What could a grant from CVS do in your community next year?

Over the last fifty years, Lancaster District CVS has been helping our local voluntary and community groups find money to run much needed projects in every part of our district.

One way we do this is by working with the public sector, businesses, and foundations to distribute funds in support of their objectives. During 2022 we’ve worked closely with the Eric Wright Charitable Trust, Lancaster City Council, The Westminster Foundation, Bay Health and Care Partners, and many others to help project funding reach the communities that need it the most.

Through our Bay Foundation, we help these partners design grant programmes, receive and assess applications, manage the distribution of money, and make sure that the outcomes of projects are properly recorded.

Take the Eric Wright Charitable Trust, which distributes money generated by the Eric Wright construction group. Working with them this year we have made over thirty grants, among which was one that made it possible for Westgate Cricket Club to buy equipment for their junior teams. We also supported BEE Adventures to offer Lake District expeditions, supported Headway to maintain essential facilities at their allotment, and contributed to a family fun day for North Lancashire Down Syndrome Group.

The fund provides grants of up to £500 at a time. While these may be relatively small amounts, the projects they enable mean that people who wouldn’t always have an opportunity to take part get their chance to join in, or that a community group can reach out in new ways to people who need their support. It really is a case of a little going a very long way.

Perhaps you know of a local group who could do with a little extra help, or are involved with an organisation that supports people with their wellbeing, helps to make our district sustainable, or has an idea that could build community resilience. If you do, take a look at our funding page at www.lancastercvs.org.uk/funding

Several application deadlines are approaching across a range of funding programmes. We could help bring their ideas to reality, and our team is on hand to offer full support to anyone wishing to make an application, helping to start 2023 with a bang!