I AM Brent Community Microgrants 

The I AM Brent Community Microgrant Fund is now open. Applications close Thursday 20 February 2025 at 11:59pm 

The I AM Brent consortium, consisting of six grassroots organisations, has successfully obtained funding from the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) to support young people and their families to stay safe from violence in five hyperlocal areas in Brent. The grassroot organisations are Step Up Hub (lead), Connect Stars, PLIAS Resettlement, Sport at the Heart, United Borders and Hilltop Circle. As part of the I AM Brent provision, there is a dedicated microgrant fund for projects that involve local residents to improve community safety designed specifically to benefit young people aged 25 and under in the targeted areas of Church Road, Harlesden, Stonebridge, Chalkhill and St Raphael’s.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for a grant, you must be an organisation that meets the criteria below. One or more individuals can also apply but must do so with an organisation that meets the criteria below:

• Be a charity, not-for profit organisation or unincorporated association based in Brent.
• Have at least 25% of the organisation’s senior team and/or trustees from protected characteristic backgrounds.
• Have a total annual turnover of less than £200,000.
• Have a bank account in the name of the organisation and which requires two different people to authorise payments.

To be eligible for a grant, an applicant must:

Demonstrate that their project is designed to benefit young people aged 25 and under, their families or associated community members who live, work, study or spend substantial time in at least one of the following hyperlocal areas:

• Chalkhill Estate
• St Raphael’s Estate
• Stonebridge Estate
• Church Road Estate
• Harlesden Town Centre

What can you get funding for?

The project may aim to achieve one or more of the following:

• improve community relations
• develop the confidence and social skills of beneficiaries
• amplify community voice to reduce violence involving young people
• improve mental health
• have a positive impact on educational outcomes
• enhance employment prospects.

I AM Brent provides a full cost recovery approach to funding the projects. This includes direct delivery costs and proportionate overheads. Funding can be received for:

• staff salaries
• project activities
• overheads
• equipment (i.e. small capital costs)

How much money is available?

Each applicant can apply for a grant of up to £5000. The grant must be for a new project and be enough to cover the project’s full cost. An applicant can submit only one application.

Additionally, I AM Brent believes it is important to offer organisations capacity building support alongside a grant.

How your application will be assessed

Decisions will be made in four stages:

Stage 1: Complete the application form

Stage 2: Interview

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a 45-minute online or face-to- face meeting. This will take place to understand more about applicants, their organisation, and their project.

Stage 3: Due diligence

From applicants successful at the interview stage, further information including references, finances, policies and insurance will be requested.

Stage 4: Final decision

A decision-making panel will review information and make a final decision.

Before you apply

Download the I AM Brent Microgrant prospectus and application form before making and application for funding.

If you have any questions about the application process, please email kalen@stepuphub.org or sham@stepuphub.org