Published Wednesday 14 August 2019 at 17:19
This insight outlines a range of funding opportunities open to the public sector, businesses, community groups etc. Regular funding opportunities are also available via the websites below:
National Lottery Grant for Heritage
Community groups can now access potential grant funding opportunities through the free Blackburn with Darwen Open4Community online search tool.
For all Blackburn with Darwen Council funding bids
Please check whether match funding is required, if it is please contact and inform your Finance colleague.
Funding opportunities greater than £100,000
Building Resilient Local Economies (UK)
The programme aims to build a more resilient, fairer and sustainable economic system. Organisations working within the UK who want to help transform financial systems into ‘engines for social benefit’ can apply for grants through the Foundation. Grants in the past have been up to £200,000 to cover capital or revenue funding, core costs or project costs. Activities funded will fit closely with the aims of the Foundation and deliver one of two key outcomes.
These are “System Change” and “Local Economic Resilience”; under ‘Systems Change’ the Foundation will be looking to support projects that develop and demonstrate methods that will effectively change policy and corporate behaviours in pursuit of wider social objectives. Under ‘Local economic resilience’ the Foundation is looking to support projects that share learning about effective ways for communities to create more sustainable economic systems and retain more of the value generated. This might include creating community assets or new approaches to local finance. Previous organisations supported include:
- SUSTAIN, which received a grant of £75,000 for a concerted three-year campaign, drawing on the support of many people and organisations to achieve changes in government policy and industry practice to create a million good jobs though better farming and land-use.
- ECHO, a trading network of over 500 organisations in East London that uses time as the currency, rather than money. This project received a grant of £140,000 and aims to develop and refine the infrastructure for local, sustainable Echo systems at national scale.
The next deadline for applications to the Friends Provident Foundation – Building Resilient Economies programme is 12 noon on the 7th October 2019.
New £3.5 Million Fund to Develop Data Access and Sharing Methods (UK)
UK Research and Innovation has announced that it will invest up to £3.5 million to develop responsible data access and sharing methods in the accountancy, insurance and legal services sectors.
The first part of this competition involves individuals participating in a 3-day residential Innovation Lab to develop their collaborative proposals. Applicants are invited across a range of disciplines and backgrounds to create project teams – consortia – that might not otherwise work together that might not otherwise work together, and will be considered by an assessment panel, with desirable traits including:
- an open, flexible and creative outlook
- the ability to work constructively with people from diverse disciplines
Following the Innovation Lab, consortia will be able to refine and finalise their proposals with their consortium before applying to the £3.5 million funding. The Innovation Lab takes place over 3 days on 14th-16th October 2019. Up to £1.5 million per project will be available. Organisations can be a UK-based business, regulatory body, academic organisation, charity, public sector organisation or research and technology organisation (RTO), and must intend to carry out its project work and exploit the results from the UK.
The closing date to join the Innovation Lab is the 4th September 2019, and applicants will be notified by the 4th October 2019.
£1 Million Available for Lifeboat Charities (UK)
Lifeboat charities across the UK can now bid for government funding for life-saving equipment. A total of £1 million is available. The fund is open to search and rescue teams in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to buy new boats, engines or other equipment. So far, the £6 million scheme has paid for 82 new boats, more than 1,800 items of equipment for rescue operations and in excess of 5,000 items of crew kit to keep volunteers safe on missions.
The Fund will contribute to costs of purchasing equipment to support rescue operations. Equipment supported by the Fund last year included rescue boats and other craft (e.g. flood rescue rafts, kayaks, etc), launch equipment and launch vehicles, personal protective and other crew equipment.
The Fund will pay a maximum of 90% of the ex-VAT costs of any funded items. Successful charities are expected to meet the remaining 10% as a match funding contribution. To be eligible Charities will need to demonstrate that they already operate a lifeboat or rescue boat that operates inshore/inland and is used to respond in dangerous or difficult situations to rescue people and vessels in distress.
The closing date for applications is midnight on the 2nd September 2019.
The Rank Foundation – Pebble Grants Programme (UK)
UK registered charities and recognised churches which are raising money for capital projects (building work, refurbishment or the purchase of long-term equipment) or a one-off short term activity (such as an annual respite break or holiday for disadvantaged young people) can apply for funding through the Rank Foundation – Pebble Grants programme.
To be eligible to apply the total project cost must be less than £1 million, the organisation must have an annual income of less than £500,000 and the organisation applying must already have raised a third of the total costs.
