Published Thursday 16 May 2019 at 13:18
Funding opportunities greater than £100,000
Funding available to support armed forces families
A new £7.5 million funding programme has been launched to support Armed forces families. The focus of the programme is on supporting the families rather than serving personnel or veterans. The funding will be available for projects that focus on one of the following:
- Young people from armed forces families;
- Families and carers of veterans
- Serving families.
The funding is being made available through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust’s Removing Barriers to Family Life programme.
There are two funding strands.
Medium Strand grants of between £30,000-£100,000 to support existing or new projects that meet a clear need for Armed Forces Families;
Large Strand grants of between £100,001- £300,000 with some exceptional projects potentially receiving up to £500,000. Projects will need to be able to show that they will have a transformative effect, and that the changes they achieve will be sustainable.
The closing date for medium strand grants is the 12th September 2019 and for large grants the 18th July 2019.
Funding opportunities between £25,000 and £100,000
Grants available to Credit Unions
The Credit Union Foundation has announced that the Lloyds Banking Group’s Credit Union Development Fund has re-opened for applications.
Grants are available to credit unions authorised to operate in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (provided they have not already received a large grant from the programme). The funding programme has been designed to strengthen the financial position of credit unions and give them the capacity to develop new strategies for sustained and effective growth.
Two kinds of grants will be available:
- Large Grants (of between £50,000 and £100,000) will provide a contribution to a credit union’s reserves and help remove barriers to growth and innovation. Open to all credit unions including previous Large Grant winners (with some additional criteria).
- Seed Grants (of between £10,000 and £20,000) to help credit unions invest in resources and activities to improve sustainability and increased efficiency for lending, such as the costs related to a merger or investment in digital improvements.
The closing date for applications is 5 pm on the 30th June 2019.
For any queries regarding the fund, please contact enquiries@creditunionfoundation.org.uk or 0161 832 3694.
Local Housing Project Grant Scheme
Nationwide Building Society believes that everyone deserves a place fit to call home and recognises that with a shortage of new properties, outdated rental stock and a lack of support for the vulnerable, many people end up in unsuitable, unsafe, or unaffordable accommodation. Nationwide launched the community grants programme to offer local organisations with great housing solutions the opportunity to apply for grants of up to £50,000.
So far almost £4.2 million has been awarded to more than 100 local housing projects across the UK. The projects funded so far have been driven by local housing needs and chosen by local members. They range from refurbishing derelict and empty homes in South East Cornwall for local communities to providing housing support to the homeless in Cambridge.
The programme opens for applications in June 2019 for projects in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, North West & North Midlands, West of England and North East England.
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:
- 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. For information on previously funded projects please click here.
War Memorials Grant Scheme
The War Memorials Trust is providing grants for the repair and conservation of free-standing war memorials in England.
These grants are intended to help those who are responsible for the upkeep of war memorials. The grants support the care and preservation of war memorials to a high standard, and to prevent the decay of this important part of our built heritage. Grants will normally be for up to a maximum of 75% of eligible costs, with a maximum grant of £30,000.
The fund is open to anyone to apply; individuals or organisations, including councils. The next closing date for applications is the 31st July 2019.
Funding opportunities under £25,000
Funding for Secondary School and Sixth Form Colleges Capital Projects
The next deadline for stage 1 application to the Wolfson Foundation’s Secondary Education Programme is the 10th June 2019.
Through its Secondary Education Programme high-achieving (in receipt of an outstanding Ofsted assessment or regional equivalent) state-funded schools and sixth form colleges can apply to the Foundation for funding for capital or equipment projects to improve the teaching of science, computer science, design & technology, art, languages and performing arts at GCSE and A-Level. Grants are generally awarded towards new builds, refurbishment and technical equipment. Grants do not normally exceed £50,000 for schools or £100,000 for sixth form colleges. Applicants successful at the stage 1 of the application process will be invited to submit a stage 2 application. The school or college should meet all of the following criteria:
- be state-funded
- have at least two years of exam results available
- have been inspected by Ofsted / Estyn / HMIE / ETI
- be able to demonstrate an achieved level of excellence OR significant progress towards excellence through, for example:
- inspection reports
- progress made by students
- proportion of students participating in higher education
- if a predominantly denominational or faith based school, it should have a non-discriminatory entry policy in respect of religious allegiance or at least 10% of pupils must be of other denominations, faiths or none.
