The 2008-2011 £130m Grassroots Grants scheme opens its doors to small voluntary and community groups in TELFORD & WREKIN.

The Government’s groundbreaking Grassroots Grants scheme declared itself open for business today and called on small local voluntary and community groups in TELFORD & WREKIN to come forward and get their hands on sums of money up to   £ 5,000 of essential funding. Whether it’s helping local clubs get hold of new kit, coaching new volunteers or simply giving the village hall a fresh lick of paint, Grassroots Grants aim to make a real and immediate difference to the work of Telford & Wrekin’s small and local community groups.

Telford & Wrekin CVS has been awarded £ 66,627 this year to make grants from between £250 to £5,000 in a straightforward and easy way, to voluntary and community groups with annual incomes below £20,000.

Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, said: “Telford & Wrekin is full of small groups and individuals who work tirelessly to tackle local problems and this £130 million fund is dedicated to supporting their efforts. Grassroots Grants will put essential cash in the hands of small local voluntary groups without all the paper work required for larger grants."

Alison Seabrooke, CDF Chief Executive said: “Grassroots Grants is exciting as it provides funding for community groups now and into the future. Grassroots Grants reaches out to grassroots groups which may have never even considered applying for grant funding before. Grassroots Grants is all about building a strong, independent third sector, and the Community Development Foundation is delighted to be administering such an innovative programme.”

The programme is funded by the Office of The Third Sector in the Cabinet Office and administered by the Community Development Foundation. Telford & Wrekin CVS is one of 68 local funders who will distribute grants directly over the upcoming years, selected because they are familiar with the needs and causes in the area.

For more information contact: suehowe@tandwcvs.org.uk

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