ryefund

The Rye Fund received a major boost earlier this year through its
participation in the government's Grassroots Endowment Challenge
programme. This netted over £27,000 total in matched funding, taking the
Rye Fund over its initial target of £50,000. Chairman Kenneth Bird said "The
Rye Fund is now well on track to become a significant force for good in the
area. At a time when community assets are increasingly under attack, local
people can make a worthwhile and lasting contribution towards keeping the
special character of Rye".

Apart from making direct grant awards, the fund has acted successfully
as a catalyst in attracting substantial grant aid into the District, both from
the Sussex Community Foundation and from the nPower community funding
programme. Local beneficiaries of these funding streams include Rye Cricket
Club, Rye Scouts and Rye Film Club.

The next round of grants for community projects will be in November 2010.
Applications are already being invited from local voluntary organisations.

Kenneth Bird
Chairman of the Rye Fund Steering Group