Funding alerts

Sport England Community Asset Fund

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Sport, Leisure Places, Activity Facilities

Sport England’s Community Asset Fund is their new capital fund dedicated to enhancing the spaces in your local community.

Eligibility

You may be a community organisation or club that currently:

• Owns or leases existing local facilities that offer the community the chance to play sport and be active
• Is considering taking over an existing local facility that might not be a traditional space for sport
• Haven’t accessed their funding before but that want to create great spaces for people to be active.

They want to work with sports clubs and community groups that really respond to the people in their local community. They are looking to work with different groups and organisations that ensure everyone has the opportunity to choose to take part in sport and physical activity as part of their lives.

Organisations they offer funding to will be committed to provide a sustainable place to be active in their community for the long term. They especially want to help organisations who have not received a lottery award greater than £10,000 before. For example, the programme will support groups to get a foot on the ladder and become a formal organisation, such as a ‘Friends of’ group.

What For?

As well as traditional sports facilities where people enjoy physical activity, there are thousands of outdoor spaces up and down the country – like canal towpaths, woodlands and open spaces – all with great potential to be used and enjoyed as part of an active lifestyle.

They are keen to hear from any sports club or community organisation with a great idea that will make a difference to the places where people play sport and get active.

You might already own or lease a facility in the local community, are considering taking over some grounds or a facility that has the potential to be used for sport and leisure.

Their Community Asset Fund is a programme dedicated to enhancing the spaces in your local community that give people the opportunity to be active.

What they want to achieve from this investment:

• Improve and protect existing sports facilities that support the needs of local communities
• Invest in new and different places that meet the needs of local communities, which include their target audiences
• Ensure our capital investment reaches organisations who have not accessed our funding before
• Create a more resilient, sustainable, less grant dependent sport sector

They want to continue to invest in the local infrastructure that gives people the opportunity to get active. But they need to do more. For example they need to consider how to:

• Work with new and different organisations that can reach new and different audiences – particularly hard to reach groups and communities
• Develop new ideas that really respond to customer needs in their local communities
• Reduce grant dependency across the sector
• Create more resilient and sustainable places to be active

Any organisation with a great idea can apply for their support. You might be:

• Looking to take over an underused sports facility or one under threat of closure. You might need support to bring a building back into use or need improvements to a recreational space
• Wanting to expand or improve the sporting experience you offer your customers. You could be looking to improve a changing room or installing new toilets, heating system or social space
• Responding to an emergency or unexpected event that is stopping people from being active. You might need to fix a roof that’s been damaged or repair an area after flood damage
• Or simply have a great idea for a project. You might want to make improvements to a building or open space that’s clearly needed in the local community.

There are some things that they are not able to fund through this programme. Below is a list of some of the typical ones they get asked about – but if you’re not sure please call them or email.

• Revenue-only projects
• Routine maintenance and repairs resulting from wear and tear
• Children’s playgrounds and play equipment
• Projects intended for private gain
• Retrospective funding (this is paying for works you have already completed)
• Projects they have funded in the past
• Football-only projects
• Small-scale cricket projects

How Much?

Anticipated size of bids: £1,000 to £150,000.

They expect their typical awards to be either:

• Small-scale investments typically ranging from £1,000 to £15,000 These will address emergency works due to something like storm or flood damage, or something totally unexpected that is stopping people from being able to stay active right now.
• Medium-scale investments typically ranging from between £15,000 to £50,000 These will address more substantial changes. This might be an upgrade to an existing facility or developing a new space in the community.
• By exception, they will consider larger investments ranging from £50,000 to £150,000. This will be when organisations can demonstrate a considerable impact or are targeting under-represented groups. They are also unlikely to have received funding from Sport England previously.

Deadline

No deadline

More information

Community Asset Fund

If your project is still at an early stage and you’re not completely sure what you want, please read their accompanying resource Developing your idea, which has useful tips and case studies about projects that have been delivered.

Get in touch either by email or give them a call us on 03458 508 508.

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BLF Reaching Communities

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Communities, Local People, Volunteers, Community Development, Community Activities

The Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme believes that the best way to improve communities is through harnessing and supporting the ideas, skills and energy of the people who live in them.

Eligibility

If you are a voluntary or community group such as a charity, co-operative, social enterprise or community interest company, a not for profit company limited by guarantee or a statutory organisation such as a local authority or school then you can apply for this funding. When setting up your management committee please make sure it has at least three unrelated members. Partnerships are also welcome to apply as long as they are led by a voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE) organisation. However, they are unable to fund individuals or sole traders, profit making groups or those not established in the UK.

What For?

They can fund some or all of the costs associated with delivering your project, including staff salaries, training, volunteer expenses, management costs, equipment, premises costs, monitoring and evaluation and overheads.

There are some things that their funding cannot pay for, for example, costs incurred before you receiving a funding decision, activities that take place outside of the UK, and fundraising activities.

Their ‘People in the Lead’ approach focusses on ensuring people are able to drive change in their community right from the start, and remain in the driving seat from design through to delivery. By doing this, our funding can help ensure that people and places are better prepared to make the most of their potential, and overcome the range of challenges they may face in the future.

Their funding enables people across England to improve their communities by using their local knowledge, strengths and assets to test and implement the ideas that matter most to them, as well as sharing learning about what went well, and what didn’t. The most important thing is that you tell them what your ideas are for making positive change in your communities.

They particularly want to hear about ideas that support:

• Lasting and sustainable changes to places and space
• Communities to develop happier and stronger relationships with each other
• Taking action to focus on the root causes of social problems to tackle them at the earliest possible stage

Maybe you’ve been doing work in a particular area or on a particular theme for a long time which is trusted and valued by local people and you need support to continue the great work. Or perhaps you have an idea for something new. BLF wants to know how we can support you.

They seek to fund activity where the people who will benefit will have influenced and/or be involved in its development, planning and delivery. Evidence shows that early and ongoing engagement with beneficiaries can greatly increase the chances of a project succeeding. There are lots of ways of involving people in the planning and running of your activity.

Good examples include;

• Convening user forums to represent views of the community and get actively involved in proposed changes, developments and new activities
• Encouraging people with lived experiences to become active through volunteering; giving them the chance to put something back whilst also offering peer to peer support
• Ensuring members of your community are involved in decision making through meaningful engagement, for example representation on your management committee or board.

They also want you to tell them how your idea adds value to existing services within your community, as well as your relationships with other organisations locally and how you plan to engage with people who are looking to solve similar issues.

How Much?

Through Reaching Communities funding you can apply for between £10,000 and £500,000.

