Lewisham Council’s Main Grants Programme 2022-25

Lewisham Council’s Main Grants Programme 2022-25 is now open

Lewisham’s Main Grants Programme has been operational for over 20 years, providing funding to organisations delivering a wide range of crucial services during that time. The provision of grants has enabled organisations to develop their capacity and widen the range of services they offer.

A new round of funding is now open for applications for expenditure in the 2022 – 2025 financial years. As usual, the programme is focusing on specific areas of need and a recent VCS consultation  has informed the Council’s approach.

In setting the priorities for this programme the Council has undertaken a review of all of the available evidence on the impact of COVID and the needs of the borough during the recovery phase. In recognition of cuts to the main grants programme, the Council has focused the new programme on building the capacity of the sector as a whole through strong infrastructure, coordination and fundraising services, rather than trying to fund everything directly through short-term project-based grants.

Main Grant Programme Priorities:

• An economically sound future (specifically a borough wide Advice Service and Enabling Digital Access for All)
• A healthy and well future including a coordinated social prescribing service, social prescribing activities, volunteering, connecting people to their local community or communities of interest as a means of improving their well-being
• A future we all have a part in – through investments in infrastructure to enable the VCS to be independent – e.g. Community Fundraisers, BAME infrastructure support, volunteer brokerage and community directory

Applications

There are three application forms with associated guidance in the programme.

1. Application form the three programme criteria described above. The deadline for applications is 11.59pm on 18^th November 2021.

2. Expression of Interest forms for organisations wanting to host Community Fundraiser posts. The deadline for applications is 11.59pm on 16^th October 2021. Shortlisted organisations will be interviewed w/c 1st November 2021. Grants will be awarded by 17th November.

3. Application form for small partnership grants of £10,000. The deadline for applications is 11.59pm on 18^th November 2021.

Information and Support workshops

There will be a number of workshops throughout the eight weeks that the programme is open. The dates of these are:

• 30^th September 2-4pm (for organisations applying to host community fundraisers)
• 6^th October 10am-12pm
• 13^th October 6-8pm
• 19^th October 10am-12pm