believe housing makes grants more accessible to community projects

Groups across County Durham are being invited to apply for up to £1,000 grants towards new community activities or projects. 

believe housing can award funding to not-for-profit organisations delivering projects that help to improve the lives of people in areas where it has homes. 

Damian Pearson, Community Investment Team Leader at believe housing, said: “We know the positive impact our grants have in communities, so we’ve made it is easier than ever for not-for-profit organisations to secure the funds they need. 

“By making our grants more flexible and cutting the admin we hope to kick start more projects that will support communities and change lives.” 

Groups can apply for up to £1,000 in a financial year, which could be two £500 grants, for a mix of capital and revenue costs. Up to half of the grant can go towards rent. 

To be eligible, projects must meet at least one of the following themes: health and wellbeing, employability and training, increasing household income, a greener, fairer future, and tackling inequalities. 

Previously, groups had to ensure at least 15 per cent of those accessing a project were believe housing customers.  

Now, in a bid to remove barriers for groups, it simply requires evidence that a project is benefiting people who live in communities where it has homes — in central, east, or south-west County Durham. 

For further details and to apply visit www.believehousing.co.uk/community-funding/1000-community-grant