£50,000 airport grant deadline looms

07 January 2013

Local organisations have until 14th January to submit initial bids for a one off £50,000 grant from the Southampton Airport Community Fund.

The grant, a single donation of £50,000, will be made to a significant community project dubbed the ‘Big Idea’.  To qualify for shortlisting the project must create a significant and sustainable benefit to the community, be financially viable, fit under the category of education, environment, or economic regeneration/employment, and benefit a significant number of people.

Jan Halliday, Southampton Airport Community Fund Chair commented, “We’re delighted to be able to award this funding again this year, and are looking forward to getting involved with another significant community project.”

In 2012 two projects received a £50,000 ‘Big Idea’ grant; a new building to house the Greenhouse Project at the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Activities Centre and the Bitterne Park School ‘Destinations Lounge’ a learning resource centre for students and the local community which opened in November.

The initial bids will be narrowed down, and 2-3 organisations will be invited present to the Southampton Airport Community Fund panel in March. The panel is made up of airport and airline staff and Southampton and Eastleigh council representatives.  

Southampton Airport Community Fund receives funds from the Communities Trust which also supports projects around Heathrow, Stanstead, Glasgow and Aberdeen Airports.  Support is offered to charities and organisations in areas close to, or in areas affected by, each of the airport’s operations in the areas of Education, Environment or Employment.

Further information and an application form can be found www.southamptonairport.com/community