Latest Funding Opportunities
Last updated 01/03/10
The Woodward Charitable Trust
The Woodward Charitable Trust is inviting applications from UK registered charities working with or in the areas of; social and ethnic minority groups; prisoners and ex-offenders; homelessness; violence and abuse; arts outreach; disability; environment; addition. The fund offers grants of up to £5,000 through their small grants scheme and grants of over £5,000 through their large grants scheme. The fund also offers grants of up to £1,000 for summer play schemes for children between the ages of 5-16 to UK charities with a turnover of less than £100,000 a year. Priorities will be given to; small local playschemes that provide a wide-ranging programme of activities; schemes that involve a large number of children; catering for those from disadvantaged backgrounds or have a disability; that work with children from a range of backgrounds, abilities and race; where past users are encouraged to come back and help as volunteers. The next application deadline for small and large gran! ts is the 24th May 2010, and April/May 2010 for the summer playscheme.http://www.woodwardcharitabletrust.org.uk/guidelines.html
Architectural Heritage Fund
The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF), is a registered charity that promotes the conservation and regeneration of historic buildings in the UK and is now open to applications. Grants and low interest working capital loans are available to voluntary organisations and building preservation trusts (BPTs) to regenerate historic buildings to create community and education facilities, workspace and homes. To be eligible to apply for financial assistance organisations must have a charitable status. Any charity with a qualifying project can apply for an options appraisal grant, or a loan, but any other AHF's grants are reserved for BPTs - charities established specially to preserve historic buildings. The project must also involve a change of ownership and/or a change of use. Previously funded projects include turning a run down historic buildings into community theatres, resource centres, community learning centres, workspaces, places to live, community meeting places, etc. The next deadline for applications is the 13th of May 2010.http://www.ahfund.org.uk/index.html
Parks for People
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced that the next closing date for applications to the Parks for People programme is the 31st August 2010. Launched originally as a joint initiative with the Big Lottery Fund full responsibility for the programme has now passed to the Heritage Lottery Fund Local Authorities as well as not for profit organisations that own public parks and gardens can apply for grants of between £250,000 and £5 million for the regeneration of parks and public gardens (including squares, walks and promenades). Applicants will need to raise at least 30 % of the project costs from their own sources and partnership funding, either as cash or non-cash contributions. The 'Parks for People' programme has a two-stage application process. If a Stage One Pass is awarded, applicants can submit a Stage 2 application.Funding for Summer Playschemes
The Hilden Charitable Fund has announced that application forms for its Summer Playscheme Grants Programme, to help community groups run Summer Playschemes for the benefit of children from refugee and ethnic minority families, will be available from February 2010.Funding of up to £1,000 is available for Summer Playschemes for children aged 5 - 18 years lasting for 2 - 6 weeks with strong volunteer support. The funding is available to voluntary agencies with an income of less than £150,000. During the previous year, the Hilden Charitable Fund allocated £20,000 for a play scheme programme. 21 projects were funded. Applications from organisations working with refugee and immigrant communities were given priority and most projects funded were based in Greater London. In addition to the Summer Playschemes the Hilden Charitable Fund provides grants to community and voluntary organisations for projects and activities which are unlikely to raise funds from public sources, known sometimes as ‘unpopular causes.
http://www.hildencharitablefund.org.uk/play.htm
The National Churches Trust
The National Churches Trust which was launched in 2007 as the only national, non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting places of worship used by Christian denominations throughout the UK provides grants of around £2 million per year for the restoration and modernisation of places of worship. In 2010 the National Churches Trust is offering the opportunity to apply for the following grants. Repair Grants of £10,000 and above for structural repair projects that will cost more than £50,000. Community Grants from £2,500 to £25,000 for providing facilities that will benefit your place of worship and local community, e.g. accessible toilets, kitchens and meeting rooms. The Grants Committee meet quarterly to make decisions on applications and grant applications can be made throughout the year. http://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/howgrant.htmlMEDIA 2007 - Support for the Networking and Mobility of Students and Trainers in Europe
The European Commission has announced a new call for proposals through its Media programme. The Media programme is the Commission's main programme for supporting the European Audiovisual sector. One of the objectives of the programme is to encourage exchanges and cooperation, in supporting the networking of European training players, in particular Higher educations institutions, training organisations and partners of the audiovisual sector and to encourage the mobility of students and trainers in Europe. This notice is aimed at pan-European consortia of Higher education institutions, training organisations and partners from the audiovisual sector whose activities contribute to the attainment of the above objectives of the MEDIA programme. The following actions and their activities, taking place in the MEDIA countries, are eligible. Actions aiming at developing the capacity of future audiovisual professionals to understand and integrate a European dimension to their work! by improving expertise in economic, financial and commercial management; new audiovisual technologies; and in script project. The maximum amount available under this call for proposals is ? 2 000,000 and the financial support from the Commission cannot exceed 50 % or 75 % of the total eligible costs. The deadline for sending in applications is 30 April 2010.http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/media/training/forms/initial/index_en.htm
£2 Million Flexibility and Innovation Fund Invites Bids
The Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) has announced that it is seeking applications through its £2 million Flexibility and Innovation Fund. Further education and skills providers and provider representative bodies are invited to submit bids, for up to £90,000, for innovative projects leading to activities with the potential to secure significant improvements in sector practice or performance. In particular LSIS are looking to support applications that:• Are innovative in terms of current sector practice
• Are aligned to priorities set out in the new National Improvement Strategy for the learning and skills sector
• Has the potential to secure significant improvements in sector practice or performance, ie, the anticipated learning from the project is transferable to other organisations across the sector, etc. The next closing date is the 18th June 2010.