They can also fund up to £100,000 for small scale capital work, such as refurbishment, the purchase of vehicles, land or buildings.

Deadline

Stage One involves you submitting to them an overview of your activity and the difference it will make. A decision making panel of funding managers will assess the information you provide and draw on their local intelligence in your region to decide which proposals to progress to stage two.

More information

Reaching Communities England

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Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Capital Projects, Building Fabric

The Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation supports capital projects only, not running costs. There is a preference to support projects related to the fabric of a building, rather than non-durable items subject to wear and tear such as furniture, appliances, musical instruments and IT.

Eligibility

Applicants must be charities registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, with their beneficiaries based in these countries, or have accepted/exempt status. Applications are considered from all areas of England and Wales, particularly for rural and isolated communities.

What For?

You are applying specifically for assistance towards a capital project: new build, major refurbishment, equipment or transport. Please note that they only fund capital projects. They do not fund running costs which include salaries.

Their grants are divided into the following categories:

• Community
• Education
• Health
• Social Welfare

Community

Trustees consider applications for two main themes under this category with the aim of creating cohesive and positive communities.

First, trustees are strong believers that every community needs a focus on which to build the cohesion of that community. They are therefore advocates of the ‘village hall’, particularly in isolated rural areas where facilities are often very limited. They support church halls, churches and other religious buildings, but only where there is strong evidence that a high proportion of secular activities (i.e. no connection at all with religion or spirituality) accessible to the whole community is/will be hosted. Conservation/heritage projects for halls/churches are not encouraged.

Second, trustees aim to provide practical activities that help young people attain their full potential and take their place within society as responsible citizens. To this end, they support Youth Activity Centres, uniformed youth groups and youth clubs. They also help those who are young ex-offenders, ‘at risk’ or in danger of exclusion.

Types of application considered: New build, refurbishment and improvements of village halls, scout huts, youth clubs, community centres and similar. This often includes access for the disabled, modernising kitchens, new storage space and updating toilets in line with Health and Safety regulations and the Disability Discrimination Act. For any building, the length of remaining lease will be taken into account: 10 years minimum is usually preferred.

Education

Trustees focus on schools assisting those with special educational and learning needs. Mainstream schools and universities should not apply. They also support educational nature and farm visitor centres.

Types of application considered: Building projects

Health

Trustees focus on building projects for residential care housing, treatment centres and the provision of major equipment (not consumables) to enhance medical treatment and care.

Types of application considered:

• Improvements to hospices and treatment clinics
• Residential care for the elderly and those with special needs
• New major equipment not available through the NHS
• Research medical equipment
• Specialist new transport

Social Welfare

Applications for capital projects are considered by trustees ranging from residential housing for the homeless to ‘day centres’ providing support, training and education facilities.

Trustees also support the welfare needs of those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families, particularly ex-service men and women with health and mental issues resulting from their service to the Crown. The emergency services are also considered in this category.

Types of application considered:

• New build and refurbishment of residential and rehabilitation centres, premises for the relief of homelessness and young people ‘at risk’, and emergency centres which do not qualify for statutory funding
• ‘Move on’ support facilities
• Day care / Drop-in-centres

How Much?

• The majority of grants (roughly 80%) are under £5,000.
• Projects with a total budget of under £5,000 should not apply.
• Grants awarded are seldom more than 20% of the total requirement.
• Grants of over £25,000 are exceptional and are typically awarded to major capital projects.
• The Foundation will very rarely fund the full costs (or even 50%) of a project or shortfall as it expects to be one of a number of contributors to a project.

Deadline

There are no formal application deadlines.

More information

The Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation

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Transform Foundation Website Grant

Of interest to Organisations dealing with ICT, Website Development

The current Transform Foundation grant programme is a Website Grant programme which covers the upfront costs of a new charity-specific website including strategy, design, development and training. The grant will directly pay for the entire upfront costs of £18,000.

Eligibility

The Website Grant is aimed at small to medium-sized charities and other not for profit organisations with a social mission (including, for example Community Interest Companies). The grant is most suitable for non-profits with an income between £500,000 and £30 million. Organisations outside of this income range may apply, but depending on the nature of the project, they may require a preliminary discussion to determine whether it is appropriate.

What For?

The Transform Foundation is a charity for charities, turning digital into a powerful force for generating more money and impact for causes. They do this by giving tech grants, conducting research and bringing together expertise to move charities forward. They have three core aims:

• They give tech grants to help charities make step change in digital;
• They conduct research on best practice in digital impact for nonprofits;
• They bring together expertise across sectors to move charities forward.

They will be rolling out other grant programmes later in the year, which they are currently in the process of designing. Please contact them if you are interested in funding or partnering.

The current grant opportunity is predominantly geared towards charities with between £500k - £30m annual income. They have had a large amount of interest from smaller charities and have made it a high priority to roll out a programme for them.

How Much?

The £18,000 Website Grant covers the full up front costs of the setup of your new site. You will need to meet the ongoing costs for the website.

Deadline

They accept Stage 1 applications on an ongoing basis and deadlines for the subsequent stages will be communicated during the application process.

More information

Transform Foundation.

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Santander Discovery Grants

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Skills, Social Challenges, Disadvantaged People, Innovative Solutions

Santander’s Discovery Grants aim to help to grow knowledge, build skills and support social change.

Eligibility

They cannot fund:

• Unregistered charities, not for profit groups, Community Amateur Sports Clubs, exempt or excepted charities
• Start ups – organisations must have at least a full year of accounts
• Individuals - including trips, overseas volunteering, GAP year activity, medical treatment, grants for studying or research
• Multiyear funding
• Fundraising activities
• Shortfall funding
• Other funders and grant makers
• Organisations which restrict their beneficiaries to a single religious or single ethnic group
• Events, conferences or sponsorship
• Party political activity

What For?

Discovery Grants of are available to fund an activity which supports one or more of our three priority themes:

• Explorer - improving knowledge and insight. Examples include a series of Money Management workshops to help people understand how to budget and identify the affordable credit choices available to them. A Freedom Training course giving abused women knowledge of how to regain control over their lives.
• Transformer - developing skills and experience. Examples include work-based training and mentors to help socially isolated people develop skills to get back into work. Sign language training for parents with hearing impaired children. Or teaching young people with autism vocational skills.
• Changemaker - innovative solutions to social challenges. Examples include a new social networking program for visually impaired young people which uses specially developed braille laptops to access the internet. An inclusive cycling social enterprise which adapts bicycles to enable people with disabilities to enjoy the outdoors.

Grants must directly benefit disadvantaged people in the UK and must be for something that is wholly charitable. Their funding is aimed at small local charities.

