More than 100 people attended a successful funding event aimed at helping Isle of Wight charities, community groups and voluntary organisations secure support for local projects.
The annual Meet the Funders event attracted 108 attendees and brought together a range of local and national funding organisations under one roof.
Held at the Riverside Centre in Newport, the event was organised by the Isle of Wight Council’s Family and Community Team and Community Action Isle of Wight.
Attendees had the opportunity to hear from funding providers, take part in workshops, network with other organisations and receive one-to-one advice on securing grants and developing projects.
The event welcomed organisations of all sizes, from grassroots community groups to established charities, with the aim of helping them navigate the funding landscape and build relationships with potential funders.
Those attending praised the event for the opportunities it created.
One participant said:
“Thank you for arranging the Meet the Funders event. It was so informative. I made some great connections with potential grant providers. The networking and workshops were invaluable, I have come away with lots of promising opportunities to explore.”
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Another added:
“If it hadn’t been for last year’s event, we wouldn’t have been aware of the range of funding available to us, so it’s been fantastic to continue building on those opportunities. Thank you again for such a valuable event.”
Councillor Ros Freeman, chair of the council’s children’s services, education and skills committee, said:
“It was fantastic to see so many people attend this year’s Meet the Funders event.
“Community groups, charities and voluntary organisations play a vital role in supporting residents and strengthening our communities, but securing funding can often be challenging.
“Events like this help bring organisations together with the people and organisations that can support their ambitions, while also creating valuable opportunities to share ideas, build partnerships and learn from one another.
“The feedback we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s encouraging to hear that organisations have already made connections and identified new funding opportunities that could help deliver lasting benefits for Island communities.”
Organisers hope the contacts made and conversations started during the event will help unlock new investment for community projects and support services across the Isle of Wight, benefiting residents for years to come.
