Do you have an idea for a project, but you just need that extra little bit of support to get your application at its best?
The Big Lottery's Awards for All team have been busy analysing past applications and have compiled a handy list of the top 8 most common mistakes to avoid when applying to Awards for All.
If you want to get your application off to the best possible start, have a read of these and get your project assessed on its merits, not its mistakes.
Find out more about Awards For All by clicking here.
The Building Better Opportunities programme is jointly funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Big Lottery to deliver projects that promote social inclusion and tackle poverty in line with the Thames Valley Berkshire LEP priorities of:
- Overcoming barriers to employment
- Addressing root causes of poverty and improving financial confidence
- Promoting a dynamic and inclusive rural economy
- Troubled families
To find out more directly from the Big Lottery Fund and Thames Valley Berkshire LEP come along to the Building Better Opportunities Conference at Green Park Conference Centre on 9th March 2015 at Green Park Conference Centre from 9.30am to 12.30pm.
For an agenda and to register a place: www.rva.org.uk/event/building-better-opportunities-conference
West Berkshire Council is pleased to invite bids for Round 28 of the Community Education Fund for projects to be delivered by 31st July 2015. This fund is focused on developing Community Learning and Skills opportunities for adults and families in West Berkshire.
There are two funding strands available:
- Community Learning supports non-accredited learning which aims to maximise access to learning for adults and families bringing new opportunities, improving lives and communities whatever people’s circumstances
- Adult Skills supports qualifications which address local needs aimed at adults without Level 2 qualifications or those who are unemployed and on active benefits
For more information and to download a bid form please go to www.westberks.gov.uk/cef. All bids must be sent to aclteam@westberks.gov.uk by 5pm 25th February 2015.
If you require any additional information or would like to discuss your bid ideas, please contact a member of the Community Learning team on 01635 519060.
The Social Investment Business Group are offering capital grants between £100,000 and £500,000 to organisations ready to take the next step in acquiring a local asset.
Organisations with innovative and ambitious plans for community asset ownership or management will be able to apply for these grants until Thursday 26 June 2014 which will help with its purchase or refurbishment.
You can find out more about this year's preferred themes and download an application pack on their website. (http://www.sibgroup.org.uk/communityrights/)
The latest round of the Community Education Fund is now available to support community learning projects and courses across West Berkshire. The funding will support the delivery of programmes between 1st August 2014 and 31st July 2015 with a focus on family and adults aged over 19 years. Click here www.westberks.gov.uk/cef27 for more information and to download a bid form.
The deadline for all bids is Friday, 23rd May 2014. For more information contact the Community Learning team on 01635 519060 or email aclteam@westberks.gov.uk
If you are a charity, voluntary or community organisation working in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, or Oxfordshire and are supporting unemployed people over 18 years of age you can apply for a grant of up to £15,000.
Organisations with an income of £300,000 a year are now eligible to apply, as long as you have no more than 9 full-time employees.
Funding for Capacity Building. This is a new element of the grants programme. Up to 10% of your total grant request can be for training costs, either related to the project that is the focus of this grant application or for broader issues around the long-term sustainability of your organisation. This could include fundraising, business development, social media, or anything that will build or organisation’s capacity.
The next deadline is 2nd June, and the final deadline is 1st September. All projects will need to be completed by 30th March 2015.
For further information, criteria and an application form please contact Hilary Burr – hilary.burr@ocva.org.uk
FaithAction, who manage the Together in Service fund, will be delivering a workshop in your area to help you get ahead when it comes to applying for funding. With actual examples of funded and unfunded applications, practical exercises and things to help you through the process, you will leave with a clear understanding of how best to approach grant funding.
Local dates include:
21st May 2014, Bristol Hamilton House, 80 Stokes Croft, BS1 3QY
25th June 2014, London UK Health Forum, Fleetbank House, 2-6 Salisbury Square, EC4Y 8JX
Topics include:
Funding types
Help from the Funders
Why applications fail
Budgets
Layout and Impact
All for £30 for members of FaithAction and £50 for non-members. Discounts are available, please contact for code.
To book or find out more contact Andrew.Welsby@faithaction.net or call 0845 094 6350.
