News Apply now Winter Community Support Fund

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is encouraging local community groups to apply now for the new Winter Community Support Fund.

Applications are open online from today – Monday 27 November for the MBC Winter Community Support Fund (part of the Government Household Support Grant) until Sunday 17 December.

The Winter Community Support Fund is available for community organisations to apply for to support vulnerable households over the winter period with food and fuel poverty and keeping warm.

MBC Cabinet Member for Communities, Leisure and Arts, Cllr Claudine Russell said:

“We all know that the winter months can be difficult for many people who may be struggling with keeping warm and food and fuel poverty.  The Council is using part of our portion of the Government’s Household Support Fund to help community schemes working with local families to support them.

“I would encourage as many local voluntary and community organisations as possible to apply now for the funding which could help the residents of Maidstone who need it.”

Applications to the fund are welcome from local voluntary and community organisations to help with providing support to Maidstone residents and can apply for one off funding of between £500 and £5,000.

Types of projects that may apply could include:

• warm hubs
• free lunch clubs
• meal boxes
• care packages
• food voucher schemes
• vouchers/grants for fuel support
• projects providing other essentials, for example, clothing, essential cooking appliances

Applications for the Winter Community Support Fund should demonstrate:

• what support will be offered and how the project will be delivered
• how they will specifically encourage Maidstone residents to engage with the proposed service/project/scheme
• which areas and residents will be supported in the community
• a breakdown of cost of how the grant will be spent
• how many people the project expects to support

Please note that successful organisations will be required to provide feedback and details on the number of households to supported and the type of support given to MBC.  Applications will be evaluated by a Council led panel and successful applications will be determined by how much residents and the community will benefit from the project proposed.

Who can apply for the support fund:

• voluntary or community organisation
• registered charities
• constituted groups
• non constituted groups with own bank account
• faith groups - if the project is inclusive of all faiths
• not-for-profit company or community interest company

Who cannot apply for the funding:

• individuals or sole traders
• companies that can pay profits to directors, shareholders, or members
• organisations based outside the UK
• organisation that are not supporting Maidstone residents

Application can be made online now:https://maidstone.gov.uk/home/primary-services/community-support/tier-2-primary-areas/winter-community-support-fund

If you have any questions about the fund or need the application form in another format, please email vcsliaison@maidstone.gov.uk

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