Thursday, 21 April 2016

Building Better Opportunities Funding Update



£1,317,540 of Big Lottery Funding to address barriers to work in the west of Thames Valley Berkshire. The funding will be for one partnership working with participants who are 25 years or older with a particular focus on:

  • People aged 50 or over
  • People with long term and ongoing health issues
  • Long-term unemployed
  • Ex-offenders
  • People claiming ESA who have mental health issues
  • Lone parents and carers

Partnerships are forming and preparing first stage applications ready for the 16th May deadline. Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) have set up a Yammer forum to enable leads and partners to come together. To join the forum email bbo@rva.org.uk

Thursday, 14 April 2016

Tesco Bags of Help Grant Scheme



Up to £12k for your local green space!

The second funding round for the Tesco Bags of Help grant scheme opened on 18 April 2016. 

The scheme is administered by Groundwork and funded by Tesco customers from the proceeds of the 5p charge for plastic carrier bags as a result of a government carrier bag levy. 

Groundwork anticipates grants being awarded to successful groups around November 2016. 

Bags of Help are available to a wide range of community groups and organisations across England, Wales and Scotland and they can apply for grants to improve local green spaces. Successful projects will go forward to a public vote in Tesco stores, which will decide whether they receive a grant of £8,000, £10,000 or £12,000. Projects that will get the green light as a result of funding will include new pocket parks, sports facilities, schools, woodland walks and community gardens. 

It will fund capital projects that provide community benefit and do not charge for access. 

Further Information here 

Building Better Opportunities funding


Big Lottery Fund is matching funds from the European Social Fund for projects across England that tackle poverty and promote social inclusion. Local organisations will be able to bid to the Lottery to deliver activity against a specification that is locally defined.


Addressing barriers to work in Thames Valley Berkshire

Funding available: £1,317,540 for West of Berkshire area [local authority areas of Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire]

Funding available: £878,360 for East of Berkshire area[local authority areas of Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead and Bracknell]

Date open for applications: 17 March 2016

Deadline for stage one applications: 12 noon on Monday 16 May 2016

Project start date – March to July 2017 with latest date for completion June 2020
This programme forms a part of the LEP’s ESF employment support provision and aims to help the most disadvantaged groups to move towards and into employment. This includes supporting people who are furthest from the labour market to develop their capacities and competencies for work, including self-employment or becoming social entrepreneurs.

Only one contract will be awarded for the area and for the total sum

Big Lottery will still accept applications from organisations working on their own, but it is unlikely that a single organisation will have the breadth and depth of experience needed to tackle the complex multiple issues that the people who will benefit face on a daily basis.

Your project must include the following project participants

All participants must be unemployed or economically inactive and be aged 25 years or older with a focus on the following groups:

People aged 50 and over
People with long term and on-going underlying health issues
The long term unemployed
Ex-offenders
People claiming ESA who have mental heath issues
Lone parents and carers
For more information and an application form – www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/global-content/programmes/england/building-better-opportunities/thames-valley-berkshire


Thursday, 7 April 2016

NEW Funding News Update - April 2016

  

E.ON Energy Action Fund
Funding of between £50 - £2,000 is available to registered charities and recognised not for profit organisations that have projects that help people to better manage their energy consumption.  The amount of the grant will depend on the impact of the project.  Eligible projects will be completed by December and: 
Create renewable energy or reduce  energy consumption
Will directly relate to energy and have a positive impact on the local community
Involve or have the consent of the local community
Be sustainable beyond the fund
The deadline for applications is Fri 8th April.  For more information please click here.
  
European Social Innovation Competition 2016
This year’s European Social Innovation Competition is entitled “Integrated Futures” and focuses on social innovation for refugees and migrants.  Individuals, groups and organisations can enter the competition with innovative products, technologies, services and models that support the integration of refugees and migrants.  €50,000 will be awarded to the winning projects.  The deadline for applications is Fri 8th April.  For more information please click here.
  
