Community Catalyst awards £450,000 to strengthen community organisations

Forty-six voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations across the country have received a share of £450,000 through Community Catalyst, a housing sector partnership designed to help grassroots organisations become stronger and more sustainable.

The three-year programme is funded and delivered by a consortium comprising Places for People, Clarion Futures, the Fusion21 Foundation, Peabody and Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing.

Backed by more than £3 million in collective investment, Community Catalyst will support 270 voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations working to improve the lives of social housing residents and their communities.

The programme combines free, tailored consultancy covering areas such as governance, organisational development, business planning, fundraising, financial management, volunteering and evaluation, with the opportunity to apply for grants of up to £10,000

Smaller community organisations play a vital role in many of the neighbourhoods where housing associations operate, often responding directly to challenges including financial hardship, social isolation, unemployment and poor health. However, many grassroots VCSE organisations are facing growing pressures. Demand for services continues to increase, with organisations supporting people experiencing increasingly complex and interconnected needs, while operating in a highly challenging funding environment. At the same time, access to core and long-term funding remains limited, making it difficult for organisations to invest in the systems, governance, skills and infrastructure needed to sustain and grow their impact, while balancing vital frontline delivery.

Community Catalyst was established to address this gap through a combination of tailored capacity building support and targeted grant funding. Rather than adopting a one size fits all approach, Community Catalyst works alongside organisations to understand their individual circumstances, strengths and ambitions. Where funding is identified as a key enabler of organisational development, grants of up to £10,000 are awarded for capacity-building needs.

The first £450,000 awarded through the programme will support the 46 organisations to invest in their long-term resilience, from improving their governance and financial planning to strengthening fundraising, developing their workforce and covering essential organisational costs to continue delivering vital services for the communities and residents that rely on them.

Fusion Family and Youth Projects in Huntingdon is among the organisations to secure grant funding through the Community Catalyst Programme. It has supported children, young people and families across Huntingdonshire for more than 30 years and provides inclusive youth provision, one-to-one support, school programmes, holiday activities and volunteering opportunities, helping young people build confidence, resilience and positive futures.

As demand for its services continued to grow and preparations progressed for a new purpose-built Youth Hub, Fusion sought support through Community Catalyst to strengthen organisational capacity, review strategic priorities and prepare for long-term sustainability. The consultancy support has helped the charity develop a clearer roadmap for future growth, while the grant funding will allow it to continue building strong foundations for the years ahead.  

Angie Linton, Co-ordinator at Fusion Family and Youth Projects, said: "The support from Community Catalyst has come at exactly the right time for Fusion. As we prepare to open our new Youth Hub, having access to experienced consultancy has helped us strengthen our organisation, think strategically and plan for a sustainable future. The additional funding will enable us to continue building our capacity so we can support even more children, young people and families in our community. We are incredibly grateful for the investment in our organisation and the confidence it shows in our work."

Jamie Dickinson, Head of Social Impact at Places for People (PfP) said: "Across Cambridgeshire, grassroots organisations are supporting young people, families and communities through some of life's biggest challenges. They are trusted, local charities that understand the needs of their communities and provide opportunities that can have a lasting impact, often stepping in where help is needed most. At Places for People, we see first-hand the difference they make to people's lives and the strength they bring to communities. Through Community Catalyst, we're proud to be helping these organisations strengthen their capacity and sustainability so they can continue changing lives and supporting communities for years to come."

Jo Hannan, Head of the Fusion21 Foundation said: “We’re delighted to see the first grants awarded through the Community Catalyst programme. Strong, sustainable community organisations play a vital role in supporting local people and helping communities thrive. Through our partnership of housing associations and Fusion21 members, we're investing in the long-term sustainability of VCSEs across the country. Helping them to build their resilience means they can continue delivering essential support for local people and communities.”

Community Catalyst is now in its second year of delivery, with a new cohort of partners working closely with expert consultants, ahead of applying for grant funding in the Autumn. Further rounds of consultancy support and funding will be delivered over the remainder of the programme.

For more information about Community Catalyst, visit: https://www.clarionhg.com/about-us/partner-with-us/grant-programmes/community-catalyst