THE GRASSROOTS INITIATIVE

WHAT IS GRASSROOTS?

Grassroots is an exciting new funding programme aimed at helping small, local voluntary organisations throughout England over the next 3 years and beyond. It is these groups, working at 'Grassroots' level, and the communities they serve who will reap a long-term benefit thanks to the dual approach of this programme.

Grassroots consists of two distinct elements:

Grassroots Endowment Challenge
An exceptional opportunity for philanthropists and businesses who wish to support their local communities

Grassroots Grants
Available for a diverse range of community groups across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton.

WHAT WILL GRASSROOTS DO FOR OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES?

The benefits of Grassroots Grants and the Grassroots Endowment Challenge are two-fold:

• It will enable us to build a Grassroots Endowment in excess of £3.6 million so we can continue to support our small community groups long after Grassroots Grants are spent
  
  
• We have nearly £2.2 million of Grassroots Grants to invest in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton over the next three years to support our community groups
  

SOURCE OF GRASSROOTS FUNDS

In the March 2007 Budget, the Government announced £80 million for a small grants programme aimed at supporting small, local voluntary groups across England.

In July 2007 the Government announced that a further £50 million will be made available through an endowment match challenge. The funds raised will be invested in community endowments to improve the long term sustainability of grant giving to local voluntary groups working in our communities.