Comic Relief Local Communities programme
Comic Relief is a registered charity which supports some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people in the UK and throughout the world. Comic Relief are working with the Community Foundation Network across the UK to distribute small grants.
There are still many communities in the UK that suffer from economic and social deprivation and the current economic climate may make this situation worse.
For this reason, Comic Relief has decided that £4.5 million should be available to fund projects across the UK which are addressing these issues through a second phase of the 'Local Communities' programme
Comic Relief is pleased to be working with the Community Foundation Network (CFN) and Community Foundations across the UK, to deliver this Local Communities programme.
The Scottish Community Foundation is one of the delivery partners.
The Local Communities programme will run for two years and during this time, grants of between £1000 and £10,000 will be available.
The programme aims to empower local people, enabling them to create lasting change in their communities. Projects should be run by people directly affected by the issues they are dealing with and priority will be given to small, locally based groups or organisations in areas of disadvantage that have a clear understanding of the needs of their community.
Under the programme, organisations can apply for funding to:
• increase local services,
• build skills of local people,
• increase community cohesion
• respond to local economic needs
• increase access to sport and exercise for people who face social exclusion and isolation.
Organisations which have received a Community Cash grant or any other grant from a Community Foundation can apply for a Local Communities grant. However organisations which hold a grant directly from Comic Relief, can not apply for a Local Communities Grant.
A Local Communities grant must be at least 50% of the total cost of the project.
Who can apply
- Community Groups
- Resident Associations
- Community Centres
- Social Enterprises/Community Interest Companies
- Credit Unions
Types of activities that might be funded - Furniture Projects
- Projects providing access to benefits advice
- Projects combating fuel poverty
- Community consultation exercises
- Community employment projects
- Food Co-ops
- Running costs; including salaries, core costs and project costs
- Committee and volunteer/staff training
- Community sport activities
Exclusions
Grants will not be awarded to:
- individuals;
- statutory organisations, including schools;
- fund trips abroad;
- fund buses, mini buses or other community transport schemes (not including transport costs forming part of a project);
- fund building costs, including access adaptations to buildings;
- organisations which are in receipt of a grant directly from Comic Relief.
When you can apply
It takes approximately three months to process an application. Please apply in plenty of time before the Committee date when you require a decision by. To help you with the planning of your project and as a guide to when you should be submitting your application we now publish the dates on which our Grants Committee meet to make decisions.
Committee dates for 2012 are as follows:
3 April, 26 June, 10 September, 5 December
In order to be sure of a timely decision, please apply at least 3 months in advance of the date when you will require a decision. Please note it can take up to 3 weeks post decision to receive your cheque. Please take this into consideration when planning your project.
If you want to apply for a Local Communities Grant, click here.
Please email grants@scottishcf.org or phone 0141 341 4960