Grant payments to local voluntary and community sector groups for 2025/26 are set to be agreed at Ipswich Borough Council’s Executive meeting next week, Tuesday 11 February.
A report to Executive presents recommendations on the proposed Community Grants funding for the coming financial year alongside details on existing multi-year grants, totalling over £250,000 invested in local charities.
The Executive is asked to approve proposals for the award of two-year Community Grants, starting in April 2025, to BSC Multicultural Services, ICENI Ipswich, Ipswich Community Playbus, Ipswich Housing Action Group – Chapman Centre, and Lighthouse Women’s Aid
Among the organisations and projects that will continue to be supported by the Council through existing grant funding agreements are Citizens Advice Bureau Ipswich, Suffolk Refugee Support, Ipswich Furniture Project, ActivLives, Suffolk Law Centre, Home Start in Suffolk and Rock Paper Scissors.
The annual approval and allocation of these Community Grants reflects the Council’s priority of promoting community wellbeing and fairness throughout the Borough.
Councillor John Cook, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Communities and Sport, says:
"The Council recognises the many valuable contributions that voluntary and community organisations make to Ipswich, and is proposing that £259,000 is available for 2025/26 to ensure we can continue to support them and the important work they do.
“Our Community Grants funding is designed to help them deliver projects and services for local people and communities across at least one of our three priority areas - supporting residents during the cost-of-living crisis, supporting vulnerable residents, and supporting health improvement.”
The Community Grants allocation forms part of the revenue budget of the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Plan. The Council has committed to continue this key funding for the purpose of supporting organisations in the voluntary and community sector to deliver essential services directly to the residents of Ipswich.
Full details of the report to Executive for agreement can be found on the Council’s website at: Agenda for Executive on Tuesday 11th February 2025, 6.00 pm | Democracy Online | Ipswich Borough Council