Sport & recreation
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. The single application closing date for 2012 is 31 January 2012.
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. The deadline for applications is 21 December 2011. Further details are available from www.millenniumstadium.com, email msct@fusionuk.org.uk or telephone 029 2049 4963.
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. The closing date for applications is 1 December 2011.
(Source: Grantfinder Update Bulletin, 19/10/11)
Barclays Community Sports Awards
For the second football league season, Barclays is running its Community Sport Award. It will provide monthly recognition of individuals and the organisations they work or volunteer with that use sport, and it doesn’t have to be football, to benefit communities across the UK. Each month the award will be worth £1,000, with a £5,000 prize to the best of the best. Any individual can be nominated, but you cannot nominate yourself. Individuals can be any age. The nominee can be a volunteer or paid for the work they do, though the award cannot be spent on their salary. If shortlisted, the nominator will need to provide the name of an independent referee who can vouch for the nominee. Full information is available at www.barclayscommunitysportsaward.com/. Nominations close on the 12th of each month. The winners will be announced on the first Friday of the following month. The last nomination date is 12 April 2012.
(Source: fundinginformtion.org, 9/9/11)
Gannet Foundation
Given the pressure that many local organisations are under following local authority cuts it’s probably a good time to mention that applications are currently being invited in many localities across the UK by the Gannett Foundation. The grant programme is linked to more than 300 local newspapers and details vary from region to region, but in the main grants range from £5,000 to £10,000 for one-off local activities or capital items that benefit a large number of people within the community.
To apply you need to be within the circulation/production area of one of the more than 300 titles published by Newsquest. To find out if you are eligible to apply check the information details below. Applications have to be made to the specific local newspaper office too.
The Foundation prioritises: projects/items of lasting benefit such as specially adapted minibuses for older people or people with disabilities; projects that benefit people with special needs either through disability of disadvantage; sport, environment, conservation or local history projects. Applicants must be registered charities, and national and regional charities can only apply for specifically local projects.
There’s a Newsquest newspaper title listing at www.newsquest.co.uk/portfolio/our-titles/, where you can find out if there is a Newsquest publication near you. Applications have to be made to the local newspaper, so go to its website and search under Gannett Foundation if the information is not immediately obvious. There is an application form, which has some attached guidance notes. It can be downloaded via a link at www.gannettfoundation.org/, then printed and sent to your local newspaper office. There is a single application closing date this year, though the date varies from newspaper to newspaper.
(Source: fundinginformation.org, 19/8/11)
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.
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)
Explore Fund
North Face’s Explore Fund aims to inspire and enable the next generation of outdoor explorers and conservationists by providing small grants of up to €2,500 to projects that re-connect young people with nature and physical outdoor activity. Each activity should have clear and measurable outcomes for the young people and break down barriers that for one reason or another prevent them from getting outdoors. North Face’s approach is that there are physical, mental and social benefits that derive from a healthy, active outdoor lifestyle, and that a strong connection with the outdoors lead to greater support and protection of natural landscapes. The activity doesn’t have to be of an expedition type but must be action-oriented. Project that can provide match funding will be particularly welcome. There is an online form at http://explorefund.eu/application.
(Source: fundinginformation.org, 8/7/11)
Larger Community Chest grants
The maximum grant available for sports projects through the Community Chest scheme has been increased from £1,000 to £1,500. This National Lottery scheme is run locally by all local authorities, and is designed to encourage more people to be more active, more often. Community Chest funding can benefit clubs and organisations in a variety of ways, from buying new equipment to funding coaching qualifications and sports clubs and organisations. For an application pack, please visit the Sport Wales web site.
(Source: WSA e-newsletter, April 2011)
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
GwirVol grants 2011-2012
GwirVol is pleased to announce the launch of the 2011-2012 youth volunteering grants.
The aim of the GwirVol Youth Volunteering Grants scheme is to support the delivery of a wide range of new volunteering opportunities in Wales and overseas that will support the step change in access to volunteering for young people aged 16-25 and especially for disadvantaged young people. The GwirVol grant scheme offers five different strands of funding.
- Creating Opportunities: For organisations looking to create new youth volunteering projects, new youth volunteering roles or to recruit more young people into existing volunteering roles. Creating Opportunities grant applications can be for up to a maximum amount of £10,000.
- Promotions: For organisations looking to promote the benefits or challenge the perceptions of volunteering to young people or about young people to their local communities. Shout it out! grant applications can be for up to a maximum amount of £3,000.
- Street Games: For organisations looking to develop volunteering opportunities in doorstep sports within deprived areas. StreetGames grant applications can be for up to a maximum of £2,000.
- International: For organisations looking to develop overseas volunteering opportunities that benefit young people and their communities in Wales as well. International grant applications can be for up to a maximum amount of £30,000.
- Millennium Volunteers: For organisations looking to recognise the commitment young people give to volunteering through offering the 200 hour award of excellence. Millennium Volunteers grant applications can be for up to a maximum amount of £10,000.
How to apply:
You can get more information and download the application forms and guidance at http://www.gwirvol.org/en/grants/.