http://thirdsector.lsc.gov.uk/new2millionflexibilityandinnovationfundinvitesbids.htm
Women's Diversionary Fund
The Corston Independent Funders Coalition and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) have announced the launch of The Women's Diversionary Fund, a joint £2 million programme to help transform the way women are treated by the criminal justice system. The fund will provide grants to third sector organisations to support further growth in community services for women and contribute to building the confidence of courts in alternatives to custody. The Fund will focus on service development or continuation, filling gaps and further developing services and building organisational and sector capacity. There will not be an open application process, instead third sector organisations currently delivering in this or related fields will be invited to apply.http://www.corstoncoalition.org.uk/womens-diversionary-fund-announced
The Big Ideas Grant
The Department of Health (DH) has launched the Bright Ideas Grant (B.I.G), a £50K fund aimed at helping unlock the potential of those hundreds of small ideas that people have for improving health and social care services. The DH is looking for ideas that help ensure people's experience of health and care services is a good one and that they feel they are able to retain their personal dignity and self respect. Ideas can be big or small. Anyone is eligible to apply for B.I.G whether as an individual or an organisation, just need to have seen something related to dignity in care that wants changing or made better and have an idea for how to do that. Grants will be of up to £10,000. B.I.G is not about mainstreaming, rolling out or continuing existing projects, no matter how innovative they are. B.I.G cannot be used to buy new equipment or activities that have already being used in care service, tried and tested as promoting dignity in some way e.g. a mobility scooter, a computer, a Wii Fit, dance classes etc. The deadline for submitting ideas is the 18th March 2010.http://www.big.dh.gov.uk/
E-Learning Foundation - Individual Support Grants
The e-learning foundation's has announced that schools have until the 28th of February 2010 to apply for Individual Support Grants. Schools can apply for Individual Support Grant on behalf of students from low income families with a total household income of under £27,000, whose educational opportunities are being limited by their lack of home access to a computer, the internet, or both, to help them purchase the computer and/or internet access they need. Any individual family need only find 50% of the cost of provision, the grant will cover the balance. A non-refundable application processing fee of £50 applies. Schools are encouraged to include all their identified students in one application. Applications should be for a minimum of 10 pupils. For further information please click on the link below. http://www.e-learningfoundation.com/new-grant-round-launchedDepartment of Health Third Sector Strategic Partner Programme Opens for Applications
The Department of Health (DH) has announced that grants of up to £200,000 are available to Third sector organisations that can advice on and work collaboratively with the DH in achieving its strategic health objectives. The funding which is being made available through the DH's Third Sector Strategic Partner Programme is looking to support national voluntary sector organisations that provide a service similar to that provided by the National Health service or by local authority social services. The role of the strategic partners will be to advise and inform the Department about key issues in the health and social care field and to develop capability and capacity in the third sector. Through this call for proposals the DH is seeking to reach and engage with lead third sector organisations working in and with Mental Health organisations; Women's Sector organisations; Carers organisations; Armed Forces and Veterans Charitie; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender organisations! ; and Offender Health and Social Care organisations. Only one application will be successful under each of these areas. The closing date for applications is the 12th March 2010.http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Managingyourorganisation/Financeandplanning/Section64grants/StrategicPartnerProgramme/index.htm
The Big Ideas Grant
The Department of Health (DH) has launched the Bright Ideas Grant (B.I.G), a £50K fund aimed at helping unlock the potential of those hundreds of small ideas that people have for improving health and social care services. The DH is looking for ideas that help ensure people's experience of health and care services is a good one and that they feel they are able to retain their personal dignity and self respect. Ideas can be big or small. Anyone is eligible to apply for B.I.G whether as an individual or an organisation, just need to have seen something related to dignity in care that wants changing or made better and have an idea for how to do that. Grants will be of up to £10,000. B.I.G is not about mainstreaming, rolling out or continuing existing projects, no matter how innovative they are. B.I.G cannot be used to buy new equipment or activities that have already being used in care service, tried and tested as promoting dignity in some way e.g. a mobility scooter, a computer, a Wii Fit, dance classes etc. The deadline for submitting ideas is the 18th March 2010. http://www.big.dh.gov.uk/
Volant Charitable Trust
Registered charities whose purpose is to alleviate poverty and social deprivation with particular emphasis on children’s and women’s issues have the opportunity to apply for funding through the Volant Charitable Trust. The Trust which was set up by the author J K Rowling also supports research into the causes, treatment and possible cures of Multiple Sclerosis. However this funding stream is currently fully committed and is not considering further applications for funding in this area at the present time. In addition the Trustees will as and when appropriate, support disaster appeals. The Trust will support both capital and revenue funding. Applications for funding requests of £10,000 or less, for those projects based in Scotland only, are dealt with by the Trust’s appointed agents, the Scottish Community Foundation. The closing date for applications is the 30th July 2010.
http://www.volanttrust.com/index.html
School Grants Scheme
UK schools and colleges catering for pupils in the age range 5-18 are able to apply for funding from the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council for small-scale projects or events linked to the teaching or promotion of physics. Projects linked to astronomy, space and particle physics are particularly encouraged. Grants of up to £500 may contribute to costs such as:• Running a science week activity
• Organising a visit to or from a working physicist
• Supply cover
• Transport
• Marketing and publicity
• Materials/resources.
