SNG and partners announce new grantees for Black History Month 365 fund

Three community organisations will benefit from funds of £1000 each by SNG (Sovereign Network Group) as part of a partnership with A2Dominion Housing Group, Peabody and Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing to offer grants, through our Black History Month 365 Fund, supporting projects in our communities that celebrate black history.

In October each year, communities across Britain recognise the contributions of people of black heritage around the world through Black History Month. The fund is used to extend this month to a year-round celebration and provides grants of up to £1,000 throughout the year. Funding rounds run four times a year and can be used for events, activities and projects celebrating Black history. This round is the tenth and a following one will be announced next January on our BHM 365 Fund webpage.

Applicants were selected based on their abilities to demonstrate how they can bring communities together to mark and celebrate shared history, the promotion, awareness and knowledge of black history and how what they do celebrates the achievements and contributions from individuals of African and Caribbean heritage.

Twelve organisations benefited from awards in round 10, granting over £12,000, three of which are SNG community partners who benefitted from £3,000 of funding. The fund as a whole has made grants worth over £60,000 from all partners since it was launched in 2022. Of this, SNG has distributed £10,000 to date. The SNG grantees in round 10 are:

• Intergenerational Music Making in Wandsworth: ”Melodies of Heritage: Bridging Generations” aims to foster intergenerational connections and celebrate African and Caribbean heritage through music-making workshops and events in Wandsworth, London. 
• Black Artists on The Move: Three days creative work in three primary schools for SNG residents in Hanham, Bristol. This group will produce co-created art to celebrate the lives of great Black artists. 
• Creative Connex Community Interest Company (CIC) in Bristol: Support for an in-person event to launch a fundraising campaign to raise £12,000. The campaign will raise money in pledges for the campaign but also will also raise awareness for the elderly and their needs. 

In addition to these awards, SNG customers can also benefit from funding allocated to other community organisations operating in communities where we have homes, thanks to the collaboration with other housing associations across the country.   

Roger Griffith Chief Executive at Creative Connex CIC said: “Creative Connex is delighted to receive funding from SNG to work with Caribbean Elders lunch clubs in Bristol and the region and raise funds for their beloved activities. We help the groups organise enriching trips and outings, fostering a sense of community and shared experiences. SNG’s support will help us work with our partners to promote their lunch club activities that enrich the lives of elderly people in the region, community events and work on future fundraising campaigns.”   

Marta Rios, Community Investment and Partnership Manager at SNG said: “The Black History Month 365 fund provides an extended platform to create valuable opportunities for our communities to learn about, reflect on, recognise and celebrate the contributions and achievements of black communities globally both historically and in our society today. We welcome applications from community groups, schools, SNG residents and local organisations seeking to engage, educate, and excite our communities with a wide range of events, programmes and initiatives to mark and celebrate these achievements and our shared history together.”  

Dele Ryder at A2 Dominion said: “It is fantastic to be working with SNG on the Black History Month 365 programme. Its funding has enabled the grant fund to reach even more customers and communities and deliver some fantastic projects this October.”