In February 2009, the Office of the Third Sector (OTS) launched an action plan to help charities, volunteers and social enterprises.  It pledges up to £42.5 million to help the third sector deliver extra help to those that need it most during the economic downturn.

The Targeted Support Fund is a £15 Million grants programme until March 2010 for small, local, third sector service providers in the 50 top-tier local authority areas that are considered most at risk of increasing levels of deprivation as a result of the recession.

The Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland is managing the fund for South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland.   Please note that Newcastle and Northumberland are not included in this fund.  Please find attached the application documents for the fund.
 
It is targeted at organisations offering services that specifically relate to needs resulting from the recession.  For example debt advice, relationship breakdown services, mental health services and skills development programmes.  These services must be able to show there is an increased demand from their local community directly due to the recession.  The fund aims to increase the level of service, or range of services, available. 
 
The deadline for applications to the fund is 12 noon on 29th June 2009.  Funding will be available from September 2009 and must be spent by March 2010.
 
If this fund is not appropriate for your organisation I would appreciate it if you could forward the attached application materials to any other organisation you think suitable. 
 
If you have any questions about the fund please contact the Community Foundation on (0191) 222 0945 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Attachments:

Targeted Support Fund pre-application checklist

Targeted Support Fund Guidance Notes

Targeted Support Fund Application Form