Previous projects to receive funding include St Clements Danes School for a trip to the JET Fusion Research Facility; and St John’s High School for a Practical Rocketry workshop to design a water propelled rocket. The closing date is the 1st June 2010.
http://www.iop.org/activity/education/Teacher_Support/Grants/page_4712.html
Challenge Fund for Social Housing Family Intervention Projects (FIPs) 2nd Round Now Open
The Government has made available £2.6 million of central funding for a second round of bidding through the Challenge Fund for social housing Family Intervention Projects (FIPs). The FIP Housing Challenge Fund is an initiative between central government, social housing providers and children's services, to expand provision of Family Intervention Projects for tenants in social housing, who are facing eviction or other enforcement action due to anti-social behaviours or other problems. These households often suffer multiple disadvantage and delivering FIP services to these households has the potential to have a far reaching impact on family members and the wider community. Proposals must be submitted by children's services and social housing providers (housing associations, registered social landlords, ALMOs, Councils). Bids are welcome from areas who did not bid in Round 1, and those who were unsuccessful or who wish to further increase project capacity. The deadline for ! applications is the 23rd February 2010. For further information please click on the link below.http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/strategy/parents/ID91askclient/thinkfamily/tf/
Boiler Scrappage Scheme
The Boiler Scrappage Scheme is one of the Energy Saving Trust's programmes open to 125,000 householders in England living in an owned or privately rented home, giving them £400 off a new A-rated boiler or renewable heat technology, when they scrap the old, inefficient G-rated boiler. To be eligible for this scheme:• Householders (including tenants) under 60 must be scrapping a boiler that is in working order and is the main boiler used to heat the home
• Householders (including tenants) that are 60 and over can apply for the scheme regardless of whether the boiler they are scrapping is in working order, however it must still be the main boiler used to heat the home.
Homeowners, and those that rent from private landlords and are in receipt of certain benefits, may also be eligible for a grant of up to £3,500 (or £6,000 where oil, low carbon or renewable technologies are recommended) under the Warm Front Scheme.
For more details visit www.warmfront.co.uk.
EU Announces Next Life+ Funding Round
The European Commission has announced that the 2010 funding round under its Life+ Programme will open for applications on the 5th May 2010. LIFE + programme is the EU's main fund for supporting environmental projects. With a budget of ?2.143 billion, Life + (2007 -13) will address all four priority areas of the Sixth Environment Action Programme. These are; Climate change; Nature and biodiversity; Health and quality of life; and Natural resources and waste. LIFE+ funding is available to both public and private bodies registered in the EU. It is suggested that potential applicants start preparing their 2010 proposals already on the basis of the 2009 application package. It is however very important that the final version submitted in 2010 uses only the 2010 application forms and follows all the instructions in the 2010 application guide (these will be made available on 5 May 2010 on the Life+ web site). Previously supported projects include Groundwork Sheffield which re! ceived funding to address climate change by increasing the quality of green roofs. Measures foreseen include the establishment of a UK green roof code of best practice and the encouragement of its adoption through a Green Roof Innovation Awards scheme and Business Solutions Europa Limited which received funding to produce and promote animated cartoons to help European children learn more about the environment, sustainability and climate change. The provisional closing date for applications will be the 1st September 2010.http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus.htm
DFID Launches Fund to Support Work of Community Groups
The Department for International Development has announced the launch of its new £7 million Development Innovation Fund (DIF) . This fund which is open to any small community based organisation such Scout troops, Church groups, groups from the Women's Institute and Rotary Clubs, etc will provide grants to support their work that targets poverty in the developing world, including development awareness work in the UK. Grants of up to £60,000 are available for one off projects lasting for up to 1 year. Applications must show that the intended activities will improve the lives of poor people in the developing world and also how the intended work will be used to help raise awareness of development issues in the UK. Applications can be submitted at any time and will be evaluated within one of three funding rounds that the DFID are planning to hold over the next 16 months.http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Working-with-DFID/Funding-Schemes/Funding-for-not-for-profit-organisations/Development-Innovation-Fund-DIF/
PRS for Music Foundation Announces 2010 Application Deadlines
The PRS for Music Foundation, which is the UK's largest independent funder for new music of any genre has announced the closing dates for its funding schemes for 2010. Its main aims are to stimulate and support the creation and performance of new music in the UK, ensuring this reaches a wide audience. The PRS Foundation , provides a range of grants to support performance groups, festivals, promoters and organisations. Since March 2000 it has supported over 3000 new music initiatives with over £12 million. The average size of grants in 2008 was £3,000. The closing dates for applications are the 12th February, 16th April, 9th August and the 15th October..http://www.prsformusicfoundation.com/
Hilden Charitable Fund
The Hilden Charitable Fund has announced that the next deadline for submitting applications is the 26th March 2010. Within the UK, the Hilden Charitable Fund makes grants to projects that address disadvantages, notably by supporting causes which are less likely to raise funds from public subscriptions. In particular, the Fund wants to support projects that address homelessness; asylum seekers and refugees; Community based initiatives for disadvantaged young people; Penal Affairs. Preference is given to supporting small community organisations with an income of less than £200,000 per year. During 2009 the average grant given was £5,000.http://www.hildencharitablefund.org.uk/
Europe's Information Society Policy Support Programme
The European Commission has launched the fourth call for proposals under Europe's Information Society Policy Support Programme (ICT PSP). The aim of the ICT PSP is to support transnational pilot actions and thematic networks to stimulate innovation and competitiveness through the wider uptake and best use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) by citizens, governments and businesses. The themes for the 2010 call for proposals are; using ICT for a low carbon economy and smart mobility; developing Digital Libraries; ICT for health and inclusion; open innovation for future internet-enabled services in "smart" cities; ICT for improved public services for citizens and businesses; and developing a multilingual web. This call for proposals is open to consortiums of organisations consisting of national Governments, public administrations and private sector organisations from a minimum number of different Member States or associated countries. The total budget available ! is ? 108 Million. Closing date for applications will be the 1st June 2010.http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/ict_psp/index_en.htm
