Big changes start locally

#iwill Take Action Fund

The Virgin Money Foundation is re-opening its #iwill Take Action Fund!

Having fully distributed its initial £1.7million #iwill Take Action Fund, the Virgin Money Foundation and the National Lottery Community Fund are making available a further £500,000 to support youth-led social action projects in the North East of England.

The #iwill Take Action Fund will provide grants under three themes:

  • Crisis, Poverty and Isolation: we want to support youth led initiatives supporting local communities through the challenges that COVID has brought.
  • Arts and Heritage: we want to support youth-led initiatives creating new ways of delivering the arts during a period where social distancing has re-shaped our use of collective spaces in our communities.
  • Community Justice: we want to support youth-led projects that examine and act upon inequalities including equity and justice in our communities.

We are looking for projects working with young people aged 10-20 or young people with a disability aged 10-25. To be able to apply you must provide evidence that young people are involved in the planning and delivery of your project. Activities must include volunteering, campaigning or fundraising.

Applications can be from £10,000 to £50,000 for up to 18 months. Applications after 1st December 2021 will only be eligible for 12 months funding.

This is a rolling programme for 2021 and will close when all funds are allocated.

Please read the programme guidance before applying.

Is that your organisation?

Applications will be assessed on how well they reflect the #iwill 6 principles of great social action. There is further information on the 6 principles here: http://www.iwill.org.uk

All applicants need to be working in a community within the top 20% of the UK Government Index of Multiple Deprivation. We will prioritise organisations who are deeply rooted within their local context.

What isn't eligible?

  • Anything that isn't defined as charitable by law.
  • International appeals.
  • Sponsorship or marketing.
  • Projects looking to raise money that’s already been spent.
  • Services that central or local government would normally pay for.
  • Appeals that only benefit one person.
  • Animal welfare. We love animals but the Foundation’s all about people.
  • The day-to-day costs of schools and other educational establishments.
  • Medical treatment or research. This includes hospices and medical centres.
  • The promotion of religious, political or advocacy-based groups.
  • The costs of overseas travel. For example, minibuses, holidays and outings.

Ready to apply?

The Government (DCMS) and the National Lottery Community Fund each invested in the #iwill Fund which is helping to transform the culture of community engagement. Over four years the Fund has developed through investment and match funding from Trusts and Foundations, businesses and philanthropists

You can find out more about the #iwill campaign and the #iwill Fund here: www.iwill.org.uk, @iwill_campaign and www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

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