Funding and Information  distributed to CVS North database groups - CVS North are able to assist with Funder finder searches a software package with resources, mainly for grant-seekers. This package specialises in information and advice about charitable trusts and foundations that fund in the UK. Please contact CVS North

 

   

 

5 top tips to aid in applying for a grant

  1. Always read the guidance notes and application form thoroughly before beginning the application
  2. Make contact with the grant giving organisation to ask questions and discuss your idea before submitting the application
  3. Demonstrate clearly the needs of the project and why it is important that these needs are meet and state the benefits of the project to the community.
  4. Answer all the questions on the application form in a clear and concise manner
  5. Submit all documentation requested

Useful web sites

Climate Challenge Fund

The Scottish Government's Climate Challenge Fund is now open. The fund is designed to help communities take local action to tackle the global threat of climate change by reducing their carbon emissions. The fund will run for three years. Interested communities can now submit an 'expression of interest' form. More info

Help for Rural Communities

A new service to help rural communities apply for a range of funding programs has been launched. Run by the Crofters' Commission and SCVO the service, Rural Direct, will aim to ensure communities reap maximum benefit from schemes aimed at tackling climate change, reducing waste and improving environmental management. More info

One Planet Living Grant Scheme (UK)

Through the One Planet Living (OPL) Grant scheme, schools, community groups and charitable organisations can apply to their local B&Q store for funding to support a local community project. Projects must support at least one of the following themes:

·         Environment/Energy Saving

·         Natural Habitats/Wildlife

·         Local Culture/Heritage

The scheme provides £50 to £500 (at retail cost) of B&Q materials, for example, pond liners, plants, peat-free compost for projects such as a pond/wildlife garden or paints labelled low or minimal VOC for redecoration projects.  It is important that the project is sustainable. For example, the materials and methods used should not cause environmental damage in the short or long-term. The final result should have long-lasting benefit to the community. OPL Grants do not cover maintenance, so the project should be designed for easy care.  To apply for a grant, applicants will need to contact the environmental champion or store manager at their local B&Q store to discuss project details. http://www.sports-council-wales.org.uk/getactiveatwork/getting-physical-in-the-workplace/what-to-do-next

Tools for Schools (UK)

Schools that are seeking to purchase cheap but reliable Computer systems are able to do so through Tools for Schools. Tools for Schools is a not-for-profit business founded on a single mission: to give every school child in the UK access to a personal computer wherever and whenever they need one. In addition to providing computers to schools, Tools for Schools also provides personal computers for educational home use, other educational projects and establishments e.g. further education and community colleges. Since the business was founded over 1,500 schools have received fully refurbished computers. Computers are available from £95.n http://www.tfs.org.uk/

Funding to Support the Voluntary Sector Providing Advice on Tax and Welfare Entitlements (UK)

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced that it is seeking grant applications to fund activities undertaken by the Third Sector Organisations in delivering services to those groups in society that are socially excluded or hard to reach. As part of this bidding round, a total of £1.05 million will be available to fund Third Sector Organisations to deliver education, awareness and support activities for vulnerable groups resulting in:

  • An increased take up of HMRC products;

  • An increased understanding of financial responsibility;

  • To build the capacity of the wider Third Sector to deliver work programmes resulting in more advisors able to offer enhanced advice on HMRC products and wider financial issue.

  • The funding which can be awarded for up to 3 years will provide:

  • Grants of up to £20,000 for locally based projects;  

  • Up to £80,000 for more significant projects involving work on a wider geographical scale;

  • Up to £250,000 for projects on a National scale.

To be eligible to apply for grant in aid funding applicants must be a third sector organisation (encompassing voluntary and community organisations, charities, social enterprises, cooperatives and mutual’s.  For 2009/10 HMRC will be operating a two stage application process. The first stage will involve the completion of a pre- bid application. The deadline for submitting these is the 12th November 2008. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/vcs/guidance0809.htm

Partnership Grants Open to Applications from Teachers, Scientists and Engineers (UK)

Grants of between £250 and £3,000 are available to support teachers; scientists and engineers help develop Science projects with the aim of making the teaching of science more interesting within primary and secondary schools. The aim of the Partnership grants scheme is to form partnerships to allow teachers to increase their scientific knowledge and giving scientists and engineers the chance to develop their communication skills and engage with enquiring young minds. The Society seeks to give young people the opportunity to meet and work with science professionals on topics that are exciting, imaginative and relevant to their lives. The deadline for applications is the 7th November 2008. http://royalsociety.org/page.asp?id=1948