Applications can be submitted at any time and the Foundation is currently accepting applications for the November 2019 meeting of Trustees.
Organisations can only apply once every 12 months regardless of the outcome of their application.
Funding opportunities between £25,000 and £100,000
Funding of up to £60,000 for Community Centres and Village Halls (UK)
The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation is offering Community Centres in deprived urban communities and Village Halls in remote and economically deprived rural areas the opportunity to apply for capital grants of between £7,500 and £60,000. Grants can be used to fund new buildings; upgrading, renovating or extending buildings; improving or creating outside space (but not car parks). All applicants must have secured 50% of the total cost of the work and have local community fundraising underway.
Grants will be made to projects centred on ‘community centres’ in the broad sense, this may include a church, sports facility or other building which offers a range of activities throughout the week which all the community can access. It is expected that the completed venue will provide a range of activities for all ages and abilities which help to promote community cohesion and address local problems of isolation, poverty, lack of local facilities, transport and other issues of relevance to the area in which the centre is located. The Foundation is particularly interested in innovative schemes to bring back disused buildings into full community use i.e. as community hubs, shops and activity venues. Traditional Village Halls are also supported.
Previous projects supported include:
- £25,000 to Ingol and Tanterton Community Trust towards the cost of building an extension to the kitchen of a busy community café as part of a major expansion project at a community centre in Preston.
- £18,000 towards the cost of Ty Talcen Community & Visitor Centre as part of the regeneration of the rural community of Myddfai in Carmarthenshire.
- £16,193 to Islay & Jura Community Enterprises towards the cost of refurbishing a leisure centre which focusses on providing facilities for disadvantaged and deprived members of the two Hebridean islands.
Applications can be submitted at any time and should show that, in urban areas, the venue is in the most deprived 20% of the latest government Indices of Multiple Deprivation or, in rural areas, in the most deprived 50% of the Indices.
Awards for Conservationists Now Open (International)
Applications for the Whitley Awards 2020 are now open. Whitley Awards of up to £40,000 are for dynamic mid-career conservationists who are leading wildlife conservation projects in developing countries. Whitley Awards are for dynamic mid-career conservationists who are leading wildlife conservation projects in developing countries.
Whitley Awards are for dynamic mid-career conservationists who are leading wildlife conservation projects in developing countries. Winners tend to be nationals of the country in which they are working, and are looking to scale up work that is proven to be effective and would benefit from further funding and profile boost. To be eligible, projects must involve local communities at the grassroots level and deliver practical action that is founded on science.
Applications close at midnight GMT on 31 October 2019.
Awards for Conservationists Now Open (International)
Applications for the Whitley Awards 2020 are now open. Whitley Awards of up to £40,000 are for dynamic mid-career conservationists who are leading wildlife conservation projects in developing countries. Whitley Awards are for dynamic mid-career conservationists who are leading wildlife conservation projects in developing countries.
Whitley Awards are for dynamic mid-career conservationists who are leading wildlife conservation projects in developing countries. Winners tend to be nationals of the country in which they are working, and are looking to scale up work that is proven to be effective and would benefit from further funding and profile boost. To be eligible, projects must involve local communities at the grassroots level and deliver practical action that is founded on science.
Applications close at midnight GMT on 31 October 2019.
Homes in Community Hands: Funding Programme Opens for Applications (England)
Power to Change is awarding grants of between £15,000 and £100,000 (the average will be around £50,000) through the “Homes in Community Hands Fund” to community led housing projects that will create schemes that deliver affordable homes for rent or sale to locally connected people. These can be either as new build housing or by refurbishing empty properties.
Small amounts of capital funding averaging around £25,000 are also available to applicants to sit alongside the main revenue grant.
The funding is focused on community groups in the early stages of their community-led housing development and is intended to support feasibility and pre-development work, leading up to submitting a planning application.
Grants awarded through the programme can be used for the following:
- Feasibility work to assess the viability of a site or buildings for development
- Pre-development costs to develop plans, leading to submitting a planning application (if required)
- Post-planning costs for work to get your project ready to start on site
Applications can be submitted at any time. All funding must be committed by December 2021.
Funding for Special Schools and Colleges (UK)
Special needs schools and colleges can apply for grants of between £15,000 and £75,000 through the Wolfson Foundation’s Funding for Special Schools and Colleges grants programme. The funding is available for projects that are focused towards helping pupils to develop skills which would help them to gain employment or live independently after leaving school or college.