Funding is available for specific projects and can cover salaries, equipment or materials for the project. Funding is only for one year and must deliver a local project, not a national initiative. They aim to fund a complete item and cannot fund general running costs.

They support health, research and palliative care charities through their staff fundraising scheme, so these are not eligible for a Discovery Grant.

How Much?

Up to £5,000

Deadline

The application process is designed to be quick and simple to use and nominations can be made by organisations as well as Santander customers and staff. All you need to do is complete a Discovery Grant nomination form which is available in all Santander branches and drop it into the nomination box in the branch. Please do not send it to the Santander Foundation.

More information

Santander Discovery Grants

Please take a look at the FAQ section for more information on the process and if you have any additional questions please e-mail Santander Grants.

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Masonic Charitable Foundation Community Support grants

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Financial Hardship, Health & Disability, Education & Employability, Social Exclusion & Disadvantage

The Masonic Charitable Foundation Community Support grants are for charities help people experiencing poverty and disadvantage, sickness and disability or barriers to education and employment.

Eligibility

The grants are only available to charities that are registered with the Charity Commission.

The charity and/or project must also be located in England and/or Wales.

They encourage charities that have an annual income under £500,000 to apply for a Small Grant of £5,000 or less. They will, however, consider requests for grants of over £5,000 if the charity can demonstrate it will be used for an innovative project or service.

Charities with an income of over £500,000 can apply for a Large Grant or Small Grant.

Over £5,000 can be awarded to charities for a specific purpose only. Reasons to apply for a Large Grant can include funding salary costs, specific project costs and refurbishment costs. New build or large scale capital development projects cannot be considered. Funding may be granted for up to three years, where there is evidence of an on-going need for funding.

What For?

Financial Hardship

Their grants support charities that relieve household or individual financial poverty. The charities they support help people to recover from financial hardship or avoid getting into financial difficulty altogether.

Their grants support services such as:

• Debt counselling and advice
• Financial education workshops for adults and young people
• Financial assistance for homeless people, care-leavers or those affected by cancer, long-term illness or disability

Health & Disability

Their grants support charities that improve the lives of people with poor physical or mental health, physical or learning disabilities and chronic or life-limiting conditions. Other charities they support help carers and those in need of end-of-life or palliative care.

Their grants support services such as:

• The development and provision of equipment to assist those with a disability
• Access to specialist advice, support or therapies
• Supporting care needs, including respite care

Education & Employability

Their grants support charities which help support disadvantaged children and young people by providing opportunities for those who are not in education, employment or training, affected by poor health or disability, and those at risk of further disadvantage.

Their grants can support services such as:

• Apprenticeships, bursaries and training
• The use of sport or alternative approaches to enable learning and development
• Learning opportunities for disabled children and young people

Social Exclusion & Disadvantage

Their grants support charities which relieve isolation and loneliness for those experiencing family breakdown or crisis, rural or urban deprivation, homelessness, digital exclusion or social exclusion, as well as those with a disability or long-term illness which acts as a barrier to a fulfilling life.

Their grants support services such as:

• Mentoring and befriending schemes
• Social activities encouraging inclusion
• Education and training programmes for ex-service personnel

How Much?

Charities which deliver community support or research can apply for either a Large Grant (over £5,000) or a Small Grant (under £5,000).

Deadline

The application deadlines for Small Grants are on a rolling programme and applications can be submitted on, or by, the third Friday of each month. Applications are then considered at monthly meetings.

More information

Masonic Charitable Foundation Charity Grant

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DCLG Communities Fund

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Local Authorities, VCS Service Providers, Community-Led Groups

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) will support projects to develop local solut ions in specific neighbourhoods, or across a greater area, or even across a local authority or service delivery boundaries. They are seeking projects that bring together the community and local authorities to design and implement services in partnership and so are looking for joint bids.

Eligibility

They are inviting joint bids from local authorities/other service providers and community-led groups to send in a bid.

What For?

DCLG will provide support to partnerships of local authorities and community led groups in 2016 to 2017 and 2017 to 2018 to deliver improved services at lower cost through locally tailored services. This will be delivered through £2 million funding in 2016 to 2017 with a further £500,000 in 2017 to 2018.

In many cases, commissioning services at scale can deliver real savings. However, there is evidence that for people with more complex or demanding issues it is more effective to use neighbourhoods and communities as partners in commissioning and delivering services more locally. This approach encourages greater tailoring and coproduction of services, more focus on outcomes that matter to service users, potential efficiencies from joining up local services, and more effective harnessing of assets within the community.

Past experience has taught them that effective projects work best when centred on one or more of the following core models:

• Community Hubs – often multi-purpose but focussing on unmet needs in often deprived neighbourhoods. These provide a way to engage with and transform the lives of local residents through face-to-face interaction and intervention.
• Adopting a key worker approach to engage disadvantaged groups to help them join up services in a coherent way which takes account of the individual’s own experience and issues.
• Social prescription, where voluntary organisations typically offer a range of activities and opportunities to help health service users become less isolated and active.

They are keen that proposals demonstrate how the approach will become self-sustaining and avoid over reliance on grant funding in the future.

They will provide a mixture of financial support and advice between now and April 2018.

DCLG will provide funding to local authorities working with community groups to deliver solutions to entrenched social issues for example relating to:

• Early intervention and high cost individuals - people falling through gaps in statutory services perhaps because they do not meet individual service criteria or thresholds
• Adult social care – for example: tackling social isolation including via community transport schemes; projects aimed at safeguarding vulnerable people including rehabilitation and preventative work around domestic abuse; and/or; work aimed at increasing public health and wellbeing
• Children’s Services – this could, for example, include work around disabled children’s support services or those aimed at helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Employment Support – they are particularly interested in proposals working with those furthest from the labour market and/or where the training is tailored to reflect opportunities in the local employment market and so more likely to result in sustainable outcomes

Bids should be for new projects or to extend an existing project into another area but not to prop up an existing approach.

As an illustration the types of projects, they are interested in please see the following case studies:

CASE STUDY - ILFRACOMBE

Ilfracombe, a coastal town in Devon that following support and funding from the Department in 2012 has gone on to develop sustainable community led solutions to a range of problems including; establishing a town team, creating apprenticeships for local young people and co-ordinating health and wellbeing provision to enable people to live independently for longer.

CASE STUDY – ROCHDALE

Rochdale’s Kirkholt project which through close working with the police targets unnecessarily high users of 999 emergency services and provides key worker support to address underlying mental health problems, and offers focused job training and support to access housing.