 European Youth Foundation Grants (UK)

The European Youth Foundation is an independent, international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to the positive development of children and young people throughout the world. To support its objectives the Foundation makes grants to international not for profit youth organisations and networks. The types of activities supported include international youth meeting, the development of projects that benefits young people and help towards the administrative costs of eligible organisations and networks. In addition the Foundation also funds a range of pilot projects. The next application deadline is the 1st April 2009. http://www.eycb.coe.int/EYCBwwwroot/index.asp?language=eng&url=/EYCBwwwroot/ENG/EYF.asp

Daiwa Foundation (UK)

The Daiwa Foundation, which is a grant giving charity to promote links between the UK and Japan, has announced that the next funding application deadline is the 30th September 2008. The Foundation, awards grants to individuals and institutions in the UK and Japan, in all areas of:

  • The visual and performing arts;

  • The humanities;

  • The social sciences;

  • Science and engineering;

  • Mathematics;

  • Business studies,

  • Education, including schools and universities;

  • Grass roots;

  • Professional groups.

The size of grants available range from £1,000 to £15,000 and can cover all fields of activity, including educational and grassroots exchanges, research travel, the organisation of conferences, exhibitions, collaborative projects between British and Japanese researchers in the field of science and other projects and events that fulfil objectives of the Foundation. The next application deadline is the 31st March 2009.http://www.dajf.org.uk/page_e.asp?Section=Grants&ID=75

Funding for the Commercialisation of Research Ideas (UK)

Applications are being invited to the first round of the 2009 Follow-on Fund. This is a proof of concept fund to support the commercialisation of research ideas arising from research funded through the Research Councils. Funds will help research staff to develop research ideas to a stage where commercial opportunities (e.g. licensing, seed or equity funds) can be secured. Funds can support further scientific and technical development of an idea though applications may involve some activities towards improving an intellectual property position, market research or investigating potential licensees and joint ventures. There is no minimum or maximum amount that can be applied for. The fund is open to researchers in UK universities and research council institutes with current or past Research Council funding. The deadline for applications is the 26th February. http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/CallsForProposals/FoF2008.htm

Allen Lane Foundation Grants Programme (UK)

The Allen Lane Foundation makes grants to not for profit organisations that work towards improving the lives of and integrating groups of people who are unpopular in UK society today. This includes work that improves the lives of:

  • Asylum seekers and refugees;

  • Gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transgender people;

  • Offenders and ex-offenders;

  • From black and minority ethnic communities and migrant workers;

  • People experiencing mental health problems; etc.

The Foundation will make grants towards start-up, core or project costs. The grants range from one off grants of between £500 and £15,000 or grants of between £500 and £5,000 per year for up to three years. Applications can be made at any time. http://www.allenlane.org.uk/priorities.htm

Third Sector Investment Fund (Scotland)

On the 1st September 2008, the Scottish Government launched its new £30 million Scottish Investment Fund. The aim of the fund is to help enterprising Third Sector organisations become more effective and efficient. The fund will provide support to established Third Sector organisations with the potential to grow their turnover or become financially sustainable. The Scottish Investment Fund will be targeted at established Third Sector organisations which are:

  •  Located and trading in Scotland, with an appropriate legal constitution in place, and reinvest surpluses for a social purpose;

  • Have been trading successfully, partly through income generation, for at least three years.

  • In the case of new joint venture or consortium arrangements at least one of the partners must have been trading successfully for at least three years;

  • Have established, successful experience in public service delivery or trading in other markets;

  • Have potential to grow their turnover and/or become financially sustainable;

  • Are investment-ready in terms of management, governance and financial position or in a position to become investment-ready with business support.

The Scottish Investment Fund will include loans and strategic investments based on social outcomes. http://www.scottishinvestmentfund.co.uk/

Community Cash Awards (UK)

Young people are being given the chance to claim a share of £1 million to help tackle the dangers of drugs, crime and play a positive role in their community. The Royal Bank of Scotland Community Cash Awards will see £1 million of grants being distributed by youth charity “The Prince’s Trust” to young people who want to run community projects in some of Britain’s poorest areas. The Awards, worth £250 to £5,000, are available to disadvantaged 14 to 25-year-olds who want to transform their area and learn practical skills. Projects could range from improving local youth facilities to tackling teenage pregnancy or drug misuse. Projects must be;

  • run and managed by people between the ages of 14 and 25;

  • clearly benefit the local community;

  • benefit the people running the project;

  • and be a new or developing project.

