Funding
Help with applying for a large National Lottery grant has secured a large grant to help people with sight and hearing loss.
Understanding inclusivity and knowledge about applying for large National Lottery grants meant that our development officer could help secure funding for a vital community support project.
What was the challenge?
Coastline Sight and Hearing Support has previously worked with the Community Support North Yorkshire team on applications for small grants. They decided to apply for a larger grant from the Reaching Communities fund and, knowing that they could always turn to Community First Yorkshire for help, they got in touch. Applying for a bigger grant for their ‘From our Garden to our Table’ project was quite a big jump for the organisation. They needed help with understanding what the funders were looking for in aspects such as wording.
How did Community First Yorkshire help?
The development officer from the Community Support North Yorkshire team already knew the organisation and understood inclusivity, in particular sight and hearing loss, and that knowledge made the charity feel very comfortable.
The development officer wanted to understand what the charity were trying to achieve with the funding and spent time really exploring their answers. She understood that it was important to include the whole community, not just those with sight and hearing loss, to raise awareness and improve inclusion. The development officer checked the funding application, as requested by the National Lottery due to the scale of the grant. The charity felt that the development officer put them in the mindset of learning, and they were inspired by the funding options open to them.
The grant was successful, and the charity secured £150k for three years. This has helped them to employ two more people to join the team to deliver the project.
What does the future look like?
The charity is hoping that the project will be self-sustaining, and the communities grow in their own way. They also hope to retain the new employees with other work. One of their aims is to help individuals from any community to learn the skills to run and continue independently. They are also aiming to increase their membership from 350 to 500.
“Fantastico! Nicky has been brilliant – with her patience and ability to extract the right information. We have all learnt so much from her explanation. I can’t thank her enough and the whole team.”
About the organisation
Coastline Sight and Hearing is a charity supporting people living with sight and hearing loss.
How we can help you
As a registered charity, we understand your needs. Our local advisers work across North Yorkshire and will come to you to ensure you get access to the best quality advice and guidance including funding advice, helping you set up as a community organisation, governance and trustees, finance support, marketing advice, and exploring ways to further develop your organisation.
If you know a community group, charity or social enterprise that needs some support to be even more successful, contact one of our friendly advisors on 01904 704177 or communitysupport@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk.
Community Support North Yorkshire is funded by North Yorkshire Council and NHS North Yorkshire.
Do you need help with:
- securing income for your organisation or project?
- turning your ideas of becoming a new community organisation into a reality?
- benefiting from greater security as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)?
- thinking about reviewing your organisation and planning ahead?
- understanding trustee’s legal roles and responsibilities?
- benefitting from a financial health check?
Our advisers can help. Call us today 01904 704177 or email communitysupport@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk.