The Robbie Williams Give it Sum Fund

Set up by Robbie in 2000 the Robbie Williams Give it Sum Fund is open to a broad range of self-help projects, community groups and voluntary organisations based in North Staffordshire. The Fund aims to support local people to find solutions to local problems.

Robbie grew up in the area and the Fund is his way of giving something back to his hometown. In his own words:

"I'm glad that the little help that I give can do great things."

The Fund has given people living in North Staffordshire the chance to become actively involved in improving their own communities by addressing issues of poverty, disadvantage and discrimination.

The Robbie Williams Give it Sum Fund welcomes applications from groups working in all sections of the community particularly those who have struggled to find funding in the past. All groups and projects will need to show how they are involving the people who use their services and facilities in planning, running and reviewing their work. Their annual income must be less than £150,000 per year.

The Robbie Williams Give it Sum Fund offers grants for up to two years and the grants will not usually be more than £15,000 for each year.

Some examples of groups that Give it Sum has funded include:

• Residents' associations and self-help groups working to improve their local communities.
• Projects offering help and support to those in need, for example, young people with drug and alcohol problems, homeless people, single parents, older people, children and people from Black and minority ethnic communities.
• Projects that help people who are often left out to have their say - for example groups campaigning for better services and disabled people's rights groups.