Harrow Together

Quick Stats

• Established: 2016 (Charity registered) / Harrow Giving established 2019
• Total Raised Since 2020: ??2.8 million+
• Grant Range: ??5,000 - ??40,000 (varies by programme)
• Typical Grant: ??5,000 - ??10,000
• Geographic Focus: London Borough of Harrow only
• Application Method: Rolling basis (when funds open)

Contact Details

General Contact:

• Website: https://harrowgiving.org.uk
• Email: hello@harrowgiving.org.uk / info@harrowtogether.org.uk
• Phone: 020 8861 5894
• Address: 64 Pinner Rd, Harrow HA1 4HZ

Grant Enquiries:

• Email: grants@harrowgiving.org.uk
• Pre-application Support: Alex at Voluntary Action Harrow ??? contact@vah.org.uk

Overview

Harrow Together (Charity No. 1167770) is a consortium established in 2016 to strengthen the voluntary and community sector in Harrow. Operating under the trading name “Harrow Giving” (established 2019), the organisation raises funds from residents, local employees, businesses, and philanthropists, then distributes them through open and accountable grant programmes. Since 2020, Harrow Giving has raised over ??2.8 million for local causes and supports approximately 100+ organisations across various community sectors. The organisation is administered by Voluntary Action Harrow Co-operative and works in partnership with major funders including the National Lottery Community Fund, National Lottery Heritage Fund, and local trusts. For the financial year ending March 2024, the charity received ??1,233,299 from 9 government grants.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Stories of Harrow Fund

• Amount: Up to ??10,000
• Number of Grants: 15 organisations
• Focus: Preserving heritage and capturing lived experiences of Harrow communities
• Includes training and support, with final showcase at Headstone Museum
• Partnership with National Lottery Heritage Fund and Harrow Council

Harrow Community Fund

• Small Grants: Up to ??5,000
• Large Grant: ??40,000 (single award)
• Focus: Supporting charitable initiatives benefiting Harrow residents
• Funded by Edward Harvist Trust and Harrow Giving supporters
• Application: Read guidance, complete form, email to grants@harrowgiving.org.uk

Health & Wellbeing Fund

• Amount: Up to ??10,000
• Focus: Projects supporting health and wellbeing of Harrow residents
• Emphasis on tackling inequalities through population health management in areas of high deprivation

Harrow Warm & Community Hubs Fund

• Amount: Not specified
• Focus: Creating safe, accessible, warm community spaces
• Activities: Basic refreshments/meals, socialisation opportunities, advice on financial/health/digital matters, exercise, healthy cooking, fall risk reduction, smoking cessation, arts, cultural activities
• Application: Information events held; guidance documents provided

National Lottery Partnership

• Small Grants distributed on behalf of National Lottery Community Fund
• Focus: Tackling inequalities, mental health, isolation, and economic impact

Priority Areas

• Reducing social isolation and loneliness
• Mental and physical health support
• Supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged residents
• Community connection and cohesion
• COVID-19 recovery and resilience
• Health inequalities in deprived areas
• Digital inclusion
• Heritage preservation and community storytelling
• Befriending services
• Youth activities and support
• Culturally sensitive services
• Food support programmes
• Advice and information services

What They Don't Fund

• Organisations based outside the London Borough of Harrow
• Projects not benefiting Harrow residents
• Groups without proper governance (need minimum 2 unrelated trustees/directors)
• Organisations without a bank account in the organisation's name
• Applications from unincorporated groups (must be constituted not-for-profit organisations)
• Note: Organisations uncomfortable with gambling-related funds (from Harrow Wins lottery) can specify this in applications

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (Harrow Community Action Board of Directors):

• Andy Murphy
• Anna Ware
• Carolyn Bennett
• Colin Powell
• Dan Burke
• Deven Pillay
• Glen Hearnden
• Julian Lloyd
• Kulwinder Singh-Rai
• Lavanya Marya
• Naomi Kennard
• Rachel Wright

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity.

