£85,000 community cash available for Rochdale groups

Grant-making organisation The Community Foundation is calling on community and voluntary groups to apply now for the £85,000 still up for grabs in Rochdale from the Government’s Grassroots Fund.

The Fund was set up by the Office for the Third Sector earlier this year to support small voluntary and community groups across the country. Over the next through years the Office made £101,020.73 available to Rochdale through the Community Foundation and £85,000 of this is still available.

To be eligible for a grant from the new Fund groups must have been formed before 31 December 2006, must have an average income of less that £20,000 over the last three years, and must be volunteer led. If your group fits the above criteria, then you can apply for up to £5,000 over the next three years, either as a one off payment, or a grant spread over a maximum of the three year period. Grants can be used for a range of activities, including buying new equipment or for renovating buildings.

Nick Massey, chief executive of the Community Foundation, said: “This Fund is open to a wide range of groups – playschemes, sports teams, lunch clubs or tenants and residents associations. What better way to start the new year than to get funding for your group or project – apply now!"

Groups in Rochdale that have recently benefited from funding through the Community Foundation and the Grassroots Fund include Rochdale Cricket Club, Rochdale Retirement Association, Cutgate Baptist Church and Rugby Road Bowling and Recreation Club.

If you are a group or project in Rochdale that would like to apply for a grant from the Grassroots Fund, the Community Foundation would like to hear from you. Call the Community Foundation on 0161 214 0940 or visit www.communityfoundation.co.uk