Previous projects supported include; an amateur boxing project to give young people greater confidence; and a media project to promote community cohesion and greater understanding between the local community and asylum seekers. http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/Main%20Site%20v2/14-30%20and%20need%20help/grants%20for%20community%20projects.asp

The Be Cause Awards (UK)

UnLtd, the charity which supports social entrepreneurs has announced that it has launched a new award scheme in partnership with Bebo, a social networking website. The “Be Cause Awards” is a new scheme to inspire people to make a difference in their community. Using the Be Cause toolkit, applicants can put together a robust plan for a social action or social enterprise project and then enter it for a monthly Be Cause Award. If your idea meets Be Cause criteria applicants can be in the running for a £1,000 award to help get a project off the ground. Applicants can nominate their project for an award, or if other in the Bebo community can enter it if they think it's a good idea. Every month a panel of experts from UnLtd and Bebo will select five projects from all those nominated that have the potential to make a positive impact on society. The whole Bebo community will then be asked to vote for the best project over a two-week period. The project which receives the most votes will be awarded the £1,000 award, as well as receiving ongoing support and advice from UnLtd in order to maximise the potential of the project. Every year a Judges Choice Award of £5,000 will be given to the project with the best ongoing potential. In addition, everyone who takes part in the Be Cause Awards will be eligible for further support and funding from UnLtd if the projects show enough promise to be expanded and developed.  Applications can be made at any time. http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MID=367137231&MemberId=3963962534

Funding Through Local YouthBanks (UK)

YouthBank is an innovative UK-wide grant making initiative run by young people for young people. Local Youth Banks provide small grants to young people for activities of benefit to the community and that also benefit the young people taking part. YouthBank is unique in that it is young people themselves who make decisions about how local YouthBanks are managed and run and, through a Board of young people, also direct the UK-wide programme. Grant making criteria and processes are decided by each individual YouthBank.  The majority of local YouthBanks receive support through the Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF).  This is a Government initiative to support youth led activities within local areas. New YouthBanks recently set up include:

  •  South Devon YouthBank which received a grant of £50,000 through the YOF and is hosted by the Devon Youth Service

  • Haringey YouthBank which is hosted by the local Youth Service and received a grant of £335,000 through the YOF

http://www.youthbank.org.uk/

The Violet Clegg Fund (UK)

The Violet Clegg Fund awards grants of up to £250 for applications that fall within two main categories. Grants can either be for a specific purpose/item or meeting the overall costs of such a purpose or item.

  • Category 1 grants are those that are of benefit to Gypsies and Travellers who are experiencing exceptional hardship. By exceptional hardship we mean situations that go beyond the general hardships experienced by the Gypsy and Traveller community on a day to day basis. Examples of this might be such things as repair costs for damage or loss caused by fire, relief for individuals suffering from severe ill health or disability, children with special needs, or families experiencing domestic violence.

  • Category 2 grants are those that are of benefit to a community. Examples of this might be exchange trips between residents on different sites, improving or providing safe play areas or equipment or other activities that are of general benefit to members of a community. Applications can be made at any time.

http://www.travellersaidtrust.org/grants

Switched on Communities (UK)

DSG International, the owners of brands such as PC World, Curry’s and Dixon’s, etc, has announced the launch of the Switched On Communities Programme. The aim of the programmme, which is being managed through the DSG International Foundation is to tackle the Digital Divide which excludes disadvantaged communities from online resources. Grants of up to £500 (normally in the form of vouchers) are available for community based projects that improve local social, economic and environmental conditions in and around DSG International sites, and in areas where the Group's presence is most closely felt. The programme also aim

  • provide information technology to disadvantaged groups;

  • support training initiatives to help bridge the digital divide;

  • support local projects that promote the inclusion of young people into mainstream education and society.

Examples could include a primary school in a deprived area that needs a new cooker to provide healthy food for this students... an project teaching elderly people IT skills... or a youth centre who wish to run courses in multimedia.  Applications can be made at any time. http://www.dsgiplc.com/layout.aspx?CatID=%7B4e16ae43-8a69-4b29-80e5-97d20f2b90d8%7D&ID=%7Bf3998148-e330-4573-ad32-91951106dcdb%7