New fund for community grants in Ashfield

Former MP Paddy Tipping, who is chairman of Nottinghamshire Community Foundation.

The Community Fund is the brainchild of Ashfield District Council, in partnership with Nottinghamshire Community Foundation.

The idea is to ensure that money goes to organisations that deserve it for the valuable contributions they make in towns such as Sutton, Kirkby and Hucknall and the surrounding villages.

Local groups can apply for grants from £500 up to £1,000 to deliver projects under the council’s priority themes, which include health and wellbeing, economic growth, safer and stronger communities and the environment.

The whole scheme will be overseen by Nottinghamshire Community Foundation, which is based on Southwell Road West in Rainworth and which is an independent charity vastly experienced in distributing grants to voluntary and community groups across the county.

Its chairman is Paddy Tipping, who was MP for Sherwood between 1992 and 2010 and is the current Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

Mr Tipping said: “We recognise that there are many excellent projects supporting communities in Ashfield, and we are here to help them secure essential funds that enable them to continue and grow their work.

“Sadly, we can’t always fund all the applications we receive, but working more closely with the council, we will be able to pass some excellent projects on to other potential funders.”

For the council, Coun Nicolle Ndiweni, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, said: “We are delighted to be working with the foundation because we know that they not only check all applications very carefully, they can also refer good projects for additional funding through their other grant programmes.

“If this initial Community Fund scheme is a success, there may be a second round.”

The Ashfield Community Fund opened for applications last week and closes on Thursday, May 31. Other topics for which grants would be eligible include: preventing homelessness, supporting young people, encouraging recycling and minimising waste.

If you would like more information or want to make an application, please go to www.nottscf.org.uk/grants/ashfield-community-fund

Alternatively, the foundation is always willing to give free advice to any individuals or groups seeking to set up a charitable fund or legacy, however big or small, for their chosen town, village or theme. Simply ring 01623 620202.