Community Development Foundation appointed to deliver £130 million ‘grassroots grants’ scheme

The Cabinet Office has unveiled the name of a new, multi-million pound funding programme to boost local community organisations with access to small grants and long-term financing. It also announced the appointment of the Community Development Foundation as its lead national partner in delivering the scheme. ‘Grassroots Grants’ will launch in the new year with £130 million available from 2008-2011 to strengthen the community sector. It will be divided into two parts: an £80 million small grants fund for community organisations; and a groundbreaking £50 million endowments programme to enable local foundations to generate additional donations from the private sector on a matched basis and invest them in endowments, thereby building their capacity to provide long-term funding for frontline community organisations.