Getting funding for an allotment building

[kathycam]

Hi, I'm in the very early stages of looking into what funding we may be able to get to get for a new building on our site. We've just become self run and have a lease for 38 years. I'm a very junior member on the commitee, but would like to help them do this.

Basically the building we have is an old single storey building. There is also a couple of storage sheds. Again these are old and in disrepair. Also on this site there is no toilet, as there is around a 100 plots, it is pretty poor. And another thing the allotment has had 5 break ins in the last year, so maybe we need some funding to help with this too. We're growing some spikey plants, and have some barbed wire to put up, as well as planning to replace the padlock and talk of security cameras.

Has anyone any experience in applying for funds for a project such as this. I'm guessing lottery funding would be a good place to start, and there may be some local council or business funding. Also I started writing a draft of what we want, which the other members liked but want to discuss it further, once they've had a better look. But basically so the building may be used for workshops, school visits, social and such like. Also I suggested we could try and make the building as green as possible, so a compost toilet, green roof, local materials (in London?) and so on.

Any thoughts people have would be great, remember its early stages yet. If anyone has managed to do it, would be great to hear from you,

Kathy

[MartinRSharpe]

Hi Kathycam,

I've not done it for an allotment but I have for other organisations.

Generally getting money out of people is a bit of a nightmare, getting products at a reduced rate/free can be a little more achievable.

Most applications for grants will require some detailed information about what you want the money for, so I would start there are make a detailed list of everything you want to do, what its costs are then prioritise it.

Lottery is one place to start but also try local government, central government (Environment, Education, Health, Culture are all dept who's website might yield results) and in your case Mayor of London office.

Next up would be local retailers, if you have a tesco, asda etc nearby then have a look at their websites for any funding they give out (Co-op I know are quite fond of the local produce\environmental side). It might not yield cash but you might at least be able to get pallets etc from them for free.

Finally have a look at your own members, you might have a builder or roofer that may be able to do a repair job on the existing building for cheaper than the market rate.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

Martin

[kathycam]

Hi, def some good ideas that I will look into. Apparently they tried to get money from Waitrose before, but were declined. I don't think that was the same thing though.

We have various builders and tradespeople within the members, so obviously would use them where possible for work. The building has been patched up several times, and theres only so long you can patch something up for. At the moment we don't have any sort of room that can be used for socials/ meetings/ workshops or whatever, so would be good to get this. And really just getting a loo on site is so important. There is young families and our oldest member is 101, and really we should have something as basic as a loo!

I'll let you know how I get on.

[alldigging]

You might find lots of funding dependent on more people using the building.

Near us we have Voluntary Action Oldham and Voluntary Action Manchester. Both of these have funding experts who can help. Is there something similar near you?

Local councillors are useful as they'll know community development workers who'll also have their finger on the pulse.


LOO -
Compost toilet at its most basic is a shed with a bucket and a composting system. And lots of sawdust.

[kathycam]

Good ideas, not 100% sure about council, now we have our independance, but worth a shot.

Someone had some dodgy loo on their plot, caused a load of problems. So I guess they committee want to do it properly. They do have a loo on the other site, but its about a 15 min walk away.