The Grassroots Endowment Challenge is a key element of the Government’s strategy for building stronger and more active communities. To support its aim to invest in a thriving community sector, the Office of the Third Sector is providing a £803,000 match incentive to donors to the Berkshire Community Foundation – potentially doubling your gift. Any donations that are made, together with the match funding, are invested in special endowment funds for the long term benefit of disadvantaged people in Berkshire (Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead and Wokingham). Every year, your gift will be part of a fund that contributes to helping local people; it is a gift that keeps on giving. £2,675 from the Grassroots Grants programme made it possible for the Bracknell and Area Deaf & Hard of Hearing Support group to cover some of their running costs including, speaker’s fees, training and the purchase of a laptop. Being hearing impaired can be very isolating and social interaction with others can be difficult, so the club provides a good opportunity for the members to meet, mix and take part in social activities. “Receiving the Grassroots Grant from the Berkshire Community Foundation gave the self-confidence to believe in ourselves. With the grant we can forge ahead as an organisation to give the level of support necessary to help others in the local Deaf Community through the use of technology, aids and invited guests with specialist expertise. The Grassroots Grant also is the seed-corn for us to explore the charities arena with a view of becoming financially self-sufficient in the future” – Geoff Hallett, Bracknell and Area Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support Group An-Nisa Slough Muslim Women’s Group - £5,000 An-Nisa is a Slough-based group mainly supporting Muslim Women. They connect with the local community by means of a newsletter and a mums and toddlers group, as well as running a number of activities around healthy eating and drug awareness. The group have been running for over ten years, and in that time have built up good links with health visitors, the local council and education department. A grant of £5,000 from the Grassroots Grants scheme will enable them to run a ten week parenting course for at least 15 families including crèche facilities. The group hope to encourage fathers as well as mothers to attend the course. Gifts of any size may be made, but if you give over £10,000 you can also be involved in specifying the kinds of issues and geographical areas where your gift may be used. Please contact us directly using the major donor enquiries button below.