Berkshire Community Foundation / Grassroots

Since 1985, the Berkshire Community Foundation (BCF) has been building a Community Capital Fund to provide grants to small voluntary groups that tackle need at the grassroots of our local community, both now and in the future. Donations from individuals, companies and Charitable Trusts are pooled in the Foundation's Community Capital Fund from which the Foundation draws income to make its grants.

One of the foundation’s aims is to support the smaller community groups who are doing vital work but who have real difficulties in raising funds. EEG does not charge a membership fee as we wish to reach as many local residents as possible and therefore was eligible for funding. We met all the necessary criteria.

Earley Environmental Group was therefore fortunate to receive funding of nearly £900 from Grassroots towards equipment and purchased several sets of litter picking equipment solely for the use of children, as we felt it very important to involve local children in these projects. The sets were attractively designed to appeal to youngsters and were used in the big annual RESCUE cleanup in March 2009. As well as local children, several groups of children from the Brownies, Cubs and schools took part. The equipment is available for use by other groups throughout the year. (See Environmental Activities page.)

EEG arranges monthly talks and walks throughout the year for anyone who wishes to attend and money from the grant was ear-marked for the cost of speakers and venue expenses in our talks programme.

We are extremely grateful to the BCF Grassroots grant for enabling us to carry out these projects and events.

2010 Update:
We have been fortunate to secure £2500 funding from Berkshire Community Foundation, Grassroots Grants. This is to be used for venue bookings, plants/bulbs, bird boxes, bird box with camera and various other item of useful equipment. Established in 1985, Berkshire Community Foundation is an independent grant-making charity, committed to improving the quality of life for people in Berkshire by supporting voluntary and community groups in tackling local need. We are extremely grateful for this generous grant, which will help us to achieve success in our various group projects. 2010 is the final year of Grassroots Grants.