Small Grants Programme 2011/12 officially open

Bolton CVS is pleased to work in partnership with Bolton Council and NHS Bolton to offer grants of up to £1500 for community organisations based or working in any area of Bolton.

Priority will be given to organisations whose annual income is under £25,000 per year.

We are especially keen to support projects which benefit those most in need. We expect this to include:

• people living in the poorest communities in Bolton
• people with disabilities 
• people whose opportunities are limited by other factors such as a lack of local facilities or activities or a lack of skills.

We hope most grants will be for ongoing costs of regular activities in Bolton.  Applications for equipment or one-off activities will be considered if they demonstrate significant need and benefit.

Cllr Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton Council, said: “Despite the need to make savings and the fact we have lost many of the government grants for this sector, it is right we continue to fund and invest in the many voluntary and community groups who work with the council to provide valuable services.”

Karen Minnitt, chief executive of Bolton CVS, added: “Many community and voluntary groups are working extremely hard to deliver vital support to the most vulnerable individuals and communities in Bolton.  “This fund will help these valuable activities to continue and develop as well as supporting good new ideas to begin.”

The first deadline for applications is 30th June 2011 and then roughly every 6 weeks after that until February 2012. We expect demand to be high, especially at the first two deadlines.

Full details and a downloadable application form are available from the Small Grants Programme page.

Good luck with your application.