KCC Strategic Recovery Fund

Kent County Council Strategic Recovery Fund #2 – Administered through Kent Community Foundation

APPLY HERE

Closing date: 5th November 2021

Following on from the success of our KCC Strategic Recovery Fund in the summer, where £431K was awarded to help “future proof” 73 community groups after the challenge of the pandemic, we are pleased to launch the Strategic Recovery Fund #2, again administered on behalf of Kent County Council, to continue to help organisations to adapt to the “new normal” post Covid 19. The fund is intended to support organisations to develop/adapt business plans and strategies so as to put them in a stronger position to access a range of funding sources. The focus is on building sustainability and encouraging innovation. This is about recognising that organisations will need to diversify their business models to adapt to the current challenges and increase the sustainability of organisations. It’s about helping staff/trustees/volunteers think through and tackle a strategic problem facing their organisation.

Grants of between £5K and £10K will be available, with many being made at the lower end of the range, to purchase one-off support across a range of topics including:

• Leadership and training programmes – upskilling staff, trustees and volunteers
• Business planning/operational review and strategy
• Income generation review and strategy
• Financial review and strategy
• Website upgrade/digital skills
• Marketing/social media

The grant could pay for a specialist time-limited intervention or for training. We are open to applications from a consortium of organisations, should charity leaders wish to put in a joint application to access leadership training alongside peers, which encourages partnership working and peer mentoring.

The grant will not usually fund capital spend. We would also not expect to fund business as usual costs; the fund is focused on accessing additional expertise and support.

Organisations who received a KCC Strategic Recovery Fund #1 grant can re-apply for a second grant, but only where the initial grant led to successful outcomes and the second request compliments and builds upon this work – contact Natalie if you are not sure whether you can apply again or not.

Organisations should have been in operation for 12 months.

We would expect applicants to have identified the support they need and the providers/consultant they intend to work with and have costed this as part of their application.

Grants once received should be spent within six months.

Things to think about when appointing a consultant/provider are here.

Suggestions of consultants with a strong track record of delivering for third sector organisations:

Funding For All – offering support across a range of topics, not just funding

www.fundingforall.org.uk
noleen@fundingforall.org.uk

Stronger Kent Communities
www.strongerkentcommunities.org.uk
contact@strongerkentcommunities.org.uk

Any questions contact natalie@kentcf.org.uk