The funding covers capital costs such a buildings and equipment. The applicant organisation should meet all of the following criteria:
- be a registered charity, local authority
- be registered with the relevant regulatory authority, where applicable, and have at least a good rating
The project should be for a new building, refurbishment work or equipment and aim to produce one or more of the following outcomes:
- Increased access to services for new and existing users
- Improved quality and range of services
- Improved financial stability of the organisation
Previous projects supported include:
- a grant of £16,000 to the Lindsworth School in Birmingham for the refurbishment of an on-site house for Independent Living Skills programme;
- a grant of £25,000 to BeyondAutism for the Redevelopment of Rainbow School’s Earlsfield Campus, South London; and
- Victoria School and Specialist Arts College in Birmingham which received a grant of £35,000 towards a Food Technology Room.
Projects requesting £50,000 or more need to have matched funding in place.
There is a 2-stage application process and the next stage 1 closing date is the 5th January 2020. Applications successful at this stage will have until the 1st September 2019 to complete the stage 2 application.
Funding to Support Vulnerable Young Migrants (UK)
Not for profit organisations and private law firms that work with young migrants can apply for grants through the Strategic Legal Fund (SLF) for Vulnerable Young Migrants.
The maximum grant available is £30,000, however, limited funding is available and therefore lower applications are encouraged. The average grant size is around £12,000. Grants are available to undertake strategic legal work to benefit children and young people (under the age of 25) who are significantly disadvantaged by migration status. The fund will accept applications in any area of law that affects:
- Vulnerable young migrants including immigration
- Asylum and asylum support
- Human rights
- Education; etc.
The SLF only funds two kinds of strategic legal action- pre-litigation research and “third party intervention” in an existing case. The maximum grant length is 12 months, and most grants are for around six months.
The next closing date for applications is the 6th September 2019.
Interest Free Loans for Enterprising Ideas that Improve Community Spaces (UK)
Community organisations that own or manage a building or outdoor space that’s used for a wide range of community activities can apply for interest free loans of up to £50,000 for up to 5 years to develop their trading activities and generate a more sustainable income.
The aim is to generate a regular income that allows community organisations to maintain and invest in community spaces. The funding is being made available through the Co-op Foundation. Organisations based in more deprived areas or who work mainly with more disadvantaged members of the community may also be eligible for grant funding alongside the loan.
Successful applicants do not make any repayments in the first year whilst there are developing their trading activities. Applications can be submitted at any time via an Expression of Interest form.
2020 GSK Impact Awards Now Open for Applications (UK)
The GSK IMPACT Awards provide funding, training and development for registered charities working to make a positive difference to community health in the UK. Funded by British pharmaceutical company GSK and managed in partnership with The King’s Fund, the awards are open to registered charities that are at least three years old, working in a health-related field in the UK, with a total annual income of between £80,000 and £2.5 million.
The overall winner will receive £40,000 and up to 10 winners will receive £30,000, up to 10 runners-up will also receive £3,000. As part of the award, the winning charities are given the opportunity to take part in a training and development programme and join the Network of GSK IMPACT Award winners. This is valued at £8,000.
Research bodies, advice agencies and groups focusing on broader social welfare work are not eligible. The assessment is based on the achievements of the whole organisation which must be focused on community health.
The deadline for applications is 5pm, 23rd September 2019.
Funding for Research and Projects that Address Severe Learning Disabilities (UK)
The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund is a registered charity which was established to provide both research and project funding in the area of severe learning difficulties, including autism for both children and adults. Grants are made to cover capital projects and core costs to include staff costs, general running and office costs at charitable organisations, schools and centres.
Projects funded include:
- Capital works for residential, nursing and respite care, and schools
- Employment schemes including woodwork, crafts, printing and horticulture
- Play schemes and play therapy schemes
- Day and social activities centres including building costs and running costs
- Support for families, including respite schemes
- Independent living schemes
- Support in the community schemes
- Snoezelen rooms.
Applications will only be considered from voluntary organisations which are registered charities or are associated with a registered charity. Schools and Parent Teacher Associations and Industrial & Provident Societies can also apply. Funding in the past has ranged in value from £250 to £150,000.
Recent awards have been made to:
- Rose Road Association, £30,000 towards capital costs and funding of short breaks.
