Funding opportunities

If your organisation is looking for funding the following list gives details on grant schemes which are available to the third sector in Wales. The list is intended as a guide only and further information is available from the contact or website address provided. Please check the criteria fully before applying for funding.

For further advice or information on applying for grants please visit the sections on getting help or grants – fit for funding

Funding

Volunteering in Wales Fund
The Volunteering in Wales grant scheme is one of Wales’ premier volunteering support schemes. It has been run by WCVA since 1982 and has helped to recruit, train and support thousands of new volunteers. In 2010/11 alone it recruited over 3,500 new volunteers who have contributed in excess of 350,000 hours and will continue to make a major difference to the quality of life in their communities. The Fund is open and the deadline to make a grant application is Friday 23 March 2012. Contact the WCVA Helpdesk on 0800 2888 329 or help@wcva.org.uk to request an application pack.

Grab a Grant Programme opens to applications
The Big Lottery Fund in partnership with the South Wales Argus is inviting applications for £25,000 worth of grants for projects to improve the lives of people in their local communities. Grants of between £500 and £5,000 are available for projects in the former Gwent area of Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen, Monmouthshire and the Islwyn area of Caerphilly. Projects must achieve one of the following aims: support community activity; extend access and participation; increase skill and creativity; generally improve the quality of life of people in the area. Applications are accepted from voluntary or community groups, community or town councils, health bodies and schools. The deadline for applications is 3 February 2012 (12 noon).

Healthy Communities Small Grants Programme – HealthExpect
The People’s Health Trust is a registered charity which funds projects addressing health inequalities across England, Scotland and Wales. The Trust is funded by 51 local society lotteries and the good cause money they raise through The Health Lottery.

The Healthy Communities Programme makes grants of £5,000 - £10,000 to small community and voluntary organisations to support an improvement in health and well-being in their local communities. The HealthExpect area covers Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Bridgend and Ceredigion. The closing date for applications in this area is 13 February 2012. The programme guidance can be downloaded by adding a location postcode to the search box on the website or contact Susan Brown, Grants Manager, tel 0207 697 4023.

Ideas Fund Innovators
A new deadline has been announced for the Ideas Fund Innovators scheme, sponsored by Ideas Tap. Each application round (there are four per year) offers ten awards of £1,000 to young people within the UK between the ages of 16 and 25, who have a creative project in any artistic discipline that they want to get off the ground. In the past, dance and film projects, music videos and photography collectives have been supported. The next deadline for applications is 22 March 2012.
(Source: Grantfinder Newsflash, 18/1/12)

Proact – Skills Growth Wales
The Welsh Government has announced £30 million of funding to extend a scheme that aims to support the creation of 3,000 jobs over the next three years. Following the award of £17 million from the European Social Fund to match new money provided by the Welsh Government, Skills Growth Wales will be re-launched with immediate effect. The extended programme will provide training support until 31 March 2015 to help a further 200 companies achieve their growth plans, supporting the creation of up to 3,000 extra jobs in Wales. Applications for support may be submitted at any time.
(Source: Grantfinder Weekly Update Bulletin, 18/1/12)

Bursaries

Literature Wales – Writers’ Bursaries
Writers in Wales may apply for a bursary to support their creative literary work through this programme, which opens to applications later this year for bursaries to be awarded in 2013.

The following five categories of bursary are available:

  • New Writers’ Bursaries (maximum award of £10,000).
  • Published Writers’ Bursaries (maximum award of £10,000).
  • Children’s Writers’ Bursaries (maximum award of £10,000).
  • Enabling Bursaries for Specialist Equipment (maximum award of £2,000).
  • Miscellaneous Fund (maximum award of £2,000).

Applications may be made in more than one category. Writers, working in any language, who are resident in Wales at the time of their application and who will continue to reside in Wales throughout the duration of the bursary may apply. Bursaries are intended to support writers undertaking new work. Depending on the category, eligible costs may include equipment, travel costs, secretarial assistance (such as editorial work, typing and publishing), research, childcare and training opportunities relevant to the writing.

Application forms for 2013 bursaries will be available in August 2012. The closing date for 2013 bursary applications: Friday 26 October 2012.
(Source: Grantfinder Weekly Update, 25/1/12)