Hospital Saturday Fund
Large Grants of up to £10,000 are available to registered health charities, hospices, hospitals and, medical clinics to assist with: 
Medical capital projects
Medical care or research
Medical training
Running costs
The deadline for applications is Tues 12th April.  For more information or to apply please click here.
  
Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme Action Grants
Action grants of €150,000 - €500,000 are available for projects on non-discrimination and Roma integration and transnational projects building capacity for those involved in child protection and representing children in legal proceedings.  The priority areas for this call are: 
Discrimination based on sexual orientation, and improving social acceptance of LGBTI people
Diversity management in the public and private sector
Supporting Roma integration in to the mainstream by raising awareness of, and challenging stereotypes
Research work into discrimination, raising awareness of its existence and impact
The deadline for applications is Tues 12th April.  For more information or to apply please click here.
  
The Nominet Trust’s Social Tech Seed Fund
The Social Tech Seed fund offers grants of up to £50,000 for early stage projects that use the internet and digital technologies to tackle a social challenge.  The funding is for social enterprise organisations in the early stages of developing their projects.  The deadline for applications is Thurs 14th April.  For more information please click here.
  
Erasmus+ Youth Dialogue Fund
Applications are welcomed from projects that develop capacity for tackling and preventing marginalisation and violent radicalisation among young people.  Grants will be up to €2million, with projects working with high level public authorities.  The deadline for pre-proposals is Thurs 14th April, with the deadline for full proposals on Thurs 13th October.   For more information please click here.
  
Let Teachers SHINE 2016
SHINE’s annual competition, Let Teachers SHINE, identifies some of the countries innovative teachers and seeks original ways to raise attainment in literacy, numeracy and science.  Ten winning projects will receive up to £15,000 for a pilot project that benefits disadvantaged students who are under 18.  Winning applications will have: 
Clear objectives and measurable impact
A transparent budget
The potential to expand
Original ideas and approaches
Clear benefits for disadvantaged student
The deadline for applications is midnight Sun 17th April.  For more information please click here.
  
Care and Wellbeing Fund
The Care and Wellbeing fund invests in social enterprises providing community based integrated health and social care services, wellbeing and prevention work.  Eligible projects must meet at least three of each of the fund’s direct and indirect social impact outcomes: 
Direct social impact outcomes:
Improved health and wellbeing
Reduce health and economic inequalities
Greater independence and dignity
Co-created services with their beneficiaries
Indirect social impact outcomes:
Replicable approach
Building capacity within the local health and social care system
Improving financial sustainability of health and asocial care
There are no deadlines or formal application processes, discussions can be held at any time.  For more information please click here.
  
Changes to Santander Foundation Grants
The Santander Foundation is now known as the Discovery Foundation, to reflect their new community programme, The Discovery Project, which supports disadvantaged people to gain confidence to improve their future.  As well as a simpler application process the grants are now open to Community Interest Companies and Credit Unions.  Grants of up to £5,000 are available for projects that support at least one of the following themes: 
Explorer – improving knowledge and insight
Transformer – developing skills and experience
Changemaker – innovative solutions to social challenges
The funding can be used to cover costs, equipment and materials, the Discovery Foundation would prefer to fund a whole project rather than contributing to a larger budget.  For more information please click here. Applications are welcomed at any time.  

More than a pub: The Community Pub Business Support Programme


Thinking of setting up a community run pub? You may be interested to read about: The Community Pub Business Support Programme. It is a two year programme established to help support community ownership of pubs in England. Its value is £3.62 million and is jointly funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government and Power to Change. 

Eligibility 
The programme is seeking communities looking to consider taking responsibility for and ownership of their local pub, through purchase or long-term lease. In some cases existing community-owned or managed pub-based businesses may be considered, if they are looking to diversify for community benefit and can demonstrate a clear economic case. All applicants for loan and grant funding will be expected to evidence clear and significant viable benefits to their local community for their plans, as well as some funding already raised within the community. 