Breakfast Club Family Grants Programme
Schools, nurseries, children's centres, other educational and community organisations that provide services for children, young people and families in the UK are being invited by ContinYou to apply for a grant of £350 through the Breakfast Club Family Grants Programme. The aim of the programme is to enable a school or a community groups to develop a sustainable family dimension within an existing breakfast club that will support hard-to-reach or vulnerable children, and enable children from families that are in the greatest need to benefit from the breakfast club provision. These grants are available thanks to the children who raised money during the Mission Nutrition appeal, which ContinYou took part in, in partnership with the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens and Save the Children. The deadline for applications is the 26th February 2010..http://www.continyou.org.uk/what_we_do/children_and_young_people/breakfast_club_plus/family_grants
National Lottery Awards
The National Lottery has announced that the National Lottery Awards are currently open for entries. Under the National Lottery Awards members of the public can vote for their favourite National Lottery Funded project. There are seven categories - each reflecting an area of Lottery funding: Sport; Heritage; Arts; Environment; Voluntary/Charity (in association with Woman magazine), Health and Education. The entrants that make it to the finals of The National Lottery Awards will appear on a star-studded prime-time BBC1 TV show later this year. They will also have a chance to win a £2,000 cash prize. Entries must be received by 5pm on Friday 12 February..http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/mediacentre/pressitem.cfm?id=270
Children & The Arts Partner Applications Now Open
The Prince's Foundation for Children & the Arts is inviting arts organisations across the UK to apply to become an arts partners for their flagship program 'Start'. Through 'Start', Children & the Arts provides funding and practical support to enable arts organisations across the UK to form partnerships with primary and secondary schools in their local area. 'Start' allows children who have little or no experience of the UK's rich culture; children who may never have been to a play, heard a live piece of classical music or even visited their local art gallery to experience the very best of the UK's glorious arts heritage. Children & the Arts are seeking to work with between 6 and 10 partners for the 20010/11 academic year who can deliver projects that are high quality; target children who are unlikely to have visited venues before; accessible for the audience targeted; offer opportunities to create learning and skills development; can be sustained over a period of time; and ! build upon an organisation's current education programme. The deadline for applications is the 29th January 2010..
http://www.childrenandarts.org.uk/arts-community/start-how-you-can-get-involved/
The Energy and Communities Collaborative Venture
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) have announced a call for proposals under a new jointly funded £7.5 million 'Energy and Communities Collaborative Venture' initiative. This call aims to advance understanding of issues surrounding energy use within communities with a view to contribution to the Government's green house gas emissions targets. The call encourages active engagement with community organisations and other community stakeholders. As such applicants are encouraged, where appropriate, to demonstrate how they will engage with relevant organisations and groups. There is no upper limit to the amount of grant that can be applied for. However, grant requests of less than £20,000 are unlikely to be approved. Eligible applicants include researchers based at UK Higher Education Institutions, Research Council institutes or Independent Research Organisations that are recognised as such by the! Research Councils. Other organisations, however, can be involved in applications as collaborators, consultants, or project partners.The application deadline is the 11th March 2010. The successful research proposals will begin in mid 2010 with the longest lasting up to five years..
http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/CallsForProposals
Communitybuilders Fund
The Adventure Capital Fund (ACF) has announced that the Government's £70m Communitybuilders fund is now open for applications. Communitybuilders provides a mix of loans, grants and mentoring support to community organisations across England to improve their long-term financial stability and away from grant dependency. Communitybuilders has been organised into three investment packages. These are a development package consisting of bespoke business support based on: • an initial needs assessment and leadership grants of £2,000 for staff development and training
• a feasibility package consisting of further business support of up to 5 days and grants of up to £20,000 to use towards project development of a growth plan.
Grants of up to £75,000 and 30 days of support will be available for larger projects; and investment packages tailored for investees who are ready to develop, grow and expand their role within the community. Investment will consist primarily of loans between £50,000 and £2,000,000 offered at 5% for an initial three year period of a ten year loan term.
http://www.communitybuildersfund.org.uk/
Funding for Community Shops
The Village Retail Services Association in partnership with Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Co-operative and Community Finance have funding available to support start up funding to new Community owned shops in rural areas of England or saving an existing shop by transfer to community ownership. The funding which will be available over the next three years will provide up to £40,000 per shop. This will be made up of a mix of grant and loan funding, as well as advice from the Village Retail Services Association. Eligible applicants will include community based organisations located in rural communities of not less than 300 residents. The community is required to raise match funding through community contributions, which could take the form of share capital, donations raised through community fundraising events and grants obtained from other sources to the same or greater value than the grant requested from the Village CORE Programme. At least some of the funds raised should have been provided by the community itself and not solely through external grants. Applications can be submitted at any time.http://www.plunkett.co.uk/whatwedo/core/Core.cfm
Cracking the Code
Cracking the Code is a bursary Scheme from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) to improve governance within Third Sector infrastructure organisations . The scheme offers up to £500 to improve to improve the way that community and voluntary organisation are led and governed. The type of activities that could be funded include; organising a Board Away day; attend training on the latest legal updates or the roles and responsibilities of board members; improving an organisation's recruitment and induction systems; holding a stakeholder forum to improve strategic planning; and or carrying out a governance review. In return for the bursary the NCVO will ask organisations to write a case study and develop a method to share the knowledge and experiences with other in the local area. The deadline for applications is the 31st December 2009..
