Community groups across north Norfolk are being invited to bid for a share of a £17,500 windfall, with the latest round of funding from the Victory Housing Community Fund.

Charities, voluntary groups, community organisations and parish councils can bid for grants of up to £5,000, to be used for a wide range of purposes, including capital projects, venue hire, equipment, start-up expenses and training.

The fund, which aims to provide support for community groups which are making a difference at grassroots level in local communities, was started by Victory Housing Trust in 2008, and has so far given out a total of 134 grants totalling £368,385.

The last round of grants, in November, saw eight community groups receive grants of between £400 and £5,000, to help with projects as diverse as transforming an allotment and surrounding land into a junior ball games area, helping to employ a manager at a food bank, training volunteers to support families in their communities, and purchasing archery equipment for a Scout group.

Groups have until Monday, April 3 to submit their bids, with the decision about where the money goes being made by a panel made up of Victory Housing Trust residents, advised by the grants team at Norfolk Community Foundation, which administers the fund on behalf of Victory.

'We are delighted once again to open our community fund for grants bids,' said Victory Housing Trust chief executive John Archibald. 'In the past nine years we have supported so many fantastic community initiatives, helping those organisations which really make our communities tick at grassroots level.

'The process of applying for a grant is simple and user-friendly, and we particularly encourage bids from organisations which have not applied before.'

Applications for grants can be made by any organisation or group established for charitable purposes, provided there is a formal structure which allows for monitoring of activity and feedback – official charitable status is not necessary. The Fund is looking for applications from voluntary and community groups in the north of Norfolk whose primary aim is to improve the quality of people's lives.

Full details of how to apply for grants from the Victory Housing Community Fund can be found at www.norfolkfoundation.com/funds/victory-housing-trust-community-fund.