[WiLT] Co-operative Foundation Community Support Programme - Co-op regions - apply 7 Mar - 6 Jun - 5 Sep

[WiL Admin]

Co-operative Foundation Community Support Programme

The Co-operative Foundation is keen to support community and voluntary
sector activity through grants to local groups and organisations
across its trading area. It is particularly interested in locally led
and run groups which can demonstrate evidence of co-operative values
and principles: self-help, equality, democracy, concern for the
community.

In support of this community-led approach the Foundation has one
focussed grant-making programme, the Community Support Programme, for
community based groups.

This programme is aimed at grass roots groups who want to make a
difference in their own communities. The community can be
geographically based - such as a village, town or housing estate - or
could be a community of people brought together to address as specific
issue which affects them.

We provide grants to a diverse range of community led projects, which
support a range of thematic and geographic communities across The
Co-operative Group - United Regional trading areas. We provide: Grants
between the values of £500 and £30,000.

One-year projects - for either part or total funding.

Capital costs - these are the costs of tangible and lasting items such
as buildings or equipment. If you are applying for capital equipment
then the cost should be based on the quote of at least two suppliers.
These quotes must be included with your application.

Revenue costs - these are the costs of running of your project.
Typical revenue costs include rent, maintenance, training and
utilities. Please note that we do not fund salaries.

Please check their website for exclusions.

Grants are available within The Co-operative Group - United Region
trading area: Yorkshire; South Cumbria; North Wales; Northern Ireland;
North West; North Midlands & Staffordshire.

If you are not sure whether your project falls into the The
Co-operative Group - United Region trading area, please call the
Foundation office on 0161 246 3044.

Contact the Foundation Office to discuss your project and request an
application form and guidelines Tel: 0161 246 3044, or download the
relevant application form from the Community Support Programme page on
their website below.

Read the guidelines and complete the application form in as much
detail as possible, using the help notes as guidance.

Return the form to Foundation office in time for the next deadline.

Ensure your application arrives here in plenty of time before the
application closing date. Applications received after the deadline
will not be submitted to the Trustees.

The Trustees meet four times a year to approve grants. The closing
dates for submission of applications to the Foundation office in 2008
are:
* Spring 2008 Deadline - Friday 7th March 2008 for Trustee meeting -
Wednesday 30th April 2008 Results - End May 2008;
* Summer 2008 Deadline - Friday 6th June 2008 for Trustee meeting -
Wednesday 30th July 2008 Results - End August 2008;
* Autumn 2008 Deadline -  Friday 5th September 2008 for Trustee
meeting - Wednesday 29th October 2008 Results - End November 2008.

Send your forms to The Charity Manager, THE CO-OPERATIVE FOUNDATION,
6th Floor, New Century House, Corporation Street, Manchester M20 4ES

Website:
http://www.co-operative.co.uk/en/foundation/communitysupportprogramme/