13 February 2012

nsThe Community Finance Fund is part of Barclays' strategy to tackle financial exclusion. It aims to improve the capacity of the community finance sector's personal and business lending operations in the UK.

£250,000 is available to improve access to affordable credit in the UK by providing existing or seedling community finance providers like credit unions with direct short-term grants of up to £50,000 to deliver services over the course of a 12 month period. The Fund will be repeated in 2013/14.

The grant can be used for:

• Marketing
• Infrastructure
• Product development
• Mergers between businesses
• Delivery of financial capability or money advice services

Who can apply?

Credit unions and CDFIs which meet the following criteria:

• You must be a member of Transact (you can register here)
• You must be an operational business or have received final FSA approval to begin operations
• You must be operational in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Deadline: 1 April 2012
Contact: Zoe Dixon, Transact
Address: Toynbee Hall, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6LS
Telephone: 020 7392 2954
Email zoe.dixon@toynbeehall.org.uk
Website: http://www.transact.org.uk/page.aspx?sitesectionid=247&sitesectiontitle=2012