Community groups across Carlisle are being given the opportunity to find out more about how they can get cash for their projects and meet some of the potential funding organisations first hand.
Groups are invited to a funding fair at Carlisle Racecourse on Thursday 27th January. The fair will be a day event starting at 10am. Both local and national funding organisations will be there to give advice on how groups can best access funding. Groups can attend various workshop sessions and speak to funders individually. Cumbria County Council's local committee for Carlisle has granted £3,400 to pay for the event.
Councillor John Collier, Chair of Carlisle local committee, said:
"This is the third year the county council has supported this event. Last year's event attracted around 70 local voluntary organisations generating bids of more than £1 million. More than half of those organisations were successful in securing funding with more awaiting approval. Voluntary groups are at the heart of our communities providing invaluable services to the people of their area. They need continued support and advice to make sure that they know where they can get cash for their projects and how to successfully run their groups. Groups who attended last year's event felt that meeting the funders face to face was most helpful."
Alex Richards, Business Development Manager for Age Concern attended the event last year and secured funding from one of the organisation. He said:
"I would encourage community groups to attend this funding fair. I went along last year and found if most helpful. I was able to meet some of the funding organisations, they gave me advice on the best ways of getting extra cash and what criteria they had to consider before agreeing funding. Because you can speak to the organisations first-hand you find out if you have a realistic chance in securing funding before you apply. We applied for some funding towards building a disabled toilet in our office. A few months later we got the go ahead."
The event is FREE. For further information or to book your place please contact Sylvia Hayhoe at Carlisle CVS on 01228 512513 or email lynne@carlislecvs.org.uk