COMMUNITY groups in York are invited to bid for financial support - as it has emerged most in York doubt they will secure the finances to make it through the year.

The Aviva Community Fund offers local projects the chance to win grants from £1,000 up to £25,000 in order to make a real difference to their community.

The York-based international business said research has shown four out of five community groups in York are not sure they can raise funds to remain active in the next financial year.

Heather Smith, director of Aviva’s UK Direct business, said: “From today, anyone in the UK can enter the Aviva Community Fund to nominate a community group, club or charity for one of 362 different awards, ranging from £1,000 up to £25,000.

The different levels of funding mean that everyone has the chance to make a difference to their local community and support a cause close to their heart.”

A survey of people involved in local community and charity organisations, commissioned to mark the launch of the Aviva Community Fund - a new initiative launching today offering funding and support for inspirational local causes – calculated that the average additional sum required to sustain the annual day-to-day running of such groups in the York area is £3,136.

Almost half of local community groups, charities and organisations in York believe that additional funding of £1,000 or less would suffice.

Anyone can enter the competition by submitting an idea for a project that will make a real difference to their community cause and then rallying their local community to vote for their idea.

In addition to the funding available, an online toolkit has been created by an expert panel: the Aviva Community Fund Team. The toolkit provides specialist support for local groups on how to tell their stories and secure votes.

The entries with the highest number of votes will be selected as finalists to go through to the judging phase where, if they are selected, they will be awarded funding in July 2015.

For more information or to submit a project for funding, visit www.aviva.co.uk/community-fund from today.