Published Tuesday 21 January 2020 at 12:40
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
Funding for projects that help young people succeed in adulthood
Comic Relief has announced the launch of its Future Lookin’ Good Youth (Safe Place To Be) programme. Working in partnership with The KFC Foundation the programme provides grants of £100,000 to £200,000 to proposals focused on young people aged 11 – 25 years old from groups under-served by current services. Comic Relief will only consider funding proposals that clearly outline how they will support young people to succeed in adulthood. For example, by providing holistic support through mentoring or coaching, building life skills or improving young people’s ability to gain sustainable employment.
Proposals must clearly demonstrate how they will help young people build a positive future; building the skills necessary to live with dignity and be able to access basic housing and create a happy home in which they feel safe and secure. Proposals must also be working with one or more of the following priority groups:
- Young people experiencing homelessness or insecure housing
- Young offenders, ex-offenders and those at risk of offending
- Care leavers – The broad definition of a care leaver (as described by the Care Leavers Association) is “Any adult who spent time in care as a child (i.e. under the age of 18). Such care could be in foster care, residential care (mainly children’s homes), or other arrangements outside the immediate or extended family.”
- Young carers – The official definition of a young carer is ‘…a person under 18 who provides or intends to provide care for another person (of any age, except where that care is provided for payment, pursuant to a contract or as voluntary work).’ Children and Families Act 2014 Section 96.
- Young parents – defined as young women and men who became or will become parents at 21 years old or younger
Comic Relief want to make sure that young people are at the heart of the projects they fund. To achieve this, Comic Relief aim to involve young people at as many stages of the decision-making process as possible.
They are asking organisations to create a two to three-minute video about their project along with 250 words by Friday, 7th February 2020.
Videos and proposals will be shortlisted by young people as well as Comic Relief staff.
Funding For areas least engaged in arts and culture
The Arts Council of England has launched the 2nd funding round of the Creative People and Places Fund. Through the programme the Arts Council is allocating at least £39 million between 2020-24 to places identified as the ‘least engaged’ in arts and culture across England, according to the Active Lives survey November 2015 to May 2017.
Projects eligible to apply must be led by consortia of organisations and must include community groups and/or grass-roots organisations as well as cultural organisations such as museums, libraries or arts organisations. Other partners might include clubs, housing associations, private sector organisations or universities.
Existing Creative People and Places cannot apply to this fund for additional activity in their current area. However, they can apply for an expansion to cover one of the new eligible areas.
Between £1,000,000 and £2,000,000 is available over four years for new programmes, which are not part of an existing Creative People and Places expansion programme. Grants of between £750,000 and £1,750,000 over four years for places are available areas covered by a current Creative People and Places expansion.
Matched funding of at least 25% need to be provided by the applicant.
The closing date for applications is 12pm on the 26th March 2020.
Funding for research and projects that address severe learning disabilities
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.
Applications for £10,000 and below are considered under the Small Grants procedure and can be submitted at any time.
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 March 2020.
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust – power and accountability
Funding is available from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) to support projects that challenge how power is concentrated, shared and used and how it is changing through globalisation, new technology, new channels of communication, extreme inequality and other factors. Specifically, the Trust wants to support people to create a world in which power is more equally shared, and in which powerful institutions are responsive and accountable to wider society and aligned with the long-term public interest.
Applications should address the following:
- Strengthening corporate accountability
- Strengthening democratic accountability
- Encouraging responsible media.
In addition to the specific focus areas above, JRCT is open to occasionally supporting other work that furthers the vision of this programme, is highly innovative, with the potential to bring about systemic change and is exceptionally difficult to fund from other sources.
Projects can be UK-based or can be pan-European. Applications aimed at increasing the accountability of the UK government and other UK bodies for the impact of the policies and practices that they pursue within global institutions are also considered.
A broad range of organisations and individuals are eligible to apply.
Recent grants awarded have ranged from £1,000 to £100,000+ including:
- £34,500 to the Bevan Foundation
- £11,000 to the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies
- £1,000 to three 4 all theatre
The next closing date for applications to the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust – Power and Accountability Fund is the 23rd March 2020.
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust – rights and justice
The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) is interested in funding work which is about removing problems through radical solutions, and not simply about making problems easier to live with; that has a clear sense of objectives, and of how to achieve them; and is innovative and imaginative and where the grant has a good chance of making a difference.
