Our Communities Together – a cost of living fund

We know the Welsh third sector has seen a huge increase in demand for services, due to the rising cost of living. The third sector is the glue that holds our communities together, it provides continued support where statutory services stop, it’s flexible and adaptable to the ever-changing needs of local people. But the sector has not escaped the impact of rising costs such as rent, utilities and staffing, which are also directly affecting those it strives to support.

Earlier this year, in response to the cost of living crisis, Community Foundation Wales partnered with media company Newsquest to launch the Communities Together – A Cost of Living Crisis Appeal. The first round of funding culminated in over £1million of funding being awarded to community groups and charities across Wales, who are directly supporting people with the detrimental effects of the cost of living crisis. However, we know there is still much more that can be done in the face of ever rising costs, increased poverty and uncertainty, which is only exacerbated during the Winter months.

Community Foundation Wales have partnered with Newsquest again to reopen the fund to applications for another round of funding. As we reopen the fund, it’s important that we manage the expectations of groups who may be looking to apply. Please read the following criteria fully before deciding to make an application.

The groups we are looking to support will be providing services and activities that will make a huge difference to local families and individuals facing crisis and hardship due to the cost of living crisis. The funding is intended to be more than just a ‘sticking plaster’, hence longer-term support of group activities and services. We’re keen to support activities that are delivered at least weekly, that enable people to end their week with a little more money in their pocket, to help them to better manage their outgoings. Organisations running projects offering support for individuals in terms of welfare, grants and benefits advice, or support to get debt under control are welcome.

Please read the full fund criteria below for examples of the types of services we would consider a priority for this funding. Please also read our blog ‘What you need to know about the Cost of Living fund’, to further understand the criteria.

We are unable to consider:

• applications to support core costs of a community centre/sports club/youth club/theatre or drama club etc where they are NOT providing services to address the cost of living crisis

• applications from groups providing bursaries/grants to individuals or families

• applications from organisations providing mental health or counselling support

• applications that are requesting funding to subsidise the cost of activities for members

Grants available

As this is the second round of funding, we will prioritise the following groups/services, to ensure we have a good representation across Wales and across the various issues that this crisis is affecting:

Community food pantries and/or cooking on a budget type services rather than food parcel/food bank provision

• Groups providing support with fuel poverty

• Groups providing debt/financial budgeting advice and access to welfare benefit advice

• Groups who offer activities (addressing the cost of living crisis) at least once a week as a minimum

• Groups who support working families on low incomes e.g. Provision of hot meals within an out of school club

• Groups based in areas of high deprivation in Wales (this will be based on the Wales Index of Multiple Deprivation) as well as those supporting individuals from protected characteristic backgrounds as define in the 2010 Equalities Act

• Groups running eligible projects that are based in the following areas with low representation, which include: Gwynedd, Anglesey, Wrexham, Conwy, Ceredigion, Powys, Pembrokeshire, Torfaen, Bridgend, Monmouthshire, Vale of Glamorgan

Grants will cover the core* and/or project costs of groups that can demonstrate they are providing services to the community to help alleviate situations of crisis and hardship. Groups can apply for a maximum grant of £5,000 a year for up to 3 years. Groups and organisations should have an income not in excess of £500,000 in the last reported financial year. By approximate, we mean within 10% higher, but would rather you book a call with a Grants Officer to discuss your financial position before applying if you are unsure.

How to apply?

Applicants must complete an online application form.

Please note: *This fund is not a generic fund. By this we mean that we’re unable to offer grants to groups where support of people facing hardship and/or crisis due to the cost of living, is NOT a key focus of their work. This includes applications for core cost funding, which can only be considered if the main focus of the support provided is directly address the cost of living crisis amongst the local community.

• Grants will not be awarded retrospectively i.e. for costs incurred before receipt of our grant offer letter, and the signed terms and conditions have been returned.

• Grants are not available towards general fundraising or to support fundraising for other groups and charities.

This fund is open to constituted community-based charities and organisations supporting people in the local community as a direct result of the cost of living crisis.

• Constituted Groups

• Registered Charities & Charitable Incorporated Organisations

• Companies Limited by Guarantee (Not for private profit)

• Community Interest Companies

• Social Enterprises

For more information, and to apply, visit: https://communityfoundationwales.org.uk/grants/our-communities-together-a-cost-of-living-fund/