In our latest round of grant funding we have awarded £166,056 to 24 voluntary and community groups of which £144,694 was awarded from the Woking Borough Council Community Fund.
The purpose of the partnership between Woking Borough Council and the Community Foundation for Surrey is to deliver voluntary grants in Woking in the most effective way possible in order to:
- Leverage funding from other community foundation donors and provide a single front door for applicants to over 80 different funds.
- Maximise the impact of the grants by applying Community Foundation due diligence to ensure the funded organisations are well run and governed.
- Ensure projects supporting those in the highest need in Working are prioritised for funding.
- Ensure projects funded address the strategic priorities of Woking Borough Council.
The Woking Borough Council Community Fund Panel, consisting of Trustees of the Community Foundation, volunteers from the local community, and representatives of Woking Borough Council, met on 4th April and reviewed applications totalling over £250,000 from a wide range of groups awarding a total of 21 grants totalling £144.694 (full list below). The Fund Panel made their decisions by reviewing grant applications against the fund criteria (see below).
This collaborative approach has been more efficient in enabling community groups to apply for funding through one single expression of interest, without the need for multiple applications. All those who applied in this round were also reviewed against the other 80+ funds that CFSurrey manages.
I am delighted Woking Borough Council’s partnership with CFS has been such a success and supported our vital voluntary and community groups. Volunteers and community group are the heart and soul of our Borough. It has been great to meet so many of them to see first-hand the work they do on the ground.
Woking Borough Council’s Deputy Leader & Portfolio Holder for the Voluntary Sector, Cllr Will Forster
On top of the partnership with CFS, the council have directly commissioned some charities that provide an essential service to local people. By providing groups such as Citizen’s Advice Woking, Woking Community Transport, Woking Asian Business Forum, Woking People of Faith and the York Road Project with a service-level agreement, those charities will benefit from secure funding.
Woking Council Community Fund – funding Criteria
Eligibility
- The Community Foundation for Surrey Eligibility criteria apply https://www.cfsurrey.org.uk/guidance/
- Organisations benefitting residents of Woking Borough will be eligible to apply.
What we will fund – our strategic priorities
Healthier Communities
- E.g. projects which support improving health outcomes in our communities in particular addressing health inequalities in our borough (Priorities: Mental Health, Living independently, carers, isolation and loneliness, obesity)
- E.g. projects that encourage and increase active lifestyles and participation through the provision of varied cultural and sporting opportunities and amenities
- E.g. projects supporting safer communities
- E.g. projects to provide early support to improve residents health and wellbeing, or support residents to be more proactive about their health.
- E.g. Support improved engagement in active lifestyles, in particular by under-represented groups/ages
Engaged Communities
- E.g. projects which support the ability of communities to develop solutions to local needs and support those most disadvantaged in our communities
- E.g. projects supporting older, vulnerable and disabled people in our community
- E.g. projects supporting engagement in areas of the borough highlighted by the Indices of Multiple Deprivation, particularly with children, younger people and older people.
Greener Communities
- E.g. projects which support access to green space for members of the community who wouldn’t normally be able to access.
- E.g. projects which support the Borough in tackling climate change, noting the Council’s target of the Borough becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
Prospering Communities
- E.g. projects which support our communities to improve skills and raise aspirations
- E.g. projects which improve signposting of career opportunities to those seeking employment and training
What this fund will not support:
- Large Capital projects such as buildings or purchase of vehicles
- Projects with beneficiaries not resident in Woking (if you work benefits a wider area, please tell us what percentage of your beneficiaries are resident in Woking)
Size of Grants
- The level of funding offered would normally be up to £10k for 1 year in the first instance, although this could vary depending on the grant award currently being received from the Council, the level of service provided in the Borough and any exceptional circumstance.
Grants Funded
