Groups working with young people that may be eligible to apply for grants from the #iwill Fund are encouraged to submit their applications to Somerset Community Foundation by the deadline of Friday 11 May.
The #iwill Fund aims to encourage youth social action among young people aged between 10 and 20 years, and up to 25 for disabled young people. Social action – such as volunteering, fundraising and campaigning – can develop the skills and knowledge of young people, boosting access to further education, higher education and employment and the #iwill Fund is open for grant applications of £1,000 – £5,000. Projects can last up to one year or be one-off events, and repeat funding is a possibility for those who were awarded a grant last year.
Previous local groups who received funding, include:
- Ilminster Entertainment Society’s Youth Theatre;
- The Power Through Music project delivered by Actiontrack (Taunton);
- Wells City Football Club;
- Onion Collective (Watchet);
- 2BU (Taunton);
- Wincanton Youth Theatre;
- Berrow Junior Football Club.
Youth social action creates a double benefit, strengthening communities and developing the skills of the young participants by transforming character and improving well-being.
The #iwill Fund, created with funding from the UK Government and the Big Lottery Fund, is part of the national #iwill campaign, coordinated by the charity Step Up To Serve, and aims to get six out of ten young people involved in social action by 2020. It has been made possible thanks to a £40 million joint investment of National Lottery funding through the Big Lottery Fund and from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Part of managing the #iwill Fund includes match funding, meaning Somerset Community Foundation need to raise an additional £30,000 to create a pot of £60,000 in total for grant making. If you would like to support this fund with a donation, or you would like to find out more, you can get in touch with Somerset Community Foundation on 01749 344949 or email: [email protected]. To apply to the fund, visit: www.somersetcf.org.uk/iwill