Tina Costello, CEO of the Heart of England Community Foundation, and the team at Rugby RoSA.
Heart of England Community Foundation awarded £162,076 to 20 organisations through the Tampon Tax Community Fund, which provides grants to projects working with some of society’s most vulnerable women and girls.
This included £38,406 given to five organisations across Coventry and Warwickshire which applied for a slice of the funding raised through the levy on sanitary products in 2017/18.
The Foundation has now revealed that it received a total of 99 applications amounting to £863,025, meaning the fund was over-subscribed by more than £700,000, and is calling for action.
The specialist grant-making charity, which awards funding to projects across the West Midlands and is the only one of its kind in the region, is urging any potential donors to come forward to offer their support.
Businesses, organisations and individuals are being asked to contact the Foundation to find out more about how they can make a difference in their communities by starting a fund, setting up a legacy or making a donation.
Tina Costello, CEO of the Heart of England Community Foundation, said: “It is fantastic that we have been able to distribute so much money to grassroots organisations supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our society, however there is still more to be done.
“So many of our funds are hugely oversubscribed, and it’s extremely difficult to see such a large number of projects missing out on vital grants due to the demand outweighing the supply.
“We are now appealing to any potential donors who would like to make a difference to get in touch.
“We have the knowledge to help anyone looking to maximise their Corporate Social Responsibility, and together we can do more to support the groups and organisations that are making a difference to communities across the West Midlands.”
One of those to receive a Tampon Tax Community Fund grant in Coventry and Warwickshire was the charity Rugby RoSA which received £8,340 to provide life skills workshops for women and girls who have been victims of sexual abuse in the region.
Sue Balcombe, Community Engagement Officer for RoSA, said: “We are grateful to Heart of England Community Foundation for the grant which will enable us to reach out to more survivors.
“The Life skills workshops will provide an encouraging, empowering and safe environment for women and girls to develop coping strategies, improve their confidence and cultivate a positive shift in their general wellbeing.”
Anyone wishing to find out more about becoming a donor is asked to visit http://www.heartofenglandcf.co.uk/ or contact 02476 883297 or email [email protected].