JCRT makes grants to a range of organisations including registered, excepted or exempt charities based in the UK for work that seeks to make positive change across the UK as a whole, or across one or more of its member countries – England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
The Funding priorities for the Rights and Justice theme are:
- Protection and promotion of human rights and their enforcement in the UK
- Promoting rights and justice for minorities who face the most severe forms of racism
- Promotion of rights and justice for refugees and other migrants by identifying and tackling structures and systems that may deny them their rights.
JRCT focuses on work at both a national and European level, although work at a European level is limited and must have direct relevance to communities living in the UK.
Whilst the focus is to support national advocacy and campaigning, JRCT is open to applications, which aim to effect structural change at local and regional levels of policy-making, provided the applicant can demonstrate the wider significance of the work.
Across the policy, JRCT places an emphasis on supporting those who have direct experience of racism and oppression.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for a grant for unrestricted or core support, although support for specific programme or project funding is also available.
Recent grants awarded have ranged from £5,000 to £100,000+ including:
- £20,000 to the Barrow Cadbury Trust
- £59,365 to Citizens UK (Safe Passage)
- £16,400 to the Equality and Diversity Forum
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust sustainable futures fund
The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust recognises that climate change caused by human activity is threatening the well-being of humanity and that the wealthiest countries and individuals are responsible for a disproportionate share of emissions, whilst the poorest countries and sections of society are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In order to tackle this issue, the Sustainable Futures fund focuses grant making on:
- Identifying the true costs and risks of resource depletion, climate change and other environmental problems
- Campaigns, initiatives and work that promote alternatives to consumerism
- Campaigns and movements that give a voice to young activists and marginalised groups on issues of economic and environmental justice.
Grants are available from a few hundred pounds to over £100,000 and may be single payments or spread over up to three years. Funding priorities are:
- Better economics – with grants funding work that explores how sustainability rather than traditional forms of economic growth
- Beyond consumerism – funded work will include that which engages people individually and collectively in moving culture away from consumerism and towards more sustainable ways of living
- New Voices – funding for campaigns and movements that enable marginalised groups and young activists to have a voice in decisions which affect them
The deadline to apply is the 23rd March 2020.
Funding to support refugee education for children affected by the syria crisis
The Al Madad Foundation has announced that it has launched a new funding round under its Education Grant Scheme. Up to £250,000 is available to support Innovative Solutions within Refugee Education in the Middle East affecting children as a result of the Syrian crisis. The fund is also open to UK based organisations operating within the Middle East for innovative projects that:
- Make education safe and accessible for refugees
- Improve the quality of education provided to refugees
- Build a strong system to support education.
The funding available can support one or more projects lasting for up to three years. The deadline for submitting concept notes is midnight (GMT) on the 4th February 2020.
Funding opportunities between £25,000 and £100,000
Funding to support vulnerable young migrants
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:
- Migrants or the children of migrants,
- Who are under 25,
- Who are living in poverty,
- Who face significant disadvantage or discrimination in connection with their (or their parents’) migration status.
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. For information on previously funded projects please click here.
The next closing date for applications is the 6th March 2020.
Grants to support animal welfare charities
The objectives of the Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust are to donate to UK registered charities whose purposes are to:
- Benefit or protect animals
- Relieve animals from suffering
- Conserve wildlife
- Encourage the understanding of animals
UK registered charities that have independently examined up to date annual accounts and an active re-homing and rehabilitation policy for animals taken into care are eligible to apply.
Organisations involved with the conservation of wildlife, the rescue, rehabilitation, and (where possible) release of animals are also eligible to apply. The funding can be used for general running costs or capital purchases.
The maximum donation is £35,000. The Trust may award smaller donations between the meetings at the discretion of the Chairman and Administrator of the Trust.
Repeat applications from charities are encouraged when further financial support is given if funds allow.
Applications must be made in writing only to: Mrs. Madeleine Orchard, Administrator, Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust, P.O.Box 469
London, W14 8PJ
The next deadline to apply is the 1st May 2020.
Funding to help develop community businesses
Disadvantaged and under-represented communities that want to develop successful community businesses by issuing community shares, can apply for development grants of up to £10,000 and equity investments of up to £100,000.
The funding is available to both new and existing community businesses. The funding is however not suitable for newly formed community groups that are in the early stages of developing a community business proposal.
The funding is being made available through the Community Shares Booster Programme. The funding will be in the form of equity held on equal terms with other community shareholders.
The programme is run by the Community Shares Unit, a joint initiative between Co-operatives UK and Locality. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with grant and investment decisions made within eight weeks of application.
