Around 80 charities and community groups have come face-to-face with the funders that can make their plans a reality.
Groups received bespoke advice from some of the leading national and local funding bodies at the special event on Monday 24 June.
Called Meet the Funders, the day was held by East Hampshire District Council and Community First at the council’s offices at Penns Place, Petersfield.
Cllr Julie Butler, EHDC Deputy Leader, said: “This was an incredibly useful event, both for the funders and for those seeking support.
“So much of the great work being carried out by community groups in the district relies on funding from other sources, so it stands to reason that finding out what they are looking for will improve your chances of making a successful application.”
Claire Coxwell, of Community First, said: “We had around 80 organisations along to listen to presentations from some of the most important funders in the area and then gave them the chance to have a one-to-one discussion with them about their own project.
“It was also a great opportunity to remind non-profitmaking groups about the support available to them from Community First when applying for funding. Our website www.cfirst.org.uk has a help facility where groups can request help to identify suitable grants, ask for comments on a completed application and find templates for policies and procedures and business plans to support their applications.”
Funders taking part in the event were The Arts Council, South Downs National Park, The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation, The Heritage Lottery Fund, The National Lottery Community Fund, Energise Me and East Hampshire District Council.
