Localgiving Awards £35,000 in Funding to Local Charities through its Magic Little Grants Scheme

• £35,000 in funding awarded to 72 charities in first phase of Magic Little Grant 2017 funding.
• Grants awarded to charitable organisations offering sports and physical activities in their community that overcome barriers to participation.
• Grants of £250 and £500 are still available to charities operating in Great Britain. The deadline for applications is 31st October 2017.

Localgiving has opened its 2017 Magic Little Grants scheme by awarding £35,000 to 72 local charities and community groups across Great Britain.

The scheme has received over 100 applications so far. Awards have been made to a range of projects from Chair Zumba classes for over 60’s, to autism friendly trampolining sessions, to amateur football clubs needing extra equipment ahead of the new season.

The Magic Little Grants scheme distributes small grants on behalf of grant makers to local charities and community groups to support their vital work. With its simple and intuitive application process, the Magic Little Grants Scheme aims to reduce the work required for grassroots, often volunteer-led, organisations to access the small amounts of funding they need to launch or strengthen their services.

Run in association with the Postcode Community Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the current grants of £250 and £500 are open to charitable groups in Great Britain running sports or physical activities for their local community. Applicants must either be in their first year of operation or have an annual income under £50,000. Preference is given to projects that encourage social cohesion and help vulnerable or hard to reach groups to overcome barriers to participation in physical activities.

As well as receiving a Magic Little Grant, successful organisations are also given free annual membership with Localgiving. This gives them access to Localgiving’s online fundraising platform, numerous fundraising resources and regular match fund campaigns such as ‘Grow Your Tenner’.

Together We Grow received a grant of £500 towards the cost of subs and equipment to help asylum seekers and refugees attend sports clubs. Laura Beesley, Chair of Together We Grow, said:

"We found the Magic Little Grant Fund application form very easy and straightforward to complete. We are delighted to have received this award so quickly and would recommend the fund to any local charity or community group that is looking for a small grant to enable them to provide physical activities for those that find it difficult to access them."

The Gratton Trust received £500 for subsidised tennis coaching to local residents. Margaret Sandford, Trustee of the Gratton Trust:

"This application was by far the simplest I have ever completed. We are always trying to source funding locally to invest in our community, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to do so. We are so grateful that we have been provided with a grant from the Magic Little Grants Fund to enable us to give something back to our community, to enable more people to get into tennis and enjoy fun after school/work activities that are inclusive for all."

Chris Dormer, Head of Business Development at Localgiving said:

“Sports and physical activities are not only essential to our physical and mental wellbeing but can bring people and communities together. It is seldom recognised that the majority of groups offering these activities are actually very small, community run organisations – from community football clubs to exercise classes for hard-to-reach groups. Through these grants we are showing our recognition of these amazing local groups and the difference they make”

Callum Munro, Programmes Officer at People’s Postcode Lottery said:

“Getting and staying active is proven to boost an individual’s physical and mental wellbeing - with sports and exercise playing a key part in the fabric of many communities. We’re delighted that these Magic Little Grants are enabling our players to support accessible activities for local groups across Great Britain”

This was only the first round of grants. Applications for Magic Little Grants remain open until 31st October 2017.

To find out more and apply groups can visit: https://localgiving.org/what-we-do/magic-little-grants/

For more information please visit Localgiving.org, email help@localgiving.org or call 0300 111 2340.

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For more information please contact:

Lewis Garland, Communications Manager - lewis.garland@localgiving.org

About Localgiving

Localgiving is the UK’s leading membership and support network for local charities and community groups. It aims to empower grassroots organisations to fundraise online, connect with supporters and take control of their financial future. In addition, it provides advocacy for the local voluntary sector and works to secure third party funding for its members. It provides free training opportunities, fundraising resources and regular incentivised giving campaigns to help groups raise funds online.

About People’s Postcode Lottery

• People’s Postcode Lottery is a charity lottery. Players play with their postcodes to win cash prizes, while raising money for charities and good causes across Great Britain and globally
• A minimum of 31% goes directly to charities and players have raised £229.5 million for good causes across the country
• £10 for 10 draws paid monthly in advance with prizes every day. For further prize information visit: www.postcodelottery.co.uk/prizes
• Maximum amount a single ticket can win is 10% of the draw revenue to a maximum of £400,000
• Players can sign up by Direct Debit, credit card or PayPal online at www.postcodelottery.co.uk, or by calling 0808 10-9-8-7-6-5
• Postcode Lottery Limited is regulated by the Gambling Commission under certificate nr 000-000829-N-102511-011 and 000-000829-R-102513-010. Registered office: Titchfield House, 69/85 Tabernacle Street, London, EC2A 4RR
• People's Postcode Lottery manages multiple society lotteries promoted by different charities. For details on which society lottery is running each week, visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk/society