Dozens of good causes are sharing £450,000 in funding from a housing sector partnership aimed at helping small charities and groups “become stronger and more sustainable”.

The funding has been handed out through the latest tranche of grants from Community Catalyst, which involves housing provider Clarion Futures and community support funder Fusion21 Foundation.

Other housing organisations involved include Places for People, Peabody and Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing.

A total of 46 charities, community groups and social enterprises are sharing the funding.

The organisations involved have backed the fund with more than £3m and it aims to support 270 voluntary, community and social enterprises over its three year run.

The programme, which is now in its second year, offers grants of up to £10,000 and free consultancy, in areas such as governance, organisational development, business planning, fundraising, financial management, volunteering and evaluation.

The funders say the funding is aimed at helping recipients tackle rising demand while “operating in a highly challenging funding environment”.

“At the same time, access to core and long-term funding remains limited, making it difficult for organisations to invest in the systems, governance, skills and infrastructure needed to sustain and grow their impact, while balancing vital frontline delivery,” they add.

Among recipients is Lewisham Mads Do & Mend CIC, which is using its grant to “deliver more of its workshops to teach people sewing skills and to mend clothes. It will also be used to build our networks and become more visibly embedded in the local community”, according to its founder and CEO, Madeline Tanoto.

Clarion Futures interim director Shelley Hathaway-Batt added: “Community Catalyst is a powerful example of what can be achieved when organisations come together around a shared commitment to communities, listen to the sector and invest in more than just projects.

“These organisations are trusted by residents, deeply rooted in place and often best positioned to respond to local challenges and opportunities. By combining grant funding with tailored organisational support, Community Catalyst is helping build the resilience, capacity and long-term sustainability of the sector."

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