Community & regeneration
Community buying challenge launched
A £60,000 initiative has been launched by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and Co-operatives UK to promote community buying models. Community buying involves groups of individuals combining their buying power to purchase goods or services together and get better deals from shops and other suppliers. The competition is open to groups and organisations within the public, voluntary or business sectors. Awards will be made to support training, mentoring and seed funding for stand out projects, with a £15,000 prize available for an overall winner. The prize fund opens this month. Interested applicants can register for information here.
WREN grant schemes
WREN is a landfill tax credit funder linked to Waste Recycling Environmental Limited. Grants are available within the terms of the Landfill Communities Fund. Central to WREN’s funding policy is the use of regional advisory panels. Local representatives of community, conservation and heritage organisations, along with local people, have a leading role in deciding where grants go.
There are several grant schemes, each with specific criteria and closing dates.
Small and Main Grant Scheme
The Small Grant Scheme covers grants of between £2,000 and £15,000 for projects costing less than £50,000 overall. Projects must be completed within 12 months of the grant being awarded. The kinds of projects that are given grants include: village halls; community centres; public parks; skate parks; multi-use games areas; country parks; cycleways; bridleways; museums; recreation grounds; nature reserves; village greens; public footpaths/towpaths; multi-purpose sports clubs open to non-members; playgrounds that are not on school grounds.
The Main Grant Scheme provides grants of between £15,001 and £50,000 and covers the provision, maintenance and improvement of public parks or other public amenities.
With Small and Main Grants, a key issue is area eligibility. Projects must be within the vicinity of a landfill site operated by the Waste Recycling Group. Sites exist in the following counties/regions: Conwy; West Glamorgan; Wrexham.
Detailed eligibility enquiries can be made via an online form at www.wren.org.uk/apply/area-eligibility, where you will also find the names of the regional staff and links to descriptions of projects funded in each area.
Though applications are dealt with on a first come first served basis, there are four closing dates in each eligible area in 2012. The next dates are as follows:
Conwy: 29 February 2012; 2 May 2012; 29 August 2012.
West Glamorgan:14 March 2012; 16 May 2012; 12 September 2012.
Wrexham: 29 February 2012; 2 May 2012; 29 August 2012.
The application forms are available at www.wren.org.uk/apply/downloads.
Biodiversity Action Fund
The Biodiversity Action Fund is WREN’s flagship programme and provides grants of between £75,000 and £250,000 a year for up to five years for projects that provide significant biodiversity enhancements and offer the expansion, recovery and conservation of habitats covered by Habitat and Species Action Plans. Projects must be within 10 miles of a licensed landfill operating site. The areas covered include: Anglesey; Carmarthenshire; Conwy; Denbighshire; Flintshire; Neath & Port Talbot; Swansea; Wrexham. Applications are welcome from voluntary organisations, local authorities and public sector agencies. The application form is available at www.wren.org.uk/apply/downloads.
Heritage Fund
WREN provides grants for the repair, maintenance and restoration of buildings or structures of architectural or historic importance including places of worship.
Projects must meet the following criteria:
- They must cover a Grade 1 (Grade A in Scotland) or Grade 2* listed building or structure including places of worship.
- They must be priority heritage projects that urgently need repairs within the next two years.
- Grants can be for between £15,001 and up to £50,000 specifically for capital costs of fabric repair/restoration work.
- All projects must be situated within 10 miles of an active and licensed Waste Recycling Group landfill site.
You cannot apply directly to this Heritage Fund. Instead, applications are referred to WREN by four partner organisations and it is to them that you must make applications. The partner organisations are:
For Church and Historic Building Projects in Wales: Tina Moverley, Cadw, Welsh Government, tel: 01443 336045, e-mail: tina.moverley@wales.gsi.gov.uk.
In most cases the best contact is your regional Grant Manager of Grant Administrator. Their details are available at www.wren.org.uk/about/people.
(Source: fundinginformation.org, 3/11/11)
Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust open for applications from Local projects
Local applicants who have a remit to serve their local community or town can apply for up to £2,500. The categories for funding are: sport, the arts, the environment and the community. Further details are available from www.millenniumstadium.com, email msct@fusionuk.org.uk or telephone 029 2049 4963.
Grimple’s Green Grants Scheme
Through the Grimple's Green Grants Scheme, the Green Insurance Company wishes to encourage 'green behaviour' and is looking for individuals and organisations to get involved in their community and surrounding natural environment. The company is looking for environmentally-friendly green projects across the UK that it can fund and support. This year there is an overall budget of £40,000 available for distribution. Individuals and non-profit organisations in the UK, undertaking projects with a clear green element are eligible to apply to this scheme.