What For?
The Plunkett Foundation is leading this programme and delivering it in collaboration with Co-operative & Community Finance, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), Co-operative Mutual Solutions, Pub is the Hub and Locality. For the first time it will offer the community pub sector access to an end-to-end support programme including capacity building and a finance package made up of loans and grants.
The programme will increase the number of community-owned pubs open and trading. For many communities, pubs are not just a place to drink; they are central to people's sense of place and identity, they provide an opportunity for meeting up, and they foster community cohesion.

Support will be targeted at community groups looking to take on ownership of their local pub. As valuable community assets, support will enable groups to deliver and evidence significant social benefits and impact. Support will be available to help groups develop their ideas but they are seeking groups committed to delivering a community pub for the benefit of the wider community, overcoming local issues. 

These activities could include the provision of employment and volunteering opportunities, work place training and additional services such as a shop, post office, library, internet café, cash point, prescription services and informal meeting spaces for a range of community activities.

A comprehensive package of business development support, advice and loan and grant funding has been developed to assist community pub businesses consider their viability at all stages of their development which includes:
A flexible package of support including: 
an advice line 
events 
workshops 
peer-to-peer study visits 
business development advice.

How Much? 
Flexible bursary awards of up to £2,500 (inclusive of VAT) to fund pre-feasibility costs such as public consultation and valuations. 

Combined loan and grant funding up to £150,000 but not exceeding £75,000 in grant contribution (average grant is expect to be c. £37,500, average loan may be around £42,800). Where the loan and grant combination is required the loan funding is a pre-requisite and grant monies will only be released once the loan has been approved with a loan provider. The amounts and ratios available are discretionary and will be assessed against the group’s ability to service a loan, meet the eligibility criteria and clearly demonstrate their wider social and economic impact. There is an expectation that groups will raise some level of community finance which will be taken into account when determining the funding mix.

Deadline 
Please fill out their initial enquiry form (below) and they will get back to you as soon as they can, or call the programme advice line for more information on 01993 810730. 
https://www.plunkett.co.uk/forms/initial-contact-form 

More Information
https://www.plunkett.co.uk/more-than-a-pub 

Article courtesy of Bruce Wright Funding Matters

Wednesday, 9 March 2016

FUNDING NEWS UPDATE BLOG: March 2016. Plenty of FUNDING news - MUST READ.



Veolia Environmental Trust
Grants of up to £75,000 are available to constituted not for profit organisations within five miles of a Veolia site.  (To check, please click here.).  Eligible projects should fit under one of the following: 
Community Buildings and Room – including community spaces, village halls and spaces within religious buildings.
Outdoor Spaces – including parks and nature reserves, community garden and footpaths, bridle ways and cycle paths.
Play and Recreation – including play areas, pavilions, changing facilities and skate parks
Supporting biodiversity – including the species related element of a BAP (national or local), the habitat related element of a BAP or HAP (national or local), and reintroduction programmes to a specific habitat
Initial enquiries can be made at any time but the deadline for applications is midday on: 
Fri 27th May
Fri 26th August
For more information or to apply please click here.
  
Fields In Trust County Fund
£3,000 is available for projects or equipment on Queen Elizabeth II Fields in England.  Applications are welcomed, and the fund will close once all the money allocated has been awarded.  For more information or to apply please click here.
  
Greggs Foundation Environment Grants
Funding is available for schools and not for profit organisations that make a difference to local areas, with preference being given to project that benefit people who are disadvantaged.  Projects will benefit the local environment.  There are two streams of funding available: 
Small grants – up to £2,500
Large grants – between £2,500 - £10,000
There are three deadlines this year: 
Fri 1st July  -decisions at end of August
Fri 30th September – decisions at end of November
For more information or to apply please click here.
  
Football Foundation’s Grow the Game
Not for profit organisations can apply for Grow the Game grants for projects that increase participation in football.  Grants of up to £1,500 per team created are available for two to three years, with grants reducing in the second or third year of the project.  The following types of team are eligible for grants: 
Male teams from aged under 14 and above
Female teams
Disability teams
The deadline for applications is Thurs 10th March.  For more information please click here.
  