CASE STUDY – Somers Town

Somers Town Community Association, Camden has created a jobs hub coordinating employment and training support for local people. The hub reduces duplication in services and provides tailored support to individuals through language classes, CV writing, IT training or signposting to organisations arranging apprenticeships.

CASE STUDY – Haxby Road Children’s Centre

Haxby Road Children’s Centre has developed an integrated early year model, bringing together different statutory agencies to improve outcomes for disadvantaged children and families apprenticeships.

How Much?

There will be £2.5m funding over the next two years.

They will provide bespoke support including:

• Up to approximately £70,000 in grant funding (this is an indicative figure rather than an absolute); evidence suggests that £70,000 could fund, for example, a project centred on a key worker approach that engages with disadvantaged groups through joining up services
• Access to a panel consisting of officials from the Department for Communities and Local Government, external experts and Local Government representatives who will provide advice, challenge and an opportunity for different projects to exchange learning and network.
• Opportunities for networking and shared learning across projects through events and online forums such as MyCommunity website.
• Help and feedback with Cost Benefit Analysis tools
• Training on previous practice and advice on how to access other funding
• Opportunities to share your work with others

Deadline

Please email completed forms.

More information

Communities Fund: prospectus and bidding form.

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Persimmon Community Champions

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Local Communities

The Persimmon Community Champions charity match programme gives donations of up to £1000 to local UK groups and charities, which have already raised vital funds themselves.

Eligibility

N/A

What For?

Persimmon Community Champions is here to help local community groups, good causes and charities.

So far since they launched in March 2015, they have donated over £500,000 to fund community initiatives.

All Persimmon's businesses have £2,000 to give away every month – 28 regional businesses, plus Persimmon's Space4 and PLC head office. That's £60,000 being donated every month.

It's really simple to apply for a donation. All you need to do is complete the online form, telling them why your group or charity deserves our donation. Included in your application they need to know how much you've already raised and how much you want them to donate. Remember, they need the name and location of the charity initiative so that they can ensure the right business receives your request.

Here are brief details of previous winners.

How Much?

Up to £1,000

Deadline

N/A

More information

Persimmon Community Champions

Charities can email the Persimmon Press Office. Enquiries will be responded to as quickly as possible.

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Awards for All

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Local Communities

Awards for All makes grants of between £300 and £10,000 for work that helps improve local communities and the lives of people within them

Eligibility

You can apply if you are a community or not for profit group, parish or town council, health body or school. You do not need to be a registered charity to apply. You must have a bank account that requires at least two people to sign each cheque or withdrawal.

It is their most popular grants programme so they will prioritise groups with smaller incomes. Due to high demand on the programme, organisations that have a large annual income may not be able to get funding through Awards for All.

What For?

They will fund activities that benefit the community, including:

• hosting an event, activity or performance
• purchasing new equipment or materials
• running training courses
• setting up a pilot project or starting up a new group
• carrying out special repairs or conservation work
• expenses for volunteers, pay for workers and professional fees
• transport costs.

You must use the grant within one year.

Until March 2009 they ran Awards for All with other organisations which distribute Lottery funds. There are now separate programmes for arts, sport and heritage projects delivered by the Arts Council, Sport England and Heritage Fund respectively. This change means that Awards for All will not fund applications where the main purpose of the project falls within the scope of the programmes run by the other lottery distributors. Awards for All will only pay for projects related to the arts, sports or heritage activities where the main purpose of the project meets one or more of the outcomes on page 12 of the Awards for All guide which are about improving communities, skills, health or the environment. You must be able to evidence a community need that's not about developing the capacity for arts, sports or heritage activities in the area, but is about addressing the particular issues the beneficiaries are experiencing.

How Much?

Up to £10,000

Deadline

It doesn't have a deadline and you can apply at any time.

They recommend you send them your application at least four months before you want your project to start.

More information

Awards for All England

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Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Social Change

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Communities, Social Change, Injustice, Participation, Isolated Groups

The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation funds work that contributes to a just and inclusive society at every level (individual, community and system).

Eligibility

Here are the Eligibility details.

What For?

They believe that the best solutions are owned by and built for communities, so they fund them to thrive and deliver long term impact, whether by place or particular theme. They support work that removes barriers preventing marginalised and isolated people from participating and making a valuable contribution to society. Their funding also aims to protect and promote the rights of those who suffer the effects of systemic, cultural, and institutional injustice.

Their grants support organisations' core or project costs, including staff salaries and overheads. They do not fund building or equipment costs, or individuals.

Funding priorities

Participation – marginalised and excluded individuals and groups

They believe that there are many people, including the increasing ageing population, with valuable contributions to make to their communities, workplaces and wider society. Often outside factors prevent them doing so - poor institutional practice, a lack of connections, taboos, isolation, prejudice or discrimination. They work with organisations that are led by these communities, overcoming the barriers to participation.

Place – revitalising community life

They fund independent organisations rooted in their community. They are best placed to identify and channel the potential of an area. They can exploit opportunities for coordinated community action and make the best of their connections with other agencies. These organisations are based in economically marginalised, isolated communities and/or work with a particular group of excluded or vulnerable people. They are the driving force or 'anchor' for that community, providing stability, identity and the potential for renewal. They create the conditions where people themselves generate ideas and activities. With their communities, they encourage active citizenship, ownership and participation to remove barriers to social exclusion and poverty.

In particular, they look at less predictable and practical ways of anchoring communities such as village shops, arts, food, community transport and energy.

Injustice – systemic change around injustice and inequality

They aim to raise awareness of issues or uncomfortable viewpoints about unfairness for particular sectors of society. These issues are often complex, divisive, entrenched, unpopular and uncomfortable. They can be characterised by silence, social pressure and a lack of understanding. We support organisations that protect the rights of people who are more vulnerable to popular prejudice, harmful action or inaction by public authorities. They will routinely identify principles and practical measures that will guide and result in reform.

They look for work that strengthens democratic, representative and transparent institutions. They support programmes led by expert, tenacious and fearless people who can articulate what is needed. They are looking for a commitment to evidence and rational debate with realistic outcomes that are likely to make change a possibility.

How Much?

2015 grants ranged from £5k to £1.5m (median average £100,000), with support lasting 1 - 5 years (45% 3 years).

Deadline

There are no deadlines – you can apply at anytime.

They have a two stage application process:

1. Apply online. They acknowledge by email within a week and decide whether to take it further within a month.
2. Answer a set of questions from a Grants or Social Investment Manager. They make a decision in 2 - 4 months.

More information

Esmée Fairburn Social Change

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Power to Change Community Business Fund

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Community Businesses

Power to Change awards grants to help new and existing community businesses grow and become more sustainable.