(Source: Grantfinder Weekly Update Bulletin, 26/10/11)
Launch of the Community Business Loan Fund
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has launched the Community Business Loan Fund (CBLF) to help potential and existing social entrepreneurs who are unable to access finance through normal mainstream channels. the £5 million fund offers financial support for the purpose of starting or expanding a community-based business. RBS expects to support in the region of 1,000 businesses through the scheme. Eligible businesses can apply for loans of between £30,000 and £500,000. Charities, social enterprises, co-operatives and community interest companies operating in the UK may apply. Applications may be submitted at any time.
(Source: Grantfinder Newsflash, 19/10/11)
Kellogg’s Swim Active Programme
The Kellogg's Swim Active Programme offers grants to not-for-profit organisations to help the development of innovative projects that encourage any aquatic activity which enhances motivation, removes barriers and increases participation in swimming. Applicants must be from a bona fide non-profit making organisation, which includes: swimming clubs, schools, pool operators, community organisations and social enterprises. Projects can be revenue based, capital based or a mix of both.
(Source: Grantfinder Update Bulletin, 19/10/11)
Broadband Support Scheme
The Broadband Support Scheme is aimed at those individuals, businesses and third sector organisations in rural communities that do not have access to basic broadband. The scheme will provide funding to cover the upfront costs of purchasing a broadband solution where existing providers have been unable to provide a service. The scheme is technology neutral and the Welsh Government do not favour any particular type of technology, however examples of the types of broadband solutions that could be supported include: a broadband satellite connection installed for your home or business; a community purchasing a ‘larger scale’ satellite connection which is distributed around the village by a small wireless network; a wireless network being delivered by a service provider across a community; a community purchasing a next generation broadband service such as Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC). For more information on the Broadband Support Scheme, call 03000 6 03000, visit www.wales.gov.uk/broadband or email: broadband@wales.gsi.gov.uk.
Community Action Against Crime: Innovation Fund
The Government’s Home Office, working with the Community Development Foundation, has started accepting applications to the new Community Action Against Crime: Innovation Fund. The Home Office is making £5 million available this financial year and next for projects in England or Wales that encourage greater community activism and innovation in tackling local crime issues that matter most to local communities. The emphasis is on building effective partnerships, and encouraging voluntary and community organisations that have received little or no funding for this kind of work in the past to work with community safety partnerships and other agencies/ organisations to co-design and co-deliver activities to cut crime.
The guidelines for projects in Wales and the Small and Large Grants levels are principally the same in Wales as in England. The key difference is that applications have to be made directly to the Home Office. Also, whereas in England applications have to be supported by the local Community Safety Partnership, in Wales such a letter would be helpful but not essential. Letters could also come from any part of a local Partnership: That is the police, fire service, local authority, health authority, probation service or even the local Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) working in your area. Details of the 22 Community Safety Partnerships in Wales are available at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/partnerships/contacts/.
The guidance notes and application forms are available via links at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/crime/innovation-fund-welsh-applicants/. If you have any questions you can call the Home Office on 0207 035 0340/6393 or email caafunding@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk. (Source: fundinginformation.org, 8/9/11)
The Prince’s Countryside Fund
The Prince’s Countryside Fund was established to help rural areas in the United Kingdom to become more sustainable. The focus areas for the fund are: projects to improve the sustainability of British farming in areas of deprivation; projects to improve the sustainability of rural communities; and projects to reconnect people with the countryside. The total amount of funding available in each round is approximately £250,000. The maximum level of funding for individual projects will be £50,000. The Fund can pay for a portion or the entirety of the costs of a project and applications for capital, project and resource funding will be considered.
(Source: Grantfinder Weekly Update, 7/9/11)
Big Lottery Fund Realising Ambition Programme
Voluntary and community sector organisations throughout the UK may apply for grants of up to £3 million to support projects that help young people between the ages of 8 and 14 years avoid pathways into offending. Funding is available for between three and five years and will be offered with a package of tailored specialist support and technical assistance. Realising Ambition is a £25 million programme with the aim of building the UK evidence base of what interventions work in helping young people avoid pathways into offending. The programme intends to support approximately 20 applications from across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A consortium led by Catch22 has been appointed by the Big Lottery Fund to identify the best projects. Interested organisations should complete an online application form which is available on the Catch22 website.
