Page 14 - Demo

14 Essex Community Foundation Annual Review 2024Philanthropy in actionSupporting our local voluntary sector 2023-2024We have given an incredible %u00a33,341,785 in grants this year to 466 voluntary organisations and 142 individuals. Our funding supports charities and voluntary groups working across Essex and they continue to navigate rising costs alongside increased demand for their services. During the year we received over 1,000 applications requesting %u00a36.4 million and we have seen an increase in requests to help people who are struggling with increasingly complex issues. This year, first-time applicants to us received 14% of our total grants.We actively encourage groups to request funding to support their running costs. This includes salaries, rent and utilities to maintain essential services and preserve expertise in our communities. This year, 54% of grants awarded support organisations running costs. This included %u00a370,000 given from the Four Acre Core Cost Fund. A further %u00a3300,000 will be awarded from this fund over the next two years.We know that receiving funding over multiple years enables organisations to plan and build capacity and this year, we saw an encouraging 25% increase in multi-year grants.We successfully delivered a further %u00a3185,000 under the Mid & South Essex Mental Health Inequalities Programme. This initiative funded 11 organisations working with historically underrepresented or marginalised communities to address health inequalities.We are always looking at ways to make our funding more accessible. We actively reach out to organisations by telephone and our grants team arranged over 200calls with organisations wanting to discuss their funding needs. Our message to groups is always to get in touch with us to tell us about your work and what you need. We are here to help.Get in touch: %u2022 Call our grants team on 01245 355947%u2022 Book a call with a grants officer through our website%u2022 Use our CHAT NOW message box on our website%u2022 E-mail grants@essexcf.org.ukCharities can also book space in our Foundation Hub in Chelmsford, free of charge. Opening Hours: Monday %u2013 Friday 9:00am to 4.30pm.How to book: Please email hub@essexcf.org.ukHarlow Hindu SocietyCool to be Kind received %u00a39,200 to support people who are at risk of or are already, homeless in Chelmsford.