Eligibility

Find out if you are eligible on the Am I suitable for funding? pages.

What For?

They have two main grant programmes:

• The £1.85 million Community Business Bright Ideas Fund is aimed at community groups who have a community business idea but need help turning it into reality.
• The £10 million Community Business Fund is aimed existing community businesses that need funding for a business development project to make their organisation more sustainable.

You may also be interested in other funding options, such as community shares or blended funding (a mix of grant and loan).

The £1.85 million Community Business Bright Ideas Fund will offer around 80 community groups, who work in England, with up to 15 days of tailored support and grants of up to £20,000 to develop their budding community business ideas.

The Community Business Bright Ideas Fund aims to give your community group the support and tools to start setting up your community business. It will also give your group the early stage finance that you need need to carry out consultation with local people and feasibility studies to develop a community business idea the community wants and needs.

What the Bright Ideas Fund offers

• Online induction and ongoing support, either online, by phone or where possible through visits
• Community Business development plans, to help successful groups shape and develop strategies and plans for their community business
• Mentoring and visits, to inspire applicants and give them the opportunity to learn from peers
• Regional networking and events, to learn from social finance experts, successful community business leaders, funders and technical specialists.

Apply on the MyCommunity website.

Register to watch the recording of the Bright Ideas Fund FAQs webinar to find more about the fund criteria, application process and FAQs.

How Much?

Bright Ideas Fund: A programme of support and grants of up to £20,000 is available to develop your community business idea.

Through the Community Business Fund, they will award grants between £50,000 – £300,000 to community businesses in England.

Deadline

The Community Business Bright Ideas Fund is now open until 30 November at 12pm. There will be additional funding rounds in February and September 2017 and February 2018.

The third window for applications for their £10 million Community Business Fund is now open until 16 December 2016.

Key dates for Bright Ideas Fund:

• 30 November: First window closes
• February 2017: Second window opens
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Power to Change - Funding

There will be other funding programmes going live in the course of 2016 that we will publicise through our website and newsletter.

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Baily Thomas Charitable Fund

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Learning Disabilities, Adults, Children, Autism

The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund is a grant making registered charity which was established primarily to aid the research into learning disability and to aid the care and relief of those affected by learning disability by making grants to voluntary organisations working in this field

Eligibility

Applications will only be considered from voluntary organisations which are registered charities or are associated with a registered charity (this does not apply if you are submitting an application for a research grant).

Schools and Parent Teacher Associations, Industrial & Provident Societies and other such exempt charities can also apply.

The Fund does not currently accept appeals from Community Interest Companies.

Grants will not normally be awarded to individuals.

What For?

Learning disabilities (intellectual disabilities), and autism are our priorities for funding. They consider projects for children or adults. They do not give grants for research into or care of people with mental illness, dyslexia, dyspraxia nor ADHD, if they do not also have learning disabilities (intellectual disabilities).

Charities and organisations who aim to aid the research into learning disability and to aid the care and relief of those affected by learning disability. They consider under learning disability the conditions generally referred to as severe learning difficulties, together with autism. In this area, we consider projects concerning children or adults. Please note that they do not give grants for research into or care of those with mental illness or dyslexia.

The following areas of work normally fall within the Fund's current policy providing they benefit the learning disabled:

• Capital building/renovation/refurbishment 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.

They do not normally fund:

• Hospices;
• Minibuses except those for residential and/or day care services for the learning disabled;
• Advocacy projects;
• Conductive Education projects;
• Arts and theatre projects;
• Swimming and hydro-therapy pools;
• Physical disabilities unless accompanied by significant learning disabilities.
• Grants for acquired brain injury unless the resulting learning disabilities occur early in the developmental period (i.e. birth, infancy or childhood), impacting on brain maturation and development and learning in childhood.
• Appeals which are ethnically or religiously selective which the Fund defines as therefore not benefitting the wider community.

Research Grants

In addition to the main grants programme, the Fund also operates a programme for small grants and research grants. They generally direct our funds towards the initiation of research so that it can progress to the point at which there is sufficient data to support an application to one of the major funding bodies. Please note, the Fund does not usually support qualitative studies.

Applications will only be considered from established research workers and will be subject to normal professional peer review procedures.

How Much?

Grants are awarded for amounts from £250 and depend on a number of factors including the purpose, the total funding requirement and the potential sources of other funds including, in some cases, matching funding.

Deadline

Meetings of the Trustees are usually held in March, June and November of each year. The deadlines for submitting an appeal for funding over £10,000 are:

• 1 December for consideration at the interim meeting in March
• 1 March for consideration at the June meeting
• 1 August for consideration at the November meeting.

For a research grant the deadlines for submission for the full proposal are:

• 1 February to be tabled at the meeting in June
• 1 August to be tabled at the meeting in November.

More information

The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund

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Beatrice Laing Trust

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Poverty, Evangelical Christian Faith, Homeless, Elderly, Ex-Offenders, Former Service Personnel

The Beatrice Laing Trust’s focus is on the relief of poverty and the advancement of the evangelical Christian faith, both at home and abroad.

Eligibility

Registered charities

What For?

Previous grant recipients have included:

• Organisations, many of them Christian organisations working to express their faith through practical action to help those in need, offering direct support to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in society, including:
  • the homeless
  • the elderly
  • former Servicemen and women
  • ex-offenders
• Charities providing practical services to people with physical, mental and learning difficulties and their families/carers. Examples include:
  • special schools seeking to develop and expand their facilities in order to enable them to meet the needs of people with increasingly complex disabilities
  • those involved in supporting young people with complex needs in the transition into adulthood, providing supported accommodation and opportunities for training/meaningful employment
  • those seeking to provide facilities for respite care
• Organisations providing opportunities for training and development to young people, in particular those who are disadvantaged or 'at risk'.
• Small-scale overseas development projects aiming to build the capacity of local partners to develop long-term sustainable solutions to local problems in countries in the developing world.

A significant percentage of the grants awarded are made on a one-off basis for capital purposes such as the purchase or construction of new premises, building extension, redevelopment or refurbishment, or the purchase of equipment and vehicles. Most other grants are directed towards specific projects which will meet a clearly defined and demonstrable need within the applicant charity's beneficiary/client group which cannot be met from statutory sources. Such grants may be made on a one-off basis or phased, often on a tapering basis, over a three year period. Evidence of longer-term sustainability is an important factor in the Trustees’ decision-making.

While the Trust does not make grants towards the ongoing cost of sustaining core activities, the Trustees do recognise that securing funding for such costs can be a particular challenge. Applicants should, therefore, include a reasonable level of management costs to cover overheads when submitting a project budget; this may include some employment costs.

