Charities and community groups across Buckinghamshire can now apply for grant funding to help with unexpected and unmanageable costs through the Voluntary Sector Resilience Fund.
The £230,000 fund has been established in partnership with Heart of Bucks and funded by Buckinghamshire Council, The Mulberry Trust, and The Rothschild Foundation. This funding is on a one-off basis, recognising the exceptional circumstances organisations are in this year.
The new fund is designed to support organisations suffering from increased operating costs due to cost-of-living pressures, which they have not been able to manage in other ways.
Steve Bowles, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, commented:
“The voluntary sector plays a crucial role in supporting our local communities, but we know that many organisations are currently struggling with financial pressures. This new fund will provide a lifeline to those groups most in need, helping to ensure they can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of residents across Buckinghamshire.”
Grants of up to £10,000 are available, and priority will be given to organisations aiming to reduce inequalities amongst residents living in the most disadvantaged areas of the county. The funding can be used to support operating costs, including one-off salary payments to help staff with the cost-of-living pressures.
Henry Allmand, CEO at Heart of Bucks, said:
“Across the county, there are hundreds of charities and community groups carrying out vital work to support our communities, and the cost-of-living crisis is impacting their ability to deliver vital services. We are pleased that this partnership has enabled us to launch a fund dedicated to helping local organisations during this difficult time.”
Applications for funding are open from now until 31 May 2023.
For more information on the Voluntary Sector Resilience Fund, and to apply, please click here.
