Grants cash at risk if no-one claims it

Nov 29 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds in grants which should go to community groups across the North East could be lost, the charity giving out the money said last night.

The Government’s Grassroots Grants programme provides funds for all kinds of groups and will provide more than £2m in the region over the next two years. But the Tyne and Wear and Northumberland Community Foundation, which is administering the scheme for the North East, says it needs applications or it may have to give the cash back.

Currently, the Community Foundation has £255,000 for groups in Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Sunderland and Northumberland. The deadline for applications is December 17.

And the same amount again can be granted by March next year, meaning more than £500,000 is available.

If insufficient applications for cash are made, the money may have to be returned to Government.

Grants of between £250 and £5000 are available for small community and voluntary groups that have a turnover of less than £20,000 per year, have a record of income and expenditure and have been established with a constitution for at least year. Sue Martin, Grassroots Grants Officer said: “We are welcoming applications from groups across Tyne and Wear and Northumberland, particularly from groups new to funding, and any small group that feels a small amount of money will make a big difference in their community.”

The City of Newcastle Pipe Band was the first group in Newcastle to benefit from the money, with a grant for £3,000 to buy four new sets of bagpipes to be used as part of an equipment pool within the group.

The group has recently qualified for all five of the major championships for 2009, including the World Championships in Glasgow.

Robert Durie, Drum Major and senior fundraiser for the City of Newcastle Pipe Band, said: “The new Grassroots Grants scheme is a marvellous way to get much-needed funds to the small community groups in our region.

“It’s great that we are the first group in Newcastle to receive a grant and we are looking forward to testing the new pipes out.”

The money is part of a £130m nationwide drive by the Government to support thousands of groups and projects across the country, working to improve their local communities.

Organisations are being invited to apply for a grant now, so if you would like more information or to find out if your group qualifies for a grant please visit www.communityfoundation.org.uk and click on funds/grassroots grants.