The Community Support Programme is available to community organisations with an income of under £100,000 per annum on their most recent published accounts, and the application process is on-line. Assistance is available to those unable to complete an on-line application on request. 

The programme operates through three models which can be used individually, or as a hybrid for qualifying individuals or organisations.

Model 1 - the delivery of a range of 2-3-hour skills development and capacity building workshops aimed at small groups of employed staff and/or volunteers who will use the skills learned to further develop their own, or other organisations’ skills and capacity within their community. 

These are currently delivered as required and may include the following workshops: 

(i) An overview of fundraising through bids and events 

(ii) Recruiting and managing volunteers 

(iii) Budgets and accounts made simple 

(iv) Making the most of the media. 

(v) Using on-line and ICT services effectively

(vi) Managing community events

Dates for these workshops are available on request and will normally take place at the Trimingham Log Cabin Youth and Community Resource Centre in North Norfolk, and will be charged at £15 per person, per workshop, to attend to include handouts and light refreshments. Alternatively they can be delivered at your own organisations venue if the majority of participants are from your organisation.

Model 2 – A bespoke workshop, or short training programme, designed to meet the specific needs of an individual or qualifying organisation. This will begin with an assessment of priority need carried out with the individual/organisation followed by a responsive programme of learning. This programme can include those workshops in Model 1 (above) or some specific training as identified within the assessment of need. They are normally hosted at the organisation's venue or a local community venue that can be funded within the grant award.

Model 3 - The Norfolk Small Charities Showcase

Now in its third year, the Norfolk Small Charities Showcase celebrates and promotes community organisations (with an annual income of under £250,000) and provides an opportunity to raise awareness of local services, attract new volunteers or investment in one of the county's most iconic venues with high public footfall.It takes place on Saturday 11th October at The Forum in Norwich. Hosted, and funded, by The Kearns Foundation the event has two parts.

Part 1 - A public exhibition, on the ground floor Atrium of the iconic Forum building in Norwich city centre where Norfolk serving small charities can raise awareness of the services they offer, attract new volunteers or investment whilst also networking with other small local organisations to share ideas and learn from each other.

Stalls in the exhibition are free of charge to small Norfolk serving community organisations (subject to a refundable £20 deposit) Stalls are limited to 30 organisations and must be pre-booked. To request a space, purchase a £20 stallholder ticket below. Your fee will be refunded if you attend and your stall is operational between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

Part 2 - a series of short, free to attend one hour workshops providing information and advice to small community groups on subjects such as fundraising, volunteer recruitment and management, recruiting Trustees and organising community events.

Attendance at the skills workshops are open to anyone working or volunteering in any Norfolk serving community organisation, irrespective of their annual income, and are also free to attend, but require pre-booking. Workshops are free to attend for anyone working or volunteering with a community organisation in Norfolk and are limited to 15 people and must be pre-booked. Tickets for Small Charity stalls and Workshops are available here https://shorturl.at/QgfUc

Who can apply for a Community Support Grant for Models 1 and 2? 

• Community organisations with an income of under £100,000 per annum and whose purpose is to support the development of individuals and services within communities. Attendance at workshops will cost £15 per person.

• Community groups with an income of less than £25,000 per annum can apply to a bursary fund with grants of up to £100 to fund volunteers to access the programme In line with the Foundation’s original aims, priority for bursary support grants will be given to: 

• Projects supporting young people and adult volunteers living in Norfolk; 

• Projects that have a direct benefit of attracting young people and adult volunteers to serving their local communities;

 • Projects that provide young people and adult volunteers with new skills, personal development and new experiences;

 • Projects which clearly demonstrate measurable outcomes and clear benefits to the beneficiaries. 

How will applications be considered? 

Applications for funding for places through the Bursary Fund will be through completion of the Community Support Programme Bursary Application Form

    Workshops for 2025  will take place as part of the Norfolk Small Charities Showcase event in Norwich on 11th October with full details above: 




    What else is on offer?

    Discounted training is available through MaDGiraffe Management and Development for qualifying organisations. Support may range from training workshops to advice sessions on any of the following issues:

    • Recruiting and managing paid staff
    • Recruiting and managing unpaid volunteers
    • Presentation skills
    • Managing meetings
    • Managing projects
    • Fundraising for small charities
    • Managing events
    • Leadership skills
    • Management skills
    • Business planning for voluntary organisations
    • After the grant - monitoring funding for community groups
    • Basic website design
    More Information about MaDGiraffe

    The Application Process

    If your annual turnover is less than £25,000

    Make an application to the Bursary Fund

    If your annual turnover is less than £25,000, we may be able to help with grants of up to £100 to fund volunteers accessing the programme.
    Apply Here

    Apply for your place on the programme

    This form needs to be filled out for each volunteer that wishes to apply for a place on the programme.
    Apply Here
    Your application(s) will be reviewed at a Kearns Foundation meeting by our board of trustees and advisors which are normally held four times a year in the Spring, Summer and Autumn. Following this meeting, you will be contacted with the results of your application(s).