Digital Heroes 2012: Win £10,000 for your digital community project
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/technology/talktalk-digital-heroes-2012-awards-1226652#.UCNr-ghPSus.twitter

*Please note – this affects the large grants to voluntary organisations with paid staff.  It does not affect Community Chest.

In March this year Cabinet agreed an in principle move to outcome based commissioned grants from 2013/14.  The details of the new grants process are now being finalised, to be considered by Cabinet on 21 August.  The draft recommendations for the large grants include:

All applications to be considered without reference to previous grants given – this means that applications from voluntary organisations not previously funded through the large grants will have the opportunity to be considered on an equal basis to applications from existing grant recipients.
Three year funding, subject to budget in years 2 and 3.
Grants to be awarded against outcomes instead of broad priorities – this focuses the funding in key areas of work, based on the Southampton Profile needs assessment
Scored appraisal of applications by a panel of specialist council officers – previously applications were appraised by individual officers and were not scored.
One-off, one year grants in between the three year funding
The decision is being brought forward to January, to give more time between the decision and the start of the new grant year.

This process has been developed following the feedback received earlier in the consultation, particularly the need for 3 year funding and the decision being made earlier than March.  We are holding drop-in sessions on 9 and 10 July for voluntary organisations to come and chat to us about the draft recommendations and proposed process.  Full details of the new process and the drop in sessions are available on our website - http://www.southampton.gov.uk/living/grants/sccgrants/grantsconsultation.aspx

Age Concern Southampton and the Supported Housing Team are celebrating the success of a bid for £14,760 from the Thornhill Community Health Group Fund. The grant will fund two new ‘Lunch and Laughs’ clubs for older people in Thornhill at Medwall Court and Fairfax Court over the next three years.

The clubs will offer a light lunch and the members will decide what activities they would like to take part in to get their ‘laughs’.  Accessible transport will be provided for those with limited mobility.  A launch date will be announced soon but those wishing to express an interest in attending should contact Phil Williams on 02380 368636.

Lunch and Laughs could not take place without the help of volunteers – those wishing to support the group should contact Linda Templeton at Age Concern Southampton on 02380 368636.

Here’s an overview of how to write a good funding application. For more details about applying for funding see our “How to guides” on http://bit.ly/zYsWqG

Understanding Outcomes training - Increase your chances of funding success! Wednesday 9th November 2011, 9.15-11.30am at Southampton Voluntary Services, SO14 1NW.
Cost: Free to SVS members, £25 for voluntary organisations (non members), £50 statutory organisations.
- Did you know that not being able to identify and measure outcomes effectively is one of the major reasons for grant applications being unsuccessful?
- Review an application.

Congratulations to Newtown Residents Association, Graham Road Residents Association and Ropewalk Garden in securing £300 each from West Itchen Trust.

Congratulations to the Art Club that meets at Shirley Warren Action Church in securing £400 from Wakenham Trust. This money will help the group become even more successful in their work.

Congratulations to Flower Roads Residents and Tenants Association who have been granted £15,000 from the Home Office.

Congratulations to Southampton who have been awarded £1000 for running their Monday Club for the visually impaired.

sotonccgrants:

The Businesses Supporting Older People Fund

£3,500 available to support Hampshire’s older people: those that benefit must be aged 55 years and over  

Deadline: 27/05/2011

The Businesses Supporting Older People Fund has this week opened for applications from community groups and…

Active Nation (Southampton) is more than happy to work with and meet all community groups to explore funding opportunities to participate in activities at their venues and look into ways they can accommodate you and breakdown any barriers that may have prevented you from going to their venues in the past. For more information please contact www.facebook.com/southamptonscommunities

Information on applying for a Heritage Lottery funding workshop. For more information see www.facebook.com/southamptonscommunities

Southampton Airport passengers donate foreign currency to local causes.

Funds were donated to provide essential tools for a local wildlife conservation project located at the end of the airport’s runway at Monks Brook Meadow in Southampton. The area is a natural haven for wildlife that is enjoyed by local walkers, joggers, dog walkers, photographers…

See www.facebook.com/southamptonscommunities for more of the story.

A message from Ropewalk Garden - Please take 2 minutes to help the garden win £5000… for the link to vote and for more stories like this see www.facebook.com/southamptonscommunities

The council’s small grant scheme, Community Chest, is now open for applications. The closing date for the first round is 15th May. The maximum grant is £5,000… For more info see www.facebook.com/southamptonscommunities