/10 (251 KB)

For enquiries about any of these programmes, contact Gillian Trevethan at HCVS on 020 7923 8186 or gillian@hcvs.org.uk.
For media enquiries about Team Hackney contact Ruth Garland at Team Hackney on 020 8356 2476.

19.02.2009