Sector3 launches rebuild fund for Stockport.

Following months of fundraising amongst Stockport’s local people, businesses and organisations from within the VCSE sector. Sector3’s #KeepStockportCaring campaign has successfully helped to raise a massive £35,000 to help rebuild the VCSE sector within Stockport.

Throughout Covid-19, many of the town’s voluntary, charitable, faith and social enterprise organisations have severely suffered from a lack of funding availability, although they have seen a significant increase in demand for many of the services the VCSE organisations are able to offer.

Jo McGrath, Strategic Lead for Sector3 commented: ‘The last few months have been unprecedented for everyone, especially those VCSE organisations across the town who have been firefighting demand with little or no money to support their services. Many organisations have been offering vital services to those who are isolated, possibly shielding and many other vulnerable people. We hope this rebuild fund will be able to help many of those organisations going forward’.

The funds have only been able to be raised, thanks to the generosity of people from across Stockport. No further donations to the #KeepStockportCaring campaign will be taken from midnight on 31 July. However, there is still time to donate before the 31 July, simply visit Sector3’s Just Giving page here.

Moving on to the next step, Sector3 are now looking to give out grants to organisations that need it the most – through a simple and efficient allocations process. Every penny of the funds raised will go back to those who need it most.

Jo McGrath adds: ‘We understand that organisations need this money quickly and having to go through a long-winded application process isn’t going to help anyone. We want to streamline the process and have everything agreed and money in organisations’ accounts within a month’.

As of Monday 3 August, Stockport based organisations will be able to apply for a grant through Sector3’s website, which initially involves completing a short Expression of Interest (EOI) form. The application will then be reviewed by a four-person panel made up of Sector3 representatives – all of which have many years of experience from across the VCSE sector and include Steve Hughes, Jo McGrath, Simone Callaghan and Helena Banfield.

To be able to access the rebuild fund, your organisation must be based in Stockport and be either a voluntary, charitable, social enterprise not-for-profit organisation. 

There is, however, no set upper or lower limit to the amount you may request, however given the expected number of organisations who will be bidding for fund, it is anticipated that the average fund award would be in the region of £1,000.

Jo continues: ‘It’s important that Sector3 doesn’t just give out grants, we have a raft of sector experience and are really keen that grants go hand in hand with support and guidance. The team can provide mentoring opportunities, sounding board sessions, help with bid writing, access to volunteers and so much more. I would encourage organisations to think wider than just funding requirements’.

The Expression of Interest process will close on Monday 17 August, with final decisions being made and monies awarded on/around 31 August.