Charities and community groups across the city are set to benefit as The Leeds Fund opens its first grant giving programme- #GiveLoveLeeds Grants.
The Leeds Fund, backed by Leeds-born TV presenter Gabby Logan, got off to a great start at its recent launch with donations from Anchor Partner, John Lewis Leeds, and other local businesses. The Leeds Fund opens its first cash giveaway today (1st July 2016) with £50,000.
#GiveLoveLeeds Grants will provide financial grants between £500- £2,500 that will support locally-based community activity across the city. The scheme will focus on providing support to smaller community organisations with an annual turnover below £150,000. At least two grants rounds will be held per year, with the themes changing each round in response to emerging needs.
This grants round will prioritise practical projects with tangible outcomes working towards skills enhancement, social inclusion or being better neighbours in Leeds inner city wards.
James Prince, Head of Branch at John Lewis Leeds, who spoke at the launch event last month, said: “We are delighted to open the first round of #GiveLoveLeeds Grants to support community led activity across the city, and the neighbouring suburbs of our new flagship shop. The Leeds Fund is a fantastic initiative which we’re very proud to be a part of, and we look forward to seeing the impact the grants will have on the lives of local people.”
The Leeds Fund launched on Friday 10th June, with overwhelming support from the local business community and third sector. Over two hundred people turned out to hear about this fantastic new initiative and support this long term community investment in the city’s future.
Managed by local charity Leeds Community Foundation (LCF), The Leeds Fund aims to raise and distribute a minimum of £500,000 each year from 2020.
LCF Chief Executive, Sally-Anne Greenfield, said: “Smaller community organisations often struggle to secure funding and, with continued government cuts, are at risk of closure. Thanks to the support of organisations such as John Lewis Leeds, the #GiveLoveLeeds Grants will be able to help these smaller projects continue to reach parts of the community that other organisations just can’t, tackling really difficult issues and having incredibly positive impacts. We hope the announcement of this scheme will encourage other companies to get involved with The Leeds Fund and help us gain investment into the Fund to ensure we can continue to distribute these grants year on year.”
#GiveLoveLeeds Grants are open for applications until Friday 12th August. For more details on how to apply and how to support The Leeds Fund, visit: www.theleedsfund.org.uk