Funding for capital projects in secondary schools and sixth form colleges
From the 1st May 2020, high achieving secondary schools and colleges will be eligible to apply for a grant towards the cost of capital projects through the Wolfson Foundation’s Funding for secondary schools & sixth form college’s programme. Secondary schools and Sixth form colleges are eligible to apply for grants of between £15,000 and £100,000.
Grants of between £15,000 and for £50,000 are available for equipment projects and grants of between £15,000 and £100,000 are available for new build and refurbishment projects.
The Wolfson Foundation’s Secondary Education Programme is primarily dedicated to supporting the teaching of A-Levels and GCSEs at high-achieving state-funded schools and sixth form colleges. The Foundation funds capital projects and in the past allocated approximately £1.75 million each year to new build, refurbishment or equipment projects related to the teaching of science, computer science, design & technology, art, languages, music and performing arts.
Schools and colleges that have reached a level of excellence determined by a combination of criteria, but mainly through the receipt of an outstanding Ofsted assessment (or regional equivalent) are eligible to apply.
Note: Special schools or special colleges should visit the Funding for special schools and colleges area of the Foundation’s website for grant opportunities.
Awards made in 2018 include:
- Biddulph High School, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire: £50,000 for New servers and network equipment
- Silverdale School, Sheffield, South Yorkshire: £50,000 towards a New science laboratory
- Shoreham Academy, West Sussex: £35,000 for IT equipment for music and art
There is a two-stage application process. Stage 1 applications are submitted online, via the online portal for applications. Please note applicants will need to register an account before starting an online application. Stage 2 applications will be via invitation only. The deadline for stage 1 applications will be the 10th June 2020.
Power to change institute invites research proposals
The Power to Change Research Institute is inviting expressions of interest for high-quality research projects on volunteering in the community business sector in England.
Twice a year the Institute invite applications from those who understand the needs of community businesses best, be they: community businesses themselves; organisations that represent or support them; academics; research organisations or think-tanks. The Institute are particularly interested in partnership bids between researchers and community businesses or voluntary sector organisations.
This round, funding of up to £50,000 per project is available. The Institute anticipate funding 2-3 research projects.
After the expression of interest phase, a selection of the projects will be invited to submit a full proposal for consideration by our panel.
The deadline for expressions of interest is 10am on Monday 3rd February 2020.
Funding opportunities under £25,000
Grants for families facing financial hardship whilst caring for a child with a serious illness
Families facing financial hardship whilst caring for a child with a serious illness can apply for grants of up to £1,000 per child to fund a variety of essential items and services. This can include (but is not limited to) specialist equipment, creative therapies, hospital travel expenses, everyday items to improve the child’s quality of life, attending medical/support group conference, social activities and memberships.
Marvellous Family grants are open to any family residing in the UK with a child who has a serious illness that could be life-limiting as described by the following criteria:
- Group 1 – Life threatening conditions for which curative treatment may be feasible but can fail (e.g. epilepsy, irreversible organ failures of heart, liver, kidneys.)
- Group 2 – Conditions where premature death is inevitable (e.g. cystic fibrosis.)
- Group 3 – Progressive conditions without curative treatment options (e.g. Batten disease, mucopolysaccaridoses, muscular dystrophy.)
- Group 4 – Irreversible but non-progressive conditions causing severe disability leading to susceptibility to health complications and likelihood of premature death (e.g. sickle cell disease, cerebral palsy, multiple disabilities such as brain or spinal cord insult.)
- Group 5 – Syndromes without a name (SWAN) causing severe, chronic disability or illness.
Applications must be completed by health or social care professionals on behalf the family and are considered at monthly meetings.
The application deadline for the next meeting is 12pm on the 31st January 2020.
British Ecological Society: Outreach grants
The British Ecological Society has announced that its Outreach Grants programme is now open for applications. Through the programme, individuals and organisations such as schools, museums, libraries and community groups will be able to apply for grants to promote ecological science to a wide audience.
The funding is available for projects that increase public understanding of, and engagement with ecology by:
- Increasing public understanding of, and engagement with, ecology
- Stimulating discussion about ecology and its implications for society
- Inspiring and enthusing people of all ages about the science of ecology, especially those not previously interested
- Developing skills in communicating the science of ecology
Applications from museums and schools are welcome but projects must involve significant outreach beyond schools as those aimed solely at delivering curriculum to school children will not be considered. Grants are not be awarded for purely nature conservation purposes or any activity that does not promote the science of ecology.
Projects supported will:
- Be aimed at a non-academic audience
- Provide a clear demonstration of direct interaction with the audience
- Show evidence of links to the research community at UK, regional and international levels, where appropriate
The maximum award is £2,000, which may form all or part of the total costs of the project. Larger projects involving other sponsors are also funded.
