The Merseyside Women’s Fund has been re-opened for charities and community groups working with women of all ages and backgrounds focused upon the following key areas:
Groups and individuals can apply to the Community Foundation for Merseyside for grants of up to £10,000 and the funding can only be used 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.
Rae Brooke, Chief Executive for the Community Foundation for Merseyside, said: “Grassroots groups are doing amazing work to support women and girls across Merseyside facing many challenges and issues.
“These groups often run on a tight budget and struggle to compete for the larger funding pots. We’re proud that the Community Foundation for Merseyside is part of a national network recognised by government for our local knowledge. We will use this vital funding from the Tampon Tax to support the groups on the ground making such a big difference to women’s lives.”
Earlier this year more than £70,000 was distributed as part of the Merseyside Women’s Fund. That included a centre providing counselling, care and support for domestic violence victims and Liverpool-based Stray Cat Media – an organisation empowering school age girls with anxiety issues to access and learn new skills in arts and digital media.
Stray Cat Media Director Leila Romaya said: “The funding has enabled us to develop our organisation, allowing us to experiment with new initiatives to support young people with their well-being and mental health.”
All new applications will be assessed by the Community Foundation and shortlisted projects will go to a local panel who will decide which groups to award funding to. Successful projects are likely to be announced early in 2020.
This is the second time UK Community Foundations have 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. This year more than £3.5million has been made available nationally.
To apply to the Merseyside Women’s Fund, visit: www.cfmerseyside.org.uk/funds/womens-fund. The closing date for entries is 11 October 2019.
Learn more about the impact the Merseyside Women’s Fund has already had by watching our video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvMJGE5PaoA&t=12s
