Funding available for community groups

Funds totalling £550,000 have been provided by London Luton Airport Ltd and will be distributed by The Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation.

The Foundation will use the fund to match money raised by community groups, either from fund raising events, grants made by other funders or free materials and time provided by donors.

In addition, the Foundation, recognising the huge value of volunteering in the community, will enable groups to place a value on their volunteers when calculating the match fund at a figure of £12 an hour.

The maximum that can be claimed in any one year will be £7,500 and projects must also fit their work to the criteria of the fund.

Chief executive of the foundation Mark West said “This is a major opportunity for local groups to receive support for their work in a climate when it is becoming harder and harder to raise the funding they need. By placing a value on those in society who volunteer, we hope to make it easier for groups to raise funds to support those in greatest need in the community.”

The Foundation is also seeking volunteers who might be interested to sit on its awards panel that meets quarterly to decide on how to allocate funds.

To apply for an award, community groups can download an application form from www.blcf.org.uk/grants or contact the Foundation to request a form on 01234-834930.

The first deadline for completed applications is midday on February 25.