Cambridge City Council has pledged the equivalent of £100,000 to support voluntary and community sector organisations through its Match My Project initiative, which connects local community needs with businesses able to offer resources, skills, and support. This platform allows charities, social enterprises, grassroots organisations, and voluntary groups to request specific assistance—from funding to professional expertise or equipment—while enabling businesses to provide targeted support.
Since its launch in March 2025, more than 60 community groups have joined Match My Project. The platform strengthens the city’s voluntary and community sector by removing barriers between organisations and potential supporters, helping groups access the resources they need to address local challenges effectively. To date, seven projects have been completed, and 27 are currently underway, with 52 businesses and suppliers already registered to contribute.
Cllr Anna Smith, Cabinet Member for Communities, emphasized the importance of the initiative in easing financial pressures on community groups. She encouraged more organisations to sign up and upload their requests, highlighting that businesses can support not only through funding but also with skills, facilities, or equipment, fostering collaboration that benefits the wider city.
One practical example of the platform’s impact involved Cambridge Online, an organisation that helps residents access devices and the internet. By posting a need on Match My Project, Cambridge Online connected with Connected Kerb, which provided 10 laptops—both new and used—to support digital inclusion for residents, helping bridge the gap for students and community members who face barriers to online access.
