Lincolnshire charities and community groups can dip into £50,000 recruitment and training fund

Not for profit groups can apply for up to £2,500.00 to cover recruitment, overheads, volunteer expenses, training costs and IT management systems that will make it easier to manage new volunteers or hang onto existing ones.

The intention may be for volunteers to continue offering local support, or to ensure they are in place in the event of a second wave of Covid-19 or other crisis.

The foundation’s leaders say the community response to Covid-19 has been nothing short of astounding, where whole neighbourhoods were galvanized into action, offering immediate support to those who were vulnerable or self isolating. They say this selfless action has undoubtedly saved lives and the aim is to harness this energy and build upon it.

Foundation chief executive Sue Fortune says: “We’ve listened to feedback from Local Resilience Forum members and other partners about the importance of retaining vital volunteer support and have launched a fund that will support the cost of recruiting and retaining volunteers across the county. Grants staff are here to help at every stage and we would urge interested groups, particularly those who aren’t constituted, to get in touch”.

To be eligible applicants must be not for profit volunteer led groups, social enterprises, or community interest companies that have a governing document, accounts, bank account and relevant policies and procedures. Non constituted groups can apply, provided they have a sponsor (another local established organisation that will purse hold on their behalf such as a parish or town council).

Foundation staff can give advice about these matters if required.

The fund is targeted at smaller, grassroots not for profit groups. Infrastructure organisations can apply, but should be able to demonstrate that this is for additional costs, rather than it being a request to undertake core work.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is August 21. To obtain an application form or to chat about your project, contact Sue Fortune on 01529 305825 or email [email protected]