RWE has appointed Lincolnshire Community Foundation (LCF) to manage and administer the Humber Gateway Community Fund. £40,000 of funding will be available annually for the next five years to support voluntary and community organisations to deliver projects that improve the lives of people living in Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
Humber Gateway is an offshore windfarm operational since 2015 and has been supporting a wide range of projects for local communities for many years. Initiatives and projects that have benefitted from the funding include a STEM programme for local infant and junior schools, donations to local foodbanks and food kitchens, and the provision of sporting equipment and kits for local groups. Funding was provided to repair a community building and play area and even funded speaker systems for bingo calling at local community centres. The formal launch of the Humber Gateway Community Fund, in partnership with LCF, will ensure better visibility of the funding available meaning that even more community groups will be aware of and benefit from grants.
Dawn Wright, the logistics administrator for Humber Gateway offshore wind farm, has been actively involved with community funding for nearly seven years. She commented “Over the years we have been involved in a vast array of applications. Funds have been made available to charities for Christmas gifts for local children who wouldn’t usually receive anything, and a local school received funds to pay for a day trip for children who wouldn’t normally manage to visit anywhere outside of Grimsby. It has been a lot of hard work, rewarding and a part of my job that is close to my heart and I have really enjoyed my involvement. The appointment of LCF will mean that the word can be spread even further and reach even more deserving groups in the North East Lincolnshire area, and I cannot wait to see what projects are supported by the Humber Gateway Community Fund in the future.”
LCF has extensive knowledge and experience in working with and supporting the voluntary and community sector in Grimsby. They will undertake all aspects of the fund administration moving forward including advertising the fund, setting up a simple application process, undertaking due diligence of all applications, supporting a decision making panel, grant payments, monitoring of grants, and reporting on the annual allocation.
Sue Fortune, CEO at LCF added; “The team is looking forward to building on the good work that has already taken place locally, to expand the reach of the fund across the voluntary and community sector in North East Lincolnshire and support vital interventions that make a difference to some of our communities most vulnerable residents. We will be on hand at every step of the process to advise and support potential applicants and would encourage anyone interested in applying to give us a call.”
Grants of £300 - £2,500 will be available and groups can apply for up to £2,500 in any one round and will only be able to hold one grant and any one time. Applications will be open to registered charities, community groups or social enterprises. Applications from school PTA’s, Churches and Parish Councils may also be considered depending on the project. Grants are available for practical or educational projects that contribute to the following themes:
- Community Cohesion: Diversionary activities for young, intergenerational projects, arts, culture, and heritage projects, and facilities that improve wellbeing and help strengthen the community
- Young People: Provision of activities or facilities and opportunities, workshops, educational outings people (but not overseas travel)
- Community Facilities: Support for meeting places including running costs (community centres, village halls, playing fields) and projects to enhance or improve energy efficiency
- Older People: Integration projects; projects tackling isolation, loneliness, and dementia, volunteer costs, carer sitter, and companionship
Applications to the Humber Gateway Community Fund will open on 1 May 2023 and close on 1 June 2023. The first round of awards is due to be made around July 2023 following a review of applications by a new decision making panel. To find out who is eligible for funding and how you can apply for a grant, please visit the LCF website.
If you would like to register your interest in the fund or would like to find out if your project is eligible for funding, please contact Katie Littlewood at the Community Foundation on 01529 305825 or via email for further guidance.
The 219MW Humber Gateway offshore wind farm is located 8km of the Holderness coast and is owned by RWE and Greencoat with RWE responsible for operating the site out of its O&M base located in Grimsby. RWE is a leading player in renewables and expects to invest more than €50 billion gross by 2030 to grow its green core business, globally, with £15 billion earmarked for the UK. During 2022, the 856 megawatts (MW) Triton Knoll offshore wind farm became fully operational, while RWE’s 1.4 GW Sofia offshore wind farm is now well into the construction phase. Construction of RWE’s new state-of-the-art operations base in Grimsby has also commenced demonstrating the company’s long term commitment to the Humber region.
Find out more information about the Humber Gateway offshore wind farm.