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/crackingthecode
Sportsmatch to Re-Open for Applications
The Sport England Sportsmatch programme has announced that it is to resume its grant making activities in December 2009 for activities that will take place during the 2010/11 financial year. Through the scheme, Sportsmatch offers pound for pound matched funding to investments made by businesses, trusts and individuals into projects that encourage sports participation at grass roots level. From October 2009, Since it started in 1992, Sportsmatch has awarded over £48 million to almost 6,000 projects across the country, and has brought in over £58 million for these projects from the commercial sector. Previous grant recipients include; Devizes School in Wiltshire which obtained a three year sponsorship from a local construction firm which amounted to £10,000 per year. The school matched this with a further £10,000 from Sportsmatch and were able to run an annual multi-sports coaching camp during the school summer holidays. The Children's Kayak Charitable Trust obtained £1,180 ! in sponsorship from a local watersports retailer. They matched this with a Sportsmatch award and ran a three year project offering free kayak coaching to children from 12 local schools. Applications can be submitted at any time.
http://www.sportengland.org/funding/sportsmatch.aspx
The Fair Share Trust
The Fair Share Trust, part of the Fair Share Initiative was created to target areas throughout the UK that have previously received less then their 'fair share' of National Lottery funding. The focus of the programme is medium and longer term revenue projects, not short-term one-off projects, and grants of between £5,000 and £250,000 can be made to almost any kind of organisation (including schools), as long as the work undertaken is not primarily for private gain or individual benefit. Grants awarded must address the three wider aims of the programme, these are; to build capacity, increase social capital and improve 'liveability' - and must also meet the local priorities set by the Local Panel. Each of the Fair Share Trust areas have been given a specific amount of funding, in England this is £859,378k per area, in Northern Ireland it is £2,250,000 for the whole programme, in Scotland it is £5,750,000 for the whole programme, and in Wales it is £3,250,000 for the whole prog! ramme. There are 77 Fair Share areas across the UK. Previous projects funded include Kirton Lane Primary School, South Yorkshire, which received a grant of £35,000 to install play equipment in their playground to keep pupils healthy and active. For more information on the programme and to find out which areas are eligible please click on the link below. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and should be made to your local agent (Community Foundation)..
http://www.fairsharetrust.org/index.php
Society for the Assistance of Ladies in Reduced Circumstances
The Society for the Assistance of Ladies in Reduced Circumstances has announced that it will be launching a new funding round in 2010. The Society, which was founded in 1886 and provides support to women resident in the United Kingdom who are living alone in their own home (either owned or rented) and in genuine need, irrespective of age or social status, will make £50,000 available for grants to support the work of other organisations that meet the objectives of the Society. Priority will be given to smaller projects where it can be demonstrated that the Society's grant will make a real difference. The Society cannot consider projects which also benefit men; children; and women who are not in financial need The Trustees intend short listing applications at their meeting in April 2010. The closing date for applications is the 26th March 2010. All applicants must complete the online application form.
www.salrc.org/guide_to_grants_for_orgs.htm
Global Curriculum Project Grants
The British Council, has announced that the next application closing date for the Global Curriculum Project grant scheme is the 1st March 2010. The grant is available to Schools or clusters of schools, that have a well established partnership with another school in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean and provides funding to further develop joint curricular activities with a global dimension. To be eligible the school to school partnership must have been in existence for at least two years. Grants are available for up to three years and can cover travel costs of at least two teachers from each school to visit the partner school as well as project costs such as materials, training and supply cover. The level of funding available varies from £6,200 for school-to-school partnerships involving one school in each country, £12,400 for partnerships involving two schools in each country and £16,200 for partnership involving more than 6 schools in each country. ! In years 2 and 3 of the grant up to £3,400 may be available for students of secondary-age to participate in visits.
http://www.britishcouncil.org/globalschools-grants-cp.htm
Computers for Rural People Scheme
Individuals clubs and organisations, etc, in rural areas that need access to information and services, are able to purchase fully functioning ex-government computers for as little as £99. The computers are being made available through the Arthur Rank Centre. This is a collaborative unit supported by the National Churches, the Royal Agricultural Society of England and the Rank Foundation. For organisations that need more than one computer; e.g. for a Drop-in centre, School etc. the prices are even lower..