(Source: Grantfinder Newsflash, 13/9/11)
Live UnLtd
Live UnLtd is looking to support around 1500 young people aged 11-21 with grants of up to £5,000 so that they can set up projects to develop their communities for the better. Activities might involve setting up social businesses, sports teams, recreational groups, events etc. The scheme operates across the UK. Launched in 2010, Live UnLtd is keen to encourage more applications following the riots, and encourage young people to consider other options after their GCSE and other school results.
The activity you have in mind must: have a positive social impact on your community; demonstrate that you have identified a problem and can explain how your project would tackle the problem; provide a learning experience or opportunity. The grant must be used on project-related activities and cannot be used for living expenses, undertaking academic qualifications or employing others to run your project. The application process involves making an initial enquiry via the online form at www.liveunltd.com/enquiry/. Applications can be made at any time.
(Source: fundinginformation.org, 30/8/11)
Home Office opens Community Action Against Crime Innovation Fund
A new fund is available to grassroots community organisations in England and Wales to support community safety projects. The Community Action Against Crime Innovation Fund is provided by the Home Office, which entered into a contract with the Community Development Foundation (CDF) to administer the fund on its behalf. The Fund’s purpose is to stimulate innovative approaches to tackling community safety problems. It will do so by empowering local groups to develop creative new projects to tackle local community safety problems. The Fund is worth £5 million in 2011/12, with a further £5 million set aside for 2012/13. Individual grants of between £1,000 and £50,000 are available. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis so that groups have time to develop their bids.
(Source: Grantfinder Newsflash, 5/9/11)
Comic Relief Local Communities Grant Programme (Wales)
The Community Foundation for Wales Comic Relief Local Communities Grant Programme is currently open for applications. Not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 for projects that increase access to sport and exercise for people who face social exclusion and isolation, or are experiencing difficulties in their lives as well as projects that increase local services, build skills of local people, increase community cohesion and respond to local economic needs.
BT Community Connections
If you know of a community group which helps, or wants to help, people access the Internet and improve their ICT skills, they could be eligible to receive 12 months’ free broadband from BT. Silver surfers, after school and youth clubs, even ‘IT for the Terrified’ groups have benefitted from an award in the past. Applying for an award is easy. Simply go to www.bt.com/communityconnections to access the online application form and read the full rules and guidance notes.
Queen Elizabeth II Fields Fund (major works)
The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge was created to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. It’s a new campaign to protect 2,012 outdoor recreational spaces in communities across the country as a permanent living legacy of this great event. SITA Trust has joined forces with HRH The Duke of Cambridge and the Fields in Trust to support this challenge.
The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Major Works Fund is provided by SITA Trust through the Landfill Communities Fund. Community groups, parish councils, charities, local authorities and voluntary organisations may apply for grants of up to £25,000 to improve facilities provided at sports and/or recreation fields which are located within a ten-mile radius of a licensed landfill site in England and Wales. Projects must have the support of volunteers in its planning and delivery. There will be five funding rounds during the programme which runs from June 2011 until February 2013. It is preferred that applications are submitted online, though for groups that do not have access to the internet, an alternative method can be discussed.
(Source: Grantfinder Update, 13/7/11)
Co-operative enterprise hub doubles funding for community business
The Co-operative Enterprise Hub works with regional and national groups of experts to bring organisations in the UK the best advice, training and consultancy on how to set up, run and grow a sustainable co-operative business. The Hub aims to expand the co-operative economy in the UK by creating strong, ethically-led businesses with a deep sense of social responsibility. The initiative includes both grant and loan assistance.
Grants
- Up to £5,000.
- Only considered in conjunction with a loan application.
- Grant recipients must have received advice and training through the Enterprise Hub.
Loans
- Unsecured loans through the Co-operative Loan Fund.
- Loans can range from £5,000 to £75,000.
- Low interest rates.
- Repaid over ten years.
- Loans are available for co-operatives that require finance to: set up a new enterprise; expand an existing enterprise; assist employee buyouts or company successions; purchase a property or business; and purchase capital equipment or create working capital.
To qualify for support, applicants must have their registered office in the UK and be either a co-operative, or soon to be a co-operative; or an incorporated body or soon to be incorporated. Applications for assistance can be submitted at any time.
