News from: Reading Borough Council
Reading Borough Council has allocated £150k for small grants to the voluntary and community sector for the year 2025/2026.
The council is inviting applications for funding to support the residents to become more self-sufficient, built on a bedrock of valued educational attainment, strong skills and practical knowledge that enables them to realise their potential through accessing suitable employment opportunities.
The intention is to encourage small local VCS organisation and innovative community action, and the criteria is non-prescriptive to enable communities to apply for funding to support activities that are right for their community, but applications should demonstrate how they support some, or all of the following key elements of the Tackling Inequality Strategy:
1. Sharing Reading’s success – Prioritise support in communities that need it most, so we can achieve our collective ambitions and ensure all residents can benefit from Reading’s success.
2. Driving skills and employment – Improve access to skills, education and training, quality employment and volunteering opportunities in areas with the highest levels of need.
3. Supporting people with greatest needs – Ensure all communities can access growth and achievement opportunities.
4. Supporting residents experiencing disadvantage – Closing the gap between the life experiences of our residents.
5. Making Reading a more equal place to live – Ensure all communities can access growth and achievement opportunities.
Grants of up to £5,000 are available for smaller local VCS organisations who are not already financially supported by the council or who have received less than £20,000 in support during 2024/25.
Grants will be awarded for purposes such as:
-Local ‘one off’ and small projects
-Running events
-Minor start-up costs
-Purchasing equipment
-Sessional costs
Application form: Find out more and apply online here
Further support
-If you have any queries please contact Bikal Shrestha, Funding Officer – Community and Government Programmes by email bikal.shrestha@reading.gov.uk or phone 01189 373324.
-Paper versions of the application form are available if you are not able to apply online. Please contact the above individual.
-If you would like support with your application or any related governance, please contact Herjeet Vass at Reading Voluntary Action on advice@rva.org.uk.