Swimathon Foundation
The Swimathon Foundation offers grants to organisations which intend to encourage more people to enjoy swimming and/or improve accessibility for people who want to swim in the UK. Grants of between £300 and £2,500 are available to eligible organisations such as: swimming pools; community groups and organisations; charities; swimming clubs; older people’s organisations; youth groups; sports clubs; scout troops; and healthy living groups.
Applicants must have the support of a pool participating in Swimathon. Activities supported may include the following: Fundraising events, galas or family fun days at a pool; community pool ‘open days’; extra floats for a swimming club to improve swimmers’ development; transport costs to take an elderly group to a pool; entrance fees for a scout group to a swimming pool; club scuba diving equipment to allow more people to try the sport; costs for an extra staff member to supervise a swimming trip so that more children can attend.
(Source: Grantfinder Update, 2/2/11)
Comic Relief International Grant Programme
Comic Relief helps some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people in the world to turn their lives around. The International Grants programme currently has seven open categories: trade; people affected by HIV and AIDS; people affected by conflict; street and working children and young people; people living in urban slums; women and girls; sport for change; common ground initiative. Grants are awarded to UK registered charities whose aim is development and who work closely with local organisations. Applications to Comic Relief’s trade programme, and to the Enterprise and Employment programme under the Common Ground Initiative may be made from any UK registered organisation that can show that all profits generated from the project will be reinvested in the project. Project grants of up to £1 million and research and development grants of up to £25,000 are available.
(Source: Grantfinder Newsflash, 6/8/10)
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.
Comic Relief UK Grants
There have been some changes to the closing dates for applications to the Comic Relief UK Grants programme. The priorities cover sexually exploited and trafficked young people, young people and alcohol, sport for change, young people and domestic and sexual abuse, refugee and asylum seeking women, mental health, and young people and mental health. Details of the programmes to support older people and for young carers have yet to be published. You are encouraged to apply when you are ready, but applications are considered in cycles.
(Source: fundinginformation.org, 18/11/09)
Unlimited Commissions
Unlimited Commissions is part of a four-pronged approach to enable the celebration of disability, arts, culture and sport as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. A £1.5 million commission fund has been set up to support the production of quality work by disabled and deaf artists and arts organisations led by disabled or deaf people across the UK. There are four elements to the programme: unlimited commissions; unlimited talent; unlimited presents and unlimited international. Applications for Unlimited Commissions are welcome from disabled and deaf artists and disabled and deaf-led arts organisations throughout the UK that wish to develop their work, strengthen their artistic practice, challenge perceptions and forge new partnerships with presenting venues and events. Further information is available on the website or contact your arts council office – Jennifer.stoves@artswales.org.uk.
(Source: fundinginformation.org, 21/10/09)
The Taylor Family Foundation
The objects of the foundation are to help and support children and young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, in the areas of education, health, recreation and the performing arts. Further details are available from www.thetaylorfamilyfoundation.co.uk.
(Source: Charity Funding Report, issue 91)
Joseph Strong Frazer Trust
Grants are used to support a very wide number of good causes, including: children; youth; old and infirm; hospitals and home; deaf and blind; disabled; mentally handicapped; medical and other research; maritime; armed forces; caring organisations; other trusts, funds and voluntary organisations; schools and colleges; leisure activities; animals and wildlife; and religious bodies. For application details contact the trust, c/o The Secretaries: Ward Hadaway, Sandgate House, 102 Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3DX.
(Source: Charity Funding Report, issue 92)
Cash 4 Clubs
Cash 4 Clubs, a provider of small grants to community sports clubs, has extended its remit and will now cover the whole of the UK. The first applications are now being invited from grassroots sports organisations that need a grant of up to £1,000 to improve facilities, purchase new equipment, pay for coaching or develop the club’s sustainability in one way or another.
(Source: fundinginformation.org, 1 July 09)
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.
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)
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)
P F Charitable Trust
The Trust supports a wide range of UK charitable causes, including: the prevention of poverty; the advancement of – poverty, education, religion, health or the saving of lives, citizenship or community development, arts, culture, heritage or science, amateur sport, human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation, or the promotion of religious or racial harmony or equality or diversity, environmental protection or improvement; the relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage. Applications should be made in writing with full information to D Pocknee, Secretary, P F Charitable Trust, c/o R F Trustee Co Ltd, Ely House, 37 Dover Street, London WIS 4NJ. Tel 020 7409 5685.
(Source: Charity Funding Report, Issue 85)
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)
The new Wells Sports Foundation has just started providing grants to sports clubs and schools to help fund projects that will increase participation in sport by young people both now and in the future. Grants can be for up to £2,000 and are available across England, Scotland and Wales. The Sports Grants Scheme is looking to fund projects that support the development and sustainability of sports clubs. This might include projects that need equipment that is specifically focused on increasing participation, CRBs for volunteers, coaching qualifications and refereeing/umpiring courses. A FAQ can be downloaded at www.wellsportsfoundation.org/media/24837/faqs.pdf. This FAQ is especially important for applicants outside of England. Applications are accepted at any time.
(Source: fundinginformation.org, 2 June 10)