(Source: Grantfinder Newsflash, 11/6/11)
O2 ‘Think Big’ Project
Youth Cymru has up to £30,000 to give away to young people in Wales who want to put something back into their communities. They are a national partner with O2 and Youth Cymru is able to provide easier access for young people to funding for their projects. Youth Cymru will approve £300 project funding and give a mobile phone to any project that meets the criteria. Think Big funds all sorts of things. The only limit is young people’s imagination. There are six project categories: think campaigning – make a stand and push for change; think neighbourhood – improve the local area; think planet – work for a better environment; think learning – share knowledge and ideas; think expression – help people discover their artistic talents; think well-being – inspire people to lead a healthier life. Further details are available from Keith Thomas via email keith@youthcymru.org.uk or visit www.O2.co.uk/thinkbig
Media Trust offers grants for community groups to use digital
The Media Trust has opened applications for its second Community Voices scheme. Funded by Nominet Trust, it is designed to help give disadvantaged, isolated or voiceless communities the confidence, skills, and resources they need to use digital media ‘to make a meaningful difference to their lives’. This year's scheme, which applies across the UK, will focus on communities who feel voiceless due to long-term illness, older age, or disability. Community Voices aims to showcase various ways of utilising digital media to make a difference, whether communities are brand new to digital or already have experience but require additional support. Applications for support can be made online or by email, post, telephone or in person.
(Source: UK Fundraising Weekly, 19/5/11)
The Potential Organisation
The Potential Organisation has launched a competition offering young people aged 11-14 the chance to bid for a starting grant of £200 that will go towards creating an enterprise that benefits their community. Individuals or groups of up to 5 young people are invited to apply. Ten projects will be shortlisted from the applications by the Potential Organisation Youth Advisory Board and the final five will be chosen by a board of prestigious judges from the fields of politics, football, acting and the Police. To find out more or to download the application form, please visit the website at: http://www.potentialorganisation.org/national-young-enterprise-competition
Friends Provident Foundation (UK)
The Foundation makes grants of up to £200,000 to not-for-profit organisations for projects that address financial exclusion within disadvantaged communities. The Foundation will consider requests for capital or revenue funding, core funds or project costs. The Foundation is willing to consider applications from any type of legally independent organisation, but can only support work that is legally charitable.
(Source: Grants Online, May 2011)
Funding to Install Renewable Energy Technology (UK)
Through the Green Fund, grants of up to £30,000 are available to help cover 50 per cent of the cost of renewable energy technology that can be used to produce green energy from the sun, wind, water, wood and other renewable sources. Schools, local authorities, community groups, village halls, museums and churches are amongst those eligible to apply.
(Source: Grants Online, April 2011 Funding Newsletter)
Communities First Trust Fund
The Communities First Trust Fund (CFTF) is a scheme which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government as part of its major regeneration programme Communities First. The Communities First Trust Fund is aimed at small community led organisations in Communities First areas in Wales. The scheme is administered by Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA). The scheme is designed to support any community activity which provides some measure of economic, environmental, social or cultural benefit for people living in a Communities First area. Further details are available from here.
The Big Community Vote 2011
If you know a community group or organisation that is doing well in your community and you would like to see them have a chance to receive a grant of £2,000, why not encourage them to nominate themselves for The Co-operative Membership Big Community Vote 2011. Visit http://www.co-operative.coop/bigcommunityvote for more details.
Clore Social Leadership Programme
The Clore Social Leadership Programme is now looking for its third cohort of Fellows, who will be recruited through an open application process. To be eligible, applicants must be working in or closely with the wider social sector and will have demonstrated leadership potential in some of the work they have already undertaken.
Each Fellow benefits from a personalised programme which provides challenging opportunities for development, and is tailored to meet their individual needs.
For more details about how to apply, and to find out more about the current Fellows, visit: www.cloresocialleadership.org.uk
Improving Futures
The Big Lottery Fund has launched a new scheme, Improving Futures. The scheme will fund up to 20 voluntary and public sector partnerships with grants of up to £900,000 to offer targeted support to families with children aged five to ten years old. Applications are welcomed from UK-based partnerships between voluntary and public sector organisations and must be led by voluntary organisations. Partnerships must be locally based and can address needs including housing, health and employment. With this new funding, the Big Lottery Fund wishes to make a difference for the children, families and communities supported through the programme.
Invest-to-Save Fund - Round IV Open
The Fund is available to support public service organisations in responding to the challenge of delivering quality services and outcomes for citizens during a period of tightening budgets. Revenue investments will be made in public service improvement projects that will result in significant cash-releasing efficiency savings whilst ensuring effective citizen-centred services. The Fund is an important part of the Assembly Government’s approach to working at a strategic level on collaborative projects and is a key driver in support of the public sector’s Efficiency and Innovation Programme. As such, they are looking to work closely with public services and social partners to encourage the development of ambitious, innovative proposals that further the priority action areas identified as part of the Efficiency and Innovation Programme. Further details about the Invest-to-Save Fund including full guidance and an application form can be found on the Assembly Government’s web site.