How Much?

Grants typically range between £1,000 and £5,000, although the Trust has the capacity to make a few larger grants each year. Grants typically range between £1,000 and £5,000, although the Trust has the capacity to make a few larger grants each year.

Deadline

Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year.

More information

Laing Family Trusts

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Garfield Weston Foundation

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Arts, Education, Youth, Health, Community, Environment, Religion, Welfare

The Garfield Weston Foundation supports a broad range of organisations and activities that share a commitment to making a positive impact to the lives of the communities in which they work, and that are driven by a desire to achieve excellence.

Eligibility

UK registered charities that operate within the UK – we will require your registration number

Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) – as above, your registration number is required

Educational establishments

Hospitals

Housing associations and corporations

Churches and cathedrals

What For?

They make grants across the UK to organisations in the following categories:

• Arts
• Education
• Youth
• Health
• Community
• Environment
• Religion
• Welfare

Arts

Most of the large grants in this category were for capital projects to improve the visitor experience and to facilitate a growing demand for a wide range of activities.

Education

They support organisations across the country that demonstrate excellence, from universities and special schools to museums and out-of-school provision.

Environment

This year grants were given to a broad range of activities including education work, recycling projects and habitat conservation.

Health

Grants were made to a range of projects ranging from capital investment in hospices, charities specialising in the treatment of specific illnesses and to major research organisations focusing on making medical breakthroughs.

Religion

The majority of these grants were towards the cost of repairing the fabric of the UK's numerous beautiful, listed churches. These buildings are often costly to maintain and repair and meeting such costs can be especially challenging for rural communities where congregations may be small or the population sparse. Other grants they made were for their inclusive work in engaging communities, regardless of denomination.

Welfare

Perhaps their broadest category, through their grants they support charities working with particular groups and tackling specific issues from homelessness to those within the criminal justice system.

Youth

They continue to support a broad range of organisations that are united in their ambition to give young people the best chances in life from scouts, youth clubs and sports clubs to mentoring schemes.

Community

The Foundation is proud to contribute to a vast range of groups from the furthest reaches of Great Britain. Typically they rely on the commitment of volunteers and collectively make an enormous difference to the lives of thousands of people every year.

The Trustees are especially keen to see applications for core and project costs for charities delivering services directly to beneficiaries, especially in the welfare, youth and community fields, and also in regions of economic disadvantage.

How Much?

Under £100,000

Deadline

For regular grants - under £100,000 - they have a one stage application process and applicants will know the outcome of their request within four months of applying. They accept applications at any time so there are no formal deadlines for submitting applications that you need to worry about.

More information

Garfield Weston Foundation

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HLF Young Roots

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Heritage, Young People

Apply for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £10,000-£50,000 to help young people aged 11 to 25 to explore their heritage, from green spaces, museums, and historic sites to language, local memories and youth culture.

Eligibility

Under this programme, they fund partnerships of heritage and youth organisations. You will need to nominate a not-for-profit organisation as a lead applicant to fill in their application form and administer the grant.

If private individuals or commercial 'for profit' organisations are involved in a project, public benefit must outweigh private gain.

Here are some examples of the types of organisations they fund:

• community or voluntary groups
• Community Interest Companies
• charities or trusts
• social enterprises
• community/parish councils
• local authorities
• other public sector organisations, such as nationally funded museums

If you are a school or college wishing to apply, please see p15 of the guidance document for more information.

What For?

HLF are enthusiastic about engaging young people with heritage. Getting involved helps them develop new skills and interests, connect with their communities and have fun. And they bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to projects.

The programme is intended to:

• provide new opportunities for a wide range of young people aged 11 to 25 to help shape and deliver engaging heritage projects
• bring heritage and youth organisations together to combine knowledge and experience
• create opportunities to celebrate young people's achievements in the project and share their learning with the wider community.

Heritage includes many different things from the past that they value and want to pass on to future generations, for example:

• archaeological sites
• collections of objects, books or documents in museums, libraries or archives
• cultural traditions such as stories, festivals, crafts, music, dance and costumes
• historic buildings
• histories of people and communities
• histories of places and events
• the heritage of languages and dialects
• natural and designed landscapes and gardens
• people's memories and experiences (often recorded as 'oral history')
• places and objects linked to our industrial, maritime and transport history
• natural heritage including habitats, species and geology.

How Much?

£10,000 - £50,000

Deadline

There are no application deadlines for this programme – apply anytime. Your application will be discussed at a monthly advisory meeting at your local Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) office.

More information

Young Roots

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ACT Foundation

Of interest to Organisations dealing with People with Physical and Mental Disabilities, The Aged and those in Need, Hospices and End of Life Care, Support for Young Carers

The ACT Foundation provides grants to individuals and other charities, principally in the UK, with the aim of enhancing the quality of life for people in need, particularly those who have a physical or mental disability or the aged.

Eligibility

They will not make grants:

• To charities that have not been registered for at least three years;
• Which would replace statutory funding;
• Which would pay for work that has already commenced or equipment already purchased or on order;
• Towards the operating costs of other charities except in connection with setting up new services;
• For projects which promote a particular religion or faith;
• To Community Centres and Youth Clubs except where those served are in special need of help (e.g. the elderly or persons with special needs);
• To Local Authorities;
• To umbrella or grant-making organisations except where they undertake special assessments not readily available from our own resources;
• To universities and colleges and grant maintained, private or local education authority schools or their Parent Teacher Associations, except if those schools are for students with special needs;
• For costs associated with political or publicity campaigns.

What For?

Their current priorities are projects that make a transformational change and have a high level of impact on individuals, their families and communities.

Their priorities are:

• People with physical and mental disabilities
• the aged and those in need
• Hospices and end of life care
• Support for young carers

Their grants generally fall into the following areas:

• Building - funding modifications to homes (where a Disabled Facilities Grant ("DFG") has already been awarded), charities, special schools, hospices etc.
• Equipment - provision of specialist wheelchairs, other mobility aids and equipment including medical equipment and technology to assist independent living
• Respite – help towards the cost of short-term respite breaks at registered respite centres

Here are examples of previously funded projects.

How Much?

ACT gives large and small donations to charities depending on the project and available funds. Larger grants (in excess of £100K) will be the exception.

Deadline

You can apply for a grant at any time and for any amount. Trustees meet four times a year but procedures exist to give approvals between meeting dates if necessary. They do not publish the dates of Trustees' meetings.

More information

ACT Foundation requirements.

