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Funding
Small Grants Scheme 2008-09
The overall aim of the Community Health Development Team of the Health Promotion Service is to stimulate and support local communities in actions, which will reduce health inequalities, improve quality of life and quality of opportunity for communities. The Small Grants Scheme gives communities the opportunity to be able to try out something new that would not otherwise be available to them without the funding.
We are looking to ensure that this fund is able to support a wide number of groups within Cornwall and therefore we wish to support projects that promote social inclusion through projects which:
Support community health development through community involvement and participation
Support community involvement in active recreation and environmental projects
Promote arts for health within the community (all forms)
Download Small Grants Information Pack (click here)
Download Small Grants Application Forn (click here)
FUNDING ALERT
*RSWT Announces Details of its £50 Million Local Food Programme
*The Big Lottery Fund has appointed the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT) as an Award Partner under its Changing Spaces programme. RSWT will use the £50 million awarded by BIG to launch a Local Food programme. Local Food will distribute grants to a variety of food-related projects to help make locally grown food accessible and affordable to local communities. The aim of the programme will be to improve health and well-being through exercise and better nutrition; to strengthen local economies through the creation of social enterprises; and to promote greater sustainability through the better use of resources. Grants from £2,000 up to £500,000 will be awarded to not-for-profit groups and organisations in England delivering such projects as growing, processing, marketing and distributing local food; composting and raising awareness of the benefits of such activities. The fund will open to applications in early February 2008.
http://www.rswt.org/localfood/ or www.localfoodgrants.org
To receive an outline of the programme and any updates please email your full contact details to localfood@rswt.org
Active Living Fund
Grants of up to £1,000 are available through the Kelloggs Active Living Fund for projects that remove the “barriers” which stop people being active. The fund is open to charities and other voluntary and community organisations as well as Schools for activities that directly lead to people taking part in sustained physical activity. In particular, the Fund is looking to support projects that
· implement innovative ways of getting non-active individuals active;
· existing projects or activities that adapt or expand so that they are available to new groups of people or new geographical areas;
· and existing projects or activities that need new or replacement equipment, or existing projects that require replacement funding.
A panel of Kellogg’s employees meets every two months to assess applications. Applicants should receive a decision on their application within approximately 10 weeks of submitting your application.
http://www.kelloggs.co.uk/company/corporateresponsibility/activelivingfund/
Additional Funding for Positive Activities for Young People
As part of its 10 year youth strategy the Government has announced a new fund of £420 million to provide facilities and activities for young people. The new fund which has been allocated to Local Authorities across England, will pay for projects such as skate parks, basketball courts, and music workshops in disadvantaged areas where young people are at risk of getting into trouble. A key element of the new funding will be an additional £25 million for the Youth Opportunity and Capital Funds. The money which will be ring fenced and allocated to Local Authorities and will enable young people aged 13 - 19 to bid directly for funds from their local council to improve facilities and activities in their neighbourhood. The additional £25 million will be used to expand the Youth Opportunities Fund in the most deprived areas of England. In addition, an extra £6.5 million has been allocated for 2008-09 for areas identified by the Home Office as being gun and gang crime hotspots.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2007_0231
Alcohol Education and Research Council – Small Grants Programme
Organisations such as community groups, universities and charities, etc are able to apply to the Alcohol Education and Research Council under its Small Grants Programme. Funding of up to £5,000 is available for projects that increase the capacity of individuals and organisations to deal with alcohol issues. Funding is available both for research and action orientated projects. The Alcohol Education and Research Council is very flexible in what is eligible for support and is looking for projects that are innovative and that make a difference.
http://www.aerc.org.uk/grantsSml.htm
Adult Learning Grant Goes National
The Department for Education and Skills has announced that it will roll out the Adult Learning Grant Scheme (ALG) on a national basis from September 2007 onwards. The programme which has been piloted in 28 areas of England provides means tested grants of up to £30 per week to adults resident in England studying full-time for a first full level 2 or first full level 3 qualification. ALG is normally available for up to two years but can be extended to three years if the learner takes a Level 2 course before progressing to a Level 3 course. To be eligible, learners must be aged 19 or over and full time education
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/featured/alg/
Age Concern England
The Grants Unit at Age Concern England offer a number of grant opportunities from £150 to up to £20,000, to age concern organisations/groups/regions/sub-regional partnerships. For further details contact 0208 765 7738 or 0208 765 7741, email:grants.unit@ace.org.uk
Audi Foundation Grants
The Audi Foundation has announced that the closing date for applications under its Design for Life Programme is the 31st March 2008. The Foundation's Designs for Life programme provides grants of between £10,000 and £30,000 in order to produce design solutions to enhance the world in which we live. The Foundation's aim is to support exceptional designers by funding the development of physical prototypes that address sustainable and inclusive design issues. The fund is open to UK based Individuals, Groups; HE & FE institutions; University departments; Undergraduates; Post-graduates; and Voluntary groups.
http://www.audifoundation.org/Content.asp?menuid=41&submenuid=62&pageid=62&menuname=Designs+for+Life&menu=sub
BBC Children in Need
The next deadline for applications to the BBC Children in Need is the 30th March 2008. BBC Children in Need provides grants for up to three years to properly constituted not for profit organisations working with disadvantaged young people aged 18 or under . Funding is available to organisations, (including schools) that work with young people who are suffering from illness, distress, abuse or neglect, are disabled, have behavioural or psychological difficulties and / or are living in poverty or situations of deprivation. Last year the programme made grants of £33 million to over 1,500 organisations.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/charity/grants.shtml
BIG Announces Grants totalling £15.5 Million to Improve the Effectiveness of the Third Sector
The Big Lottery Fund has announced that it has awarded grants totalling £15.5 million to 36 projects across England. The BASIS programme makes grants to increase the effectiveness of the Third Sector. The type of projects supported include the development of a national online database to match potential volunteers with volunteering opportunities and a project that aims to increase the knowledge, skills and confidence of England's voluntary and community sector so that it can influence policy and become involved in decision-making processes. BASIS makes grants of between £10,001 and £500,000 and the total budget available to be awarded before the 31st March 2009 is £155 million. The Big Lottery Fund expects that Round Two will open in Spring 2008.
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/pr_131207_eng_bas_good_causes?regioncode=-uk
Big Lottery Fund to Manage £30m Community Assets Fund
The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) has announced that the Big Lottery Fund will manage the new £30m Community Assets Fund programme. The Community Assets Fund (CAF) will enable community-led third sector organisations to take on under-used public buildings, by offering grants for refurbishment. The OTS will run a 12-week consultation with key stakeholders on details of how the fund will operate. The aim of the CAF will be to; improve the physical infrastructure available to local communities; empower community-led third sector organisations to be innovative in responding to local needs, and enhance their capacity to tackle social disadvantage, transform lives and draw communities together; enable third sector organisations to strengthen their place in local communities; benefit the wider community by raising the potential for job creation and further investment, and creating a focal point for local pride, confidence and cohesion. It is expected that the fund will be launched later this year.
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/070330_big_lottery_fund.asp
Biodiversity Improvement Grant
Do you want to help Cornwall's wildlife and know of a project that will improve its opportunities?
