Cambridgeshire County Council has just announced new funding rounds for its Innovate & Cultivate Fund.
The fund is open to voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations based in or outside Cambridgeshire, and public sector organisations in Cambridgeshire. Its aim is to support initiatives that strengthen communities and reduce pressure on County Council services, thereby giving a return on investment. Council services inviting applications include adult social care and children and families services.
The Innovate & Cultivate Fund has two streams: a ‘Cultivate’ fund for smaller projects that build community support networks and an ‘Innovate’ fund for bigger, bolder and more innovative initiatives.
The maximum Cultivate grant has been increased from £10,000 to £19,000, and there’s new guidance on starting Cultivate ‘Seed’ Fund Projects that can help people to remain independent and active within their community, encourage volunteering and complement more costly Council services. Projects include Timebanks, Good Neighbour Schemes, Dementia-Friendly Communities and Men’s Sheds. See the fund’s webpages for details.
Application deadlines are:
- Wednesday 1 May for Cultivate grants (£2,000 – £19,000)
- Thursday 1 August for Innovate grants (£19,001 – £50,000)
Application forms and further information about fund priorities and criteria are on the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation website.
Pre-application advice: bookings are now open for an Innovate and Cultivate Fund Advice Session on Monday 25 March, 1pm-4pm at March Community Centre for applicants planning to apply for a Cultivate grant on 1 May. Please book here.
An advice session will be held in June for applicants planning to apply for an Innovate grant on 1 August (bookings not yet available – please email lianne.parrett@cambridgeshire.gov.uk to be added to the circulation list).
If you have any queries about the application advice sessions please email lianne.parrett@cambridgeshire.gov.uk. Cambridgeshire Community Foundation can answer questions about applying for the Fund info@cambscf.org.uk.