RWE has appointed Lincolnshire Community Foundation (LCF) to manage and administer the Humber Gateway Community Fund, which will offer £40,000 of funding will be available annually for the next five years.
Humber Gateway has been supporting a wide range of projects for local communities for many years. Initiatives and projects that have benefitted from funding include a STEM programme for local infant and junior schools, donations to local foodbanks and food kitchens, and the provision of sporting equipment and kits for local groups. Funding was provided to repair a community building and play area and has even funded speaker systems for bingo calling at local community centres. The formal launch of the Humber Gateway Community Fund, in partnership with LCF, will ensure better visibility of the funding available meaning that even more community groups will be aware of and benefit from grants.
Dawn Wright, logistics administrator for Humber Gateway offshore wind farm, has been actively involved with community funding for nearly seven years. She said: “Over the years we have been involved in a vast array of applications. Funds have been made available to charities for Christmas gifts for local children who wouldn’t usually receive anything and a local school received funds to pay for a day trip for children who wouldn’t normally manage to visit anywhere outside of Grimsby. It has been a lot of hard work, rewarding and a part of my job that is close to my heart and I have really enjoyed my involvement. The appointment of LCF will mean that the word can be spread even further and reach even more deserving groups in the North East Lincolnshire area and I cannot wait to see what projects are supported by the Humber Gateway Community Fund in the future”.
Supporting the voluntary and community sector
LCF will undertake all aspects of the fund administration moving forward including advertising the fund, setting up a simple application process, undertaking due diligence of all applications, supporting a decision making panel, grant payments, monitoring of grants and reporting on the annual allocation.
Sue Fortune, CEO at LCF added: “The team are looking forward to building on the good work that’s already taken place locally, to expand the reach of the fund across the voluntary and community sector in North East Lincolnshire and support vital interventions that make a difference to some of our communities most vulnerable residents. We will be on hand at every step of the process to advise and support potential applicants and would encourage anyone interested in applying to give us a call”.
How the fund works
Grants from £300 to £2,500 will be available and groups can apply for up to £2,500 in any one round and will only be able to hold one grant and any one time.
Applications will be open to registered charities, community groups or social enterprises. Applications from school PTA’s, Churches and Parish Councils may also be considered depending on the project. Grants are available for practical or educational projects that contribute to the following themes:
Community cohesion: Diversionary activities for young, intergenerational projects, arts, culture and heritage projects and facilities that improve wellbeing and help strengthen the community.
Young people: Provision of activities or facilities and opportunities, workshops, educational outings people (but not overseas travel).
Community facilities: Support for meeting places including running costs (community centres, village halls, playing fields) and projects to enhance or improve energy efficiency.
Older people: Integration projects; projects tackling isolation, loneliness and dementia, volunteer costs, carer sitter and companionship.
Applications to the Humber Gateway Community Fund will open on May 1, 2023 and close on June 1, 2023. The first round of awards are due to be made around July 2023 following a review of applications by a new decision making panel.
To find out who is eligible for funding and how you can apply for a grant, visit .
To find out more information about the Humber Gateway offshore wind farm, visit .