The first round of the Adobe Community Fund will support disability charities and disability organisations with two-year funding, focusing on digital and creative inclusion. In particular, the fund welcomes applications from Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations (DDPOs) working in one or more of the priority London boroughs for this round (see below).
What can the fund support?
Themes:
Disability organisations can request funding for activities under one or both of the inclusion themes below:
1. Digital inclusion: Community-based digital inclusion projects such as group workshops and courses, one-to-one support and advice in using technology and to access services, and provision of technology.
2. Creative inclusion: Through this theme, creative projects can enable people to express themselves, reach their full potential, and share their diverse perspectives with the world. Activities could include art classes and exhibitions, improving skills in and sharing stories through filmmaking, audio and dance.
Project outcomes:
Organisations are asked to set around four outcomes which are appropriate for your project(s) and list them in the ‘What would the benefits and outcomes be as a result of the project’ application question.
Examples of outcomes/benefits for ‘digital inclusion’ projects could include:
- Supporting people to increase their access to services online
- Improving confidence in using digital devices
- Developing digital skills which in turn can lead to improved economic wellbeing, employability or educational opportunities
- Digital equipment purchased by organisation enables development of service provision
Examples for ‘creative inclusion’ projects could include:
- Inspiring creativity in participants
- Supporting people to develop creative skills in (name a specific) artform/s*
- Strengthen community relationships
- Raise the visibility of diverse creators by exhibiting in and improving local spaces
- Increasing awareness of the organisation’s work through the artforms delivered
- Beneficiaries are less socially isolated by participating in group creative activities
*Artforms include visual (e.g. sculpture and painting), music, literature, theatre, cinema (filmmaking).
Project costs:
Total project cost: Organisations can request the total cost of the project from the fund. However, the fund will also consider those applications for projects which have received matched funding, or a contribution has already been raised towards a larger total project cost.
Costs which can be considered include:
- Staff/sessional and volunteer costs
- Venue hire for project delivery
- Contribution to running costs apportioned to project, e.g. rent, administrative costs and utility bills, following the principles of ‘full cost recovery’
- Materials/capital equipment for project delivery
- Up to 10% of the funding requested can be allocated to organisational development
Income threshold:
All applicant organisations must have an annual income of between £50,000 and £500,000 in the last financial year.
Location:
The first round of the fund is open to established disability organisations based in and with a track record of delivering work in the following London boroughs:
- Barking & Dagenham
- Bexley
- Camden
- Croydon
- Enfield
- Greenwich
- Hackney
- Haringey
- Havering
- Islington
- Lewisham
Please note that depending on the number and quality of applications submitted, that organisations located outside of these boroughs are less likely to be prioritised for funding.
Size of Grant:
Grants of up to £40,000 (£20,000 per year for 2 years)
Deadline:
12:00 noon on Wednesday 29th May 2024.
Decisions will be released by 30th August 2024 and projects should start from mid-September 2024 onwards.
Source of funding:
The fund is provided by the Adobe Foundation.
Contact details:
If you have any questions or would like to discuss any element of the fund or your application, please contact us on 020 7582 5117 or at applications@londoncf.org.uk.