Housing association charity fund to benefit local groups

SNG (Sovereign Network Group) has relaunched its Thriving Communities Fund with over £250k available for local charities and community groups.

The Fund is being brought back for a second year, with larger grants now available to charities and community groups looking to make a real difference across areas where SNG has homes, which includes Swindon.

This year there are two distinct subcategories, with larger grants now available. These are aimed at organisations who share SNG's passion to drive up health and wellbeing, enhance life skills, and knowledge of the people living in our communities.

The two grants which come under the Thriving Communities Fund, and are now open for applications, are:

• The Strengthening Place Grant which will support programmes that focus on a broad range of themes, including health, wellbeing and social isolation, ageing well, young people, community safety, and environment and sustainability. Grants of between £1000 - £7500 are available for successful applicants.

• The Skills and Learning Grant which will focus on digital support, financial skills and resilience, family learning and food education, with grants of between £1000 - £5000 available.

As an organisation with a strong social purpose, SNG is committed to creating places where people can thrive and they invest strategically to bring this ambition to life. The newly launched fund is part of this strategic approach and will empower local groups to deliver projects which help to create cohesive, sustainable and resilient communities which people can be proud of.

Local organisations within SNG communities are invited to apply for grants in either category to help them deliver projects which focus on one or more of these themes. Groups must be delivering services within an SNG community and be able to evidence how their project will benefit SNG customers and the wider community.

Andrew Cooper, Head of Funding and Social Value, said: “This Fund underpins our core purpose which is to provide the foundation for a better life.  It’s one example of the ways in which we’re empowering groups who share our vision to deliver a range of activities and programmes that are important to our communities and make a positive impact now and for the future. 

“It also offers a taste of what’s to come as we work on launching our Community Foundation later this year which will deliver even more community investment over the next decade.”

SNG will prioritise funding projects that can demonstrate how they will deliver a long-lasting impact on the local community. Projects which also support diverse, marginalised and vulnerable groups are strongly encouraged.

This latest announcement and round of funding builds on the impact of the Thriving Communities Fund across the previous financial year. During this time, more than £250,000 was invested and 67 projects received funding.

A spokesperson said: “To find out more and to apply please visit our webpage. SNG is delighted to continue our partnership with Action Funder to distribute these grants.

“If you are interested and would like to know more, please join us on Thursday 3 July 2:30pm for an information webinar. We will provide more details about the fund, how to apply and tips and guidance on submitting a successful application. You will also have the opportunity to ask us questions. You can sign up for the webinar here.

“The session will take place online on Teams. If you have any accessibility requirements when registering please email us and we will be more than happy to accommodate. To contact us please email grants@sng.org.uk”