Cornwall County Council's Natural Environment Service is offering small (£100 - £10,000) grants to assist biodiversity in Cornwall. Grants could be used for a variety of actions, e.g. fencing, scrub management, wetland management, biological recording, habitat improvements etc. The only criteria are that the funding:
- will demonstrably improve the prospects for Cornwall's wildlife
- requires no more than £10,000 from the Cornwall BIG small grant scheme
- is requested by a bona fide organisation/company/landowner/farmer
For further details and application form visit:
http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=39477
Capital Grant Offer for Re-designating Specialist Schools
From September 2008, specialist schools that have successfully re-designated since September 2007 will have the opportunity to access a £25,000 capital fund if they can match this with £25,000 of business sponsorship. The Specialist Schools Programme helps schools, in partnership with private sector sponsors and supported by additional Government funding, to establish distinctive identities through their chosen specialisms. Specialist schools are designated initially for a period of three years. The objectives of the Fund are twofold. Firstly to provide an opportunity to renew facilities and equipment after the initial three designation period; and secondly to improve and sustain relationships with business/employer partners. The proposed sponsorship from local businesses must support the delivery of the specialist subject and must form a minimum of £10k in cash together with a £15k contribution in kind in the form of relevant goods or services. For those schools that in spite of determined efforts, have not raised the necessary sponsorship may submit an application for funding to the Partnership fund to raise the necessary £25,000 match funding. The Partnership Fund will open for applications from September to November 2008.
http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/specialistschools
Changing Spaces Programme to Open Summer 2007
The Big Lottery Fund has announced that it expects Award Partners for the Changing Spaces programme to start launching their grant schemes from summer 2007. Under the Changing Spaces programme a total of £234 million will be available to help communities in England improve their environment. Funding will be available within three priority areas; community spaces ; local community enterprise; and access to the natural environment. The type of projects that will be supported can include physical improvements to local green spaces, community gardens, allotments, footpaths and nature reserves; local food growing and retailing, box schemes, farmers markets and composting; access to the natural environment through better information and signposting; and educational projects which raise awareness of local environments and wider environmental issues. The funding will be awarded both to individual projects as well as larger portfolios of projects made up of a number of individual projects, usually delivered in various places, which together form a cohesive strategy to deliver th! e programme outcomes....
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_changing_spaces
Children, Young People and Families Grant Programme - open to applications
The Children, Young People and Families Grant Programme is a national grant programme managed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF - formerly the Department for Education and Skills) to fund work to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families (parenting and couple relationships) in England. The programme funds voluntary organisations doing work of national significance that supports the Government's Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme. The Every Child Matters outcomes are: ensuring children and young people stay safe; are healthy; enjoy and achieve; make a positive contribution; and achieve economic well being. The programme is open to charities and other non-profit-making organisations set up and run on similar lines to a charity.
http://www.governmentfunding.org.uk/
Church and Community Fund
Under the Church and Community Fund (CCF) grants of up to £15,000 are available to community projects run by parish churches, deaneries, dioceses and other bodies connected to or working in partnership with the Church of England. The CCF awards over £500,000 in grants every year and all CCF grants seek to take the church out into the community, bring the community into the church and strengthen the relationship between the two. Typical projects supported by the CCF might include employing a youth worker, renovating an old church hall for use as a community centre or providing hot meals for the homeless in a church room. Recently the CCF awarded £3,000 for a University Outreach Project in Southwark which is attempting to address the problem of underachievement amongst local teenagers. The next application deadline is the 13th August 2008.
http://www.centralchurchfund.org.uk/index.html
Commonwealth Foundation to Launch Commonwealth Film Fund (UK)
The Commonwealth Foundation is launching a new project to support film making in the Commonwealth. The scheme, known as the Commonwealth Film Fund, will be part of the Foundation's Culture and Diversity programme and aims to launch in the summer of 2008. The Fund is being established in order to encourage cultural exchange across the Commonwealth, as well as to help strengthen and enhance the contribution of creative industries to development in Commonwealth countries. Once partnerships and resources are in place, the Commonwealth Film Fund will support selected projects throughout the Commonwealth with a particular emphasis on co-productions involving more than one Commonwealth country. This type of funding scheme will, it is envisaged, nurture and propel forward emerging talent while providing a platform for collaboration and sharing between film makers. Showcases of films supported by the Fund will be developed for exhibition at film festivals. Alternative forms of distribution will be pursued as well, such as mobile cinema and the web, in association with partnership networks. For further information, go to:
http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/news/news/detail.cfm?id=339
Community and Education Small Grants Scheme
Groups, youth clubs, football clubs and education establishments that wish to increase participation by both players and volunteers in grass roots football have the opportunity to apply for funding of up to £9,000 through the Football Foundations Community and Education Small Grants Scheme. Funding is available for training courses, to hire FA qualified coaches, for the hire of qualified/affiliated referees, facility hire, affiliation to league or County Football Associations, recruitment events, first aid kits and travel expenses. The Foundation seeks to encourage applications from groups whose income is less than £15,000 per annum as well as for projects conducted over a three year period, projects aimed at engaging traditionally excluded groups, such as black and minority ethnic communities, women and girls and disabled groups and the introduction of new lunchtime/after school clubs which lead to inter school competition. Applications can be made at any time.
http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/seeking-funding/small-grants
Community Champions Fund
Grants of up to £2,000 are available people who wish to improve their local community. The grants are available through the Community Champions Fund. The Fund has two main objectives; to increase the skills levels of individuals to enable them to act as inspirational figures, community entrepreneurs, community mentors, community leaders or community anamateurs; and to improve the involvement of communities in regeneration and learning activity by supporting key individuals who can drive forward community projects and pass on their expertise to others in their community and to other communities. Although applications can be made at any time, please note that 2007/08 is likely to be the last year in which the fund is available.
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/communitychampions/index.cfm
Community Planning Project Grant
The fund is open to community groups who require financial assistance to develop or implement a project following the community planning process. In particular the fund aims to kick start projects following the parish planning process, helping to generate momentum within the local community. We aim to award grants to communities where the funding will make a real difference, especially as this is only a small fund.
No deadline.
Guidelines and an application form.
Community Shops
The Village Retail Services Association in partnership with Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Co-operative and Community Finance have announced the launch of the Village Core programme which will provide £2 million of start up funding to new Community owned shops in rural areas of England. 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 200 residents. Applications for assistance can be submitted at ay time up to and including the 30th July 2009.
http://www.virsa.org/index.cfm/villageshop/News.Custom/page_id/36
Community Sustainable Energy Grant
The Big Lottery Fund has announced the launch of a new Fund to help local communities reduce their carbon footprint. The Community Sustainable Energy grant scheme, which will be managed by renewable energy specialists Building Research Establishment (BRE), will provide financial support to grass roots organisations such as schools, charities and community groups to install small-scale energy efficient technology such as wind turbines or solar panels on sites including village halls, visitor centres or schools. Funding will also be available to improve building insulation as well as for community organisations to research new technologies that will benefit them most....
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/newsroom/pr_150108_eng_cs_carbon_footprint?regioncode=-uk
Community Tree Planting Fund
The Woodland Trust has announced the launch of it's Community Tree Planting Fund for this winter. Through the fund, the Trust is offering grants for community tree planting initiatives. Community groups, associations and not for profit organisations such as community action groups, local residents groups, environmental action group, scouts, brownies, etc. can apply for grants of £100 for tree planting projects organised by the local community. The grant covers costs directly related to the tree planting project. This can include purchase of native trees, the purchase of other tree planting materials and publicity costs. Applications will be judged monthly and decisions made soon after. Successful applicants will receive a grant cheque one month before the date of your event. The grants are offered on a first come first serve basis.
http://www.treeforall.org.uk/GetDigging/Events+grants.htm
Consortia Development Fund
Capacitybuilders, the national agency responsible for developing the sustainability of the voluntary and community sector in England has announced the allocation of its £7 million Consortia Development Fund. This is the third fund to have been launched by Capacitybuilders and aims to develop minimum standards within each Regional Consortia that have been setup within each region to help and support frontline voluntary and community based organisations. The Consortia Development Fund will be allocated on a regional basis and will be made available from the 1st April 2007.
