New grant funding to help invest in our communities

Are you a community group looking for funds to help build the capacity of your community organisation?

North Herts Council has made some money available to enable community groups and organisations expand a particular area or service – capacity building activities could include helping people access employment, education or training and supporting people’s mental or physical health.

The North Herts Community Investment Fund uses £100k from the council’s reserves to provide grants of between £5,000 and £20,000. The money could also fund services to help those suffering from the cost of living, or measures to address climate change and/or improve natural environments.

Cllr Alistair Willoughby, Executive Member for Community & Partnerships, said: “The Community Investment fund aims to do exactly that, invest in our communities. We want the money to get to those organisations and communities developing and/or strengthening their skills, knowledge, abilities, processes, or resources. This fund will allow us to help our cash-strapped community organisations to continue to provide or improve their vital services. Ultimately this is about improving the lives of our residents, finding local solutions to local issues, and empowering our communities.”

Cllr Dominic Griffiths, deputy Executive Member for Community & Partnerships, added: “We know our charities and community organisations have struggled through the pandemic when fundraising opportunities were limited, and now people are dealing with the cost of living. This money will really help ‘pump-prime’ our voluntary sector in North Herts and help support them into the future.”

Proposed projects should fit in to one of the council’s three priorities – People first, Sustainability, and A brighter future together.

For more information and to apply: Community Investment Fund