A FURTHER round of the Tampon Tax Community Fund is open to charities and community groups working with women of all ages and backgrounds to build their skills, confidence and self-esteem.
Groups anywhere in the UK can apply to their local Community Foundation for grants of up to £10,000 and the funding is specifically for projects or services that directly benefit women and girls.
Priority will be given to grassroots organisations, organisations working with women or girls facing multiple challenges, user-led organisations and sustainable projects providing long-term solutions.
Victoria Miles, CEO of Northamptonshire Community Foundation, said: “Grassroots groups are doing amazing work to support women and girls across Northamptonshire. We’re proud that Northamptonshire Community Foundation is part of a national network recognised by government for our local knowledge. We will use this vital funding to support the groups on the ground making such a big difference to women’s lives.”
Last year Northamptonshire Community Foundation awarded £34,726 to four groups – Northamptonshire Rape Crisis, Relate Northamptonshire, Baby Basics Northampton and Norpip for bespoke projects supporting women and girls through counselling, support services for young and new mums and services tackling sexual violence. These projects have supported 4,360 beneficiaries in the last year.
Michaela-Carey Slater, of Baby Basics Northampton, said: “The grant we received has enabled us to reach the significant milestone of sending out our 1,000th basket to vulnerable and disadvantaged mums and new-borns. Further to this, it has encouraged us to begin the search for new premises that will allow us to create more starter packs each year.This funding has been vital in supporting the ongoing work of Baby Basics Northampton. Thank you.”
Applications will be assessed by the Community Foundation and shortlisted projects will go to a women-led local panel who will decide which groups to award funding to. Successful projects are likely to be announced later in the year.
This is the second time UK Community Foundations has been selected by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to distribute the largest share of Tampon Tax funding. This is money raised through the levy on sanitary products which will be passed to small, local projects, working through the national network of Community Foundations.
Applications to the Tampon Tax Community Fund can be made at www.ncf.uk.com/apply-for-a-grant/grant-finder/tampon-tax-community-fund