- Stepping Stones Play and Learn Group, £25,000 towards core costs of Play Group.
- Willow Tree Garden, £30,000 towards refurbishment and development of buildings connected with the woodworking workshops.
The next deadline for applications seeking funding in excess of £10,000 is the 1st January 2020. Applications for £10,000 and below are considered under the Small Grants procedure and can be submitted at any time.
Funding opportunities under £25,000
Pink Ribbon Foundation Grants (UK)
Grants of up to £5,000 are available to UK charities:
- To relieve the needs of people who are suffering from, or have been affected by, breast cancer by providing, or assisting in the provision of, information, care or emotional, practical and financial support.
- To advance public education in the understanding of breast cancer, its early detection and treatment, in particular but not exclusively by commissioning, or conducting, research into the causes, detection and treatment of breast cancer and by disseminating the results of such research.
Higher grants may be awarded if the trustees feel there is a special reason to do so. Any charity working in the field of breast cancer can apply for a grant. Applications from general cancer charities must demonstrate that the grants requested will be applied to benefit those affected by breast cancer. Where applications relate to general services, details must be given of how many (and what proportion) of the total number benefiting from the charity’s work are affected by breast cancer.
The closing date for applications is the 29th May 2020.
Funding to Enable Disadvantaged Young People Reach their Potential (UK)
Registered charities (including Schools that are registered as charities for young people with disabilities) that work with disadvantaged children under the age of 25 can apply for funding of up to £10,000 through the Ironmongers Company’s grants programme. In particular, the company wants to support projects that provide opportunities for disadvantaged children and young people to fulfil their potential and educational activities that develop learning, motivation and skills.
Projects could, for example, support special educational needs; address behavioural problems or promote citizenship; and parenting or life skills. Preference will be given to projects piloting new approaches where the outcomes will be disseminated to a wider audience. Although the grants are available within the UK preference is given to projects in inner London.
The next deadline for applications is the 15th December 2019.
Funding to Encourage Young People to Study Science Subjects (UK)
In response to the much publicised skills gap in the British engineering industry, the Ironmongers’ Foundation wishes to support initiatives that encourage talented young people under the age of 25 to study science subjects at school and go on to pursue engineering-related further education or vocational training.
The funding is available to registered or exempt charities within the UK, with a preference for urban areas outside London and particularly areas in the north and midlands with a manufacturing presence.
Activities must be additional to those funded by government or other sources e.g. covered by school budgets. The Foundation prefers to support smaller projects where its contribution can make a real difference.
The next closing date for applications is the 1st December 2019.
Funding for Projects that Combat Abuse and Violation of Human Rights (UK)
The Trust supports UK-registered charities that work towards combating abuse and violations of human rights and to support the disadvantaged by fostering community action. The Trust is particularly focused on charities supporting unpopular causes reaching the most vulnerable and marginalised in society. This can include:
- Prisoners and penal reform
- Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers
- Human rights, particularly access to justice.
Grants range in size, with most grants awarded being in the range £10,000 to £20,000. ABCT does not normally fund charities with large national or international links.
The next closing date for applications is the 27th October 2019.
Funding to Support Community Businesses (England)
From the 6th August 2919, community groups in England will be able to apply for grants of up to £15,000 as well as tailored business support to help them develop their community businesses ideas. The Community Business Bright Ideas Fund will give community groups the early stage finance they need to carry out consultations with local people to develop a community business idea, and will also give them support and tools to start setting it up.
Aylesham Hub Ltd, who are working to create a community centre in East Kent, were one of the successful applicants in 2018. The Bright Ideas Fund enabled the group to carry out a pre-feasibility study, including consulting local people via initial surveys, holding listening events and building partnerships with local groups, organisations and individuals.
The programme is funded by Power to Change and delivered by Locality in partnership with Co-operatives UK, the Plunkett Foundation and Groundwork UK.
The closing date for applications is the 30th September 2019.
