Every three months, we’ll share £15,000 between 5 shortlisted projects that have a positive impact on communities, people or the environment.
Since 2011, the Matthew Good Foundation has empowered employees of the John Good Group to support many good causes in the UK and around the world by nominating good causes for funding. However, in 2021, our tenth year, we wanted to extend our impact and allow small charities, community projects and social entrepreneurs to come straight to us.
To stay true to our ethos of donating funds to causes close to the hearts of our members, every three months, five shortlisted projects will be voted for by John Good Group employees. These five charities will all receive a share of £15,000 – the more votes a cause receives, the bigger the donation. Following the vote, the project that receives the most votes will receive a grant of £5,000, second place £3,500, third place £2,500 and fourth and fifth place will both receive £2,000.
Charities and projects are welcome to apply all year round, and your application will be considered in the next funding round. Funding will be awarded every three months, in April, July, October and January, with an application deadline of the 15th of the month before. Eg. for the April round, applications will close on the 15th March, for the October round, applications will close on 15th September.
Who can apply?
Your application must be on behalf of a local community group, charity, voluntary group or social enterprise that has a positive impact on communities, people or the environment and has an average income of less than £50,000 in the last 12 months.
We want to make it easy for very small charities or new community interest companies to apply, so organisations/groups do not need to be a registered charity, however, you will need to have a bank account in your organisation’s/project’s name such as a community bank account. We are not able to provide funding to personal bank accounts.
How to apply
We don’t want small charities to be intimidated by lengthy forms to complete – so we’ve kept the online application form straightforward. We’ll need your contact details, a brief outline of the organisation’s work, and how you’ll use the funds. We’ll also need a reference from someone not involved in the project, but with enough knowledge of what you do to support your application.
If you have any problems applying using the online form, please email info@matthewgoodfoundation.org.
The Strengthening Communities grant programme aims to support small, grass roots organisations who are embedded in the community, working within the most deprived areas of the UK. Through this grant programme we want to make sure that our funding reaches organisations that provide services which are widely accessible to the whole community and respond to, and address the needs of the people living in it.
We fund established organisations with a track record of delivering services directly to beneficiaries and want to fund work that enables:
People from across the community to participate in activities which improve connectedness, opportunities and wellbeing
People who are excluded, vulnerable or facing other forms of hardship to have access to community-based services that support positive lasting change
£20k – £70k per year (see FAQs for how much to apply for)
Length:
1-3 years (most grants are for 3 years)
Decision timescale:
Within 6 months
Deadlines:
none
Qualifying criteria
Please only apply for this grant if you meet the following criteria:
Organisation size:
£20k – £500k
Location of work:
UK only, both physically based and working within or immediately next to an area within the 10% most deprived areas in England and Scotland and within or immediately next to an area within the 15% most deprived areas in Northern Ireland and Wales
Funding covers:
Running costs
Organisation type:
Community-led charities and not for profit organisations
Essex County Council have published a Prior information notice regarding the long-anticipated forthcoming tender process for Voluntary Sector Infrastructure services. The notice can be seen here.
Essex County Council are holding an online Market Engagement event on the 18th of July, 2023 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. They advise that the Council will finalise the scope of this forthcoming procurement opportunity following the conclusion of the market engagement stage.
Maldon & District CVS are holding a Funding Fair on Tuesday 4th July 1-3.30pm at Maldon Town Hall. This is for voluntary and community groups working in the Maldon District. To book a place visit https://lnkd.in/eCURbPuJ
A project supporting those on low incomes with the transition to net zero is moving forward. Net zero is the target to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases produced by human activity to zero.
The Smart Heat and Intelligent Energy in Low-Income Districts (SHIELD) project is looking at new approaches for installing energy efficient technologies. These technologies include solar panels, wind generation storage and electric vehicles.
This stage of the multi-phase project has secured £82,163 in funding from Ofgem. This is via its Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). The fund supports finding new ways to help disadvantaged, fuel poor or off the gas grid residents reduce their carbon emissions.
SHIELD partners are developing a bid for further funding to run technology trials. Find out more about the SHIELD project.
We’re inviting organisations in Essex to bid for funding to help create resilient and vibrant communities.