http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/projects/computers_for_rural_people/index.html
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation Biodiversity Grants
The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation has announced that it has changed the funding criteria for its Biodiversity funding scheme. The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation is one of the UK's largest grant making Trusts. It makes grants of approximately £25 million per year and funds projects in the areas of arts and culture; education and learning; the natural environment and addressing social disadvantage. Under the Biodiversity strand a total of £3 million will be available in grants until December 2010. Grants will be available for projects that develop a greater knowledge and understanding of certain habitats and their associated species. The Foundation will consider applications from research organisations, practical conservation charities and voluntary nature societies. Although there is no specified minimum or maximum grant amount per projects previous grants have ranged from £17,000 to £195,000. Applications can be submitted at any time.. http://www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk/funding/biodiversity.html
The Kids Fund
The Field Studies Council is an independent educational charity committed to raising awareness about the natural world. The Council works through a network of 17 residential and day Centres in the UK providing courses for schools and colleges at all levels in addition to adult Individuals & Families courses, outreach education, training and consultancy. The Kids Fund aims to bring environmental understanding to disadvantaged young people by attending a course at a Field Studies Council centre. It helps disadvantaged young people to attend a course who may otherwise be excluded due to some form of disadvantage - health, mobility, deprivation or financial. Funding will normally be up to 80% of the cost of your group's course to an FSC Field Centre to a maximum of £3000. Applications can be submitted at any time with decisions being made in February, June and October.http://www.field-studies-council.org/supporters/kidsfund_application.aspx
FirstGroup Plc Grants Scheme
The FirstGroup Plc is committed to making a real difference to the communities in which they operate in the UK, by supporting a wide range of charitable causes and community organisations. The Grants charitable criteria include: young people; health and the environment. Funding is not available for: grant making bodies; promotion of political or religion beliefs; government funded schemes and animal welfare. Arts and research projects will only be considered in exceptional cases. The funding available is discretionary. The application form is available from the FirstGroup PLC website and applications can be submitted at any time.. http://www.firstgroup.com/corporate/community/charity_and_sponsorship.php
Barclays Community Finance Fund
As part of Barclays' financial inclusion strategy to improve the capacity of community finance providers such as Credit Unions and Community Development Finance Initiatives (CDFIs) funding is available to support the delivery of affordable credit to those individuals who may otherwise access high cost credit or resort to taking out illegal loans. The objectives of the Barclays Community Finance Fund are to increase the existing community finance providers' capacity to deliver affordable credit to the low income consumers by providing them with short-term direct financial support; and to provide financial support to credit unions and CDFIs that are starting up in areas where public access to affordable credit is restricted. Credit Unions and CDFIs are able to apply for grants of up to £50,000 for a variety of purposes including (but not limited to) marketing, infrastructure, product development, mergers between businesses and the delivery of financial capability or money adv! ice services. The total value of the Community Finance Fund is £250,000 and Barclays' are looking to award a total of 12 grants. The fund is being offered through a nominations process. The deadline for being nominated is 5pm on the 6th November 2009.http://www.transact.org.uk/page.asp?section=00010001000400260001
J Paul Getty Junior Charitable Trust Re-opens for Applications
Following a review and revision of its funding guidelines, the J Paul Getty Junior Charitable Trust has re-opened for grant applications. Under the new guidelines the Trust will make grants of up to £250,000 in the areas of social welfare as well as the arts and heritage. In particular, the trust is seeking to support projects in the areas of reducing re-offending; improving the prospects of young people, refugees and asylum seekers; integrating different social and ethnic groups; tackling substance misuse and homelessness; preserving heritage; and sustaining the arts. The Trust will usually only support registered charities in England, although applications may sometimes be considered from other parts of the United Kingdom if the project is likely to be of nationwide significance. Occasionally, the Trust will fund organisations of comparable charitable status, such as Industrial Provident Societies or Community Interest Companies, but only where there is a very str! ong connection with one or more of the Trust's current funding priorities. Applications can be made at any time.http://www.jpgettytrust.org.uk/index.html
More Than 213 Projects Funded Though The Learning Revolution
The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE)has announced that the £20 million Transformation Fund, launched by the Goverment has offered grants to more than 213 innovative informal adult learning projects in England. The projects will help improve mental health, physical well-being, active citizenship and community cohesion, as well as providing a stepping stone towards further learning, qualifications and employment for many people. Projects include; creative music master classes for people out of work or education; a partnership between Greater Manchester Transport Executive, Merseytravel, Urbis and a National Trust Property which will create 'learning journeys' for young people 19-25, older people living in isolation and people recovering from substance abuse. Each learner will use a free bus pass to take journeys around travel 'lines', including the Engineering Line, the Football Line and the Mersey Beat Line; A project at Tyneside Cinema, in partnersh! ip with Newcastle University, to use the cinema's new spaces and facilities to deliver digital technology, moving image, communications and IT learning to a wide range of people from different social backgrounds and develop online learning tools for others to share; A massive campaign, led by Booktrust and delivered through GP surgeries, libraries and Adult Education centres, to inspire thousands of over-60s to take up reading or writing for pleasure. http://www.niace.org.uk/news/20million-investment-kickstarts-the-learning-revolution
Funding for Joint Vocational Projects
FE colleges and secondary school in England that offer vocational options can apply for funding from the British Council to work collaboratively with a French partner (lycée professionnel). Funding of up to £4,000 is available for a series of work placements in industry in collaboration with your partner school and joint curriculum projects, based around a specific project theme, linked to the curricula of both institutions. Please note that the grant only covers the costs incurred by the English school does not cover preparatory visits / risk assessment visits. French schools must enquire at the office of their DAREIC at the local académie for funding. All applications must be written collaboratively with the partner school, with a clear outline of agreed aims and objectives and applications should show how this project will impact the entire school community as well as an element of partnership sustainability The deadline for receipt of applications is the 9th October 200! 9 for visits to France that take place before the 31st March 2010.http://www.britishcouncil.org/schoolpartnerships-france-vocational-partnerships.htm
E-Learning Foundation Launches New Funding Round
The e-Learning Foundation has announced that it is inviting proposals for grant funding for home linked e-learning projects from schools across the UK. This is the 13th Funding round and so far, the e-Learning Foundation has helped fund e-learning projects in over 300 schools nationwide, providing learning technologies for over 50,000 school children to tap into at home and in school for their studies. Projects looking to apply for an e-Learning Foundation grant in 2009 will need to fulfil the following criteria; Be equitable so every child has the same opportunity to take part regardless of their parents' ability to financially contribute; Guarantee use of the resources by pupils at home, either through the use of portable devices that can be used both at school and at home or else home-based devices; Be sustainable through regular donations from those parents who are able to financially contribute; and Schools must be affiliated to the e-Learning Foundation before they ca! n apply for a grant. An application form for this, and the grant application form, is available from the e-Learning Foundation website together with the detailed terms and conditions. The e-Learning Foundation's Grant Round closes for applications on 5pm on Monday 12th October 2009. Grants must be drawn down by the 28th February 2010.