http://www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/info/story/?item=49
Council for British Archaeology Challenge Fund
The Council for British Archaeology provides small grants to encourage independent, voluntary effort in original archaeological research through the CBA Challenge Funding scheme. Grants of up to £750 are available to groups, societies and individuals working in a voluntary capacity or promoting voluntary involvement in archaeology. The type of projects supported are those that say something new about the history of local surroundings, and thus inform their future care and appreciation; or contribute to archaeological innovation (ie new or under-studied aspects of the historic environment, or new methods, techniques and approaches); or help non-government bodies to establish long-term resources or facilities to enable others to carry out their own original research. Applications can be made at any time.
http://www.britarch.ac.uk/cba/awards/challengefunding.html
Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund Announces 5 Year Funding Strategy
Following its strategic review, the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, has announced major changes to the way it will make funding available under its grant making programmes. Under its new procedures the fund will move away from inviting applications and become a more pro-active grant maker inviting applications from a selected number of "partnership" organisations. Apart from a restricted amount of funding to be made available through an open grants process under the Refugee and Asylum Seekers Initiative, as of early 2007 no other calls for proposals are envisaged. The funding available over the next five years will be £10 million over the next five years to promote palliative care in Africa and its integration into government health policies; up to £10 million to raise awareness and highlight the needs and issues of young refugees and asylum seekers and up to £5 million to follow-up and add leverage to the Fund's previous investments into penal affairs, mental health and other areas in the UK, and internationally into its programme on landmines and explosive remnants of war.
http://www.theworkcontinues.org/pressroom/newsdetails.asp?id=1137
Dulverton Trust
Registered charities and to organisations with charitable status active in the areas of Youth and Education; General Welfare; Conservation; Religion; Preservation; Peace and Security; and Africa may have the opportunity to apply for funding through the Dulverton Trust. The Trust provides two principal types of grants. These are major grants of up to £25,000 for national or regional projects and minor grants of up to £3,000 aimed at organisations operating at local or county level. A very limited number of grants are awarded on a recurring basis. The Trustees meet four times a year to consider Major Appeals, in February, May, July and October. Appeals on the Minor Appeals Agenda are considered four times a year at variable times between the Main Agenda Meetings. During 2006 /07 the Trust awarded grants totalling £2.8 million.
http://www.dulverton.org/
Ecominds
Mind the mental health charity has been selected as one of the Big Lottery Fund's award partners under its Changing Spaces Programme. Changing Spaces is a £220- million environmental grants programme focusing on three priority areas - community spaces, local community enterprise and access to the natural environment. As an award partner Mind has announced that it will launch its Ecominds programme in spring or summer 2008. Through this programme, Mind will fund a range of groups who want to encourage people with experience of mental distress to get involved in environmental projects. This can include improving open spaces and wildlife habitats, designing public art and recycling. Further information about the Ecominds scheme such as funding rounds and timelines, eligibility criteria, the application process , etc will be made available shortly.
http://www.mind.org.uk/ecominds/
Enterprising Britain 2007 Competition
The Department for Trade and Industry has launched a competition to find the UK city, town, place or area that best exemplifies the enterprise spirit. The competition, a key part of the Government's drive to increase entrepreneurship in the UK, identifies areas of enterprise excellence: those places that have created jobs, brought communities together, and made a real difference to local businesses and local people. Twelve regional winners will be selected in competitions run by Regional Development Agencies and Devolved Administrations around the country. In September a panel of expert judges will select a national winner from the regional finalists. The overall UK winner will then represent the UK in the European Enterprise Awards at the end of the year.
http://www.sbs.gov.uk/sbsgov/action/layer?topicId=7000000287&furlname=enterprisingbritain&furlparam=enterprisingbritain&ref=http%3A//www.google.com/search%3Fq%3DEnterprising%2CBritain%2C2007%26rls%3Dc
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation Announces New Approach to Grant making
The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, which is one of the largest grant making foundation in the UK, has announced that following a strategic review of its grant making policy, the Foundation's grant making programme will re-open for applications on the 3rd January 2008. Previously, the Foundation made grants of around £26 million per year in the areas of the Arts and Heritage; Education; the Environment; and Social Change. Under the new approach to grant making the Foundation aims to fund a wider range of work than before. Alongside this new approach, the Foundation will also run a small number of more focused funding strands. Information on the new funding programmes will be available on the Foundation's website on the 3rd January 2008.
http://www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk/programmes/advance.html
Family Learning Programme
This is £40 million programme to bring generations of families together through learning. Known as the Family Learning programme, groups including charities, community and voluntary bodies and schools can apply for awards of between £10,000 and £500,000 for up to five years to help families bond whilst building life skills. Statutory bodies and private sector organisations applying must involve a voluntary or community sector partner in planning and running the project. A key element of the fund is to attract learners that may face particular barriers in accessing learning opportunities. The type of activities that can be funded could for example include gardening, cooking or building a birdhouse together and others might help with reading or maths, using elements of sports, arts, crafts and drama as a basis for learning. Applications can be made at any time until the 29th August 2008.
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_family_learning
First Call for Proposals Under the New Life + Programme to be Launched in Autumn 2007
The European Commission has announced that the first annual call for proposals for projects funded by the new LIFE+ programme is likely be issued in mid-September 2007. The LIFE + programme will be the EU's main fund for supporting environmental projects. With a budget of just under 2 billion, Life + (2007 -13) will address all four priority areas of the Sixth Environment Action Programme (6EAP, running from 2002 to 2012) - climate change; nature and biodiversity; health and quality of life; natural resources and waste - as well as the programme's seven Thematic Strategies. The new programme is divided into the following strands LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity focusing on the implementation of the EU directives on the conservation of habitats and of wild birds, as well as further strengthening the knowledge needed for developing, assessing, monitoring and evaluating EU nature and biodiversity policy and legislation; LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance covering the other 6EAP priorities besides nature and biodiversity, as well as strategic approaches to policy development, implementation and enforcement.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/news/index.htm#owengreenwk
First Light Movies Announces New Application Deadlines
First Light Movies provides grants to projects that enable young people to participate in all aspects of film productions. Since launching in 2001, First Light Movies have enabled over 12,000 young filmmakers to write, act, shoot, light, direct and produce over 800 films. The funding is available to organisations such as schools, youth services, community and voluntary groups, etc that work with young people aged between 5 and 18. Grants are available through three funding streams. The Pilot Awards which provides grants of up to £5,000 for the production of a 5 minute film, the Studio Awards, which provides grants of up to £25,000 for films up to 10 minutes long and What's the Big Idea Awards which provides grants of £3,000 to develop ideas and stories for films. The deadlines for applications are the 14th October 2008 for the Studio Awards. The What's The Big Idea? Award and the Pilot Awards will both reopen for applications on the 16th July 2008 with a closing date of the 16th September 2008.Applicants need to be organisations that work with young people.
http://www.firstlightmovies.com/
Foundation Announces £29 Million of Grants
The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation has announced that in 2007 they expect to
make grants of £29 million across the UK. The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is
one of the largest independent grantmaking foundations in the UK and makes
grants to organisations which aim to improve the quality of life for people
and communities in the UK, both now and in the future. The Foundation makes
grants through four programme areas: Arts & Heritage, Education, Environment
and Social Change: Enterprise and Independence. In the past the majority of
grants have been up to £100,000 (although the Foundation has also made
larger grants). Applications need to be for charitable purposes and can be
made at any time.
http://www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk
Funding Announced for Aimhigher Associates Scheme
The Government has announced the provision of £21 million over three years for a new national strand of widening participation activity in the Aimhigher programme. Aimhigher is a national programme which aims to widen participation in higher education (HE) by raising the aspirations and developing the abilities of young people from under-represented groups. The 'Aimhigher Associates' scheme aims to support and encourage learners aged 13-19, helping them through the various academic and transitional milestones that they encounter from school or college to higher education. For example, Aimhigher Associates will help learners in the preparation and completion of the UCAS process. Around 5,500 undergraduates will be recruited to provide long term support to more than 21,000 pupils between the ages of 13 and 19 in schools and colleges across the country. Further information on the scheme and opportunities to become involved in the pathfinder projects will be made available later in April.