The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 20th March 2020.
Royal Society of Chemistry: Outreach fund small grants scheme
Individuals and organisations such as researchers, museums, schools, community groups, not-for-profit organisations, arts groups and libraries can apply for grants of up to £10,000 to run chemistry-based events and activities for public audiences and in schools.
Applications for school’s engagement activities should demonstrate how the proposed activities will:
- enrich student’s chemistry education and not solely deliver the curriculum
- provide students with opportunities to explore chemistry through local contexts, and / or
- demonstrate career opportunities and develop employability skills, and / or
- provide opportunities which would not normally be accessible to the students taking part, e.g. for hard-to-reach student audiences.
Applications for public engagement activities should demonstrate how the proposed activities will:
- increase chemists’ visibility as approachable people and /or
- increase the publics’ confidence in discussing chemistry and /or
- demonstrate the relevance of chemistry to everyday interests and concerns.
The Outreach Fund is split into two categories: small grants – up to £2,000 and large grants – between £2,000 and £10,000.
Previously funded projects include “Cool chemistry at the seaside” where the Society awarded a grant of £2,000 to volunteers in Ramsgate who transformed an empty town-centre shop into a makeshift theatre, delivering free chemistry demonstrations to anyone.
The closing date for applications to the small grants programme is the 11th May 2020. The closing date for the large grants programme is the 14th September 2020.
Small grants for summer playschemes
From the 1st February 2020, charities, social enterprises and community interest companies with an annual income of under £100,000 will be able to apply for grants of £500 to £1,000 towards a playscheme that runs for a minimum of 2 weeks or 10 days during the summer holidays.
Grants can only be paid to registered charities. Non-registered organisations must give the full name and address of a registered charity who has agreed to accept a grant on their behalf.
Around 35 grants are made each year with preference is given to:
- Small local playschemes that provide a wide-ranging programme of activities
- Schemes that involve a large number of children
- Schemes catering for those from disadvantaged backgrounds or that have a disability
- Schemes that are inclusive such as projects that work with children from a range of backgrounds, abilities and race
- Schemes where past users are encouraged to come back and help as volunteers
Priority is given to projects make good use of volunteers and encourage past and current users to participate.
Applicant charities annual income must be under £100,000.
The trustees will review applications in May.
The closing date for applications will be published once the Fund has opened.
Funding for financial literacy projects
The MSE Charity has announced that its grants programme will re-open for applications on the 3rd February 2020. The charity gives grants to not for profit organisations that deliver activities which make a lasting impact on how people think, behave and manage their money.
The MSE Charity is dedicated to supporting UK voluntary groups delivering financial life skills which make a lasting impact on the way people think, behave and manage their money. Grants of up to £5,000 are available for projects that aim to make people living with ‘Long Term Challenges’ become more financially capable. Grants will be offered to build financial capability by assisting groups who support people living with:
- dementia
- autism
- learning difficulties
- disabilities
- caring responsibilities
- mental illness
- brain injuries
- strokes
Eligible applicants will be registered charities, Community Interest Companies (CICs) and other not for profit companies and Credit Unions. Preference is given to projects that break new ground in approach, delivery or in audience and are either capable of replication to a wider audience and/or are collaborative i.e. working with other organisations in the field, or geographical area as appropriate.
Potential applicants are asked to complete an Eligibility Quiz and read the Guidance Notes prior to application.
The closing date is the 28th February 2020 or when 40 applications have been received.
Funding for music and arts projects for people with disabilities
The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust will re-open its grants scheme on the 1st February 2020. Grants of up to £1,000 will be available for projects improving opportunities and access for people with one or more of the following:
- physical disabilities
- learning disabilities
- mental health difficulties.
The Trust particularly welcome projects that are focused on Outreach.
The funding is available to registered charities with an annual income of between £100,000 and £1 million.
The closing date for applications will be the 28th February 2020.
Funding for classical music lessons, instruments and courses
Individuals of school age, teachers and schools can now apply for grants of up to £2,000 towards classical music lessons, instruments and courses. The funding aims to inspire and encourage a new generation of classical musicians and composers, and help children afford a classical music education, no matter what their financial background.
Decca, the biggest classical record label in the UK is supporting the launch of the new Universal Music UK Sound Foundation bursary – the Decca Bursary.
For further information please contact umuksfdeccabursary@umusic.com
The closing date for applications is the 14th February 2020.
