Town Council Encourages Local Charities and Organisations to Apply for Community Grants
Applications for grants up to a value of £2,500 are open to charitable or not-for-profit organisations, providing they offer services or carry out activities that directly benefit the community in Henley. Grants can fund up to 50% of the value of the service or activity for which it is requested. The grant can be for free use of the Council’s facilities for an event.
Regional or national organisations can also apply, but they must demonstrate that funding will be ringfenced specifically for Henley.
Liz Jones, Accountant for Henley Town Council said: “This is a scheme that supports local charities and organisations and from this year we would be particularly pleased to hear from organisations that have adopted green policies and practices in line with the Council’s own climate emergency commitments in reducing greenhouses gases and increasing biodiversity. Councillors appreciate that for small organizations a grant of up to £2,500 can make a significant difference.”
The Council’s grants policy sets out eligibility conditions.
This and the application form can be found on the website at https://www.henleytowncouncil.gov.uk/services/grants-support.
Application forms should be sent to l.jones@henleytowncouncil.gov.uk by 15 February 2022 for consideration at the Finance Strategy and Management Committee meeting on 8 March 2022.
Applicants are welcome to attend the meeting and speak briefly at the public session.
Decisions made at the meeting will be confirmed to applicants within a few days of 8 March.
Many organisations have benefited from the Grants and Free Use Scheme, including:
Henley Women’s Regatta; Regatta for the Disabled; Henley Town & Visitors Regatta; Berkshire MS Therapy Centre; Chiltern Citizens’ Advice Bureau; Henley Rugby Club; Be Free Young Carers; Henley Cricket Club; Riverside Counselling; Greener Henley; Walkers Are Welcome; South Oxfordshire Mencap Society; Henley Youth Festival; Oxfordshire Volunteer Befriending Network; Headway Thames Valley; NOMAD; Bluebells Day Centre; River & Rowing Museum; Henley Music School.
Jo Dickson from Henley Youth Choir said, “Henley Youth Choir received a grant from the Town Council in March 2021. It has allowed us to fund a proportion of our bursary programme which funds 90% of the termly subscription costs and ensures that there are no financial barriers to singing with the Choir.
“It has also allowed us to go into schools to provide singing workshops to children; we feel that singing is so beneficial to all and has many wellbeing and mental health benefits.
“We are very grateful to the Council for the funding and would encourage other local groups to apply to further their aims and the benefits they can offer to the local community.”
Henley Town Council also runs a Large Grants Scheme offering between £2,501 and £20,000, the closing date for applications for the large grant scheme is later this year, on 1 September 2022 for grants that would be paid after 1st April 2023.
Visit https://www.henleytowncouncil.gov.uk/services/grants-support for further details.