http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk/practitioner/news/index.cfm
Funding Available to Youth Media Projects (England)
My Mediabox is a fund that offers disadvantaged 13 to 19 year olds the opportunity to develop and produce creative media projects, using film, television, print, radio or online platforms. The scheme which is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and run by a consortium consisting of First Light Movies, Media Trust, Skillset and the UK Film Council is for young people to; express their own opinions, ideas and views, gain new skills, encourage creativity, boost personal development and get their voices heard. My Mediabox offers grants ranging from £100 to £1,000 to create and distribute youth-led media projects that express young people’s ideas and/or views in a creative way, using their preferred media platform and is open to individual young people and groups of young people. Applications can be submitted at any time. For further information, go to:
http://www.media-box.co.uk/
Funding for Community Shops
The Village Retail Services Association in partnership with Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Co-operative and Community Finance have announced the launch of the Village Core programme which will provide £2 million of start up funding to new Community owned shops in rural areas of England. 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 200 residents. Applications for assistance can be submitted at ay time up to and including the 30th July 2009.
http://www.virsa.org/index.cfm/villageshop/News.Custom/page_id/36
Funding for Individual and Small Groups to Improve their Local Communities
(UK)
Groups of individuals as well as small community and voluntary groups within the UK that want to improve their communities can apply for funding through the Wakeham Trust. The Trust are particularly interested in supporting neighbourhood projects, community arts projects, projects involving community service by young people, or projects set up by those who are socially excluded. The Trust also support innovative projects to promote excellence in teaching (at any level, from primary schools to universities), though we never support individuals. The Trust normally give grants to projects where an initial £75 to £750 can make a real difference to getting the project up and running. To be eligible, applicants need to be registered charities or have access to a registered charity that will be willing to accept funds on their behalf. The type of activities supported in the past include;
· a grant of £250 to three young people in Leamington Spa who were trying to set up a youth club. The Trust gave them £250 to help set up the club in an old Scout hut;
· and a grant of £50 to an unemployed ex-professional footballer in Yorkshire to buy footballs and equipment for a group of 100 or so tough kids to play football.
· A £500 grant to a Furniture Reclamation and Delivery Enterprise in Stockton-on-Tees purchase power and hand tools in order to do minor repairs and refurbishment and therefore hand the furniture on in good condition.
Applications can be made at any time. For further information, go to:
http://www.wakehamtrust.org/index.php
Funding for Local Sustainable Energy Projects
Local community groups and not for profit organisations located in England, Scotland and Wales that wish to implement sustainable energy projects in their buildings have the opportunity to apply for grants of up to £30,000 through the E.ON Source Fund. Examples of organisations that have been funded in the past include schools, local-based and national charities, special education colleges and wildlife parks. Projects that can be considered for funding include the purchase and installation of one or more renewable energy technologies (e.g. wind, solar thermal, PV, wood etc); the renovation of existing facilities to incorporate micro-generation technology; an energy efficiency makeover for building that could demonstrate significant energy savings and also behavioural change amongst users; the use of new or innovative technology to deliver either energy savings or micro-generation capacity; projects which can demonstrate the intelligent use of waste energy (e.g. a district heating system that uses waste heat from one building to heat or power another). The deadline for applications is the 3rd October 2008.
http://www.eon-uk.com/about/2654.aspx
Funding for Small Scale Regeneration Projects
Local community groups, community enterprises and registered charities that address social and economic deprivation within specific geographic areas such as a housing estate, neighbourhood or village may be eligible to apply for grants of up to £5,000 through Comic Relief's Disadvantaged Communities programme. The focus of the programme is on small scale local projects which were started by local residents who came together to try to make their community better. This programme does not support work over a larger area, for example, city-wide initiatives or across a whole town. To be eligible applicants need to have a turnover of less than £150,000. Applications can be made at any time.
http://www.comicrelief.com/apply-for-a-grant/uk/application/dc-preview.php
Funding for Young People to Improve their Community
v, the independent charity set up to encourage young people to volunteer, has launched the next application round of the vcashpoint scheme. 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, or organising a festival to bring different cultures or communities together, etc. To help develop fresh and innovative project ideas, youth workers across the country will be using a brand new limited edition brainstorming kit called 'Outside the Box'. Outside the Box was piloted regionally with a number of youth groups and has proven to be an effective way to engage young people and help them identify potential volunteering project ideas. The next application deadline is the 18th July 2008.
http://www.vinspired.com/vbuzz/campaigns/171/
Funding Newsletters
The CIB produces a monthly Email Funding Newsletter. To get trial copies and
details of service go to: http://www.fit4funding.org.uk/
and click on the 'Quick Link' button.
Funding to Develop and Expand Recycling Services to Businesses
Organisations that wish to create or expand recycling services that serve businesses, in particular small and medium sized enterprises are able to apply for funding through WRAP's Recycling Programme. WRAP, is a not for profit company that provides advice and support for waste minimisation and recycling. Under the Recycling Programme, grants of up to £67,000 are available to organisations in the public and voluntary sector to develop new or expand existing recycling services for businesses by for example expanding recycling service into new areas, customers or materials. New or expanded services could include a multi material collection services for a range of SMEs (services that collect a range of materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, glass, printer cartridges, etc.); cardboard and paper collection services for urban/city centre SMEs, primarily offices and retail premises that lack storage space; glass collection services for SMEs in the hospitality sector; collections of food waste from hospitality and retail businesses and smaller food processors; collections from industrial estates, business parks and multiple occupancy buildings; and recycling services for SMEs in the construction, demolition and refurbishment (of buildings) sector. WRAP will fund a maximum of 50% of the total project costs and will expect applicants to match this funding in cash and/ or in kind. A collection service or drop-off facility must be provided as part of the project. There is no closing date for applications in 2007 - 08, although funding is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
http://www.wrap.org.uk/wrap_corporate/funding/funding_support.html
Funding to Develop the Sustainability of Young Social Enterprises
The Adventure Capital Fund (ACF) has announced that it is accepting applications under its Business Development Grant scheme. The ACF offers a range of investments and support to develop stable and sustainable community based enterprises. Under the Business Development Grant scheme, funding of up to £15,000 is available to support community enterprises in their early stages of development by developing their skills and capacity. The aim is to improve their investment readiness and sustainability. The Adventure Capital Fund expects to make around 30 Business Development Grants a year to be distributed on a rolling basis. Approximately 3 or 4 grants will be made in each English region. Eligible costs could include: technical assistance and advice, legal or other fees relating to building purchase or development, business planning, training, feasibility studies, market research or product development. To be eligible for funding, organisations need to serve one or more clear communities – of place, interest or identity; be established within the community that they seek to serve and have members of that community involved in and represented in the management and decision-making processes; and be looking to use entrepreneurial methods to achieve social goals. Applications can be made at any time. http://www.adventurecapitalfund.org.uk/content/view/36/50/
Funding to Enhance the Effectiveness of Community and Voluntary Organisations
The Big Lottery Fund has announced the round two of the BASIS programme is now open for applications. The aim of the BASIS programme is to ensure that voluntary and community organisations throughout England have access to high quality support that will help them be more effective. During the second funding round a total of £50 million will be made available and organisations will be able to apply for grants ranging from £10,001 to a maximum of £500,000 for projects within one region and £750,000 for England-wide projects. As a result of the first funding round, BASIS awarded £101 million to 206 organisations across England. During the second round, the focus of support will be more focused than round one with organisations having to meet both national and / or regional priorities. The programme is open to applications from community and voluntary based organisations that provide information, advice, training and other support that helps voluntary and community groups (including social enterprises) do their work better, as well as help with networking or partnerships and advocacy or campaigning. For information on the organisations supported during the last funding round please go to http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/basis_awards_jan_08.xls . The closing date for applications is the 27th August 2008.