The Essex Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) 2023 to 2024 is now open for applications. Essex Association of Local Councils will administer the fund on our behalf.
There are two levels of grant. The main CIF with an allocation of £300,000 and grants up to £10,000 towards projects that benefit the wider community. The Micro Grant Community Chest Fund with an allocation of £50,000 and grants of up to £1,000 to help communities connect.
Town and parish councils, community groups, social enterprises and individuals in the Essex County Council area are invited to apply.
Projects should have community backing and show that they meet a real community need.
Projects could be to:
create, buy or develop new community assets
enhance existing community assets
enhance or develop initiatives that strengthen a community, including cultural initiatives
Community Initiative Fund projects
Examples of projects the CIF has funded since 2019 include:
children’s play areas
upgrades to sports facilities
improvements to community buildings such as new heating systems or accessible toilets
a new minibus
staff costs for projects or maintenance
restoring a nature reserve
IT systems or support
cultural events and activities
The deadline for applications to the main CIF is 18 August 2023.
Your FREE digital referral and signposting platform
Mid and South Essex ICB has funded the rollout of this digital referral and signposting platform after Essex Frontline’s proven success across West Essex over many years.
We are already meeting and speaking with a number of wonderful services across Mid and South Essex, most of which have begun, or have already completed, their setup on Frontline.
The Frontline admin team can help set up your service and make the process super simple. So why not come along to a drop-in and see for yourself how Frontline can benefit your service and users?
If you’d like to add your service to Essex Frontline or want to know more, contact our friendly Frontline team at info@frontlinereferrals.org.uk or call 01799 618855.
A special event to recognise and celebrate the work of Colchester’s community volunteers took place yesterday at Colchester Castle.
The occasion, co-hosted by Colchester City Council (CCC) and Community360 (C360), brought together some of the dedicated organisations and selfless volunteers who offer their assistance to the most vulnerable members of the community.
As well as stalls and activities showcasing the work of more than 150 local volunteer groups, attendees heard guest speakers from CCC and C360 share their experiences and insights and enjoyed two performances by Harmonize Choir.
The new mayor of Colchester, Cllr John Jowers, whose theme for the year is Volunteers – the heart of our communities, expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the many volunteers and unsung heroes who tirelessly support communities across Colchester. Rachel Walton from AFiUK Colchester paid a moving tribute to the Laurence Walker, who died in March having devoted his life to promoting racial equality and diversity.
Cllr Natalie Sommers, Portfolio Holder for Communities, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the countless volunteers who tirelessly support our local communities day in and day out.
“Their unwavering commitment and selflessness are a testament to the power of community spirit and the importance of coming together to support those most in need.
“We are deeply appreciative of their willingness to step forward and lend a helping hand when and where it is needed the most, which was particularly evident during the challenging times of the pandemic. We are fortunate to have them as part of our community and this event was one small way to thank them.
“I hope that, by recognising and celebrating those whose volunteering makes a difference, others will feel inspired to follow. Their efforts serve as a constant reminder of the importance of giving back to the community.”
Tracy Rudling, CEO of C360 and Chair of One Colchester, said: “This type of event has been organised by C360 and its valued partners for almost 30 years now, and it never fails to inspire, humble, and make me so proud of what we achieve in Colchester, together. Volunteers are at the core of what we do, they are dedicated, hardworking and go above and beyond to help us reach out and touch the lives of our people every day in every way. I am always amazed how they continue to show commitment, expertise and immense kindness in so many different ways and I know how grateful colleagues and the organisations we support are for their ongoing support. Our volunteers are the bedrock, eyes and ears of all that we do and the impact of their contribution is unmeasurable.
This event gave us an opportunity to put the spotlight on the valuable work of our unsung heroes, to say thank you and to let them know just how much they are appreciated.”
Volunteers Week is an annual celebration to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers make to communities. It is supported and celebrated by small grassroots organisations as well as larger, household-name charities.
Compassionate Communities hopes that you can join us for the next Compassionate Tendring workshop ‘Demystifying End Of Life Care and Cancer’ that is taking place on Wednesday 21 June, at Wix Village Hall, CO11 2RT.
The aim of this workshop is to support a Compassionate Community approach to EOL care and bereavement support by sharing, learning and improving the support available in our communities, pathways into and out of services + identifying collaborative opportunities to improve EOL care for everybody.
