When supporting local voluntary organisations, it becomes clear that the number one priority for them is funding and this is reflected in how often we support groups with this type of support. For example, in the previous financial year, out of the 401 instance of support we provided organisations in Watford, 41% of those were to do with funding.  

This support is broad in scope and includes signposting groups to specific funding opportunities that we are made aware of and reviewing applications before they are submitted so they have the best possible chance of being successful. One example of how we have supported a local group to receive funding is with Baby Cabaret, a new CIC that we helped establish last year. You can find out more about the organisation and the work they do in the community by clicking here. 

Having been made aware of a funding opportunity available from Public Health Hertfordshire to fund grassroots organisations to improve mental health and wellbeing in the county, we shared this with a number of grassroots organisations including Baby Cabaret who were not aware of this funding before we had shared it with them.  

Having initially reviewed the application, they believed they would be eligible for funding and that they would greatly benefit from it. They asked if we could support them to review their application as they wanted to make sure they had the best chance of being successful. With our expertise in reviewing funding applications and managing grants, we were able to provide strategic guidance to them including: 

• Adding statistics and evidence into the application to demonstrate the need for their service and how their service makes a difference to the community. 

• Adding details of organisations who partner with their organisation to show how they work in partnership across the community. 

• To ensure that all sections were within the specified word limit and where they were not, to add additional information if needed.  

Last month, we were delighted to hear back from the organisation who had been successful with their application and on receiving the news Maryam, founder of Baby Cabaret emailed us and said “I wanted to say thank Alex so much for your help sharing this funding with us and then reviewing our application before it was submitted. With your assistance and guidance, we were able to secure this grant which is the first time we have been able to do so.” 

Congratulations again to Baby Steps Together for being awarded the funding and you can find out more about them by visiting their website here.  W3RT CVS provides a range of free support to voluntary and community organisations in the Watford and Three Rivers area thanks to funding from Watford Borough Council and Three Rivers District Council. You can find out more about our services by clicking here and if you or your organisation would like support, get in touch by emailing [email protected].