Record numbers sign up

(Date of issue: Friday, 22 January 2010)

No more places are available for next Thursday’s (28 January) Carlisle Funding Fair, after a record number signed up to attend.

The reputation of the Carlisle Funding Fair has always being high and in recent years the numbers attending has grown. This year the event will welcome at least 170 people, compared to 150 last year.

Even in the current economic climate funding is still available for good quality projects – the Funding Fair not only gives direct access to funders but also provides a range of training and information that can help groups write a great application.

This year’s event will also act as the launch of new regional grant priorities for one of the North’s leading independant charitable funders. The Northern Rock Foundation will use the event at Carlisle Racecourse to launch new funding priorities aimed specifically at tackling homelessness and communities that are experiencing financial exclusion. Their Chief Executive – Penny Wilkinson will also be attending the event.

The trustees of the Northern Rock Foundation recently agreed to a changed focus in their grant giving, in response to changing regional circumstances, including the impact of the recession. In addition to the new priorities they will also provide an update on their current schemes. Attendees will get to hear more about the work of the Foundation in 2010 and have an opportunity to meet staff and discuss potential applications.

The annual Carlisle Funding Fair matches local voluntary and community groups with grant givers. Every year, local groups benefit from thousands of pounds worth of grants from contacts made at the Fair. More than 20 local, regional and national (including Lottery) funders will be attending the day-long event which also includes a range of training sessions.

Carlisle City Councillor Olwyn Luckley, Portfolio holder for Health & Community Development, said: “The Funding Fair provides the best opportunity of the year to obtain funding for voluntary and community projects. This event consistently generates hundreds of thousands of pounds of grant funding from contacts made on the day, which goes directly to local groups involved in a wide variety of activities including art, sport, play, youth, advice and community buildings. We look forward to welcoming all urban and rural based groups, particularly those that have not attended before.”

Mark Costello, Cumbria Council for Voluntary Service, said:

“We are delighted to be working with our partners and hosting this event once more. We firmly believe that the Funding Fair provides an invaluable opportunity for groups to have face to face conversations with funders and to gain from the experience of fellow participants.”

All places have now been allocated at this free event which is a partnership between Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council and Cumbria CVS.

The event will take place between 9.15am and 3pm on Thursday, 28 January at Carlisle Racecourse, Durdar Road, Carlisle.