Decision-Making Structure:

Each grant programme has a separate decision-making committee composed of individuals without conflicts of interest, which may include:

• Harrow Together Trustees
• Harrow Voluntary & Community Sector Forum Representatives
• Funders

A conflict of interest register is maintained for each committee. Committee members affiliated with applying organisations are excluded from decision-making.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Current Status: No open grant rounds at present (as of late 2024/early 2025)

When Funds Are Open:

1. Check Harrow Giving website for available grant programmes
2. Read guidance document (PDF provided for each fund)
3. Complete application form (DOC format)
4. Contact Alex at Voluntary Action Harrow for pre-application support if needed (contact@vah.org.uk)
5. Submit completed application to grants@harrowgiving.org.uk
6. Attend information events if offered (typically held via Zoom)

Staying Informed:

• Join Harrow Giving's mailing list for updates on new grant rounds
• Subscribe to Voluntary Action Harrow's funding mailing list
• Check website regularly: harrowgiving.org.uk/grants/

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines vary by programme and are not publicly published. Grant committees meet to review applications after each fund's deadline.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. However, the organisation has funded 100+ organisations across multiple grant programmes since 2020, distributing over ??2.8 million.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated on public materials and likely vary by fund. Applicants should contact Harrow Giving or Voluntary Action Harrow for guidance on reapplying after unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Factors:

1. Geographic Focus: Projects must benefit residents of the London Borough of Harrow specifically

• Reducing isolation
• Tackling health inequalities
• Supporting disadvantaged communities
• Building community connection

1. Partnership and Support: Voluntary Action Harrow offers free fundraising support and application reviews. Utilising these services demonstrates commitment and increases application quality.

1. Proper Governance: Organisations must be properly constituted with appropriate governance structures (minimum 2 unrelated trustees, organisational bank account)

1. Community Impact: Clear demonstration of how projects will benefit Harrow residents, particularly vulnerable populations

1. Collaboration: Projects that work with other local organisations or align with wider community strategies are valued

Recent Funded Projects Examples:

• Harrow MS Therapy Centre: PPE, sanitising equipment, washing machine to enable safe reopening
• Kids Can Achieve: Laptops for Family Support Workers to continue supporting families during COVID-19
• 41 warm hubs across the borough (accessed by 3,700 people, run by 200 volunteers in 2022/23)
• 15 organisations awarded community hub extension grants
• RESTORE project with Ignite Youth Services (tackling health inequalities)
• SRISHTI Yuva Culture project for South Asian community

Terminology and Language:

• Emphasis on “community-based organisations” and “grassroots groups”
• Focus on “vulnerable populations”, “reducing isolation”, “community connection”
• “Tackling inequalities” and “population health management”
• “Open and accountable grant programmes”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Local focus is essential: Only organisations serving Harrow residents are eligible. Demonstrate deep understanding of Harrow communities and local needs.

1. Pre-application support is available and valuable: Contact Alex at Voluntary Action Harrow (contact@vah.org.uk) before applying for guidance and application review. This free support can significantly strengthen applications.

1. Timing matters: There are no open grant rounds currently. Join mailing lists to be notified immediately when new funds open, as some operate first-come-first-served.

1. Partnership approach: Harrow Giving distributes funds on behalf of major funders (National Lottery Community Fund, Heritage Fund, Edward Harvist Trust). Applications should align with both Harrow Giving's priorities and those of the original funder.

1. Governance requirements are strict: Ensure your organisation is properly constituted with at least 2 unrelated trustees and an organisational bank account before applying.

1. Multiple funding streams: Harrow Giving runs various programmes throughout the year with different focuses. An unsuccessful application to one fund doesn't preclude success with another that better matches your work.

1. Transparency and accountability: Grant decisions are made by committees with no conflicts of interest. All funded organisations are published on the website, demonstrating the organisation's commitment to transparency.

References

1. Harrow Giving Website - Homepage. https://harrowgiving.org.uk

1. Harrow Giving - Grants Page. https://harrowgiving.org.uk/grants/

1. Harrow Giving - What We've Funded. https://harrowgiving.org.uk/what-weve-funded/

1. Harrow Giving - FAQs. https://harrowgiving.org.uk/faqs/

1. Harrow Giving - Information for Funded Groups. https://harrowgiving.org.uk/grants/information/

1. Harrow Giving - Stories of Harrow Fund. https://harrowgiving.org.uk/stories-of-harrow-fund/

1. Harrow Giving - Harrow Community Fund. https://harrowgiving.org.uk/harrow-community-fund/

1. Harrow Giving - Harrow Warm & Community Hubs Fund. https://harrowgiving.org.uk/harrow-warm-community-hubs-fund/

1. Harrow Together - Trustees. https://harrowtogether.org.uk/trustees/

1. Charity Commission - HARROW TOGETHER (1167770). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1167770

1. The National Lottery Community Fund - Harrow Giving Small Grants Project. https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/grants/0045316004

1. Harrow Online - “Fifteen Harrow organisations awarded grants to extend community hubs”. https://harrowonline.org/2024/07/19/fifteen-harrow-organisations-awarded-grants-to-extend-community-hubs/