Mid Devon District Council’s recent “Meet the Funders” event, held to connect local community groups, charities, and social enterprises with key funding bodies and grant providers has been hailed a resounding success.

The event, hosted at Phoenix House, brought together more than 50 attendees from across the district, offering a unique opportunity to engage directly with representatives from national and regional funding organisations.

Funders in attendance included National Lottery Community Fund, Devon Community Foundation, the Council’s Street Scene & Open Spaces, Waste and Recycling and the Economic Development Teams and Devon Communities Together. The event allowed these organisations to provide valuable insights into their day-to-day work, grant funding criteria, application processes, and upcoming opportunities.

Cllr Ben Holdman, Chair of Community, People and Equalities Policy Development Group said:

“This event is a shining example of what can be achieved when we bring people together with a shared purpose. Our communities are full of passionate, dedicated individuals working to make a difference and at this event they’ve had the chance to connect with the resources that can help turn ideas into action. I’m proud that Mid Devon District Council is playing a proactive role in supporting grassroots organisations and helping them thrive. The energy in the room was inspiring. From conversations with funders to the exchange of ideas between groups, it’s clear that this event has sparked new possibilities. We look forward to continuing this momentum and ensuring our communities have the tools they need to succeed.”

Cllr, Gwen DuChesne, Cabinet Member for Parish and Community Engagement, said:

“It was lovely to see people from so many different Mid Devon Communities attended the Meet the Funder event.  The energy, passion and commitment of these special individuals to support others in all walks of life shone through. The idea behind the event was simple and effective - bring together some of the organisations that provide access to funding and community groups that might like to apply for them.  An added bonus was that the different communities had a chance to discuss shared interests.”

Attendees participated in one-to-one sessions and networking opportunities, gaining practical advice on how to develop successful funding bids and collaborate on community projects. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing appreciations for the chance to speak directly with funders and learn about new sources of support.

The Council plans to build on the success of this event by exploring further opportunities to support local organisations.