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_basis.htm?regioncode=-uk&status=theProg
Funding to Promote Educational Opportunities for Disadvantaged Young People
Schools, universities, community groups, charities and research bodies with new project and research ideas that provide educational opportunities for young people from non-privileged backgrounds have the opportunity to apply for funding through the Sutton Trust. The Sutton Trust will fund projects in formal educational settings in any area where there is need, including rural and inner city areas. The only exception is for specialist schools - The Trust generally only funds these schools in the London area. Previously funded projects by the Trust have included curriculum enrichment projects which help gifted and talented primary children to achieve their educational potential as well as projects that provide support for parents and carers as their children's first educators. In particular the Trust is looking to fund projects that are able to connect with the "hard to reach" parents and encourage them to engage in their child's early learning. There is no deadline for applications, as the Trustees meet at regular intervals throughout the year.
http://www.suttontrust.com/funding.asp
Funding to Promote Innovation in Tackling Financial Exclusion
The National Forum for Financial Inclusion (TRANSACT) and the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) have announced that the criteria and guidelines for the INNOVATE programme 2007 - 08 are now available. Under the Innovate programme awards of between £10,000 and £30,000 are available to support projects that develop new ideas in promoting financial inclusion. The aim of the scheme is to give organisations the opportunity to test out new approaches and activities which will extend knowledge of what works in helping people move towards financial inclusion; and in doing so build up a stock of transferable new ideas for use by other organisations across the UK. This year the focus of the programme will be on tackling financial exclusion amongst social housing tenants, and those experiencing homelessness. The total budget available is £100,000 and in 2007 - 08 Transact expects to build a portfolio of 3-6 projects. Applications will be open from the end of April, when application forms will be available from the TRANSACT website.
http://www.transact.org.uk/page.asp?section=000100010002
Funding to Support New Ways of Delivering Innovation
Nesta, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, which aims to increase the UKs capacity for innovation, has announced that each year it will announce at least two Calls for Ideas, inviting proposals for pilot projects that will test out new ways of delivering education for innovation, within formal and informal learning. The first Call for Ideas, Taking a Leap, focussed on how to inspire enterprising attitudes and behaviours around risk, in young people or the professionals that worked with them. The next call for ideas is likely to be announced in autumn 2007.
http://www.nesta.org.uk/programmes/future_innovators/call_for_ideas/index.aspx
Fututebuilders Extends its Investment Base
Futurebuilders England, the government-backed investment fund for the third sector, is set to open its doors in April to organisations working across all areas of public service delivery. Offering loans-based investment packages, Futurebuilders provides flexible finance to organisations that are delivering public services or want to start contracting with public bodies, such as local authorities, primary care trusts or learning and skills councils. Established in 2004, the Futurebuilders Fund was originally only open to groups working in crime, community cohesion, children and young people, education and learning, and health and social care. From April 2008 an addition £65 million will be made available to extend its support to organisations working across all areas of public service delivery, including sport, recreation and leisure, environmental projects, waste and recycling, legal aid, and the arts. Futurebuilders has invested in over 250 third sector organisations including charities, social enterprises, community interest companies, voluntary groups and community organisations. Each investment package is tailored to meet the individual needs of the applicant and its proposal. Loans are offered at a standard rate of 6% and are often combined with grants and professional support to help build capacity for generating income and winning contracts.
http://www.futurebuilders-england.org.uk/content/News/newstest/article_37_674.aspx?iid=310
Google Grants
The Google Grants UK beta programme supports organisations sharing Google’s philosophy of community service to help the world in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts. Designed for registered charities, Google Grants provides free advertising on Google AdWords, to charities seeking to inform and engage their constituents online. Google Grants has given free AdWords advertising to hundreds of charitable groups whose missions range from animal welfare to literacy, from supporting homeless children to promoting HIV education. As a result of this free advertising many charities have experienced an increase in the recruitment of volunteers and sponsorship.
http://www.google.com/grants/
Government Announces New £1.5 Billon Fund to Tackle Worklessness
The Department for Communities and Local Government has announced a new fund to tackle worklessness. The new £1.5 billion Working Neighbourhoods Fund will support councils and communities in developing more focused and community-led approaches to getting people in the most deprived areas of England back to work. The fund which will come into effect in April 2008 will replace the existing Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. The Working Neighbourhood Fund will be allocated over the next three years with more than £450million in 2008-09, and over £500m in 2009-10 and 2010-11. At least £50 million will be available as a reward fund which will go to areas that have made good progress over the first two years on tackling worklessness and improving enterprise levels. The type of initiatives that could be funded include for example advice and skills schemes in community settings like schools, post offices and libraries to meet targets could get reward payments as well as outreach schemes in council estates and providing a greater link between accessing social housing services and schemes that tackle worklessness.
http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=334931&NewsAreaID=2
Government Announces £600 Million Boost for Higher Education
The Government has announced that it is to introduce a new £200 million matched funding scheme to help boost the levels of private cash donations flowing into the Higher Education sector. The new scheme which will run until 2008 will aim to generate increases the fundraising potential of higher education institutions by match-funding donations on a 2:1 private to public basis. The aim of the scheme is to stimulate a culture of individual giving to higher education similar to that of in the US, which will outlast the lifespan of the scheme. The scheme is intended to stimulate additional private cash donations to the sector of over £400 million. The new scheme will be launched later in 2007 once it has consulted with the Higher Education sector to finalise the scheme.
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2007_0026
Government Launches £140million Cycling Fund
The Government has announced that it will be making a £140 million grant to Cycling England, the national body which co-ordinates the development of cycling across England. The aim of the grant will be to boost cycling in order to tackle road congestion and improve air quality as well as create more opportunities for exercise. As part of the funding package, Cycling England, will be seeking bids for 10 new Cycle Demonstration Towns and the first Cycle Demonstration City in spring 2008/9. Following a period of planning, the major investment will begin the following year. In addition, the funding will allow an extra 500,000 10 year-olds across England to take part in Bikeability cycle training by 2012 as well as build another 250 Safe Links to Schools, connecting around 500 more schools to the National Cycle Network. Many schools with links have already doubled the number of pupils cycling to school.
http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=346231&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False
Government Puts £3m Behind the Voice of Social Enterprise
The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) has announced it will fund seven leading organisations in the social enterprise sector a total of £3m over three years to raise awareness with key groups and represent the sector in policy development. The funding will ensure that the voice of the sector, and news of its impressive social and environmental achievements, is heard not only inside government, but with other crucial audiences from classrooms to boardrooms. This funding is part of the OTS's broader Strategic Partners programme, which provides funding to third sector organisations to enable them to fairly reflect the views of their members to government, through activities including events, conferences, research or consultation. For its part, the OTS will consult and involve partners in policy development, taking into account the evidence, advice and opinion they provide.
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/070619_voice.asp
Government to Tender for Delivery of Second Phase of Futurebuilders Fund
With phase one coming to an end, the Government has announced that it is to tender for delivery of second phase of Futurebuilders Fund. The Futurebuilders Fund, which is currently operated by a consortium consisting of Futurebuilders England, the cabinet office and the Charity Bank, provides investment in the form of loans, grants and professional support for third sector organisations develop their capacity to deliver public services. The new contract which will run from 2008 to 2011, will also see an expansion of the eligibility criteria to allow a wider range of voluntary organisations to benefit from the fund. Since its launch in 2004, Futurebuilders England, has offered over £89 million of investments in over 209 organisations.
http://www.futurebuilders-england.org.uk/content/News/newstest/article_37_365.aspx?iid=72
Grants for the Arts - Individuals and Organisations
The Arts Council, England is now accepting applications, using its new application materials under its Grants for the arts - individuals and organisations programme. Grants are available to individuals and organisations for up to five years for arts-related activities that take place mainly in England. Organisational grants are for up to £100,000 and are available to arts organisations; local authorities and other public organisations; partnerships; regional and national organisations; organisations whose normal activity is not arts-related, including voluntary and community groups and groups of organisations (one will need to take the lead and have the main responsibility for managing the application and any grant). Grants to individuals are for up to £30,000 and are available to; artists;' performers; writers; promoters; presenters; curators; producers; groups of individual; and other individuals working in the arts. Applications can be submitted at any time and there is no application deadline.
http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/gfta.php
Grants to use Sports to Tackle Disadvantage
Community based organisations working with disadvantaged communities and groups in the UK are eligible to apply for funding under the Sport Relief Grants Programme. The Sport Relief which was set up by Comic Relief and BBC Sport to use the power and passion of sport to tackle poverty and disadvantage. In the UK, money raised through Sport Relief 2006 is currently being distributed in two ways.