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Westhill Endowment

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Religious Education, Faith-Based Activities, Communities

Westhill Endowment provides financial investment and other resources to support religious education projects and faith-motivated activities that enable people to transform their lives and the life of their communities.

Eligibility

They want to invest in projects that enable people to live together in peace and prosperity. Their mission is to do this through projects that involve religious education and faith-motivated community transformation activities. Ideally these projects should be creative and inclusive of people of different Christian traditions and of other faiths and none.

There is no geographical restriction on their grants, but the majority are for activities based in the UK.

What For?

Westhill's primary focus is on providing financial investment and other resources to support formal and informal religious education projects and faith-motivated activities that enable people to transform their lives and the life of their communities.

Religious education activities can be either formal or informal and ideally should enable participants to learn from and about other faiths. Westhill will also consider grants that develop the capacity of organisations to better serve the needs of their beneficiaries or service users in the fields of religious education and faith-motivated community transformation.

Here are projects for which grants have been given in the past.

Applicants are required to put forward ideas in a simple and concise way, supported by a budget using our standard application form. A successful application will show achievable step by step planned outcomes towards a final goal and show what funds are required to secure each stage. Your organisation's up to date accounts and key participants CVs are always welcomed as supporting information.

They are always open to new ideas and initiatives but they do not make grants to individuals, respond to general appeals, fund capital projects or contribute towards the cost of ongoing employment of permanent staff.

Most of their grants are to projects in the UK, however, they are able to consider applications for international activities with accountable UK-based partner organisation.

Applications for the following activities are very unlikely to be successful:

• If the expected impact of the project is unclear or considered to be very unlikely to be achievable.
• Capital appeals for building projects.
• Requests for funding that seek to persuade people of one faith/political belief or none to adopt another faith/political belief.
• Requests for contributions towards ongoing salary costs, although Westhill does consider applications to fund the costs of sessional, part-time or project staff.
• If Westhill has provided a grant to the same applicant within the past 12 months.
• Where the beneficiaries of the project do not involve humans, i.e. projects that work exclusively for the benefit of animals or for the environment.
• If the activity to be funded is a statutory responsibility of the State.
• If it is clear that the applicant has sufficient unrestricted reserves to self-fund the project.

How Much?

Westhill generally consider applications for grants requiring investment of between £1,000 and £20,000. Larger sums for projects running over two years are also considered but they would advise that you seek match funding in such cases.

There are no formal upper or lower limits on the amount that can be applied for. Most grants from Westhill are between £2,500 and £10,000.

Deadline

Westhill's Grants & Projects Committee meets on a termly basis and the deadline for receipt of applications is three weeks before each meeting. They will advise you of the specific timings when you make your application.

More information

Westhill - make it happen

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Foyle Foundation Small Grants

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Smaller Charities

The Foyle Foundation's Small Grants Scheme is designed to support smaller charities in the UK, especially those working at grass roots and local community level, in any field, across a wide range of activities.

Eligibility

Applications are welcomed from charities that have an annual turnover of less than £100,000 per annum. Larger or national charities will normally not be considered under this scheme. Nor will the Scheme generally support charities that are able consistently to generate operational surpluses or which have been able to build up considerable unrestricted reserves.

Please note they are not able to support individuals.

What For?

They award grants for core costs, equipment or project funding to charities which can show that such a grant will make a significant difference to your work. If you cannot demonstrate this, your application will be declined.

Please note that demonstrating ongoing sustainability is also important, particularly if you have recently lost local authority or other regular funding.

Please note that the Foundation does not fund feasibility studies.

Multi-year grants will generally not be made.

How Much?

They plan to make one year grants of between £1,000 and £10,000

Deadline

There are no deadlines for submission. Applications will be received at all times but it may take up to four months to obtain a decision from Trustees.

If applying for funding towards a capital project please apply towards the end of your fundraising campaign, when the majority of funding has been raised and you have an estimated start date for the works.

More information

Small Grants Scheme.

Please send your application to:
The Foyle Foundation
Rugby Chambers
2 Rugby Street
London WC1N 3QU

At present, the Foundation does not accept applications electronically.

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Nesta Over 50s Volunteering

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Volunteers, Older People, Children and Young People, Parents and Families

The Office for Civil Society and Nesta, the innovation foundation, have announced three new grant funds totalling £4million to explore how more charities and public services can better tap into the skills and experience of volunteers over 50 for the benefit of all society.

Eligibility

Each of the three funding streams has its own eligibility criteria. The NESTA news page has the details where you select the specific fund that is of interest and then click on More Information within the introductory paragraph to obtain the relevant eligibility criteria.

What For?

With life expectancy in the UK increasing, a valuable opportunity has opened up for greater numbers of volunteers to share their skills and talents with others in later life - offering a rewarding experience for both sides.

Older volunteers already make an important contribution in supporting our hospitals, schools and local councils, and in roles such as magistrates, first aiders and youth club leaders. As people live longer and research shows volunteering can contribute to wellbeing in later life, these new funds will explore how more can be encouraged to volunteer and how their talents and experiences can be retained.

The three funds now open to application are:

• The Second Half Fund - Sharing Time and Talents for Life: Will support the growth of new ways of mobilising the time and talents of people aged over 50 specifically in support of: children and young people, parents and families, ageing well, creating resourceful and resilient local places.
• Join In Stay In: Will award grants to behavioural science experts for organisations to undertake Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) to understand what works best to encourage volunteers to continue to give their time regularly.
• Give More Get More - Exploring Intensive Volunteering: Will support organisations to trial intensive volunteering placements for people over 50 - approaching or in retirement - that work alongside public services. These might include 'gap years', such as those VSO offers for experienced volunteers to give their time abroad.

How Much?

• The Second Half Fund - Sharing Time and Talents for Life: Will provide grants of up to £250,000
• Join In Stay In: Will award grants of up to £50,000 and significant non-financial support
• Give More Get More - Exploring Intensive Volunteering: Will award grants of up to £100,000

Deadline

Each of the three funding streams has its own deadlines. The NESTA news page has the details where you select the specific fund that is of interest and then click on More Information within the introductory paragraph to obtain the relevant deadline.

More information

Nesta: Lives saved, grades earned, jobs secured and more

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Variety Youth Club Programme

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Young People, Youth Clubs, Equipment

The Variety Youth Club Programme helps young people to engage with others and achieve their goals.

Eligibility

They fund equipment for youth organisations which are affiliated to either Ambition, UKYouth or Association of Boys and Girls Clubs.

What For?

Applications are intended to be for items of equipment. However, on occasion, applications for improvement of youth club premises, existing equipment or facilities will also be considered.