http://www.e-learningfoundation.com/News.aspx?id=6370fa0a-9342-4679-af40-674a021d9290
vcashpoint Re-opens for Applications from Young Volunteers
v, the independent charity set up to encourage young people to volunteer, has announced that the next funding round of its vcashpoint scheme is now open for applications. Working in partnership with the HSBC bank, vcashpoint is a £1 million initiative that will provide grants of up to £2,500 to young people to set up their own volunteering projects within their community. The type of activities that could be supported could include; running activities for children; transforming a community space; supporting victims of bullying; running workshops for young people; setting up a local campaign; clearing up a beach; running music art or sports events for disadvantaged people; and organising a festival to bring different cultures or communities together, etc. Examples of young people recieving support throug vcashpoint includes; Valentina Wong, 24 from North West London, who was awarded a vcashpoint grant of £2,500 for her project, "CY on Air". Aimed at 16─25 year olds, CY ! on Air provides young British Chinese people with role models and training in the skills they need to pursue careers in broadcasting; and Michelle Brodie, 21, and Laura Stanley, 22, received a grant from vcashpoint for their "Food, Farming & Fairtrade" project which enables children from two primary schools in Oldham to find out more about the countryside and where food comes from. The next application deadline is 12 noon on the 25th January 2010..
http://www.vgrantfunding.com/cashpoint/init.pl
Faith in Action Funding Round Postponed
The Community Development Foundation has announced that a second funding round for its Faith In Action Programme which was due to re-open in July 2009, has had to be postponed until later this year. Faiths in Action is a £4 million grants programme sponsored by Communities and Local Government and administered by the Community Development Foundation that is open to faith, inter faith, voluntary and community sector organisations at national, regional and local levels in England. The aim of the fund is to support the government's aspiration to help faith communities and others to promote understanding, dialogue and develop strong and sustainable partnerships. The Fund is particularly keen to support projects that focus on the inclusion and participation of women and young people and those which involve partnerships between one or more organisations. Faiths in Action supports delivery of the Government document, Face to Face and Side by Side. All applications must therefore di! rectly relate to one or more of the fund's four priorities which are derived from this framework. These are; developing the confidence and skills to "bridge" and "link" ; supporting shared spaces for interaction and social action; developing structures and processes which support dialogue and social action; and improving opportunities for learning which build understanding..
http://www.cdf.org.uk/web/guest/faiths-in-action
Art in Empty Spaces
Arts Council England is now accepting applications for Art in empty spaces. The £500,000 scheme aims to help artists turn vacant high street shops into artistic and vibrant places, which the whole community can enjoy. This programme is running in partnership with the Department for Communities and Local Government's (DCLG) scheme Looking After Our Town Centres which will invest £3 million to reinvigorate ailing town centres during the recession. The fund aims to help artists and arts organisations to carry out artistic activities in vacant premises made available to them through the DCLG scheme. Generally grants of £1,000 - £10,000 are available, however applications for grants above this amount can will considered. Grants are available for all eligible artistic activity Exclusions include fit-out, rent and other property costs, purchase of materials to clean and decorate premises, running costs, including insurance and utility bills, buying assets such as equipment, instrum! ents and vehicles. There is no deadline for applications but this is a limited fund so it is advised to get applications in ASAP..
http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/aboutus/project_detail.php?rid=0&sid=&browse=recent&id=1149
The Ashden Awards 2010 Open to Entries
The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy are seeking entries from businesses, local authorities, charities and schools that have made significant CO2 savings through the use of renewable to energy or reduce energy demand at a local level. There are five awards of £10,000 and one Energy Champion Award of £20,000. All Award-winning schemes must have been consistently successful for at least one year in saving carbon and delivering social benefits and must have plans for future growth. Successful schemes will be highly replicable to ensure maximum impact in the battle against climate change. Cash prizes will be used to assist further expansion. The deadline for expressions of interest from businesses, charities and local authorities is the 27th October 2009, and the 26th November 2009 for schools.
http://www.ashdenawards.org/node/465
Hardship Fund Opens for Applications
The Community Development Foundation, has announced that the £16.7 million Hardship Fund is now open for applications. The Hardship Fund will provide grant support to third sector organisations in England delivering front-line services to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in society. Grants of between £50,000 and £250,000 are available to support organisations in England with a turnover of at least £200,000 that are in financial hardship as a result of the recession, which is impacting on their ability to deliver services in the following areas;
• health and social care;
• housing support;
• education and training;
• and information, advice and guidance.
