A new wave of a Community Grants Fund, offering grant funding to local third sector groups working in arts and culture, or projects supporting or providing employment opportunities, enterprise and skills development, has been launched by Hammerson (the developer behind the Victoria Gate scheme and owner of the Victoria Quarter) and Leeds Community Foundation.
Leeds-based charities and community groups working with individuals can apply to the Victoria Gate Fund for grants of up to £2,500. Applications can be for equipment, goods, materials, room rental, staff and volunteer costs, and could cover projects such as:
- Art and cultural activities within music, literature or visual art
- Developing specific skills through provision of training and/or equipment
- Activities that help develop positive attitudes towards work
- Projects that help engage local people in enterprising activities.
The closing date for funding applications is 5pm on Monday 7 March 2016.
Full details on how to apply can be found at www.leedscf.org.uk/victoria-gate.
The Victoria Gate Fund was launched at the beginning of the Victoria Gate development to support local projects in Leeds that develop the employment skills and experience of young people. Previously, the Fund has awarded grants to seven local organisations totalling £15,000.
Phase 1 of the Victoria Gate development will open in Autumn 2016 with a John Lewis store. Once Phase 2 is complete it will link the store to the Victoria Quarter with an arcade featuring shops, restaurants and cafes. The development will also have a multi-storey car park for up to 800 cars and promises to deliver up to 1,000 retail and hospitality jobs, 1,000 construction employment opportunities, and a Low Carbon Energy Centre.
Sally-Anne Greenfield, Chief Executive of Leeds Community Foundation, said:
“The grants programme will provide vital support to organisations that are at the heart of Leeds. Sometimes these organisations need only a small amount of financial support to help them achieve their goals; the Victoria Gate Fund is designed just for that. We would urge local charities and organisations to get in touch to find out if they could qualify for a grant.”