The project must cost at least £15,000 and also aim to produce one or more of the following outcomes:
- Improved quality of teaching and learning spaces for subjects which require specialist laboratories and technical equipment
- Increased numbers of students taking these subjects
- Improved learning outcomes for students taking these subjects
Examples of schools that have received funding through the Foundation include:
- Cheadle Hulme High School, Cheshire, which received a grant of £46,000 for A Level science equipment;
- Glenrothes High School, Fife which received a grant of £52,000 for the refurbishment of the science laboratories and equipment; and
- Arthur Mellows Village College, Peterborough, received a grant of £40,000 for the refurbishment of two science IT classrooms.
Funding for Special Schools and Colleges
Special schools and colleges can apply for grants of between £15,000 and £70,000 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.
There is a 2-stage application process and the next stage 1 closing date is the 1st July 2019. Applications successful at this stage will have until the 1st September 2019 to complete the stage 2 application.
Funding for projects that engage the public with dementia
Alzheimer’s Research UK has launched a new funding programme to tackle misconceptions around dementia and promote the importance of dementia research. Grants are available to organisations and people with ideas, passion and ability to realise innovative public engagement projects – from those within or outside the research community, those with a track record in dementia engagement and those looking to apply their skills to this important issue for the first time. This could include utilising digital technology, storytelling, art-science collaborations, performances, workshops or other events. Projects must be completed and funding awarded within 1 year of the award being made.
The grants are being made available through three funding tiers:
- Bronze up to £5,000
- Silver up to £15,000
- Gold up to £30,000
The closing date for applications is 11.59 pm on the 31st May 2019.
During the application process, applicants are invited to contact the Engagement team for informal advice prior to submitting an application. Please email engage@alzheimersresearchuk.org with questions or to arrange a discussion over the phone.
Funding for projects that work with disabled children and their families
Hallmoor Parents Teachers Friends Association and Mayfield School were amongst some of the Parent Teacher Associations and schools that have recently received funding through the True Colours Trust UK Small Grants Programme. Through the programme, charities and projects with a charitable purpose can apply for funding that supports disabled children and their families.
Grants of up to £10,000 are usually available for hydrotherapy pools; multi-sensory rooms; mini buses; young carers projects; sibling projects; and bereavement support.
Other projects supported in the past include:
- Friends of Sherwood Park who received a grant of £5,000 towards the creation of the multi-sensory outdoor environment.
- Roddensvale Parents & Friends Association who received a grant of £5,000 towards the costs of refurbishing its sensory room.
Applications can be submitted at any time.
Childs Charitable Trust
The Childs Charitable Trust is a grant-making trust, supporting Christian UK registered charities and organisations both in the UK and overseas. During 2017 the Trust awarded grants to 81 different organisations all based in the UK but operating in more than 100 different countries worldwide.
Projects will be considered that fall into the following categories:
- Youth – the trust looks to support projects working in schools and with vulnerable and disengaged young people in the UK. Supported activities may include RE Lessons; School Assemblies; Lunchtime/After school clubs; Evangelism; Personal Development Programmes; Homelessness Prevention.
- Outreach – the trust works to share the gospel of Christ by supporting all aspects of Christian outreach both in the UK and overseas and can fund, for example, Church Plants; Overseas Mission; Training in Evangelism; Chaplaincy.
- Society – the trust believes people of faith bring a valuable contribution to social action and justice and support initiatives that have a positive impact in their society. Grants could support, for example: Counselling; night shelters; alcohol/drug rehabilitation; homelessness; or prison/ex-offenders work.
- Education – the trust supports initiatives involved in all areas of Christian education including Bible Translation; Media Initiatives; Bible Colleges; Literature; Apologetics.
Applicants must be registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator or the Charity Commission of Northern Ireland or be ‘excepted’ charities. Organisations with a turnover in excess of £5,000,000 should contact the office prior to submitting an application, to check eligibility.
