Aviva Community Fund Looking to Give Local Groups and Charities a Lifeline

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Aviva Insurance

22 Apr, 2015, 08:00 GMT

LONDON, April 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

*Regional case studies/data available upon request* 

Submissions deadline 24th April

Now in its last week for entries, the Aviva Community Fund is offering local community groups  funding for inspirational grassroots causes. Anyone can enter their project by submitting an idea that will make a real difference to their community, those that receive the most votes will win funding ranging from £1,000 up to £25,000. 362 entries across the UK will benefit from the Fund.

The Fund was launched as research from Aviva revealed that more than four out of five (85%) of the nation's local groups and charities are not confident that they can secure their minimum funding target to remain active in the next financial year*. Further findings show that the average additional sum required to sustain the annual day-to-day running of such groups is £3,697.

Almost half (47%) of local community groups, charities and organisations across the UK believe that additional funding of £1,000 or less would suffice.

Heather Smith, Director of Aviva's UK Direct business, said:   

"Until 24th April 2015, anyone in the UK can enter the Aviva Community Fund to nominate a community group, club or charity for one of 362 different awards, ranging from £1,000 up to £25,000. The different levels of funding mean that everyone has the chance to make a difference to their local community and support a cause close to their heart."

To support the launch of the Aviva Community Fund and inspire local groups, Aviva has produced three short documentaries by director and BAFTA award-winning producer Heidi Greensmith. Captured using just a smartphone, the documentaries demonstrate how anyone can use everyday technology to tell their story**.

The films - entitled 'Community' - tell the inspirational human stories of the work done by three different local groups and organisations that have previously received funding from Aviva: a boys' football club in the Outer Hebrides (http://youtu.be/ddU0BpcqYms), a Belfast charity (http://youtu.be/6v6QJy5A7dgoffering) that offers support to families affected by suicide and a Battersea inner-city activity group (http://youtu.be/Yn-xOOP4Zz4 ) for underprivileged young people.

Get involved  

To view Heidi Greensmith's Community films or submit a project for funding, simply visit http://www.aviva.co.uk/community-fund before 24th April.

Notes to editors:  

* Polling conducted by Onepoll in February 2015, with 2,000 respondents across the UK

** All footage was captured using an iPhone 5S and iPhone 6

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