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
09.30 – 10.00: Arrival and refreshments
10.00 – 10.15: Scene setting – Greg Cooper, Head of Partnership, St Helena
10.15 – 11.45: Presentations, discussion + Q&A
Personalised Care in Secondary Care – Louise Smith, Macmillan Deputy Lead Cancer Nurse, ESNEFT
Personalised Care in a Community Setting – Kelly Stanford, Macmillan Cancer Care Nurse, Clacton PCN
PCN Cancer Care – Laura Beesley, PCN Cancer Care Nurse, Colchester + Abby Hardy, PCN Cancer Care Nurse, Tendring
Palliative care in the community – Clinical Nurse Specialists, St Helena
12.15 – 12.30: Workshop review + forward plan – Debbie Dyer, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Community Hospitals, ESNEFT
Thanks to partnership working, funding and community spirit, the One Colchester Winter Resilience Campaign has been a huge success, with over 500 winter packs being distributed over the winter months to Colchester’s most vulnerable.
A Winter Resilience Steering Group, chaired by Community360, who co-delivers the project, brings together representatives from the public and voluntary sector to facilitate action over the winter months.
Roadshows were delivered in the community, information events and support were available through the One Colchester Hub, and winter packs were distributed to those affected by the cold weather, including families on low incomes, people living with respiratory conditions and long-term health conditions.
Jess Leonard, Strategic Head of Projects at Community360 said: “It is humbling every year to see just how many people in our community are benefiting from the Winter Resilience Campaign. A staggering 3700 people were supported through the Warmer Homes Project alone. We were able to conduct outreach in the community, distribute winter packs, warm clothing and provide food and clothing vouchers.”
She added: “In total we were able to support over 7774 residents who received assistance during the project. This included giving advice and help with accessing additional grants, bursaries and accessing support for hardship via local charity groups. Our Social Prescribers also intervened with cases of social isolation, providing new slippers to those at risk of trips and falls and distributing hygiene and food packs to patients being discharged from hospital who needed extra support to return to their homes.”
Local groups and charities also benefited from the project receiving bursaries to help
with community projects. From running social groups, helping with outreach to
providing hot meals. The Essex Integration Project, Mercury Theatre, Mercury
Tots and Seniors Clubs, Sanctuary Housing, Beacon House and Heads2Minds all
received funding.
“The Mercury Theatre was delighted to receive a grant from the Winter Resilience Fund. Over the cold months we welcomed the community in as a Warm Space, but also wanted to offer more for Colchester residents struggling with the ongoing cost of living crisis.” Said Abbi Roberts, Development Director at the Mercury Theatre.
She added: “The grant allowed us to offer bursary places for our weekly tot’s classes, parent and baby/toddler sessions which focused on sensory development and creative play, as well as Seniors Social Club our weekly social group for people 55+ who enjoy the creative arts. Feedback from the participants was amazing and many said having a weekly social activity to look forward to was a life line during an otherwise tough time.”
Every year the Mercury engages over 30,000 people, of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, through a wide range of creative participation activities. They partner with a number of local community groups, charities and schools to engage the hardest to reach in our community.
Tracy Rudling, CEO at Community360 and Chair of One Colchester said: “The Winter Resilience Campaign shows the importance of collaborative working, enabling partners to provide much-needed help and support over the winter months to the people of Colchester. I would like to thank everyone who has been part of delivering this amazing project, from our partners, local charities, groups and our volunteers.
The success of the One Colchester Hub and its programme of activities, has also demonstrated how collaborating to establish a community focal point can make a real difference to people living in our city.”
She added: “It has been particularly tough this year for older and younger people alike with their finances just not stretching to cover basics due to the huge increase in food, heating and electricity costs. I am so grateful that as a city we have the foresight to be able to put in place support to help those who are really struggling. However, our work does not finish just because winter is over, the cost-of-living crisis is not going away which means there are still some challenging times ahead.”
If you are a business, organisation or charity and would like to get involved with this year’s Winter Resilience Campaign, please get in touch. The organisation is looking for organisations who can help with volunteering, sponsorship and support. Contact Community360 0n 01206 505250 or email catwright@community360.org.uk