No minimum or maximum funding amounts are specified, however in 2017, 16 grants of between £5,000 and £9,999, 18 grants of between £3,000 and £4,999 and 34 grants not exceeding £2,999 were made. Nine other grants ranging from £12,000 to £34,000 were also awarded.
The deadline for applications for the July 2019 meeting is 31st May 2019.
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 wild life
- Encourage the understanding of animals
Eligible applicant organisations will be a UK registered charity; have independently examined up to date annual accounts and an active re-homing and rehabilitation policy for animals taken into care.
Organisations involved with 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.
Donations usually range from £1,000 to £10,000. Smaller donations may be awarded between the meetings at the discretion of the Chairman and Administrator of the Trust. Larger donations have exceptionally been made.
Repeat applications from charities are encouraged, when further financial support might be given if funds allow. The next deadline to apply is the 1st September 2019.
Applications must be made in writing only to: Mrs. Madeleine Orchard, Administrator, Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust, P.O. Box 469, London W14 8PJ
Funding available to increase engineering knowledge among young people
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has announced that its Engineering Education Grant Scheme will re-open for applications from the 22nd June 2019.
The Engineering Education Grant Scheme (EEGS) supports UK-based educational projects that nurture and support the increase of engineering knowledge among young people between the ages of five to 19. The scheme also supports projects that improve wider engineering literacy.
Any organisation able to develop and deliver STEM activities to a local UK audience is eligible to bid for funding. This includes schools, science communicators, youth clubs, science festivals, museums, science centres, STEM based companies, FE colleges, Higher Education Institutions and members of the IMechE and IET.
There are two levels of funding available. Awards of up to £5000 are available for standard applications to the fund, and a small number of awards of up to £15,000 are available each year for projects that aim to make a bigger impact.
The deadline to apply will be the 14th October 2019 for projects taking place from 1st January 2020.
Projects funded in the past have included Dismantle and Discover, led by Loughborough University and Loughborough Secondary School, involving student role models who set up an engaging after school club giving children the skills, enthusiasm and confidence to take up STEM subjects.
Collaborative research and development grants for emerging artists
Help Musicians UK is looking for exciting collaborations that create work across art forms, creative sectors and other disciplines. Applications to the Fusion Fund must be music-focused and projects should include contributions from at least one non-music discipline for example storytellers, lighting designers, choreographers, technologists, scientists, gaming designers, theatre directors, visual artists etc. Applications that consider unusual and extraordinary spaces to show work to new audiences are also of interest.
There should be tangible results of the collaboration, such as a body of work created for an upcoming recording or a new performance. Overall, the project should push the boundaries of what the artist does as a music creator or performer, exploring or testing something that they are not currently able to achieve without support.
Grants of £2,000 to £5,000 can cover reasonable costs associated with the project including:
- Venue and rehearsal space costs
- Recording costs (live or documentation)
- Travel costs
- Access costs
- Accommodation costs
- Subsistence
- Fees for musicians, artists or collaborators time to allow for the project to happen
The fund is open to professional and emerging professional musicians of all genres and disciplines with an active career including: Solo instrumentalists, conductors, composers, vocalists, singer songwriters or multidisciplinary artists. Bands or ensembles with six members or less can also apply.
Applicants must be:
- Aged over 18 (no upper age limit)
- Based primarily in the UK and be eligible to work here
- Have been resident in the UK for at least three consecutive years
- In financial need and without significant backing
The closing date for this round is 9am on the 10th June 2019.
Holiday grants for disadvantaged and disabled children
Schools, youth groups, not for profit organisations and charities have until the 2nd July 2019 to apply for grants of £500 to £2,500 to support recreational trips or holidays within the UK between the 1st July and 31st August 2019 for groups of children experiencing disadvantage or who have disabilities. Children need to be aged 13 or under to qualify.
Priority will be given to applications coming from the 20% most deprived areas in the UK. Funded by the Henry Smith Charity, grants can cover up to two-thirds of the cost of a holiday or trip lasting one to seven days. In this round, trips must be taken before the end of August 2019. For more details and to apply, complete the eligibility quiz on the website and submit the application form online at least 6 weeks before the trip is due to take place. Although the deadline is the 2nd July 2019, decisions are made on a first come-first served basis until all the funds have been allocated.
