Port of Dover Community Fund opens for business

The Port of Dover has announced that the Port of Dover Community Fund is now open for applications.

Focused on skills, jobs and the community, the Port recently gifted the Fund £250,000 to launch it and will contribute 1% of pre-tax profits each year to support it.

The Port of Dover Community Fund will be managed by Kent Community Foundation, a leading Kent charity with over 13 years of experience delivering effective grant-making programmes on behalf of companies, individuals and foundations. Kent Community Foundation has distributed over £20 million in grants and specialises in community grant-making reaching very local causes working at the grassroots. The management cost associated with the administration of the Port of Dover Community Fund is being covered by the Port in addition to its existing financial contribution to the Fund.

Carol Lynch, Chief Executive of Kent Community Foundation, says: "Kent Community Foundation is delighted to be setting up this important new Fund for Dover, thanks to the Port of Dover's significant commitment to the local community. We look forward to working with the advisory panel to encourage local groups to make the most of this great source of local support and bring lasting benefit to the Dover community."

The current funding round is open until 31st March 2015, following which the Port of Dover Community Fund Panel, a local advisory panel, will assess the applications. The majority of successful applications are likely to receive grants of between £2,000 and £10,000.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, says: "What a fantastic way to start 2015! I am extremely grateful to the Kent Community Foundation for taking on the independent management of the Fund and also to the advisory panel, led by the Right Reverend Trevor Willmott, Bishop of Dover, for its commitment to ensuring that the Fund is used to deliver the greatest benefit for our community. I therefore encourage local groups and organisations to start applying in order to make the positive difference the Fund has been set up to create."

Under the chairmanship of the Bishop of Dover, the advisory panel consists of a number of local people including Ronnie Philpott, Roger Knight, Emma Liddiard and Jack Williams.

The Right Reverend Trevor Willmott says: "The Port of Dover Community Fund can bring hope to young people and to the community of Dover. I and the rest of the Panel trust that the community will make full use of this fund. It is our job to ensure that it supports those projects that can make a real, positive and lasting difference to people's lives."

To apply for funding from the Port of Dover Community Fund, visit www.kentcf.org.uk/apply/funding-round/#Port of Dover.