Plea for generosity – to cash in
A CHARITY which takes donations from affluent companies to give to needy community groups has warned that Wakefield could miss out on £250,000.
The Community Foundation for Wakefield has been offered 126,500 from the government to create an long-term funding pot for the city – but it will only be given that cash if it can match it.
The charity works by getting donations from companies to give out to deserving local groups, clubs and charities through its Grassroots Grants scheme.
Shona Walsh, chief executive of the Community Foundation for Wakefield, said: “There is 126,500 available from the government for this year but we have only raised 26,000 from donors so for.
“This means we are 100,500 short and need to raise this money from individuals and firms in order to secure 250,000 in total.
“The challenge for us now is to secure donations from individuals and companies so that we can match the government’s money and create a long term endowment fund for Wakefield.”
So far the Community Foundation has handed out 250,000 worth of grants to groups around the district since it was set up 2008.
The Eastmoor Community Garden is just one project that has been given a maximum grant of 5,000 through the Grassroots Grants scheme.
It paid for a security fence around the site, on Park Lodge Lane, so that the group could start work.
Stephen Flicker, treasurer, said: “The money we were given was extremely important and without it we would have struggled.
“It was critical to get that fence in place so that people would respect the area.
“It also gave other organisations the confidence to money into the project.”
Eastmoor Dragons ARLFC were also given 5,000 to help them meet their running costs and keep the club going through hard financial times.
Other groups include Horbury Pageant Players, Lofthouse 2000 Brass Band, Crofton Art Club and Sharlston Keep Fit Club.
There are 58 Community Foundations across the country which were founded by the Office of the Third Sector in 2007.
For more information about the Community Foundation, call 01924 789166 or see www.communityfoundation wakefield.co.uk
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Weather for Wakefield
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
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