Grants available to support employment

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) has announced that a second round of funding worth £700,000 is now available through the ‘Solent Supporting Employment’ Grant Programme. Community groups, charities and not-for-profit organizations can apply for grants of between £30,000 to £60,000, to support local people wanting to get back into employment.

The grants will enable organizations to offer new and innovative projects, enabling people marginalized by factors such as disability, mental health, age, childcare needs and homelessness to move closer towards, or into employment along with those from ethnic minorities. The first round of funding in Autumn last year supported 11 local organizations which shared grants worth £795,000.

Rebecca Kennelly MBE, Chair of Trustees at HIWCF, said: “HIWCF is delighted to be managing the £1.76 million Solent Supporting Employment Programme, providing vital opportunities for people to find their way into work during these difficult times. These grants will increase job prospects for local people and we are extremely grateful to all involved in this partnership including our HIWCF donors, as it is thanks to all of their support that this programme is possible.”

Helen Stratton-Evans, Solent Supporting Employment Contract Manager, added: “Applicants planning to apply for this funding should firstly register for one of the four briefing webinars taking place during February 2021, via our website hiwcf.com. The aim of the briefings is to ensure awareness of the differing funding criteria which varies across the Portsmouth, Southampton, Hampshire and Isle of Wight regions. Grants are available from the HIWCF website hiwcf.com/grants and we ask that all applications are submitted before the closing date at midnight on 1st March 2021.”