The Brun Bear Foundation engages with Bromley community at "Meet the Funder" event

By engaging directly with potential applicants, The Brun Bear Foundation can ensure its funding aligns with the most impactful projects

The Brun Bear Foundation participated in Bromley Council's "Meet the Funder" event at the end of February. This initiative, organised by Bromley Council, aims to foster connections between funders and potential beneficiaries to support local initiatives and community development within the Bromley area.

The Foundation delivered a one-hour online information session via Zoom, offering valuable insights into its funding opportunities for Bromley residents and organisations dedicated to enhancing communal life in the borough. The session aimed to equip attendees with the knowledge needed to craft compelling applications tailored to the Foundation's objectives.

Participants engaged actively, seeking clarification on various aspects of the funding process. Enquiries about organisational eligibility were raised. For instance, a representative from an organisation registered outside the borough but delivering services in Bromley asked about their eligibility, and a representative from an unincorporated organisation queried the necessity of being a registered charity. The Foundation clarified that funding eligibility is based on where services are delivered, confirming that work within Bromley would be considered, and that unincorporated groups are eligible to apply.

Questions regarding project suitability were also addressed. These included enquiries about funding for educational materials, such as an interactive playing card concept, and support for community arts projects like local writers' play reading evenings. A query was also raised about funding for day trips, and the possibility of funding equipment costs was confirmed, contingent on transparent budgeting. It was however clarified that there might be limitations on covering "standard running costs" for certain projects.

The application process was another key focus, with questions about application turnaround time, payment structures (upfront payments were confirmed), monitoring requirements, due diligence, reference needs, feedback for unsuccessful applicants (limited to notification of status) and the volume of applications received.

Founder of The Brun Bear Foundation Edwin Lampert said: "Participating in Bromley Council's 'Meet the Funder' event has been invaluable for us at The Brun Bear Foundation. It not only allows us to connect with passionate individuals and organisations serving our community but also provides a platform to share our vision and objectives. By engaging directly with potential applicants, we can ensure that our funding aligns with the most impactful projects, ultimately enhancing the quality of life in Bromley. This event embodies the spirit of community collaboration that we strive to foster through our charitable work."

For more information on The Brun Bear Foundation's grant programme please click here.