Active Communities

The People's Health Trust have opened 'Active Communities', a funding programme offering grants of between £5,000-£50,000 for projects lasting up to two years. The programme closes for applications on 16 October 2013.

Comic Relief Re-Launches UK Grants Programme

 Comic Relief has re-launched its UK Grants Programme with new themes.

Charities registered in the UK and other not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants starting from £10,000 a year for three years if their work benefits people in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

Applications should address one of Comic Relief’s new themes, which are:

• Better futures for vulnerable young people aged 11 to 24 who are experiencing issues such as extreme levels of hardship within their community or family, poor mental health, drug or alcohol use or homelessness. Funding is also available for work with young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).
• Healthier finances by supporting those who are experiencing severe financial hardship by building financial literacy and capability within poorer areas and for people in low income jobs. Funding will support the development of affordable credit and financial services.
• Safer lives by supporting people who face violence, abuse and exploitation – especially people who are 11 years old or older.
• Stronger communities - small grants to locally-based groups or organisations in areas of disadvantage that have a clear understanding of the needs of their community and are working to address them.  These grants are managed by local community foundations.For the Berkshire Community Foundation website please click here.
• Fairer society by empowering and giving voice to marginalised groups of people, so that they can challenge injustice and bring about positive changes for those who face discrimination and stigma.

Although there is no maximum grant, Comic Relief expects that most grants will be between £20,000 and £40,000 a year. Only a small number of larger grants are likely to be made and these will be awarded to work with either regional or national significance, that is delivered by a number of partners or is clearly breaking new ground.

Grants are to be used for revenue costs (including salaries) and small capital items (such as office furniture and computers). Funding cannot be used for building costs, vehicles, land or heavy equipment.

Applications can be made at any time and will be considered every two months.
Full details can be found on the Comic Relief website

Article courtesy of Funding Central

Jessica Ennis-Hill Boost for Santander Foundation's Small Charities Fund

Olympic champion and Santander Ambassador Jessica Ennis-Hill has given her backing to the Santander Foundation’s Community Plus fund, which provides grants to local charities, in a bid to encourage nominations from across the UK.

Community Plus is a £1.23 million fund for small local charities, or local projects of national charities, with grants of up to £5,000 available for projects to help disadvantaged people. To celebrate Jessica’s involvement the Santander Foundation is pledging a further £150,000 to the fund to help more local charities in 2013.

Jessica Ennis-Hill said: “The fund is all about supporting great British charities. We’re keen to hear about those small, local charities where a grant of up to £5,000 could make a real difference to people in the area. It’s quick and easy to make a nomination at any Santander branch, so if you know of a local charity that could benefit from the Community Plus scheme, let us know!”

Nominations can be made by visiting any one of Santander’s 1,200 branches and completing a short form which can then be dropped off in the special Community Plus postbox in the branch.

Alan Eagle, Santander Foundation manager said: “We’ve traditionally focused our donations on education and financial capability projects. Community Plus was set up in 2012 to support a broader range of initiatives, with a simple application process specifically designed to help small charities access vital funding.”

To see Jessica’s video, click here. For more information on the fund, visit www.santanderfoundation.org.uk and click on Community Plus.

Premier League Community Facility Fund

The fund is run through the Football Foundation, to provide facilities which will serve to increase sports participation and physical activity in deprived, inner city areas. It doesn't just cover Premier League clubs, but Football League and Conference as well.

It has to be the football clubs that apply, but if you are in a group which already uses their facilities or has good links with them, you may want to discuss project ideas with them, and be a partner in the bid.