Meet the Funders is an event organised by VAL which gives people the opportunity to learn about current funding programmes, float their ideas past potential funders and how VAL can help you to succeed in your future bids.
The event was held at the Arc Community Hub in Loughborough in two sessions 12.30pm and 3.30pm, with a total of 105 people attending.
The attendees represented 75 VCSE groups based in Leicestershire who discussed the projects that they required funding for with grants officers from:
- Charnwood Community Grants
- East Midlands Airport Community Fund
- Intelligent Energy Charitable Trust
- Leicestershire & Rutland Community Foundation
- North West Leicestershire District Council – Community Grants
- Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for LLR
- Severn Trent Community Fund
- SHIRE Community Grant – Leicestershire County Council
- The National Lottery Community Fund: Reaching Communities
- Waitrose – Give a Little Love.
- The VAL Sector Support team were also available to give advice and support to groups.
We have had very positive feedback from both the funders and groups that attended the event and will continue to build on this success.
Well done to Heather Jallands for coordinating the event and thanks to all who were on hand to support on the day!
Here is some of the feedback we received:
I thought the event went well and was well organised. The printed summary of each participating organisation was appreciated, as it enabled attendees to prioritise which potential funders were the most relevant for their particular charity and/or project. For my charity, Leicestershire Search and Rescue, I am planning to follow up the event with a couple of grant applications.
The introduction was useful as I thought I knew which people I wanted to see but on hearing your introduction realised that there were a couple more worth chatting to. We are looking for major funding to turn our disused Methodist Church into a village hall and got a very positive feedback from Severn Trent and the lottery fund so thanks again.
I found the event very useful. I met the funders I wanted to meet, and discussed my project
It was good to meet other organisations looking for funding and chat to them whilst waiting. I have put my name/organisation down for support with funding applications we are almost ready to submit a National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) application.
We really enjoyed the event. The little talk at the beginning was useful, helping me to decide which tables to approach, thus saving time. We received positive advice, help and support from several funders. Quite a bit of networking inevitably takes place at this type of event, which is always a positive extra.