· The Community Foundation Network is distributing Sport Relief grants of up to £10,000 to projects that use sport to build the confidence and self esteem of people who are having major problems in their lives. Other projects will give people who would otherwise miss out, the chance to take part in sport.
· UnLtd is distributing Sport Relief grants of up to £5,000 to young people who use sport to bring people together in their local area to enhance community relations and reduce conflict where they live.
http://www.comicrelief.com/apply-for-a-grant/uk/sport-relief/
Groundwork UK Launches £50 Million Community Spaces Fund
Neighbourhoods across England are set to benefit with the launch of a new £50 million lottery-funded grants programme. The Community Spaces programme will provide grants and support to community groups wanting to make their neighbourhoods cleaner and greener. Community Spaces will help local people improve and create play areas, community gardens, parks, wildlife areas, ponds, courts and village greens. Community Spaces is being managed by Groundwork UK on behalf of a consortium of environmental organisations and is funded through the Big Lottery Fund. The programme will make grants of between £10,000 and £49,999 and some limited grants of up to £450,000 to community groups that want to create and improve public spaces. All Community Spaces applications will need to go through a two-stage application process. Stage 1 applications will be available via the Community Spaces website or an Advice Line and once submitted will receive a decision within 10 weeks. If groups are successful at Stage 1 they will be allocated a Facilitator who who will provide a more detailed Stage 2 application form....
http://www.community-spaces.org.uk/
HMRC GRANT IN AID FUNDING PROGRAMME
The aim of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is to administer tax and customs systems fairly and efficiently, and make it as easy as possible for individuals and businesses to understand and comply with their obligations and receive their tax credits and other entitlements. HMRC has available £2 million per annum for the next three financial years, aimed at funding Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations. HMRC is committed to building its funding relationship with VCS organisations so that they play an increased role in public service delivery, particularly socially inclusive services to those who are hard to reach or who do not engage directly with them. The funds are available in the form of grants in aid to help with the costs of activity contributing to the key aims, outcomes and priorities detailed in guidance for this programme.
http://www.governmentfunding.org.uk/VCSLaunch.aspx?SCHEME_ID=12-S89
ICT Connect Bursaries
Voluntary and community organisations that want to explore their ICT needs by visiting another organisation that is using ICT well or in an innovative way can apply for a grant of up to £150 towards travel and subsistence costs through the ICT Hub "ICT Connect Bursary Scheme". The type of ITC needs that could be addressed includes setting up an ICT strategy, have an IT volunteer; learn more about how to work with volunteers, how to manage them and how to work out your requirements, learn to use ICT in an innovative way; maybe it's the use of mobile phones, maybe it's making telephone calls over the internet, maybe it's video conferencing, or maybe it's something completely new. Applications can be made at any time.
http://www.icthub.org.uk/ICT_Connect
Impetus Trust
Charities that work with and want to improve the lives of disadvantaged people have the opportunity to apply for funding through the Impetus Trust. The Trust provides funding, capacity building and hands-on management support to small to medium-sized charities that are at a critical stage in their development. The support which is usually available between three and five years aims to ensure that charities are in a position to increase their impact upon the lives of disadvantage people. To be eligible for support they must work with a substantial number of disadvantaged people; have a desire to maximise their impact; have an income between £250,000- £10million pa ; be operational for at least three years; have their HQ and a significant portion of their management in England and Wales. The investment package which Impetus offers is flexible but is most likely to be between £150,000- £300,000. Applications can be submitted at any time.
www.impetus.org.uk
“It’s Your Community”
A New Award Scheme sponsored by O2 to enable people to make a difference in their local environments. Awards of up to £1000 are available to local groups and individuals for the hire of tools or equipment, and to purchase plants, paint, signs, materials etc. All types of environmental projects such as: turning derelict land into an amenity park or wildlife area, tree planting, creating a wildlife pond, renovating neglected river and canal footpaths, providing water butts and recycling facilities in village halls - are welcome to apply, from anywhere in the country. http://www.conservationfoundation.co.uk/ActLocalAwards.php
Launch of New £130 Million Grassroots Grant Scheme
The Government has announced the launch of a new £130 Million grant scheme to support the work of small local voluntary organisations that are working towards improving their local communities. The new "Grassroots" grant scheme which will open for application in April 2008 and will be open until 2011 will, at the national level, be managed by the Community Development Foundation. The Fund will be divided into two parts. A total of £80 million will be available as a "Grassroots" small grants fund for community organisations; and a further £50 million will be provided as an endowments programme to enable local foundations to generate additional donations from the private sector in order to provide long-term funding for frontline community organisations. The Community Development Foundation will open an application process in January 2008 to identify and appoint local funders who will deliver the Grassroots Grants locally. This will be open to all existing local grant givers who meet the funds criteria.
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_releases/071212_community.aspx
Local Network Fund for Children and Young People
Time is rapidly running out for small locally managed voluntary, community or self-help group that work with children and young people to apply for funding under the Local Network Fund. The fund, which is a seven-year programme, will end in March 2008. It is delivered across England through a network of 57 voluntary sector organisations with community development and grant making experience. Funding of between £250 and £7000 are available for activities that promote healthy lifestyles amongst young people; activities that contribute to children and young people being protected from harm and neglect and growing up able to look after themselves; activities that help children and young people maximise their potential and develop skills for adulthood; activities which enable children and young people use their skills and abilities in ways to enhance their own lives and the lives of their community; and activities which help children and young people overcome income barriers and achieve their full potential in life.
http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/strategy/localnetworkfund/
Low Carbon Buildings Programme - Phase 2
The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has announced that it will be holding a series of workshops and seminars to help potential applicants access the Phase 2 of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. Under this programme grants of up to £1 million are available to help organisations install renewable energy technologies. The programme can fund public sector organisations, including local authorities, schools, and hospitals, charities, community groups and housing associations. Grants are available for the instalation of the following energy efficient technologies; solar photovoltaics; solar thermal hot water; wind turbines; ground source heat pumps; automated wood pellet stoves; and wood fuelled boiler systems. For information on the programme and the workshops and seminars please click on the more info link.
http://www.lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk/events.jsp
Match Funding Scheme for Volunteering
V, the national charity that inspires volunteering amongst young people has announced that it has re-open its match funding programme. Through this programme v provides grants to charities that match up to 100% of any new private sector investment for youth volunteering projects in England. The aim of the fund is to inspire greater levels of investment in youth volunteering from private companies, charitable trusts and foundations and individuals. Following consultation with young people, v has developed a set of core themes for the Match Fund. v has a total grant amount of up to £15m available to match against up to £15m of private sector funding which equates to an investment of £30m in the voluntary sector for youth volunteering. The programme themes are; health and well being; the environment ; supporting children and young people; community cohesion; poverty; and human rights. In addition to its current match fund programme, v intends to maximise the impact of our corporate sector partnerships through the development of a flagship investment programme. This programme will involve directly commissioning third sector organisations to deliver highly innovative volunteering opportunities, which reflect young people's cares, passions and interests. Selection of third sector organisations will be informed by a panel of experts, young people and corporate sector investors. There are two application deadlines. The 29th August 2008 for projects starting in January 2009; and the 31st October 2008, for projects starting in April 2009.
http://www.wearev.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=96
More Money to Help Disabled Workers into Sustained Employment (England)
More money will be available to help disabled workers move into sustained employment .The Government has announced changes to WORKSTEP, a programme that helps disabled fulfill their true potential in work. The changes will mean the sustained progression payment will be increased fourfold from £500 to £2000. WORKSTEP is a supported employment programme aimed at helping disabled people find and retain work. The programme provides support for those facing the greatest barriers to finding and keeping a job. Supported employees on WORKSTEP work either in jobs in the open labour market, via supported placements, or within supported businesses, established to employ disabled people. WORKSTEP aims to help people progress to unsupported employment where this is the right option for them.
