News releases

Grant scheme re-opens to support community organisations to thrive

Community and voluntary groups across Basingstoke and Deane can now apply for grants to strengthen their organisations and enable them to respond to changing needs in their communities.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has relaunched its Strengthening Communities Grant Scheme with a pot of £188,000 available to organisations, including community and voluntary groups and parish and town councils, to apply for grants of up to £15,000.
The grant aims to support them to become more resilient and drive innovation to better meet community needs. This includes funding to improve their business model, enhancing their income generation, developing marketing plans and increasing their volunteer base. It cannot be used to fund existing programmes or projects.
In its first year, the scheme funded a wide range of organisations to develop new services and activities, recruit new volunteers, make better use of technology, develop marketing plans, increase their capacity, develop new income streams, train staff and volunteers and employ outreach workers.  Organisations who received grants included a conservation group, swimming club, scout group, repair cafe, cultural diversity forum, counselling service, hospice, community association, creative arts organisation and young carers’ charity.
Cabinet Member for Partnerships Cllr Jenny Vaux said: “We value the contribution of the borough’s community and voluntary sector and we are extremely lucky to have so many individuals and groups who strive to do so much for their communities.
“We have a strong track record of supporting community organisations to deliver services and activities for local residents. As community and voluntary groups play a vital role in our borough, we are committed to supporting them to adapt for the future and ensure their work continues to meet their community’s needs and helps residents to thrive. We had a fantastic response to last year’s grants and are pleased to be launching this year’s scheme.”
Applicants must be operating in Basingstoke and Deane and have a bank account. For more information on the grant and how to apply, visit the council’s website at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/funding