The closing date for applications for this year’s Rural Community Fund is rapidly approaching and we can’t wait to review all of the amazing entries! Before applications close on Thursday 6th May, whether you’ve already submitted your project, or you’re planning a last-minute entry, we wanted to share some information on what happens next and how you can get involved.
Thursday 6th May – We close for community project applications
It’s your last chance to submit your community project application into this year’s Rural Community Fund. Not only will you be able to take advantage of our platform to promote your project and raise money from the crowd, but you might also be able to receive funds of up to £5,000 from us to help your project come to fruition! It’s really easy to apply, simply go to communityfund.calor.co.uk/start-crowdfunding
Wednesday 9th June – It’s time to help those community projects by supporting your favourites
On Wednesday 9th June, we’ll be sharing all this year’s great entries on the Calor Rural Community Fund website, and then encouraging those who entered to share their project far and wide. From social media platforms, to posters around the community, there are lots of ways projects can generate as much support as they can. Those with the most points in each funding category will then go on to the finals. At this stage, the involvement from you, the public, is also really important. If you see a community project or initiative that you like, show your support and either like, share it on social media or donate. For every like or share on an applicant’s page, they will receive 1 point. We’re also working with Crowdfunder to give community projects the opportunity to actively fundraise through their Rural Community Fund Page, and if someone is feeling generous and decides to donate to a project, that project will be awarded 10 points for their donation. The more points a project receives, the more chance they have of making it through to the finals.
Wednesday 7th July – public support phase closes
Once public support closes on 7th of July, we’ll be tallying up the points. Those projects with the most points in each funding category (£1,000, £2,500 and £5,000) at the end of the supporting phase will go through some final checks, before being shortlisted as finalists and will instantly secure a boost of £500 from the Rural Community Fund. These lucky projects will be announced on 28th July. So, don’t forget to support your favourites - every point counts!
Finalists will go on to be scored by a panel of impartial judges to determine this year’s winners, which we’ll announce on 11th August.
Applicants are in with a chance of receiving a grant of £1,000, £2,500 or £5,000 for anything from upgrades to public facilities, to new equipment for groups that provide support to people in remote areas of the country.
Some of the winning projects from last year include Bitterley Primary school, in Shropshire who received £5,000 in funding to build an outdoor classroom so their children could benefit from an outdoor area to learn about the environment and nature.
In the £2,500 category, one of the recipients was Move the Mind in Somerset, an initiative set up to provide a safe, engaging space for children with autism and neurological conditions. The grant helped them improve their facilities and increase capacity in order to help more children in their local area.
And finally, one of the winners in the £1,000 category was the Morton Playing Field committee in Derbyshire and they purchased a defibrillator for their grounds. The isolated village previously had no nearby defibrillators, making this grant quite possibly a lifesaving one.
Something new for 2021 – Our Rural Hero of the Year category
Recognising the challenges we’ve all faced in the past 12 months, we’ve decided to add a new category – the Rural Hero of the Year. This award is dedicated to that special person who went the extra mile to support their local community throughout 2020. So if you have a person in mind who’s invested their time to help those in need, nominations are open until 7th July. To nominate, or for more information on the Rural Hero of the Year award, please visit: here
Once entries are in, our panel of impartial judges will decide on a winner who will receive a special prize for their outstanding efforts.
Get involved
If you would like to get involved and support your favourite community projects, you can find the full details here. Don’t forget, every point counts, so get sharing, liking and donating to give your favourite community project the best chance at making it through to the finals and get your friends, family and local community involved too!
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