Core support funding launched for Kent and Medway charities

Local grant-maker, Kent Community Foundation has today launched the new Core Support Fund, which aims to help build more sustainable, stronger organisations that will have a significant impact on the most deprived areas of Kent and Medway, by offering multi-year grants to cover core costs.

Josephine McCartney, Chief Executive of Kent Community Foundation comments: “We recognise that front-line organisations invest a great deal of resource into applying for funding, and sometimes find it challenging to secure funding for their core work and overheads. Our three year funding stream, starting April 2019, will help local charities cover their core costs such as; utilities, rent, service delivery staff and support staff.”

Kent Community Foundation trialled a Core Support pilot in 2018 which proved the effectiveness of funding these costs directly.

David Sharp, Station Manager of Academy FM Folkestone received £12,000 to cover core costs through the pilot last year: "You have appreciated and supported our work for many years, and this Core Support grant has been incredibly helpful as such funding is hard to find. If resources allow, I imagine many charities would like to see the Core Support grants expanded to be able to provide support for a longer period of time."

KCF anticipate making 13 grants, one grant per district in Kent and Medway, giving priority to organisations addressing the most urgent needs in their district. Charities should have an average annual income over the last three years of up to £300,000.

Applications are now open on the Kent Community Foundation website. Visit: kentcf.org.uk/apply/core-support for more information and to apply. The deadline for applications is 15th February 2019.