WISHART WELCOMES NEW GRANT FUND FOR PROJECTS PROMOTING WOMEN’S AND GIRLS’ EMPOWERMENT

Published date : 26 May, 2016

Mr Pete Wishart MP, Member of Parliament for Perth & North Perthshire, has welcomed news that the Women’s Fund for Scotland (WFS) is inviting applications to a new grant making programme from community organisations across the country who empower women and girls to reach their full potential.

The funds are available as a result of the WFS securing a £600k grant from the UK Government’s Tampon Tax Fund. They are the only Scottish based charity to receive funding.

Mr Wishart said:

“Following pressure from a cross-party group of MPs including my SNP colleague Alison Thewliss, the Chancellor bowed to pressure on the iniquity of the Tampon Tax – the VAT levied on what is basically an essential purchase, not a luxury – and announced that while he would not abolish it, £12million raised from the Tampon Tax would be allocated to charities across the UK.

“£600,000 of that is coming to Scotland to be distributed by the WFS who are now inviting applications to a new grant making programme from community organisations across the country who empower women and girls to reach their full potential.

“This boost to their funding has allowed WFS to extend its grant making. Whilst retaining its existing small grants programme, which distributes grants of £500 to £2000, the WFS is introducing a multi-year large grants programme – up to £30,000 over 3 years. It has also removed the cap of £250,000 on annual turnover to allow charities and community groups of any size to apply.

“They are keen to identify community based groups who haven’t applied before as well as continuing to support organisations they already know are having a major impact in addressing the many challenges facing women today and I would encourage any local groups who think they might qualify for a grant to get an application in.”

More detailed information for applicants is available on the Women’s Fund page on the Foundation’s website www.foundationscotland.org.uk/programmes/womens-fund-for-scotland/. Applications must be submitted before 28^th June 2016.

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