Deadline: 22-Feb-21
The East End Community Foundation has announced a call for applications for the Inspiring Communities Fund to benefit the communities around Get Living’s properties by providing grants to local community and voluntary organisations.
Funded projects will be supporting local residents to increase community connections, improve health and wellbeing and engage more people with the arts and cultural opportunities in the local area.
There are three strands to the Inspiring Communities Fund:
- Communities and People: The Inspiring Communities Fund wants to bring people together to get to know their neighbours and to build a strong sense of community. Good communication helps people understand what is going on in their area and encourages people to feel connected. Projects should work with local residents to provide opportunities to learn new things, meet new people and to feel a common link with their area and neighbours. Support could be provided through a variety of different ways including, but not limited to:
- Encouraging people from different areas or backgrounds to come together.
- Utilising local open spaces to increase community networks and reduce isolation.
- Activities that bring together local residents to build relationships and increase their sense of community involvement.
- Projects that demonstrate a lasting impact on reducing the isolation of local residents.
- Activities engaging local people in improving the local environment e.g. litter picking, promoting recycling etc.
- Health and Wellbeing: Wellbeing is vital to enable communities and people to thrive and build resilience. The Inspiring Communities Fund is keen to support projects working to improve the health and wellbeing of participants through engaging and activity based projects. Support could be provided through a variety of different ways including, but not limited to:
- Keep-fit groups or fitness classes with a clear link to improving health and/or wellbeing.
- Activities that empower people to make healthy lifestyle choices and prioritise their wellbeing.
- Projects that are supporting people with an identified health or wellbeing issue e.g. mental, physical, emotional or situational.
- Interactive approaches to engaging residents in improving their health and wellbeing.
- Arts and Culture Newham has above the national average ratings for arts, heritage and culture with a high number of available local amenities. However, there are large numbers of local residents, particularly children and young people, who are not currently benefiting or engaging in creative activities. More can be done to promote and engage children and young people in the local arts, heritage and cultural opportunities available. Support could be provided through a variety of different ways including, but not limited to:
- Activities and/or events that engage residents (particularly children and young people) in the local arts, heritage and cultural opportunities.
- Giving residents access to cultural opportunities they haven’t had access to previously.
- Using the arts, culture and/or heritage of the local area to bring people together, inspire them and encourage them creatively.
- Projects that teach local residents new creative art forms such as drama, dancing, art, photography, music etc.
Funding Information
- The total value of the Inspiring Communities Fund is £28,000 and organisations may apply for grants of between £500 and £3,000.
What types of activities cannot be funded?
The Inspiring Communities Fund will not fund:
- Grants to individuals.
- Expenditure or activities that have already taken place.
- Services which are a statutory responsibility (i.e. are the responsibility of the Council, Government or Health Authorities).
- Projects that have no community or charitable element.
- Core project costs i.e. the general administration costs.
- Projects that take place outside of the target area. If the proposed project is taking place just outside the area but is still benefiting residents within it, contact EECF to discuss whether this would be eligible.
- Projects that are purely for the advancement of religion or politics.
- Foreign travel.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply, organisations must:
- Be a not-for-profit organisation that is formally constituted i.e. have a signed governing document in the group’s name. This includes unincorporated associations and community groups, registered charities, social enterprises, schools, Community Interest Companies (CIC), Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO), companies limited by guarantee and faith groups where the project clearly does not promote a particular religious or political view.
- Be connected with and meeting the needs of the local community.
- Have good financial management procedures, including a record of income and expenditure. Applications from organisations that have a financial deficit will not be considered.
- Have a bank account in the name of the group, with at least two unrelated cheque signatories
- Have a comprehensive safeguarding policy in place if working with children and young people under the age of 18, or vulnerable adults.
Supporting Documents
Please ensure you have the following documents ready to attach to your online application:
- A copy of your governing document (e.g. articles of association or constitution).
- A copy of your most recent annual accounts (or management accounts if these are
unavailable) - A copy of one bank statement dated within the last 3-months that clearly shows the account
holders details, bank account number and sort code. The bank account must be in the name
of the organisation applying and have two unrelated signatories. - A copy of your Safeguarding Policy, if applicable.
- A copy of your Equality & Diversity Policy.
East End Community Foundation and Get Living is committed to equality and diversity for all, and they expect groups and organisations applying for grants to show that they are aware of equality and
diversity and can demonstrate commitment to them. Accordingly, organisations applying for grants
are required to submit their Equality and Diversity policy with their application
For more information, visit https://eastendcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Inspiring-Communities-Fund-Guidelines-2020-21.pdf