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Kao Data launches the Kao SEED Fund to support community projects across Stockport

Stockport, UK, November 21st 2024 – Kao Data, the specialist developer and operator of data centres, is proud to announce the launch of the Kao SEED Fund in Stockport. 

This initiative, aimed at fostering community growth and development, coincides with the ongoing construction of Kao Data’s new industrial scale data centre in Reddish. The Kao SEED Fund, which stands for Social Enterprise and Environment Development Fund, will officially launch on November 21, in celebration of the UK’s Social Enterprise Day.

The Kao SEED Fund will provide small grants to a range of community groups, not-for-profit organisations and grassroots projects across Stockport. Packages of financial support, ranging from £500 to £2,500, will be available for pilot programmes or to boost existing community initiatives.

Working in partnership with Stockport’s forward-thinking charity infrastructure organisation, Sector 3, Kao Data launched the fund at Sector 3’s Social Enterprise Day celebration in the town. Sector 3 will also be coordinating the application process on behalf of Kao Data and supporting successful projects by administering the funding and coordinating mentoring support.

“At Kao Data, our commitment to being a good corporate citizen is woven deep into our DNA”, said David Bloom, Founder and Chairman of Kao Data. “The launch of the Kao SEED Fund in Stockport underscores our dedication to fostering sustainability, positive community action, and development projects that will support the local neighbourhood around what will be our newest data centre.

“As the founder of Kao Data, a serial entrepreneur, a community volunteer myself for over 25 years, and someone who takes great pride in ensuring we fulfil and surpass our corporate social responsibility mandate as a business, I’m excited to see what type of projects the Kao SEED Fund will help make possible.”

Jo McGrath, CEO at Sector 3, said: “It’s inspiring to work alongside a partner like Kao Data who are committed to collaboration, sustainability and genuine community development. Their fund will help further empower Stockport’s already active community to bring forward even more innovative, entrepreneurial ideas that champion a cleaner, greener future.”

 

Earlier this year, Kao Data sponsored Sector 3’s volunteer awards ceremony Stockport Rocks! and the event inspired Kao Data’s Marketing Manager, Lizzy McDowell to think about more ways in which the company could continue to support the surrounding community. 

She explained, “I was truly inspired by all of the nominees at the Stockport Rocks awards, which planted a seed in how we could support various good causes across the town. Being from the North West, I am well aware of significant funding challenges these initiatives face, especially for smaller amounts. This is why I am proud that Kao Data can provide access to small, flexible grants to empower and enable these projects.”

Submissions for the Kao SEED Fund will open from 21st November and will close on 12th February, 2025. Applications will then be considered by a select panel of judges and applicants will be notified before 31st March. 

For more details and to apply for the fund – click here. 

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If your application is successful, Harlow Council will transfer the grant by BACS.  Bank details (account name, number and sort code) will need to be supplied with a summary of accounts. 

Funding conditions:  If your application is successful, your project must be delivered by 31 December 2026. You will have to return any grant funds if the project is not delivered or the organisation receiving the funding stops operating.

A contract agreement will need to be signed between your organisation and Harlow District Council before any funding is granted.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Grant recipients will be required to provide an end of project report to establish whether the project has met its aims and objectives, as well as to assess the overall impact on participants. Funding for the project is provided on the basis that the Project Evaluation form is returned within the agreed project timescale (no later than 31 January 2027).

Risks and Liabilities: In giving grants the ‘Harlow Council’ will require the supported project organisation or groups to accept all risks and liabilities associated with the activity being supported. This will be a condition of the grant.  Copies of relevant documents may need to be provided if the application has been approved.

Data protection statement – how we will use your information

The Council is committed to handling your personal information in line with the data processing principles.  The Data Protection Legislation and the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR) sets the legal framework for how we collect, handle and process personal data and for your rights as a ‘data subject.’

General Data Protection Regulation:  Personal data provided by you will be processed in accordance with this protocol. For more details, please see https://www.harlow.gov.uk/privacy-notice

Thank you for taking the time to read these guidance notes. If you have any questions, please get in touch with [email protected].

FAQs

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  1. Who can apply?
    The fund is open to not-for-profit community groups and grassroots initiatives based in Stockport.
     
  2. What types of projects are eligible?
    We encourage projects focused on environmental sustainability, community cohesion, and local economic development.
     
  3. How much funding is available?
    Grants range from £500 to £2,500 for pilot projects or to enhance existing initiatives.
     
  4. Is this the sole funding for this project?
    If not, please expand on the additional match funding that you currently have or are in the process of applying for.
     
  5. Are there any restrictions on grants under £500?
    Yes, please note that grants under £500 may be subject to different guidelines or restrictions, which will be communicated upon application.
     
  6. When will we know if our project was selected?
    Notifications will be sent by March 31, 2025.
     
  7. How can I apply for a grant?
    Applications can be submitted through our online portal, where you will find detailed guidelines and forms.
     
  8. What happens if my application is unsuccessful?
    If your application is not successful, we encourage you to seek feedback and consider reapplying in future funding rounds.
     
  9. When is the application deadline?
    Please check our website for the latest application deadlines and any upcoming funding rounds.