Applications must be made at least six weeks before the trip or holiday is due to take place.
Previous visits supported include:
- All Saints Catholic Primary School which received a grant of £1,500 towards a two-night trip to Wales for a group of disadvantaged children from Merseyside;
- Bridgewater School which received a grant of £1,900 towards an overnight trip to London for a group of disadvantaged children from Newcastle; and
- 6th St Helens (Parr) Scout Group received a grant of £1,100 towards a two-night trip to an activity centre in Lancashire for a group of children from a disadvantaged area of Merseyside
Funding available for travel and subsistence costs for researchers
The British Council is managing the Alliance Hubert Curien programme which is a partnership between the French and British governments. It aims to encourage reciprocal mobility between early career researchers in both countries, leading to closer collaboration on existing research projects as well as strengthening connections that could lead to more Franco-British collaboration on future projects.
Research groups in the UK and France can each apply for funding for travel and subsistence costs which will enable reciprocal mobility over a two-year period. A maximum of £2,240 (EURO 2,500) can be requested each year by UK- and French-based researchers, meaning that a total of EURO 5,000 is potentially available to support reciprocal mobility in each of the two years. The costs that can be covered as mobility are limited to travel costs and subsistence/per diems while abroad. Visas, insurance and other costs are not covered.
Applications from researchers working in the following fields are particularly encouraged:
- Mobility of the future (including AI and battery technologies)
- Clean Growth (including new nuclear and research and technology to tackle climate change)
- Artificial Intelligence and data
- Ageing society
Applications can be made online. In addition to completing the online form, applicants will need to upload: A signed letter of support from the Head of Department (or equivalent) of their current home institution; CVs of all UK researchers who will be travelling. In order to be eligible, the French institution must also have submitted their application via the French process in line with the respective eligibility requirements and deadlines.
The closing date for applications is the 27th June 2019.
Co-operative Bank Donation Fund
Organisations such as Registered Charities, Community Interest Companies, Co-operatives and Credit Unions; etc. that have a Community Directplus account with the Co-operative Bank have until the 30th September 2019 to apply for funding of up to £1,000 from the Customer Donation Fund.
Since 2003 the Co-operative Bank Donation Fund has donated over £750,000 to 866 organisations. The money can be used to support special projects and fundraising activities; and all Community Directplus account holders are eligible to apply.
Previous projects supported include:
- Theatre company 20 Stories High which received funding towards three dictaphones, 12 MP3 players and the work of an experienced Technical Manager to help develop and stage a new production.
- Wiltshire Wood Recycling, a not for profit organisations, which received funding towards new tools, boots, hard hats and high-viz jackets for the workers.
Find out more here
Grants for families facing financial hardship whilst caring for a child with a serious illness
Marvelous Family Grants are awarded to families facing financial hardship whilst caring for a child with a serious illness. Grants of up to £1,000 per child can fund a variety of essential items and services including (but 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 5pm on the 31st May 2019 followed by the 28th June 2019.
Grants for projects that improve the wellbeing of children
Grants of up to £1,000 are available to registered charities and non-profit organisations who work to improve the education and physical and emotional wellbeing of children.
Applicants applying for funding may focus on one or more of these areas:
- Living in Poverty
- Physical & Mental Health Problems
- Health & Wellbeing
- Living With Disability
Examples of grants awarded in the past include:
£500 Clydesdale Hockey Club – for coaching and equipment costs for primary school hockey competitions in Greater Glasgow
£1,000 Shadwell Community Project – to develop its outdoor play space which is used by children and young people from deprived areas in the local community
The next closing date for applications is 5pm on the 1st June 2019.
London Mathematical Society – small grants for education
Grants of up to £800 are available to stimulate interest and enable involvement in mathematics from Key Stage 1 (age 5+) to undergraduate level and beyond. The funding is being made available through the London Mathematical Society’s Small Grants for Education scheme and aims to enhance and enrich mathematical study beyond the curriculum; engage the public with mathematics; and encourage unusual ways of communicating mathematics.
