Community groups urged to bid for funds

Grants are available for a wide range of community causes and projects, including events or for the purchase of equipment.

The community chest will also support one-off initiatives, including those that will help support the development of long-term projects that are seen as valuable to the area.

However, it cannot be used for revenue funding, such as wages or running costs.

For local schemes, there will be a £5,000 upper grant limit with a maximum award of 75 per cent of the costs eligible for funding under the scheme.

For county-wide initiatives, the upper limit is £10,000, subject to the same 75 per cent maximum of eligible costs.

The deadline for the next round of funding is Friday, May 25.

Northumberland County Coun Nick Oliver, cabinet member for corporate resources, said: “Our community chest scheme aims to support Northumberland’s diverse range of voluntary groups and organisations working hard for the benefit of residents across the county.”

The community chest budget is managed and allocated locally by each local area council and based broadly on the population living within that area.

The community chest fund has been in operation in Northumberland since 2009 and over its lifetime 1,650 awards totalling £3million have been made to voluntary and community groups to develop projects that enhance the environment, improve health and wellbeing and strengthen communities.

Some of those to benefit have included Howick Hall and Rothbury Highland Pipe Band.

For more information or to apply to the fund you can go to www.northumberland.gov.uk and type in community chest in the search box.

Alternatively, send an email to [email protected]