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/Helpfordisabledpeople/Workstep/index.html
Mustard Seed Fund
The Church Urban Fund (CUF) is seeking applications from churches and faith-based groups under its Mustard Seed Fund. The aim of the fund is to provide grants to enable churches and faith-based organisations to engage in social action through supporting them to initiate, develop and formulate ideas and opportunities in preparation for undertaking larger pieces of work. Mustard Seed Grants can pay for specific activities but not for on-going revenue expenditure, deficit funding, or retrospective spending. The ‘Mustard Seed’ programme makes grants up to £5,000 Grants, to test and try out new ideas. The programme operates on a rolling basis and applications can be made at any time.
http://www.cuf.org.uk/default.asp?id=58
Natural England Announces Extra £5 million to Protect Endangered Species and Habitats
Grants of between £25,000 and a maximum of £250,000 per year for three years are now available through a new funding scheme called “Countdown 2010 Biodiversity Action Fund” (BAF). This fund aims to help achieve the UK government’s commitment to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010 through supporting the recovery of priority species and habitats in England. The funding will operate on two levels. It will fund projects that protect specific endangered species, but the selection criteria will also favour initiatives dedicated to the revival of habitats and species across large areas. The scheme is open to Voluntary Organisations that directly contribute to the conservation of UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority habitats and species in England. All grants will be made for three years from 2008 to the end of March 2011. Grants are awarded up to a maximum of 50% of the total project costs. Matched funding from non-treasury sources must be secured to fund the remaining 50% of project costs. In kind contributions, such as volunteer time, can be used as part of this matched funding contribution. The closing date for applications is the 18th July 2008.
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/conservation/grants-funding/countdown.htm
New Fund to Improve Rural Railway Stations
The Department for Transport has announced a new £60,000 fund for Community Rail Partnerships to improve the facilities at small rural railway stations. The new Designated Community Rail Development Fund will help deliver improvements at local stations, such as more seats at stations, cycle parking and better information for passengers. It can also help fund awareness campaigns to encourage more people to use these lines. The fund is open to Community Rail Partnerships which exist to promote and develop the railway services for local people. The fund is being administered by the Association of Community Rail Partnerships. All eligible Community Rail Partnerships can apply to the fund for a grant of up to £5,000 per route.
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=367550&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False
New Fund to Regenerate Seaside Towns
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has announced a new £45 million Fund to regenerate England's most deprived seaside resorts. The Fund which will be administered by Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) will invest £15 million a year for the next three years in projects that use the distinct culture and heritage of seaside resorts to promote wider social, environmental and economic regeneration . CABE will work with the Regional Development Agencies to identify suitable projects. This could include regenerating historic high streets and public spaces, galleries or concert halls. Money will be made available to projects of different sizes, and it is intended that alongside a small number of major schemes, smaller projects around the coast will be funded each year. CABE will also seek additional financial support for successful projects from both public and private sector investors.
http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference_library/Press_notices/archive_2007/dcms147_07.htm
New SITA Trust Application Deadlines Published
The Sita Trust, which provides funding to community and environmental projects through the Landfill Communities Fund (formerly the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme), has announced the application deadlines for 2008. The Sita Trust provides funding to not for profit organisations, community groups, parish councils, Local Authorities and charities through a number of different grant programmes. These include:
· The Enhancing Communities Programme, which support community improvement projects.
· The Enriching Nature Programme which supports wildlife projects.
· GreenPrints which supports greenspace improvement projects carried out by young people aged 16-25.
To be eligible projects must be located within 10 miles of a Sita operated Landfill site. Previous projects supported by the Trust include the restoration and management of valuable heathland, projects demonstrating a more sustainable way of living and the renovation of a disused buildings for community use.
http://www.sitatrust.org.uk/apply/community/deadlines
NERC Launches New Strategic Research Programme
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has announced a new research
programme. Known as Ocean 2025, this new research programme will enable UK
universities and other research institutes to bid for funding to research
the impact on the marine environment of the anticipated climatic changes and
will be critical to developing sustainable solutions for the management of
marine resources for future generations. Oceans 2025 will receive
approximately £120 million from NERC over 5 years. The strategic nature of
the programme will aim to enhance the research capabilities and facilities
available for marine science.
http://www.nerc.ac.uk/press/releases/2007/02-oceans2025.asp
New Environmental Award Launched
The Conservation Foundation and O2 have come together to launch a new award scheme to help people improve their local environment. "Its Your Community" will provide awards of up to £1,000 to local organisations and individuals to support environmental projects such as turning derelict land into an amenity park or wildlife area, tree planting, creating a wildlife pond, renovating neglected river and canal footpaths, providing water butts and recycling facilities in village halls, etc. The fund is open to local amenity groups, parish and village councils, schools, youth clubs, heritage groups, environmental and conservation groups, and individuals who can show that their project will benefit their local environment.
http://www.conservationfoundation.co.uk/ActLocalAwards.php
New £3 Million Initiative to Help Disabled People into Self Employment
Disability charity Leonard Cheshire has joined up with Barclays to create a new £3 million initiative that aims to assist 600 disabled people to start their own businesses. The initiative which is called "Ready to Start", will last for three years, and will be rolled out across 27 Towns and Cities in England and Wales. The programme provides support for the "whole journey" of getting into self employment and will consist of free computer equipment and software; training programmes that meet individual learning needs; the provision of business advice for specific start-up issues and pointing people in the right direction for relevant trade bodies and business associations; and access to a 'Barclays buddy' who will be on hand to offer friendly support and encouragement.
http://www.leonard-cheshire.org/readytostart
Partnership Grants Scheme
The Electoral Commission has announced the launch of round 2 of its Partnership Grants Scheme. Under this scheme, grants of up to £100,000 will be available to not-for-profit organisations such as registered charities and public bodies to implement projects that involve more people in democratic process. In particular, the Electoral Commission wants to support projects that target young people not in formal education, people from ethnic minority communities and people with disabilities. Examples of projects supported through the previous funding round include working with people with a range of learning difficulties to help their understanding of how politics affects their everyday lives, and support them to become involved in the democratic process and a project working with young people not in formal education of to highlight how democracy is organised, enabling them to make connections between politicians and their everyday lives.
