Community projects fund expanded to cover Thames Valley

Community projects across the Thames Valley are set to benefit from an expanded funding scheme run by the University of Reading.

Up to £30,000 is available for use in the forthcoming academic year (2023/24) as part of the University’s Community Fund initiative. University staff members can apply for funding to support projects they are involved with either as part of their job, or in a voluntary capacity.

The scheme forms part of the University's commitment to working with and supporting the local community. When initially launched in 2021, the Community Fund only supported projects within the Reading area. The scheme has now been expanded to broaden the benefit to communities across the Thames Valley region.

The Community Fund will provide one-off, small awards (in the region of £1,000 per year), as well as larger awards (up to a maximum of £10,000 per year), on a one-off or multi-year basis. 

Awards will be made that support projects undertaken within and for the benefit of community groups in the Thames Valley (defined as within the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire or Oxfordshire). The projects must also further at least one of the University’s charitable objectives of advancing education, learning and research.

All funding proposals that meet the criteria will be reviewed by a panel, which will include Professor Robert Van de Noort, the Vice-Chancellor of the University and Molli Cleaver, the University’s Community Relations Manager.

Professor Van de Noort said: “The University is proud to support projects that play a vital role in helping communities to thrive. In the current climate, it is more important than ever that we all work together for the greater good of our society.

“Many of our colleagues are active volunteers in their local communities and the Community Fund is a way for us to support them in those roles. I look forward to hearing innovative ideas of how the skills and determination of our colleagues can be given a bit of extra support to help local communities.”

Examples of projects supported previously include:

• Helping a mixed ability rugby club expand
• Funding vital supplies for a homeless charity
• Supporting a multilingual storytelling project for local nurseries
• Funding specialist equipment for an air quality in schools project
• Supporting a refugee football team

How to apply for funding

Applications for Community Fund awards are now open.

University staff members are invited to apply for funding before the application deadline of 30 June using the online application form, which also links to guidance notes.

The panel will meet in September to review and decide on the award applications.