The county council has around £113,000 to distribute to organisations that deliver a service or support which contributes to the council's objectives and priorities.

Small groups with a total income of less than £50,000 a year can apply for grants of up to £3,000 each. They must be not-for-profit organisations and be doing work which directly benefits residents in the Cambridgeshire County Council area.

In addition, they must show they are in need of financial help, be properly managed and promote equal opportunities. Staff must also comply with Criminal Records Bureau checks where appropriate.

The Small Grants Scheme is administered on behalf of the county council by Cambridgeshire Community Foundation and Young Lives. Application forms are available from the CCF and Young Lives websites or via e-mail or by telephone. See below for contact details.

The county council is keen to support groups that have not previously applied and new groups just starting up. Match funding is not a requirement, but applicants will be expected to demonstrate that other sources of funding have been sought.

County Council Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Fred Yeulett, said: "Our Children and Young People's Services are providing around £45,000 for small grants to support local voluntary and community sector organisations and our Adult Support Services have made the rest of the funding available to support groups working with older people and adults who have mental health issues or disabilities. We want to help as many groups as possible with the grant funding which is available to us and we would urge organisations to apply."

Application forms are available from:
Cambridgeshire Community Foundation (CCF) www.cambscf.org.uk
(01223) 421588
info@cambscf.org.uk

Young Lives
www.young-lives.org.uk
(01480) 494333
mso@young-lives.org.uk