“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” Milton Berle.

Work is about more than just earning money. Employment can create identity, purpose, health and lifestyle benefits, access to a community and more. However, significant barriers exist, keeping some groups from easily accessing employment opportunities and joining the world of work. These obstacles keep them apart from the job market and the chance to reach their full potential. 

This Summer, National Grid Electricity Distribution has teamed up with Localgiving to support groups that deliver practical, focussed programs to boost skills and improve employability for those furthest from the job market. National Grid understands the huge potential that exists to upskill and support underrepresented groups, and it is firmly committed to unlocking this untapped talent, with a fund of £250k, as well as wider support, best practice sharing and networking with their existing expert partners.

The Community Matters Fund (Future Skills) is committed to supporting key groups that would most benefit from assistance, including: youth (16-25, not in full time education), people from ethnic minority backgrounds, those with health conditions or disabilities, armed forces veterans, ex-offenders and those returning to work after a long term absence. 

Registered charities and non-profit companies can apply for up to £5,000. Unregistered community organisations can apply for up to £2,000. 

Successful projects will need to meet at least one of the following themes:

• Supporting the development of key professional skills (For example, offering classes in literacy, numeracy or IT)
• Delivering networking and placements (For example, work experience, shadowing and placement schemes) 
• Boosting employability (For example, expert support in CV masterclasses and interview coaching)
• Supporting groups of people returning to work after a long-term absence (For example, chronic health conditions, full-time parental/carer role, military service)

We’d welcome a blend of these themes, supporting those groups highlighted above from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds for whom there are barriers to widening employability. 

National Grid provides electricity to eight million customers across the Midlands, South West England, and South Wales. Funding is available for registered charities, charitable companies, and unregistered community organisations based in these locations. You can check if your organisation is eligible here.

Please note - the Community Matters Fund opens three times a year, focussed on different themes. Groups will only be eligible to receive funding for one phase only between March and December 2024. More details on the next phase of the National Grid Community Matters Fund will be published in Autumn 2024.

Applications will open on Wednesday 19th June and close at 5pm on Friday 12th July. Organisations that complete applications will be informed of their outcome in August, with money distributed later that month.  

---> Check your eligibility and apply now

If you are an existing Localgiving member then simply log into your account to apply. A link to the application form can be found under the ‘My Grants’ section of your account displayed on the left hand side of your dashboard. If you are not a Localgiving member then apply via the button below. If you are successful with your application and are not yet a Localgiving member, you will also receive a complimentary Localgiving annual membership.

Further information about the process can be found in our Guidance Pack, which includes important eligibility information and FAQs.

Please note - organisations who received funding from National Grid before 2024 can apply for this grant but must return monitoring for their completed project in order to become eligible for further funding. Organisations that have not completed Localgiving’s registration and validation processes must submit all documentation required for the due diligence checks to be completed before the closing date of Friday 12th July.

If you have any further questions about the Community Matters Fund please contact our Help Desk via help@localgiving.org

---> Check your eligibility and apply now