Deadline: 13-Jun-22
The London Community Foundation has launched the Elephant & Castle Community Fund with an aim to build on the strengths of local people, celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the area, and support the people who are most in need at this time of change.
Over the past decade, the fund has supported local grassroots organisations via annual funding and capacity building support, and they are committed to ensuring that funding decisions are made by a diverse panel that understands need in the community. It is hoped that the fund will become a permanent feature of the area, and that over time, it will develop and grow, with the community taking ownership, both in decision-making and fundraising.
Themes
Applications must address at least one of the following themes:
- Further education, skill building, training and entrepreneurship: Helping residents to increase their educational attainment, develop skills, access training and gain employment.
- Arts and culture: Promoting engagement in arts and cultural activities, in particular, those that celebrate the diversity of the area and improve the local environment.
- Environment: Increasing access to green spaces and improving the local environment within the Elephant & Castle Opportunity Area, with particular emphasis on projects where residents are involved in making the improvements themselves. They are also interested in proposals that respond to the Climate Emergency.
- Young people: Engaging and improving the lives of young people in the area, providing youth activities and supporting young residents to reach their potential.
- Wellbeing: Promoting wellbeing, helping people to connect with others and addressing what are known as the Five Ways to Wellbeing. These are: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give. Applications on food insecurity and obesity will also be considered under this theme.
Priorities
Priority will be given to:
- Applicants that are based within the Elephant & Castle Opportunity Area.
- Projects that work with the most disadvantaged members of the community, in particular, those who are not currently accessing services.
- Applications that actively involve the communities who will benefit from the grant in planning the project and making it happen.
- Projects that encourage community cohesion and celebrate diversity.
- Projects that will have a longterm impact on the Elephant & Castle community.
- Projects that have a sustainability plan for continuation beyond this funding period.
- Projects that engage local people as volunteers (outside of any management committee members).
- Applicants that are working in partnership with other organisations.
Funding Information & Duration
- Organisations can apply for grants of between £500 and £10,000 for 12 months.
- One grant of up to £20,000 may be awarded to one organisation to deliver over 24 months. The grant will be released in two instalments; £10,000 in year 1 and £10,000 in year 2.
- Organisations will be provided the opportunity to register interest for this multi-year grant when completing the application. In addition, the Fund will offer capacity building sessions to all successful organisations
Eligibility Criteria
There must be a signed governing document in place appropriate to the legal structure. This must include an asset lock (or equivalent clause) and the purpose of all funded activities must be charitable (not for profit). This includes:
- Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
- Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) – may also be registered as a Charity or a Community Interest Company Limited by Guarantee (CICLG)
- Trust
- Unincorporated Association
- Community Benefit Societies (CBS). Ideally, the CBS will also be registered as charitable with HMRC, however this is not essential.
Ineligibility Criteria
The following types of organisation are not eligible:
- Companies limited by Shares (including CIC limited by shares)
- Statutory organisations, such as local authorities
- NHS bodies
- Co-operative societies
Criteria
Applications must meet the following criteria:
- The majority of beneficiaries must live, work or study in the Elephant & Castle Opportunity Area.
- Projects must meet a locally identified need. You will need to demonstrate that the project is wanted and needed by communities who will benefit, for example, through consultation or informal feedback.
- Applicants must commit to the Southwark Stands Together pledges, and be able to demonstrate or commit to developing a diversity improvement strategy.
- Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed work meets a gap in provision and/or complements existing services.
For more information, visit London Community Foundation.
For more information, visit https://londoncf.org.uk/grants/elephant-castle-community-fund