Anyone interested in applying can join a free webinar on Tuesday 16 July at 11am. To register for the webinar and access a recording of it, follow this link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8304687590541627915
Funding for Artists to Develop their Artistic Practice (England)
Arts Council England is looking for exciting, ambitious proposals that allow applicants to take that important next step in the way they make their work. Applicants are encouraged to consider their long-term needs and proposals can cover creative research and development or building skills through international exchange. Examples might include:
- Creative media and the wider creative industries e.g. film or audio, design or gaming
- Technology, including digital technology e.g. virtual reality or live-streaming
- Other non-arts organisations or settings e.g. residential-care providers, or a science organisation
- Other non-arts cultural forms or sectors e.g. health and wellbeing, social inclusion, heritage or sport
This fund is only open to individuals over the age of 18 years who:
- Are living and working in England
- Have three years’ creative practice experience outside a formal education context
- Are working in Arts Council England’s supported disciplines i.e. they will be dancers, choreographers, writers, translators, producers, publishers, editors, musicians, conductors, composers, actors, directors, designers, artists, craft makers, and curators.
Awards of £2, 000 – £10,000 (from a total pot of £3.6 million per year) are made through quarterly rounds. Funded project activities can last up to one year.
The next funding round of the Arts Council England’s Developing your Creative Practice programme is due to re-open for applications on the 10th October 2019. The closing date for applications will be 12 pm on the 14th November 2019.
Funding to Support Integration with the Armed Forces Community (UK)
Under the Armed Forces Covenant Local Grants programme, schools as well as other local organisations can apply for grants of up to £20,000 for local projects that support community integration or local delivery of services to the armed Forces.
Funding is available for community integration projects that create strong local links between the Armed Forces community, (current and former members of their armed forces and their families) and civilian communities. Projects supported will be able to clearly demonstrate how they will overcome barriers to better integration and improve perceptions, attitudes and understanding. For the project to be truly effective in achieving community integration there should be shared development, delivery and benefits for both communities.
Previous projects supported include:
- Cornbank St James Primary School which received a grant of £20,000 for a sports facility will enable the children to come together and enjoy safe play of a multitude of sports. Through sport and games, social and communication skills are developed, this is key to Armed Forces Children entering a new school experience alongside others who have established relationships.
- Priory Church in Wales Primary School which received a grant of £19,900 to bring the local and Armed Forces Community together allowing children, parents and local community to socialise with each other in a safe and central place within the community. Additionally, interventions can be carried out to help pupil extend their learning skills and provide them with confidence within themselves and their learning.
Apply at any time up to the 2nd December 2019.
Grants to Protect Biodiversity and Ecosystems (UK / Worldwide)
Outdoor clothing company Patagonia has funding of up to $12,000 available for projects that address the root causes of environmental problems.
Small, grassroots, activist organisations around the world, working on action orientated and multi-pronged campaigns to preserve and protect biodiversity and the environment, can apply for grants to run projects that protect local habitats.
Applicants must be able to produce measurable project results, and Patagonia are particularly keen to support efforts that force the government to abide by laws. Creative methods to engage communities to take action, including film, photography and books will only be supported if they are tightly linked to a direct-action campaign on the issue, with specific goals that go beyond education and awareness.
The deadline for applications is the 31st January 2020.
Grants for Musicians and Bands (UK)
Artists or bands at a crucial tipping point in their careers who are showing current progression and growth can apply for a grant of £5,000-£15,000 to significantly develop their careers over the next two years. Activities eligible for support include recording, touring and marketing. Applications can be submitted by the artists themselves or those who are working on their behalf, for example, a manager, an independent label or publisher.
PRS for Music Foundation has announced that the next application deadline for the Momentum Music Fund is 6pm on the 28th August 2019. Priority will be given to those that haven’t been funded by PRS for Music Foundation in the previous 12 months.
Funding for Projects that Promote a Better Understanding of the Environment and Countryside (UK)
UK based schools and not for profit organisations can apply for funding to the Nineveh Charitable Trust for a broad range of projects and activities that promote a better understanding of the environment and countryside, whilst facilitating improved access, education and research. Whilst the Trust does not specify a minimum or maximum grant amount that can be applied for, an analysis of previous grants would suggest a maximum of £5,000 per year for up to three years.
Previous projects supported include:
- Busby Primary School which received a grant of £2,000 to build a ‘vertical garden’ for environment enhancement as well as the children’s educational value;
- a grant of £1,400 to Bickleigh-On-Exe Primary School to create an all-weather school and community gardening area with poly-tunnel and shed;
- Castlemilk Day Nursery which received a grant of £5,000 to build a multi-function shelter with provision for special needs teaching; and
- St Joseph’s Specialist School & College, which received a grant of £4,000 towards a community garden expansion.
Applications are usually discussed at the Trustees’ quarterly meetings and applications can be submitted at any time.