Events marketing support scheme
This scheme offers funding to support the marketing activities of events that are large enough to attract visitors from outside Wales. Grants, generally capped at £5,000, are available towards 50 per cent of the total project costs of new or existing events that demonstrate additionality or new activities. Higher awards may be made for exceptional events or those with great potential for future development. Public, private and voluntary organisations may apply, providing they are formally and properly constituted and are planning events in the South East region of Wales.
(Source: Grantfinder Update Bulletin, 23/2/11)
Ministry of Justice: national infrastructure grants to reduce re-offending 2011-14
The Government’s Ministry of Justice is seeking applicants for three-year grants covering 2011-14 that have the capacity nationally to represent and support diverse front line voluntary organisations and social enterprises working to reduce re-offending in England and Wales. Applications are welcome from single organisations or partnerships. £700,000 is available each year and the Ministry of Justice anticipates making more than one grant from this sum. Applications are welcome from national infrastructure organisations (or partnerships) able to provide support to frontline third sector organisations throughout England and Wales working to frontline third sector organisations throughout England and Wales working to reduce re-offending amongst young people and/or adults.
There are four operating/function areas that the Government is interested in and each has its desired outcomes: social action, volunteering and mentoring; representation and voice; communication and partnership working; capacity building. The full application guidance and the application form are available by emailing voluntarysector@justice.gsi.gov.uk, marking the email for the attention of Paula Waldron.
(Source: fundinginformation.org, 28/1/11)
Community Facilities & Activities Programme
The Community Facilities and Activities Programme (CFAP) is a capital only grant scheme. It is a popular and highly competitive scheme with a growing volume of enquiries and applications. CFAP is open to community and voluntary organisations and provides funding for the provision of facilities within communities, and for activities which engage local people and help promote the regeneration of communities. There are two bidding rounds a year in April and October. The 2011 bidding rounds have been announced and close on 14 October. CFAP is intended as a fund for organisations to draw upon to fill remaining gaps in finances after all other sources of support have been explored. The maximum grant award is for £300,000 and funding cannot be awarded over more than three financial years.
Officials deal with applications on a geographical basis:
Judith Davies, tel 01685 729315
Bridgend, Caerphilly, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Torfaen, Wrexham.
Eryl Loring, tel 01685 729317
Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Swansea
Roger Plater, tel 01685 729321
Anglesey, Blaenau Gwent, Conwy, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Powys, Vale of Glamorgan and all projects submitted in the Welsh language
or email cfaphelp@wales.gsi.gov.uk.
The Tree Council
The Tree Council’s Tree Futures Project offers help for tree planting. Any school or community group within the UK that is planning a project that actively involves children under 16 is encouraged to draw on the fund to plant trees and make a greener future. The Tree Council’s National Tree Week is the focus for these projects. The Council is able to fund projects between £100 and £700 and successful applicants will receive up to 75 per cent towards their planting costs. For further details please visit www.treecouncil.org.uk/?q=grants.
SITA Trust
The SITA Trust has made changes to the Enhancing Communities programme and the Young Person’s Volunteering Fund and a change to the criteria for large grants. The changes mean that applicants can decide on which Fund to apply to based on the size of the project they are working on as much as the size of grant they are requesting.
Michael Sacher Charitable Trust
The trust aims to apply its funds towards a diverse range of general charitable purposes. The causes supported by the trust fall within the following funding categories: arts culture & heritage; education, science & technology; community & welfare; children & youth; medical & disability; overseas aid; and religion. Further details are available from 020 7289 5873.
(Source: Charity Funding Report, Issue 101)
The Beatrice Laing Trust
The trust makes grants in the following categories: children & youth – child welfare, education, youth development; health & medicine – addiction/ rehabilitation, disability/physical handicap, emergency services, medical welfare & research, mental health/mental handicap; overseas aid – development projects, relief projects; religion – community outreach, religion: home, religion: individuals, religion: overseas; and social welfare – armed Services, community projects, crime reduction/prison welfare, elderly, housing, welfare projects. Further details are available from Elizabeth A Harley, Administrator, tel 020 8238 8890.
