A NEW fund offering voluntary and community groups in Coventry the chance to bid for grants of up to £75,000 has been launched.
The Heart of England Community Foundation has launched the Jumping Through Hoops fund, which supports young people’s groups in the city.
A total of £1.9 million has been made available for groups that work with disadvantaged 18 to 30-year-olds in Coventry.
Grants between £1,000 and £75,000 are on offer for projects that work with those affected by homelessness, financial instability, unemployment, lack of skills, mental ill health and anti-social behaviour.
Successful applicants must have an impact on the lives of young people by giving them new skills, better prospects, a healthier lifestyle or improved confidence.
Large grants of up to £25,000 per year for three years can be applied for by registered charities, community interest companies and not for profit companies limited by guarantee with an annual income of £400,000 or less.
Small grants between £1,000 and £5,000 are available for one-year projects and can be applied for by registered charities, community interest companies, not for profit companies and constituted community groups.
The grants are available through the Jumping Through Hoops fund, which the Heart of England Community Foundation took over the running of in December 2015.
Tina Costello, chief executive of the Heart of England Community Foundation, said she is delighted to launch the Jumping Through Hoops grant programme.
She added: “The funding has the potential to benefit a number of community groups and will have a real impact on the lives of young people in Coventry.
“We look forward to receiving bids from worthy causes across the city.”
Rashid Bhayat, executive director of the Positive Youth Foundation, is one of the people on the grant decision making panel who will assess the applications.
He said: “This is an excellent opportunity for youth organisations to develop a range of new services within the city.
“Jumping Through Hoops will change the landscape of young people’s services.
“There have been a lot of funding cuts in this sector, but the new grants programme will allow organisations to grow.
“The wide criteria means that we will be welcoming applications from organisations looking to develop a broad range of new services.
“I look forward to receiving the applications and supporting organisations in bringing their projects to life.”
All grant applications can be submitted online by visiting www.heartofenglandcf.co.uk where full entry criteria can also be found.