Tesco bags of help grants programme opens for 2020 applications
Community groups and schools can now apply for funding of up to £2,000 for projects in England, Wales and Scotland that benefit their local community.
The funding has been made available by the Tesco’s Bags of Help programme which is administered by Groundwork and can cover a broad range of projects and can be used: to purchase sports kit, litter pickers, camping equipment; improvements to buildings; the development of outdoor space such as a play area or woodland; running a community event or supporting seasonal activities.
Applications are assessed by Groundwork to ensure they are eligible. In areas where application numbers are high, Tesco colleagues will shortlist the projects to determine which go forward to the customer vote. Three community projects in each local area will be voted on by customers in Tesco stores, with projects changing every three months. Following the vote, the project that received the most votes in its area will receive a grant of up to £2,000, second place receiving up to £1,000 and third place up to £500.
The type of organisations that can apply include:
- Voluntary or community organisations (including registered charities/companies),
- Schools
- Health bodies (e.g. Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs, NHS Hospital Trust, Foundation Trust),
- Parish/Town Councils,
- Local authorities
- Social housing providers
Since the Bags of Help programme began in 2016, over 27,000 projects have been supported with more than £80 million in community grants.
The Ouseley Trust
Grants are available in the following areas:
- Courses for individuals or groups
- Endowment grants for scholarships or bursaries
- Fees for individual choristers having places at recognised choir schools
- Purchase of liturgical music
- Other projects (e.g. outreach) of an innovative kind that are likely to further the object of the Trust in a direct and effective way. In very exceptional circumstances, these may include music commissions.
No maximum grants size is specified.
Cathedrals, choral foundations, parish churches, choir schools and other relevant institutions which promote and maintain to a high standard the choral services of the Church of England, the Church in Wales and the Church of Ireland have until the 28th February 2020 to apply for funding from the Ouseley trust.
Funding for projects supporting young people
Grants of up to £5,000 are available to registered charities in England and Wales working with young people aged 0-25. The funding is available for projects that lead to employment, accreditation, further education, training and integration.
The funding is being made available through the Joanies Fund and is administered by Herefordshire Community Foundation. Applicants should offer innovation and an entrepreneurial approach, and strong evidence of consultation with young people in developing the organisation’s service.
The funding is available for running costs, both project and core costs, and capital costs.
The next closing date for applications is the 28th February 2020.
Grants to enhance the teaching of mathematics
The London Mathematical Society has announced that Mathematics Teachers in the UK can apply for grants of up to £400 to attend specific one or two-day conferences/events organised by professional mathematical organisations.
The aim of the grant is to facilitate mathematical professional development to allow teachers in UK schools/educational institutions to develop their subject knowledge. The grant can contribute to the costs of registration for the course and a proportion of the travel and subsistence expenses of attendees.
Any application for a grant under this scheme must be made by a teacher of mathematics or ITE provider based in the UK. The grants are open to teachers of mathematics from primary school to A-Level or equivalent (inclusive of STEP/AEA).
Queries regarding applications can be addressed to the Education Grants administrator, Katherine Wright, who can discuss proposals informally with potential applicants. Email education@lms.ac.uk or Tel: 020 7927 0801
The next closing date for applications is the 31st January 2020.
Greggs foundation local community projects fund
Not-for-profit organisations developing local community projects are being offered the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to £2,000. Any not for profit organisation working to reduce disadvantage experienced by the most deprived people in the community such as the disabled, those living in poverty, voluntary carers and isolated older people can apply. Larger organisations with a turnover in excess of £300,000 are unlikely to be successful with those located near to a Greggs shop most likely to receive awards.
The Greggs Foundation Local Community Projects Fund distributes around £1.8 million per year to organisations throughout England, Scotland and Wales. The Foundation supports projects that improve resilience within communities. This can include sessional activities/respite support, equipment for sessional activities, trips and residential breaks. New approaches and innovative ideas as well as sustainable approaches to supporting communities are welcomed. All projects must support a community of interest, i.e. people who are:
- Disabled or suffering chronic illness
- Living in poverty
- Voluntary carers
- Homeless people
- Isolated older people
- Other demonstrable significant need
Successful applicants will have demonstrated improvements against at least one of the following Key Performance Targets:
- Beneficiaries have decreased social isolation
- Beneficiaries report improved health and wellbeing
- Beneficiaries report improved resilience/coping mechanisms
- Beneficiaries have improved life skills
- Beneficiaries have improved opportunities
Use the shop locator on the Greggs website to find the nearest shop.
The closing date for applications is the 23rd February 2020.