Inverness MP organises drop-in funding fair to connect groups with cash

Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey MP Drew Hendry has organised a drop-in Community Funding Fair to connect community groups and individuals with funding and support opportunities for their projects.

The event will be held on Friday, between 11am and 1pm, at Inverness Town House.

Organisations attending the event include: The Big Lottery Fund, People's Postcode Trust, Foundation Scotland, Firstport – Social Entrepreneur Fund, Social Investment Scotland, Age Scotland Veterans Project, Funding Scotland, The Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation, In This Together and Creative Scotland.

Mr Hendry is encouraging those looking to fund a community or entrepreneurial project, to pop along and find out more about support available to them from the various organisations.

He said: "Too often, it is our community groups and start up initiatives that are most affected by the effects of austerity, and with traditional funding routes running dry, many are struggling to fund vital community projects.

"Anyone involved in an after-school group or community project will know this from the sheer amount of time their group spends discussing funding and lack of resources.

"As the local MP, I want to offer useful support to these groups, therefore I have arranged for several organisations to be on hand at this drop-in event, to offer advice and to share the funding opportunities they have available to community projects and local initiatives.

"I've held similar events over the past few years and was delighted to welcome over a hundred people through the doors – many of whom got the advice they needed to access funding for their project. I certainly encourage individuals or anyone involved in a community group to come along on Friday and find out more about the funding opportunities available to them."

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