Armed Forces Day
The Ministry of Defence are offering grants of up to £10,000 to cover up to 50% of project costs that celebrate Armed Forces Day.  Individuals, ex-service organisations, schools and other organisations are eligible to apply.  Armed Forces Day takes place on Sat 25th June. The deadline for applications is Fri 25th March.  For more information or to apply please click here.

Heart Research UK-Health Heart Grants - Deadline 30th March 2016
Healthy Heart Grants support innovative projects designed to promote heart health and to prevent or reduce the risks of heart disease in specific groups or communities across the UK. Please click here for further details.


BBC Children In Need - Deadline 15 May 2016
Grants for not-for-profit organisations that are working with disadvantaged children and young people who are 18 years old and younger living in the UK. For further information please click here.


Hilden Charitable Trust Summer Playscheme Fund - 20 May 2016
Grants are available to voluntary and community groups in the UK to help run summer play schemes for the benefit of disadvantaged children. For further details please click here.

Energy Action Fund
Local community centres that need to improve their energy efficiency and schools or charities looking to add a spark to the area through energy education, can all apply for funding.
Applications for the E.ON Energy Action Fund can be submitted for a range of energy related improvements and activities, from appliances and insulation to educational events. Priority will be given to projects focused on reducing energy use and renewable energy.
Successful projects will receive anything from £50 up to £2,000 from E.ON to power their plans for a more efficient future.  The E.ON Energy Action Fund is currently open for applications until Friday 8th April 2016. 
https://www.eonenergy.com/About-eon/Community/energy-action-fund 


Bring Joy Foundation
The Bring Joy Foundation will make donations to not-for-profit groups, organisations and charities that can demonstrate their commitment to creating activities designed to improve the lives of the elderly.

What we fund
Events, activities or pastimes that bring the joy and fun back into ageing. This is open to groups or organisations across the UK that work with the elderly.
You must also be able to prove that you are a not-for-profit organisation.

What you need to do to apply
Letters of Enquiry
You need to send us a Letter of Enquiry which must be submitted by post. We will send an email confirmation to acknowledge receipt of your Letter of Enquiry. Letters of Enquiry require approval by the Bring Joy Foundation Trustees. Please review the Letter of Enquiry Guidelines and the information on our procedures below.

Donation amounts
The Bring Joy Foundation will make donations in amounts ranging from £100 to £5,000. Donation requests of more than £5,000 will be considered in special circumstances.
http://www.bringjoyfoundation.org/ 

Reaching Communities England – Big Lottery Fund

Reaching Communities funding is for projects that help people and communities most in need. Grants are available from £10,000, upwards and funding can last for up to 5 years. If you think you need more than £500,000 you must call Big Lottery before applying to discuss why you believe a larger project is appropriate. There is no upper limit for total project costs. Reaching Communities can fund salaries, running costs, a contribution towards core costs and equipment. Reaching Communities can also fund up to £100,000 for land, buildings or refurbishment capital costs.

All projects must address one or more of the following outcomes:
 People have better chances in life, with better access to training and development to improve their life skills,
 Stronger communities, with more active citizens, working together to tackle their problems,
 Improved rural and urban environments, which communities are better able to access and enjoy,
 Healthier and more active people and communities
There is a two stage application process. After submitting a Reaching Communities Stage One application form, applicants will be told within 6 weeks whether the project is one that might be considered for funding. If successful, the applicant will be sent a Stage Two application form. Applicants will usually have four months to complete this.
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/global-content/programmes/england/reaching-communities-england


Reaching Communities Buildings – Big Lottery Fund
The buildings strand of Reaching Communities provides funding for land and buildings projects costing more than £100,000. It can also provide revenue funding to help to get the building running and deliver project activities (for revenue funding or funding for a land and buildings project of less than £100,000, see Reaching Communities England).
Funding is available for building grants up to 2015 and there are currently no deadlines for applications. However, the programme is regularly reviewed and applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as they are ready. To ensure that this funding makes the biggest difference to those most in need, it is targeted at buildings or sites based in the most deprived ‘Lower Super Output Areas’ in England.
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/global-content/programmes/england/reaching-communities-buildings-england

Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund – Football Foundation
The Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund provides grants for building or refurbishing grassroots facilities, such as changing pavilions and playing surfaces for community benefit, with money provided by the Premier League, The FA and the Government (via Sport England) and delivered by the Foundation. The Fund is available to football clubs, schools, councils and local sports associations and gives grants for projects that:
 Improve facilities for football and other sport in local communities.
 Sustain or increase participation amongst children and adults, regardless of background age, or ability.
 Help children and adults to develop their physical, mental, social and moral capacities through regular participation in sport.
 Grants are available for between £10,000 and £500,000.
http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/funding-schemes/premier-league-the-facilities-fund/

Thursday, 11 February 2016

GRANTS AVAILABLE: Sports Relief Community Cash, Greggs Environmental Grants, Heritage Lottery Fund + more


Sport Relief Community Cash

Once again Berkshire Community Foundation is distributing a £70,000 Sport Relief Community Cash fund to communities in the South. Sport Relief Community Cash grants of £500–£1,000 are available to small organisations in the South that are doing great work to help local people living tough lives. If you want to apply for a Sport Relief Community Cash grant, in the first instance please email our grants team or phone 0118 930 3021 with brief information on your project.

WHO CAN APPLY?
We are particularly keen to ensure we reach groups of people who often miss out. As such we accept applications from the voluntary and community sector including: 
Constituted voluntary and community groups
Charities
Social enterprises
Co-operatives
Community interest companies
The closing date for applications to this fund is Monday 15th February 2016.
http://www.berkshirecf.org/grants/sport-relief-community-cash-2016/ 
________________________________________
Greggs Environmental Grants
Improving People's lives by improving their environment

Greggs Foundation aims to make a difference to people in need at the heart of their local communities. It has a number of funds which aim to address the needs of disadvantaged local communities. We are delighted to announce a new programme, funded by the 5p levy on carrier bag sales in Greggs shops, that aims to improve people's lives by improving their environments.

This programme is a pilot and the outcomes will be reviewed at the end of six months to ensure the programme achieves the desired level of impact.  

The programme will open for applications on 1st January and is split into two grant programmes, small grants of up to £2,500 and large grants up to £10,000. There's a set of criteria for each programme and an online form to express your interest. 

For more information, please follow the links below:

Small grants up to £2,500
Large grants up to £10,000 
________________________________________
The Kelly Family Charitable Trust

The Kelly Family Charitable Trust is interested in funding charities whose activities involve the whole family in initiatives that seek to tackle problems that face one or more of its members, and whose aims include the strengthening of family bonds by helping all elements of the family unit to grow together and support each other.

Grants are awarded twice a year to charities whose aims fall within the criteria of the Trust.  Grants will generally be in the range of £1000 - £5000, but Trustees will consider requests for higher amounts. 
Applications must be submitted by 1st March and 1st September to be considered at the subsequent meeting.  The Trustees will ask for more detail for those applications that pass the initial screening and may visit the projects they wish to support.

Applications should be made on the Kelly Family Charitable Trust’s official application form, which can be found on the How To Apply page.

http://www.kfct.org.uk/apply.html 
________________________________________
Heritage Lottery Fund -  First World War: then and now

Grants from £3,000 to £10,000

Explore the heritage of the First World War with grants of £3,000–£10,000. This programme has a short application form, and is suitable for everyone, including first-time applicants.

The First World War affected millions across the globe and shaped the world we live in. The Centenary is a chance to understand the war better, uncover its stories and explore what it means to us today.

Everyone should have the chance to discover more about the war and mark the Centenary. That’s why we are providing this special grant programme for community projects. You can apply at any time up to 2019. 

https://www.hlf.org.uk/looking-funding/our-grant-programmes/first-world-war-then-and-now 

Information courtesy of Slough CVS