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/your-vote/partnershipgrants.cfm
Paul Hamlyn Foundation Education and Learning Programme
The Paul Hamlyn Foundation is currently accepting applications under its Education and Learning programme. In particular, the Foundation is looking to fund projects that promote innovation and change in the areas of supplementary schooling and tackling school exclusion and truancy. Eligible organisations that can apply for funding include charities, local authorities individual pre-schools, schools, out-of-school clubs, supplementary schools, colleges and youth clubs if they demonstrate benefits to the wider community and include partnership working that will result in increasing access to education and learning to all communities and age groups. The costs that can be covered by the Foundation's grants include running costs such as staff salaries and overheads such as stationery, rent, rates and utilities. There is no minimum or maximum size of grant that organisation's can apply for but the average size grant awarded in 2005-06 was £19,300. Applications can be made at any time.
http://www.phf.org.uk/page.asp?id=85
Prime Minister Announces New Global Fellowship for School Leavers
The Department for Children, Schools and Families has announced a new Global Fellowship for young people. It has been created to enable 100 school and college leavers each year to visit some of the major countries of the new global economy, starting in the summer of 2008 with China, India and Brazil. The Global Fellowship programme has been designed to provide an opportunity for young self-starters of school and college leaving age from all over the country and all backgrounds to venture out and explore the cultures and societies that will increasingly shape our lives in England. The six week programme will include; cultural and language immersion; work in a school or college where they can contribute as a language teaching assistant; and time spent with a global company, being introduced to business operations and local community impact programmes. Candidates will be put forward by Head Teachers or College Principals. In the selection process, the students will be asked to outline a project they would be interested to undertake while on their visit. The scheme is open to anyone in England who has been in full time education, training or apprenticeship and will be 18 or 19 years old at the time the Fellowship is awarded in June.
http://www.globalgateway.org/default.aspx?page=4120
PRS Foundation Grants Programme
The PRS Foundation for New Music (PRSF), which is the UK's largest independent funder for new music of any genre, provides a range of grants to stimulate and support the creation and performance of new music in the UK. This includes grants to support music festivals, new music, unsigned bands and promoters, etc. The Foundation also provides a range of bursaries to individuals. Since March 200 the Foundation has made more than 2000 grants totalling some £8.5 million. For more information on the types of grants available and the application deadlines, please click on the "more" link.
http://www.prsfoundation.co.uk/funding/2007deadlines.htm
Red Nose Day Programme 2005 - 2008
Comic Relief, has announced that its main grants programme is now open for applications. The main grants programme provides grants of over £5,000 to community and voluntary groups for projects relating to; older people; young people; mental health; refugees and asylum seekers; domestic violence; and disadvantaged communities. Funding is available for between one and three years and the level of grant support is likely to be between £15,000 and £40,000 per year for projects at local level; and higher for projects at regional and national level or for projects that can be replicated. The application deadline for the main grants programme is the 15th August 2008. In addition, the programme also makes grants of less than £5,000 for projects relating to older people; mental health; and disadvantaged communities through its small grants programme. The small grants programme is only open to organisations with a yearly turnover of less than £150,000 per year. Applications to the small grants programme can be made at any time.
http://www.comicrelief.com/apply-for-a-grant/uk/
Refugee Integration Awards Scheme
Unltd is providing grants of between £500 and £5,000 to refugees to set up projects that will make their communities a happier, safer, healthier and more just place. Unltd will also provide dedicated support including; training opportunities, tools and resources to ensure you develop your own skills as well as helping you develop your project. The scheme will aim to fund and support more than 75 projects over two years. Applications can be made at any Time.
http://www.unltd.org.uk/template.php?ID=55&PageName=newsandeventscont
RSWT Announces Details of its £50 Million Local Food Programme
The Big Lottery Fund has appointed the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT) as an Award Partner under its Changing Spaces programme. RSWT will use the £50 million awarded by BIG to launch a Local Food programme. Local Food will distribute grants to a variety of food-related projects to help make locally grown food accessible and affordable to local communities. The aim of the programme will be to improve health and well-being through exercise and better nutrition; to strengthen local economies through the creation of social enterprises; and to promote greater sustainability through the better use of resources. Grants from £2,000 up to £500,000 will be awarded to not-for-profit groups and organisations in England delivering such projects as growing, processing, marketing and distributing local food; composting and raising awareness of the benefits of such activities. The fund will open to applications in early February 2008.
http://www.rswt.org/localfood/
Sea Change - Support for Seaside Regeneration
It was announced in December 2007 that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport would be releasing a new £45 million funding boost to help regenerate run-down seaside resorts across England. The programme, which will see £15 million invested each year in heritage and culture from 2008 – 2011, will be led by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).
Allocated Funding
As part of the Annual large grants programme offering funding to commissioned local authorities, CABE have already named the first three resorts that will benefit from the new scheme:
- Blackpool.
- Dover.
- Torbay.
Each of the aforementioned will receive up to £4 million for cultural and heritage projects aimed at breathing new life into the resorts. Applications under this scheme must be match funded by a minimum of 100%. The money will be used for projects such as:
- improving high streets, promenades, harbours or gardens;
- constructing new buildings or converting existing ones for use as cultural centres; or
- enhancing existing galleries, concert halls, dance spaces, theatres and arts centres.
Further Grants Open to Application
Blackpool, Dover and Torbay were chosen by a partnership headed by CABE, and up to 12 other seaside towns will also receive smaller grants this year. The main criterion in selecting the resorts is social and economic deprivation. As part of the programme of smaller funds, grants of between £200,000 and £1,000,000 will be available to Local Authorities representing seaside resorts and must be match funded by a minimum of 50%.
Projects might include:
- cultural projects which will contribute to local place-making or arts projects which provide new opportunities for local communities and visitors;
- improving the quality and the experience of the historic environment; and
- natural and built environment and public space projects.
Applications will be accepted in waves. Wave one is currently open for applications with a deadline of 30 June 2008. Wave two is expected to open in October 2008.
http://www.cabe.org.uk/default.aspx?contentitemid=2442
Sport England Relaunches Sportsmatch
Sport England has announced the re-launch of its Sportsmatch initiative to encourage new or additional sponsorship investment from businesses, trusts and private individuals into community based sports projects. Through the scheme, Sportsmatch will continue to offer pound for pound matched funding to investments made by businesses, trusts and individuals into projects that encourage sports participation at grass roots level. The minimum award made by Sport England is £1,000 and the maximum is £50,000. If you are a school the minimum award is £500 (the maximum is still £50,000). The funding available is primarily for running costs although capital awards of up to £10,000 can be made through the scheme. Applicants will now apply online with telephone support available from Sport England on 08458 508 508. The scheme is open to community based sports projects, in particular those that benefit young people, disability groups, black and minority ethnic groups and/or women and girls. All projects applying in 2008/09 will need to ensure that they are able to deliver their project in its entirety by 31 March 2009. This will ensure that the benefits of the scheme are received at the earliest opportunity. Since its original launch in November 1992, Sportsmatch, together with commercial sponsorship, has invested more than £102 million into 5784 community sports projects across England. Applications to the scheme can be made at any time.
http://www.sportsmatch.co.uk/index.html
Sport Relief Grants
Community based organisations working with disadvantaged communities and groups in the UK are eligible to apply for funding under the Sport Relief Grants Programme. The Sport Relief which was set up by Comic Relief and BBC Sport to use the power and passion of sport to tackle poverty and disadvantage. In the UK, money raised through Sport Relief 2006 is currently being distributed in two ways. The Community Foundation Network is distributing Sport Relief grants of up to £10,000 to projects that use sport to build the confidence and self esteem of people who are having major problems in their lives. Other projects will give people who would otherwise miss out, the chance to take part in sport. UnLtd is distributing Sport Relief grants of up to £5,000 to young people who use sport to bring people together in their local area to enhance community relations and reduce conflict where they live.
http://www.comicrelief.com/apply-for-a-grant/uk/sport-relief/
Starting out in ICT
Limited or no technical knowledge? Then have a look at some new articles on the ICT Hub Knowledgebase website that provide an ideal starting
point for understanding key concepts of ICT (Information & Communications Technology).
http://www.icthubknowledgebase.org.uk/startingout
Strengthening the Voluntary Sector Programme 2008
The Baring Foundation, which is an independent charitable foundation and distributes just over £3 million in grants each year has announced that it’s “Strengthening the Voluntary Sector” grants programme is likely to re-open for applications in March 2008. The programme is open to registered charities or constituted not-for-profit organisations, provides grants to help organisations to maintain or incre |
