BEDFORDSHIRE AND LUTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (BLCF) SECURES A FUTHER 4 YEAR CONTRACT WITH LUTON RISING TO DELIVER THEIR AMBITIOUS PLANS TO SUPPORT LUTON’S COMMUNITIES

(BEDFORDSHIRE)

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BLCF has been awarded a further 4 1/2 years contract to deliver the programme of community and VCSE grants as part of Luton Rising’s commitment, through its CSR work, to be the UK’s leading community airport and to benefit and support those in need within the communities of Luton, wider Bedfordshire, and its near neighbors in Hertfordshire.

Since October 2019, BLCF has successfully delivered Luton Rising’s community funding through a series of agreed grants programmes delivering its agreed priorities and the Luton 2040 vision of a place to thrive and where no-one lives in poverty. During this time BLCF have awarded £13.4m in grants, by managing and assessing 392 applications resulting in 296 successful grants being awarded and reaching 964,069 beneficiaries.

BLCF offers 4 main grant funds for local charities and community groups to apply for including the Community Investment Fund (CIF), Luton Youth Fund, Small Grants Fund and Near Neighbour’s Fund.

The new contract will see a full and detailed review of the grants offer to ensure the following.

· More opportunities to access funding is available to grassroots groups to show the valuable work they deliver to their communities and to ensure there are opportunities to share, collaborate and create partnerships.

· Removing barriers to accessing funds, by groups with lived experience of inequity and inequality, to ensure a stronger and more vibrant sustainable charity sector is assured.

· Greater impact of the funds is understood shared and celebrated.

· Recognise the ongoing needs and challenges of core costs and cost of living on charities and our communities.

· Ensure work fits with and contributes to Luton’s strategic aims established in its Luton 2040 vision.

Details on the timeline for the changes will be shared over the coming months as BLCF seek to engage with and consult with recipients and partners and stakeholders as part of their process.

QUOTES

Karen Perkins, CEO from BLCF said: “We are excited to look ahead with Luton Rising to ensure that the funds available and the work delivered as a result of this partnership, make a tangible difference to the lives of the people in our communities. It is through working together and sharing our learning we can achieve systemic changes that will see more positive future for so many”

Cllr Javeria Hussain, Chair of the Board for Luton Rising said “This year, we are celebrating 25 years of community benefit, having invested almost half a billion pounds in Luton over that period. BLCF has certainly played a part in contributing to that success and we are super excited to continue working with them to ensure that our charitable donations have reach and impact.”