Groups invited to apply for cash

Community groups are being invited to apply for funding forprojects which provide services to people in the district.

The city council-led RISE programme is aimed at not-for-profit organisations and offers a variety of grants and support.

Groups can now apply for innovation grants of up to £3,000 to help get them started with a new idea.

Improvement grants are available for existing organisations that need some extra help with financial sustainability.

For existing organisations already achieving good things, strategic grants of up to £30,000 are available.

Chairman of the council’s community committee Cllr Neil Baker says the council would particularly welcome applications from those who have never approached the authority before.

“We support local voluntary, cultural and sports organisations to the tune of £1.4 million every year, through a combination of grants, rent concessions and development support,” he said.

“These groups do wonderful work in the community and we are proud to help them to such an extent.

“The new grants scheme has been developed in conjunction with them so that the funding really meet their needs.”

A workshop on the grants took place on Monday, at Thanington Neighbourhood Resource Centre.

Further information at www. canterbury.gov.uk/rise-grants