Grants will be paid from October 2009 and need to be spent by September 2010. Applications can be submitted at any time during the lifetime of the fund.
http://www.cdf.org.uk/web/guest/hardship-fund
Red Nose Days Funding Programme
Comic Relief has announced that the next application deadline for grants through it’s through its Red Nose Day UK Funding Programmes is the 13th November 2009. Grants are available that support projects by not for profit organisations within the following programme areas; Mental Health; Domestic and Sexual abuse; Refugee and Asylum Seeking Women; Sport for Change; Young people aged between 11 and 25; and Local Communities. Comic Relief has also announced two new programmes coming soon in the areas of: Young Carers (managed by the Princess Royal Trust for Carers); and Older People. There are no minimum or maximum grants in most of these programmes, but on average grants are of between £25,000 and £40,000 per year. Funding can be used to cover both running and capital costs. Comic Relief are keen to make sure that the funding reaches all parts of the UK, especially areas which often miss out, such as rural communities.
http://www.comicrelief.com/apply_for_a_grant/uk
Third Sector Investment Programme for the Innovation, Excellence and Service Development Fund
The Department of Health has announced that the Third Sector Investment Programme for the Innovation, Excellence and Service Development Fund for 2010-11 is now open for applications. The fund which is open to voluntary organisations providing a service similar to a service provided by the National Health Service or by local authority social services aims to support the work of third sector organisations with a clear focus on supporting and driving forward new ideas, excellence and developments in health and social services.
Projects that are eligible for funding under this scheme must also address one of the following cross cutting themes;
• information, advice, advocacy and support;
• personalisation and dignity;
• community and user involvement and peer support;
• promoting, supporting and maintaining positive behaviour in terms of health;
• and reducing inequalities in health.
There is no minimum or maximum funding that organisations can apply for. However under the previous scheme the average grant awarded was around £50,000.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_103016
Philip Lawrence Awards
Local groups that are making a real contribution to their local community and the lives of others; and groups that promote respect and understanding of faiths, culture and communities internationally are being invited to enter the Philip Lawrence Awards. Established in memory of Philip Lawrence, the head teacher who was murdered outside the gates of his school in London, these Awards recognise and reward outstanding achievements in good citizenship by young people. Winning groups receive cash awards of up to £1,000 to invest in sustaining or developing the award-winning activity. Groups made up of any number of nominees aged 11 to 20 years are eligible to enter.
http://www.philiplawrenceawards.net/
Call for Proposals in the Field of Transport
The European Commission has issued a new call for proposals to award grants to promote the objectives of its Common Transport Policy. A total of ?4.7 million is available to support transport projects in the areas of road safety, the internal market and transporrt security. In particular the Commission is keen to support projects that research and disseminate best practice and projects that co-ordinate and harmonise standards and procedures across Europe. The amount of funding available will rangebetween 10% and 50% of the total eligible costs of the operation, except for transport security, where it can be up to 80%. The closing date for applications is the 15th September 2009....http://ec.europa.eu/transport/grants/2009_09_15_en.htm
New £16.5m Hardship Fund
The Cabinet Office has announced has announced that it will launch the new £16.7 million Hardship Fund in the near future. Forming part of the £42.5m Real Help for Communities action plan the Hardship Fund will provide grant support to third sector organisations in England delivering front-line services to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in society that have been affected by the recession. Grants of between £50,000 and £250,000 will be available to support organisations in England with a turnover of at least £200,000 that are in financial hardship which is impacting on their ability to deliver services in the following areas; health and social care; housing support; education and training; and information, advice and guidance. More information about the delivery partner, when the Hardship Fund will open for applications and how to apply will be available on the Cabinet Office's website shortly..
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/.....
Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust Grants Making Programme (UK)
The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust awards grants to charitable organisations in the United Kingdom and overseas. The trustees welcome applications for projects within the following areas for the next three years. These categories are then repeated in a three-year rotation. 2009 Community & Disability (Deadline for applications: 1st Nov 2009); 2010 Children; Youth; The Elderly; Medical (Deadline for applications:1st June & 1st Nov 2010); 2011 Music and the Arts; Overseas (Deadline for applications:1st June & 1st Nov 2011);Please note that, for 2010, only Medical Research projects dealing with the ageing population will be considered. The other priorities - Children, Youth and the Elderly - as well as other non-research based medical work are still welcome. If your charity's work falls within one of these categories and would like to be considered for a grant, please submit an application by 1st June or 1st November only in the appropriate year. Grants are usually between £1! ,000 and £10,000, with the majority being £5,000 or less. Exceptionally, grants of up to £20,000 are made, but these are usually for medical research projects. Previous grants awarded include a grant of £5,000 towards a resource centre providing advice and training for workers dealing with mental health in rural areas and £5,000 towards a project aimed at behavioural programme for persistent young offenders. http://www.austin-hope-pilkington.org.uk/
Grants for Planting Trees (UK)
The Tree Council, the lead tree campaigning charity working to promote the importance of trees within the changing environment has announced that its Trees for Communities and Trees for Schools grant making programmes are now open for applications. Funds are available for schools and community groups within the UK who are able to show that children under the age of 16 will be actively engaged in the planting projects. The Tree Council are able to fund projects between £100 and £700 and successful applicants will receive up to 75% towards their planting costs. For example, if your project totals £700, The Tree Council would offer up to £525. The remaining 25% will need to be secured by your school or organisation. If you are interested in applying for next year, the 2010 application forms for schools and community groups will be available to download after National Tree Week (25 November 2009 to 6 December 2009) with a closing date of 31 May 2010. http://www.treecouncil.org.uk/?q=grants
Sport England Launches New Innovation Fund
Sport England has announced that its new Innovation Fu