The National Express Foundation has for the first time launched its second funding programme in a year, with £100,000 on offer to support youngsters.
Earlier in the year, almost £230,000 was awarded to support 2,000 children across the West Midlands and Kent, after National Express doubled the funding it provided to the foundation at the beginning of 2018.
The charity has been active since 2012, and has since awarded hundreds of thousands to help over 16,000 young people continue with their education and enjoy positive activities in their local area.
In this second round of funding, the foundation is inviting local community groups to bid for grants out of the £100,000 available; grants of £2,500, £5,000 or larger amounts up to £20,000 can be applied for.
Local colleges and universities can also apply for grants of £10,000 per year towards bursary schemes to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds progress onto further or higher education.
Anthony Vigor, Chairman of the National Express Foundation, said: “External funding support is extremely limited – especially so in recent years – which is why I would urge all local educational institutions and community groups to make the most of this excellent opportunity and submit an application for Foundation funding.”