Local charities and good causes are invited to apply for a share of £80,000 from the Isle of Wight Foundation.
Grants of between £3,000 and £16,000 are available for projects involved in helping build better communities or supporting people to access employment or housing.
The Isle of Wight Foundation was formed in 2014 by the network of companies that form Island Roads – Ringway Island Roads, Meridiam, Island Roads Services and Vinci Concessions.
To date, it has awarded grants totalling well over £700,000 to Isle of Wight good causes. Recently the Isle of Wight Foundation announced that nine local groups would receive a share of more than £92,000 for projects taking place in 2023.
Examples of projects previously supported include building modifications to make them more accessible for all; new minibuses to connect communities and help people to access services; IT equipment to prevent social isolation or support people with training or access to employment; the provision of sports kit to help bring communities together through sport; specialist equipment – such as adapted bicycles or wheelchairs to enable people to take part in new activities.
Chairman of the IW Foundation Rob Gillespie said:
“We would like to encourage community interest and not-for-profit organisations involved in bringing communities together or supporting people with training to apply for funding from our foundation. We have seen first-hand the difference our grants are making to the Island’s community and are very proud to have supported so many good causes.”
Havenstreet Community Association successfully applied for funding to renovate its hall’s outside space to create an accessible garden and area for groups to meet and take part in activities.
Veronica Hattersley, Chairman of Havenstreet Community Association, said:
“The funding from the Isle of Wight Foundation allowed us to transform our tired and overgrown outdoor space into a vibrant, safe, and versatile area which, both individuals and groups, can use year-round to enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature. It has made a huge difference to our local community, providing a beautiful area which is regularly used for events and social gatherings.”
As well as grant funding, eligible projects are supported by Island Roads employees who are given the opportunity to be project sponsors and give their time to share their specialist skills with grant recipients to help them deliver their projects.
Funding applications can be made until midday on Tuesday 9th May 2023.
I know it’s for ‘good causes’, and correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t this money ‘totalling well over £700,000’ come directly from the money paid to Island Roads by the Council and ultimately us, the Council Tax payer?
The same with the numerous groups and individuals given financial help by Wightlink and Red Funnel. They charge sky-high prices for their service and make enough profit that they can give not inconsiderable amounts of it away. Yes, it’s probably tax-deductible, or something, but in these difficult times, maybe these businesses should charge less for the service they provide and leave it up to us whether we want to donate or not?