(Source: Charity Funding Report, Issue 100)
Hilden Charitable Fund – Summer play scheme grants
The Hilden Charitable Fund annually awards grants to help community groups in the UK run summer play schemes for the benefit of children aged five to 18 years from refugee and ethnic minority families. Grants of around £1,000 are available to voluntary agencies with an income of less than £150,000 running play schemes lasting for two to six weeks. Summer camps or play schemes with a budget of over £12,000 will not be considered for funding.
Coalfields Regeneration Trust – Bridging the Gap programme
This programme offers community and voluntary groups in former mining communities the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to £5,000. The groups must be responding to local need or addressing key issues such as worklessness, isolation, skills, sector development and sustainability. Larger grants are available to bigger voluntary, community and statutory organisations. Further details are available from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Part Unit 7, Maritime Office, Woodland Terrace, Maes-y-coed, Pontypridd CF37 1DZ. Tel 01443 404455 or visit www.coalfields-regen.org.uk/default.asp.
(Source: YWS Bulletin, Feb 10)
Tidy Towns Group Grants
The Tidy Towns project empowers the people of Wales to take responsibility for their local environment. The Group Grants scheme aims to establish and develop community groups throughout Wales that will work towards meeting the needs of local communities by adopting areas of their local environment and undertaking practical improvement projects. Grassroots, constituted voluntary groups in Wales may apply. Applications may be submitted at any time and will be assessed on a first come, first served basis.
(Source: Grantfinder Update, March 10)
Skinners’ Company – Lady Neville Charity
The Skinners' Company Lady Neville Charity aims to distribute grant funding across a diverse range of activities and interests within the UK voluntary sector. Grants of up to £1,000 are available to organisations that can demonstrate a clear and significant contribution that funding would make to their project or activity. Applications are accepted from registered charities and not-for-profit organisations based in the UK that employ less than the equivalent of four full-time paid staff and work in one of the Charity's four priority areas: disability; local heritage; local community; performing and visual arts. Grant making committees are held in May and November each year. Therefore, mid-March and mid-September should be treated as deadlines for applications.
(Source: Grantfinder Update, March 10)
Naturesave Trust
The Naturesave Trust has announced that it will now provide start up 'seed corn' grants for community renewable energy projects. The Trust is keen to help communities, in particular, that do not have the initial start-up capital to undertake all the preliminary work to get to the planning stage, and most importantly, for the community to retain as much control as possible over the operating income once the project has been successful. Grants are available whatever type of renewable power generation the community is considering. Applications can be made at any time.
(Source: Grantfinder Update, March 10)
Peter Cruddas Foundation
The Peter Cruddas Foundation awards grants to UK registered charities for programmes designed to help disadvantaged and disengaged young people to pursue their education, and more generally develop their potential whether through sport or recreation, voluntary programmes or otherwise. There is no minimum or maximum level of grant, and projects can be funded for more than one year.
Visible Communities
The Lankelly Chase Foundation is funding Community Matters to provide bursaries for community organisations wishing to attain visible accreditation. Visible accreditation is a mark of confidence in the work of your organisation, providing recognition for dedicated staff and volunteers.
You may be eligible if your organisation is: an independent organisation serving a neighbourhood or community of interest; managing a community building owned or leased by the organisation; funded through a range of incomes (including earned incomes); formally constituted, community controlled, employing at least one member of staff; delivering a range of services and activities; based in England or Wales but not within Greater London. The funding is only available until March 2011 and can only be applied for when an organisation is ready to accredit.
For more information and to download application forms go to www.visiblecommunities.org.uk or contact Richard Bridge, tel 020 7520 2773, email richard.bridge@communitymatters.org.uk.
Sustainable livelihoods approach grant scheme 2009-11
Oxfam Cymru has launched a new grant scheme for voluntary and community groups seeking a better understanding of poverty. For an application pack and/or for further information click here or contact Frances or Maria at oxfamcymru@oxfam.org.uk.
Funding to Promote Financial Inclusion (UK)
The Friends Provident Foundation makes grants of up to £200,000 to not-for-profit organisations for projects that address financial exclusion within disadvantaged communities. The funding is distributed through the Financial Inclusion Programme 2009-2012. The Foundation will consider applications for work that will make a strategic contribution to the overall outcome of financial inclusion in the UK. The Foundation will consider requests for capital or revenue funding, core funds or project costs. The Foundation is willing to consider applications from any type of legally independent organisation, but can only support work that is legally charitable.
