February 2021

European Social Fund Community Grants awards funding of up to £20,000  to organisations which run projects that support  unemployed people, for 6 months minimum, back into work or training. The dates of the next two rounds are Round 10: 19th April 2021, Round 11: 7th June 2021.

Projects need to demonstrate how they can move participants closer to the job market and particularly how they get the long term unemployed ready for work. The Community Grants Team aims to fund projects despite the current restrictions and applicants will need to demonstrate how they can adjust their project if needed, for example using remote delivery.

Applying for Community Grants can be daunting but the CG Team can help. Before you apply please contact Ruth.Burgess@walsall.gov.uk for an informal conversation about your application.

Projects have to be based and deliver in the Black Country and can only work with eligible participants (please see ESF guidelines before applying).  The guidelines, application and hourly rate calculator are available on request by email to communitygrants@walsall.gov.uk or can be downloaded from the BCTA website. Please make sure you use the latest application, old formats will not be accepted.

To be considered by the Grant Advisory Panel applications must be submitted by 5 m on the round deadline with all required policies and supporting documents (posted and emailed). Please be aware that funding is not guaranteed.   Successful applicants will have to complete training before commencing the funded work.

For five top tips for planning your ESF Community application see here.

Voluntary organisations have faced an unprecedented financial challenge during the pandemic. And with the additional costs of making your services covid-secure for the long term, we know many of you are worrying about funds.

You can register with funding website easyfundraising to enable you to access free funding at this challenging time, plus you could win a £50 donation.

So how does easyfundrasing work?
It’s a very simple idea – register your organisation as a good cause with easyfundraising and you will be able to collect free donations when your volunteers, staff and supporters shop online with leading retailers including Amazon, eBay, Argos, John Lewis, Trainline, Booking.com, CurrysPCWorld, Aviva and Waitrose and Direct Line
It’s free to register and use. With many more people shopping online these days and traditional face to face fundraising methods on hold, this is an easy way for your volunteers and supporters to raise money for your organisation safely from home through their normal online shopping.

easyfundraising has enabled good causes to raise £34m to date, including £4m in 2020 alone. Your organisation does not need to be a registered charity to use easyfundraising and it is open to voluntary organisations of all shape and size.

Getting started
All you need to do is create an easyfundraising page for your organisation. It’s free and quick to set up and requires very little ongoing management.

If you have questions and would like to speak to someone before signing up, please contact becky@easyfundraising.org.uk who will be happy to help you.

£50 for your organisation

To encourage our members to use easyfundraising, we are running a competition where one organisation will win a £50 donation, provided by easyfundraising.

To enter, all you need to do register your group with easyfundraising between 1st March and 30th April to be entered into the draw. Register here by clicking here.

If your organisation is already registered, just collect at least one donation between those dates to get an entry into the draw.

Good luck!