The Durham Area Action Partnership has a pot of money for small grants to support the voluntary and community sector. If you are part of a group in Bearpark, Witton Gilbert, Framwellgate Moor, Brasside or Pity Me, please get in touch if you would like help in trying to gain a grant. Alternatively if you are confident with filling in applications for funding, I enclose the grant application form as a pdf: durham-aap-small-grants-funding-application-and-guidelines.pdf

Grants from £50 to £1000 will be considered and the scheme is running until March 2011. The scheme is available for any group carrying out activities in the AAP area which includes the villages mentioned but also, Belmont, Gilesgate, Durham City, Shincliffe, Sherburn, Neville’s Cross, Newton Hall and a number of other villages. AAP area map can be seen here: AAP Map

If your group has activities in other parts of the County, some other AAPs may have funding available. Details of other AAPs here on County Council website: http://www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/Service.aspx?ServiceId=6379

The following groups in Durham AAP area can apply:

• Any local not for profit group working in the Durham AAP area
• Be volunteer led (i.e. with largely volunteer based input)
• Groups can apply on behalf of an individual, but the group should
benefit in some way for doing this
• Faith based groups who operate activities and services which are not
purely for religious benefit
If your group fits any of the above you must also have:
• A constitution or governing document (help can be provided where
these do not exist)
• Have a bank account in the groups name that requires at least two
people to sign each cheque withdrawal
• Produce annual accounts
• Use the grant within 6 months

If you have any problems with the form or need any help please get in touch, and if you are successful please let  me know so I can see if there are other possible funding streams for your group in the future.