(Source: Grants Online – Jan 2010 funding newsletter)
Old Possum’s Practical Trust
The principal object of the trust is to increase knowledge and appreciation of any matters of historic, artistic, architectural, aesthetic, literacy, musical or theatrical interest. Funding is more likely to be given for projects that involve: children or young people; disabled or disadvantaged people; and communities. Further details are available from here.
Money Saving Expert (MSE) Charity
The MSE Charity aims to fight financial and consumer illiteracy and is dedicated to educating and informing adults and children about consumer and debt issues. Individuals resident in the United Kingdom over the age of 18 can apply for a grant of up to £500 to help pay towards a recognised and approved course that will help improve their ability to budget and manage their finances. The grant can be used to pay for financial education course fees and other associated expenses. The guidelines are available here.
Barclays Community Finance Fund
Barclays is seeking applications to its Community Finance Fund, part of its efforts to improve the capacity of the community finance sector to promote financial inclusion. A limited number of grants of up to £50,000 over a year are available across England, Scotland and Wales to improve access to affordable personal credit offered by existing or seedling community finance providers. Grants can be used for a variety of purposes including (but not limited to) marketing, infrastructure, product development, mergers between business and the delivery of financial capability or money advice services. Further details are available here.
(Source: fundinginformation.org, 18/9/09)
Low Carbon Buildings Programme
This grant scheme is run by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, and is open to non-profit and community organisations. It seeks to maximise the number of low-carbon buildings and grants are available for the installation of various micro-generation technologies in permanent buildings. Organisations can apply for 50 per cent of the cost for installing approved microgeneration technologies. Funding is currently available, although not all technologies are supported. Solar PV is fully subscribed.
Individuals should apply to Phase 1
Groups should apply to Phase 2
Community Asset Transfer Programme
The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) and the Welsh Assembly Government today (5 August 2009) announced an agreement to deliver a new £13 million programme to help community groups in Wales to acquire public buildings, land and facilities and refurbish them to transform their communities for the better. The aim of the programme is to help community groups acquire public buildings, land and facilities, and to regenerate and reinvigorate them to suit their own needs. BIG will administer the programme, which will provide revenue and capital funding. Organisations will be able to make applications from mid October this year.
(Source: Joint press release by the Welsh Assembly Government and the Big Lottery Fund, 5 Aug 09)
Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation
The Foundation awards grants to a variety of categories including: education; youth; community; environment/conservation; health and welfare. Generally grants awarded will range from between £200 and £5,000. Grants will only be made to registered charities including schools in the UK. There is no application form – all submissions should be made in the form of a covering letter to the Director. Further details are available from Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation, 20 Berkley Square, London W1J 6LH. Tel: 020 7408 2198, fax: 020 7499 5859, email office@sunleyfoundation.com.
The Brecon Beacons Trust
The Brecon Beacons Trust is a charitable company established to help people, communities and voluntary organisations achieve positive environmental conservation and enhancement within the Brecon Beacons National Park. The Trust was established in 2009 with initial funding from the National Grid.
The Trust supports: environmental conservation, protection and improvement of the Park for the benefit of the public; greater educational awareness and knowledge of the conservation, protection and improvement of the Park’s physical, natural and archaeological environment. The Trustees believe that a resilient, healthy and diverse environment is the essential foundation on which a thriving society and economy are built. They subscribe to the principles of sustainable development while recognising that we are all still exploring what sustainability means in practice at all levels of society.
Further details are available from Alan Underwood, Trust Secretary, Brecon Beacons Trust, ‘The Orchids’, Blaenavon Road, Govilon, Abergavenny NP7 9NY. Tel 01873 832490, email alan@breconbeaconstrust.org, www.breconbeaconstrust.org.
Neighbourhood & Home Watch Fund
The Neighbourhood and Home Watch Fund has £500,000 available to support new and existing Neighbourhood and Home Watch groups in England and Wales with grants of between £1,000 and £50,000 to enable them to reach more people and help them secure their homes, warn them about crime in their area and take action to prevent it, and know how to prevent distraction burglary. The Fund is targeted at areas of high priority in England and Wales based on crime rates, household demographics and levels of deprivation. This comprises over 90 local authority areas and the full list is included within the application guidance.
