THE GRANT-making organisation for Kent is planning the next of its free ‘funding clinics’ next month to help good causes access the funds it administers.
Kent Community Foundation’s (KCF) Director of Grants and Impact, Natalie Smith, said charities and community groups could make the most of the March 21 event to network, discuss best practice and make valuable contacts.
But the key promise of the event is the chance for organisations to discuss their individual funding needs with a member of the grants team, she added.
The next clinic is to be held in Sevenoaks on Tuesday March 21, at 12:30-4pm.
Ms Smith said: “This clinic in Sevenoaks is the first of 2023 and we expect the free places to be booked very quickly as charitable organisations across the county feel the impact of the escalating cost of living crisis and are facing real concerns about how they will be able to continue to deliver their services.”
Tunbridge Wells-based community group Venture Together, which focuses on overcoming barriers to employability, used a previous ‘clinic’ to make a successful grant application for £5,000.
CEO Janet Phythian said: “After failing to gain funding from Kent Community Foundation for a previous project, we took the opportunity to attend one of their advice clinics.
“After the event we applied for help to cover some of the core costs which allow us to provide our services and advice to low skilled and marginalised people. This second application was successful and we received a £5,000 grant.
“The advice we received really helped us to understand what Kent Community Foundation was looking for from applications and made the process much easier for us.”
Jackie Sumner, a trustee of Venture Together, said: “The support from Kent Community Foundation is second to none and Venture Together goes from strength to strength on the basis of the initial funding we secured.”
Kent Community Foundation’s ‘funding clinic’ will be held at Mencap Hall, 71 Hitchen Hatch Lane, Sevenoaks TN13 3AY, at 12.30-4pm on March 21. Booking essential. Contact: paul@kentcf.org.uk