They expect the youth club to help raise some of the funds. This is to show its members' commitment and to increase their sense of ownership. Then they fund the balance.

They will consider funding for:

• Applications for items of equipment; however, on occasion, applications for improvement of youth club premises, equipment or facilities will also be considered.
• Applications which benefit young people from 8 up to and including the age of 18 years, who are resident within the UK.
• Applications which have sustainability beyond one year.
• Applications which demonstrate involvement from young people in raising some of the funds required for the equipment requested.

They will not consider funding for:

• Applications for revenue costs, e.g. running costs such as administrative/salaries, hire costs, travel etc.
• Applications which mainly benefit youth workers such as office equipment etc.
• Applications from organisations that are not affiliated to a National Youth Organisation.
• Applications from uniformed organisations.

How Much?

Allocation will very much depend on how many eligible applications they receive and the funds available to the Youth Clubs Committee at any one time. Currently, the average grant is between £250 and £600.

Deadline

There is no deadline; they welcome applications submitted at any time of the year.

More information

Variety Youth Clubs Grants

Email Jean Lowers or phone 0207 428 8133.

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Tesco Bags of Help

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Local Communities, Physical Environment, Outdoor Spaces, Nature, Events, Sports, Arts

Bags of Help is Tesco's local community grant scheme where the money raised from the 5p bag levy in Tesco stores is being used to fund thousands of community projects across the UK. The projects must meet the criteria of promoting community participation in the development and use of outdoor spaces.

Eligibility

Grants will be awarded to voluntary or community organisations (including registered charities/companies), schools, health bodies (eg Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), NHS Hospital Trust, Foundation Trust), Parish/Town Councils and local authorities, social housing providers. This list is not exhaustive and there will be many other types of organisations that will be funded.

Applications will not be funded where individuals have applied as groups must be fully constituted. Profit-making organisations are also ineligible for funding.

Sites solely used for religious or political purposes will not be eligible, nor will sites where a charge is made to access the project location such as a children's farm, or play area provided on private land.

This short quiz will check that your project meets the basic requirements to be eligibile for a Bags of Help grant. If your project meets the criteria you will be given a link to the application form.

What For?

Bags of Help can fund 100% of your project costs so you do not have to have any match funding. However, if you secured additional funding, there is no limit to what this amount can be and any funding awarded by Bags of Help can form part of your wider project costs.

Your project can be a stand-alone project or discrete, self-contained part of a larger scheme or part of a phased project. You will need to complete your project within twelve months of receipt of the grant.

Bags of Help will fund projects that deliver a physical environmental improvement or encourage the use and long term sustainability of outdoor spaces.

Projects that would typically receive funding include (but are not limited to):

• Developing nature trail in a local park or nature reserve
• Purchasing bee hives and seeding wildflower meadow on a community allotment
• Providing forest school sessions in a primary school for 12 months
• Developing a garden in a hospice, purchasing plants, benches and pergola
• Supporting artist in residence to work with the community to develop an art trail.
• Setting up a growing project for sheltered accommodation residents
• Supporting a gardening project which helps local isolated residents form a gardening club
• Supporting practical training for young people learning horticultural skills
• Funding a series of summer events in a local park
• Funding a programme of beach clean up events
• Repainting swings and play equipment in a park
• Supporting community run summer sports and leisure activities in parks.
• Helping to set up Britain in Bloom local group, purchasing plants, planters, forks, spades and compost.
• Developing a community garden or orchard
• Supporting local football club with the purchase of nets, balls and coaching sessions for under 12s

How Much?

Three local community projects will be voted on in Tesco stores each month across Tesco regions throughout England, Scotland and Wales. In each region, the project that received the most votes from all stores in their region will receive a grant of up to £5,000. The second placed project receives up to £2000 and third placed up to £1000. Every year, over 7000 projects will receive funding through this scheme.

Deadline

Bags of Help is now always open to applications from community projects.

More information

Tesco Bags of Help

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Inman Charity

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Medical Research, Care of the Elderly, General Welfare, Hospices, Deaf and Blind, Care of the Physically & Mentally Disabled, Armed Forces

The Inman Charity operates a grant giving policy with a view to making annual distributions of £300,000. They support a wide range of charitable projects.

Eligibility

They support a wide range of UK Registered Charities. They do not support:

• Individuals
• Young children and infants
• Maintenance of buildings at a local level (e.g. churches and village halls)
• Animal Welfare
• Wildlife and environmental conservation
• Religious Charities

What For?

The directors are particularly interested in supporting the following areas of charitable work:

• Medical research
• Care of the elderly
• General welfare
• Hospices
• The Deaf and Blind
• Care of the physically & mentally disabled
• The Armed Forces

How Much?

Last year’s grants ranged from £2,500 to £10,000

Deadline

Applications must be received by the end of February or the end of August to be sure of consideration at the Spring or Autumn Meetings.

Directors' Meetings are held in April and October each year.

More information

The Inman Charity

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Barchester's Charitable Foundation

Of interest to Organisations dealing with Older People, Adults with Disability

Barchester's Charitable Foundation helps older people and other adults with a disability. This year their focus is about connecting or re-connecting people with others in their local community. Applications that combat loneliness and enable people to be active and engaged will receive their highest priority in 2016.

Eligibility

They help individuals, small community groups and small local charities.

What For?

They favour applications that help improve people's mobility, independence and quality of life. They give grants to help reduce isolation and loneliness, promote group activities and generally improve people's independence, mobility and quality of life. They aim to give grants that will help people lead more fulfilled lives and reach their full potential.

This year their focus is about connecting or re-connecting people with others in their local community. Applications that combat loneliness and enable people to be active and engaged will receive their highest priority in 2016.

They will fund:

• Older people 65+
• Adults (18+) with a physical disability
• Adults (18+) with a mental disability

Grants will not be made to community groups and small charities for:

• Core/ running costs or salaries or financial support to general projects
• Indirect services such as help lines, newsletters, leaflets or research
• Major building projects or large capital projects
• Training of staff and volunteers

Grants will not normally be made to named individuals for:

• Services for which the health and social care authorities have a statutory responsibility (e.g. medical and dental treatment)
• Services offered in a care home operated by Barchester Healthcare or by any other company (e.g. adequate seating)
• Home improvements and property repairs not related to disability or medical condition
• Basic household items such as white goods, furniture and carpeting not related to disability or medical condition
• Daily living costs (e.g. rent, utility bills, clothing) or repayment of debts

How Much?

Their grants range from £100 up to £5,000.

Deadline

No deadline. Ongoing. Applications are processed in about 10 weeks.

More information

Barchester's Charitable Foundation

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