Funding advice

GRCC provides proactive and reactive funding advice to voluntary and community groups across Gloucestershire. Advisers will help community groups to research grant making organisations using specialist knowledge of funder requirements and history of successful bid making. The searchable Funder Finder database is available at the GRCC office for groups to use and this software will generate lists of grant making organisations nationwide. GRCC advisers and project staff are able to help community groups write funding strategies and link their project aims with the objectives of the funders.

GRCC hosts events to offer practical advice through workshops and promote greater interaction between funders and community groups. The Cotswold district Funding Fast Track conference held in November 2006 was attended by over 90 community and voluntary groups and 15 funders.

GRCC also administers the C&G Rural Initiative Fund which awards grants of up to £500 for a variety of grass roots community projects including purchasing playgroup equipment and publishing village newsletters. For more details about the fund please look at the details in the right-hand box.