Community groups and charities in Teesside are set to benefit from the launch of a new £100K grant fund to help the most vulnerable affected by rises in energy bills, thanks to Tees Valley Community Foundation (TVCF).
TVCF has been helping local charities and community groups by distributing grants for more than 32 years. Thanks to the generosity of its donors, which are made up of local companies and individuals, the Foundation has donated more than £35m across the Tees Valley in that time.
The new ‘Warm This Winter’ fund, which is now open for applications, has been created specifically in response to the escalating issues from rising energy prices.
Jonelle Bain, donor services officer at TVCF, said: “We know rising energy bills have people feeling very worried and as the weather turns colder, we are looking to help groups who will provide support to the most vulnerable people during this challenging time.
“We are in constant contact with groups and charities that are working specifically to support our community every day. We are monitoring the situation and we do recognise that charities and groups themselves are worried about managing these rising costs also.
“As with Covid-19, everyone is affected by these price rises; the staff at the Foundation and our donors are of course all experiencing the impact of this, so we are keen to respond with this fund and provide relief where we can, whether that’s providing a warm space for people to come to, supplying flasks of hot water, delivering hot meals or providing slow cookers to help.”
TVCF’s mission is to empower local communities to address disadvantage and exclusion – the Warm This Winter Fund is operated as a third-party grant, meaning individuals cannot apply directly. Applications must be submitted by a support organisation who has detailed knowledge of the need or beneficiary.
Although applicants do not have to be registered charities, all applicant groups must have an appropriate constitution or governing document, and demonstrate they comply with all relevant safeguarding requirements for the activity for which they are seeking funding.
Ms Bain urged anyone who wishes to make an application to visit www.teesvalleyfoundation.org and follow the “apply for a grant” links specifying the ‘Warm This Winter Fund’.
If you require any help or support, please contact grants@teesvalleyfoundation.org – announcements and updates will appear via the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/teesvalleyfoundation.
