Scottish and Southern Energy – Resilient Communities Fund

Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution (SSEPD) are offering grants of up to £20,000 to support community resilience projects in their network areas

The fund has been established to support communities to prepare for future emergency weather events and is particularly focussed on projects which help vulnerable or isolated people living in the SSEPD network area.

The fund will support projects that:

  • Protect the welfare of vulnerable customers during a significant power outage or emergency weather event.
  • Enhance community facilities and services specifically to support the local response in the event of a significant power outage or emergency weather event.
  • Improve communication during an emergency situation, to keep communities informed or aid contact between local groups and response services.

Reaching Communities England

Reaching Communities funding is for projects that help people and communities most in need. Grants are available from £10,000, upwards and funding can last for up to 5 years. If you think you need more than £500,000 you must call them before you apply to discuss why you believe a larger project is appropriate. There is no upper limit for total project costs.

They can fund salaries, running costs, a contribution towards core costs and equipment. They also fund up to £100,000 for land, buildings or refurbishment capital costs.

People’s Postcode Trust – Dream Fund

Provided by: People’s Postcode Trust

Funding is available to give organisations in Scotland, England and Wales the chance to deliver the project they have always dreamed of, but never had the opportunity to bring to life. Projects should fall under one of the following categories: community development, environmental protection, health, human rights, sports, and the prevention of poverty, distress and sickness.

Fundraising

There are numerous ways that communities can raise funds from small events which can be labour intensive but can turn around money quickly, for example lotteries, raffles, fairs, street parties, bazaars, afternoon teas, car boots, street fairs, fetes and sponsored events (swims, walks, pub crawls, etc). Large events can be complex to organise but can generate significant amounts of money, including bike rides, fun runs, dinner dances, gala balls and other fundraising events.

Defra Forestry and Farming Improvement Scheme

Applied for by individual farming, forestry and horticultural businesses. Grants of £2,500 to £35,000 available but funds are for between 15% and 50% of the total costs dependent on location.

If you would like to discuss a potential application, or for further advice on the application process, please contact the Forestry and Farming Improvement Scheme helpline on: 0300 060 4761 or email them at: FFIS3@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI)

This is a loan granting mechanism. Community Development Finance Institutions provide loans where banks have refused credit. Their website lists loan providers who consider individuals, businesses, charities or social enterprises. The level of funding provided depends on individual circumstances. Funds can be released quickly.

Home equity loans/refinancing

Property owners who have equity within their properties can release this money through extending their current mortgage or taking out a new mortgage.  The money can then be used to fund property level flood resilience measures.

Equity release can be in the form of an additional income, a cash lump sum, or both. The Money Advice Service gives you information on how the different types of equity release scheme work and what you should expect from firms that sell them.

This is quite a quick process, taking only months between making a decision to mortgage or re-mortgage and having flood resilience measures installed.

 

Community Foundation

This needs to be led by the local community and aims to benefit the whole community. The grant size is variable but is likely to be less than £10,000.

Awards for All England (Lottery)

Grants between £300 and £10,000 can be applied for by communities to put on an event, buy equipment, run training courses, set up a pilot project or group, carry out repairs or conservation work, pay volunteer expenses and transport costs. The grant must be used within 1 year.

Community Foundation

This needs to be led by the local community and aims to benefit the whole community. The grant size is variable but is likely to be less than £10,000.

Home equity loans/refinancing

Property owners who have equity within their properties can release this money through extending their current mortgage or taking out a new mortgage.  The money can then be used to fund property level flood resilience measures.

Equity release can be in the form of an additional income, a cash lump sum, or both. The Money Advice Service gives you information on how the different types of equity release scheme work and what you should expect from firms that sell them.

This is quite a quick process, taking only months between making a decision to mortgage or re-mortgage and having flood resilience measures installed.

 

 

Community Foundation

This needs to be led by the local community and aims to benefit the whole community. The grant size is variable but is likely to be less than £10,000.