The scheme is primarily intended for activities for which there is limited scope for alternative sources of funding. Applicants linked to universities should ideally be supported by a member of the Society and ordinarily the Scheme will not fund University outreach activity. However, anyone based in the UK is eligible to apply for a grant.
There are four application rounds each year and the next closing date for applications is the 31st August 2019.
Grants to support action for marine conservation
Sea-Changers provides grants of up to £600 (£1,000 in exceptional circumstances) to a range of primarily UK based, marine conservation charities and not for profit organisations. The projects funded will achieve one or more of the following objectives:
- To address the root causes of marine conservation threats and challenges in the UK.
- To prevent or reduce negative impacts on UK coastal and marine environments and / or species.
- To add to the body of knowledge about marine conservation threats and challenges in the UK.
Sea-Changers is particularly interested in grassroots projects which galvanise community action and in projects which increase the number of people taking action for marine conservation. Data and results from research projects undertaken as a result of Sea-Changers grant funding must be made available to Sea-Changers and shared with appropriate marine databases when completed.
The closing date for applications is the 30th September 2019.
Projects that have previously been supported include: The installation of a 2minutebeachclean station in Portrush, Northern Ireland and a long-term monitoring programme for local volunteer divers to contribute their observations of the health of the seagrass bed in Porthdinllaen, North Wales. Click here to view more projects supported.
Grants to promote the teaching of Greek
The Hellenic Society Schools Sub-Committee makes grants to schools to assist projects concerned with the teaching of Greek or Greek civilization.
Typically, grants are made for:
- The development of new courses in Greek
- Books & other teaching materials
- Classics days or conferences
- Greek plays by schools
- Summer schools for school pupils
Applications from schools planning to start courses in Greek are especially welcome.
Applications on behalf of individual pupils or teachers are not normally considered, but a grant may be made to an institution for use as bursaries to individuals at the discretion of that institution. Most grants are in the range £100-£500, but larger awards are occasionally made.
The next closing date for applications is the 1st October 2019.
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).
The next closing date for applications is the 31st August 2019.
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.ukor Tel: 020 7927 0801
Music grants for older people
The registered charity, Concertina which makes grants of up to £250 to charitable bodies which provide musical entertainment and related activities for the elderly has announced that the next deadline for applications is the 31st October 2019.
The charity is particular keen to support smaller organisations which might otherwise find it difficult to gain funding. Concertina has made grants to a wide range of charitable organisations nationwide in England and Wales. These include funds to many care homes for the elderly to provide musical entertainment for their residents. Some of the charities that have received grants from Concertina include:
- Theatre Chipping Norton to help fund high calibre music recitals in six Care Homes in the area.
- Sue Ryder Care, Lancashire to fund access to music therapy workshops at Birchley Hall near Wigan and St Helen’s.
Free trees for community groups and schools
The Woodland Trust has thousands of free tree packs to give away to community groups and schools. The trees are available for planting on an area that is accessible to the public so that it can be used and enjoyed by others. If applying as a school, trees should be planted on either the school grounds, land the school has arranged regular access to or in an area that is publicly accessible.
Applications for a tree pack for a community group need to:
- State that the land is accessible to the public
- Make sure the local community is aware of the plans to plant and is happy for the project to go ahead.
- Be an application for up to 420 trees in each application cycle or season.
There are two delivery periods per year in November and March, when the trees are dormant and perfect for planting. Tree packs can consist of:
- Hedging to make a natural screen or connect existing woodland to help wildlife stay on the move
- Copse to create a mini forest school classroom or a peaceful spot that’s an oasis for birds
- Wild harvest an array of fruits and nuts
- Year-round colour for beautiful blossoms, bright berries and stunning autumn displays
- Working wood to fuel a log burner in 7-10 years, or to carve or weave willow
- Wildwood to establish food and shelter for wildlife
- Urban trees for residential areas with limited communal space
Applications are currently being accepted for trees to be delivered in November 2019.
Past recipients include:
- Community Garden and Allotment in Barry.
- South Glamorgan and Bellsquarry Primary School.
- Livingston where pupils have planted dozens of apple trees to create a community orchard in Bellsquarry
This document is produced by Corporate Policy, Research and Partnerships, Blackburn with Darwen Council.
Tel: 01254 585825