(Source: fundinginformation.org, 9 June 09)
Village SOS: BIG and BBC join forces to inspire UK Rural revival
A new Big Lottery Fund (BIG) scheme to help six rural villages across the UK to regenerate their communities through new business ventures has been launched in partnership with BBC One. The search is also on for enterprising and visionary individuals to become ‘Village Champions’ and work with the villages to help achieve their ambitions of starting a successful rural business. Village SOS will invite rural communities with lots of enthusiasm and a great business idea - from retailing to manufacturing, the arts to leisure - to apply for Lottery funding to help breathe new life into their area, create new jobs and improve the quality of life for local people. Information on how to apply can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/villagesos.
Sports Council funding in Wales
Sports Council Wales operates a number of schemes providing community access to grants. These include: Community Chest, Sportsmatch Cymru, and Development Grant.
Community Chest
Community Chest grants are for small projects aimed at encouraging more people to become physically active more often. The maximum grant is £1,000 in any 12-month period. The scheme has been running for several years.
Sportsmatch Cymru
New sponsorship arrangements in sport are eligible for matching £ for £ by Sportsmatch Cymru funding of between £300 and £50,000.
Development Grant
Development Grant supports sport and physical activity projects within communities. Projects should either be new or raise the standards of current activities. They are for projects that are larger than those eligible for Community Chest support. Grants range from £1,001 to £25,000 and can be for small-scale facilities such as floodlighting or multi-use games areas, or for exceptional revenue schemes that support people development through coaching or news ways of engaging people.
A breakdown of all Sports Council Wales’ grants is available here.
(Source: fundinginformation.org, 7 May 09)
The Lankelly Chase Foundation
The foundation supports work that has a recognisable charitable purpose and intends to concentrate on smaller charities, many of which only have a local or regional remit. The main programmes the foundation supports are: arts; breaking the cycles of abuse; custody and community; free and quiet minds; local people, local places. Further details are available from www.lankellychase.org.uk.
(Source: Charity Funding Report, Issue 88)
Helen & Geoffrey De Freitas Charitable Trust
Funds are provided towards the following areas: to help conserve the countryside and environment in rural Britain; to preserve Britain’s cultural heritage; and to assist the underprivileged through community facilities and services, advice centres and community arts and recreation. Applications are made in writing to the trust: Ms F de Freitas, Helen & Geoffrey De Freitas Charitable Trust, 6 New Street, London EC4A 3BF.
(Source: Charity Funding Report, Issue 87)
E.ON Sustainable Energy Fund
The E.ON Sustainable Energy Fund will support community energy projects which either result in the production of energy from a sustainable source or which reduces the amount of energy used by a community organisation. The fund is available to community groups, charities and non-profit organisations, and applications are invited for grants of up to £20,000.
Legacy Trust UK
The aims of the trust are to make awards to individuals or organisations for charitable purposes including the following areas: cultural; educational; health sporting; and other charitable activities for the benefit of the community. The Trust aims to fund a range of cultural and sporting activities with the hope to leave a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games in communities throughout the UK. Further details are available from here.
(Source: Charity Funding Report, Issue 86)
New funding criteria from the Nationwide Foundation
The Nationwide Foundation has announced new funding criteria for registered charities in the UK. Its new Money Matters and Homes Matter grant programmes will help tackle the issues of housing and financial exclusion. Under the programme the Foundation will make grants to registered charities that: tackle financial exclusion, affecting disadvantaged groups across the UK; address housing issues and homelessness among vulnerable groups in the UK. The Foundation's Small Grants Programme is also open for applications. It makes grants of up to £5,000 to registered charities with incomes of under £500,000 on an ongoing basis.
(Source: UK Fundraising News – Issue 242)
Nominet Trust
Applications are being invited to support UK-based and international Internet-related initiatives in the sectors of education, research and development, safety and social inclusion. Projects should meet the needs of the Trust’s target groups, which are young people, older people, people with disabilities, people with illnesses, and generally those that are disadvantaged or vulnerable. As you might expect, applications are taken online. There is an initial eligibility questionnaire available. The Trust’s website is at www.nominettrust.org.uk.
(Source: fundinginformation.org, 1 May 09)
Rural Retail Programme
Bridging a gap in the provision of traditional funding sources, this programme offers advice and financial assistance to rural businesses and communities across Wales. Support is targeted at businesses, social enterprises and community groups in villages and rural settlements. Owners of village stores that are the sole business in the community can receive one and a half days of specialist retail advice. Following the advisory stage, businesses can apply for a grant of up to £5,000 to help implement measures to make the business more sustainable. Assistance is also offered in situations where a community has already lost its shop. Grants of up to £10,000 will enable lost services to be reinstated. Applications may be submitted at any time.
(Source: Grantfinder Update Bulletin, 2 June 10)
