Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations - SCVO. Supporting the Growth of Community Action in Sandwell.

SCVO is appealing to Sandwell companies and residents to help raise a new community fund that can provide grant funding for community groups and activities for generations to come.  All donations to the Sandwell Grassroots Community Fund are currently being matched pound for pound by the Government. 

This exciting opportunity is linked to the Grassroots Grants small grants programme and aims to create a permanent fund that will be invested to provide small grants for community groups beyond the end of the existing programme in March 2011. 

During the recession there has never been a better time to invest in our communities for their long-term benefit.  Small grants are the life-blood of many community groups delivering vital services and activities for Sandwell people and this has been self-evident in the benefit that the Grassroots Grants small grants have provided. 

Donations received until March 2011 can benefit from a pound for pound match provided by the Government.  This means that a donation of £10 with Gift Aid of 28% can become £25.60!

SCVO is working in partnership with the Birmingham Community Foundation to deliver this initiative and they have devised a number of ways to give for local businesses and individuals able to make larger donations.  Donors can create a Named Fund, which will be an endowment fund in your name or a name of your choice that will go on giving grants in perpetuity.  Businesses and individuals can join a new 100 Club, pooling your donation with other 100 Club members to make an even bigger impact.  You would be asked to commit a donation of £1000 per year for up to 3 years; 50% would be distributed in grants immediately and 50% invested in endowment and doubled by the Government.

If you or someone you know would like to make a donation you can either visit: www.bhamfoundation.co.uk and click on ‘The Big Give’ button or send a cheque made out to ‘SCVO Ltd’ to Sandwell Grassroots Community Fund, 1st Floor Landchard House, Victoria Street, West Bromwich B70 8ER. 

For more information about the Named Fund and 100 Club ways to give, contact Zoë Keens at the Birmingham Community Foundation on 0121 322 5560. 

For details of the Grassroots Grants small grants programme contact Stephen Awre or Martin Allcott at SCVO on 0121 525 1127.