Funding News - August 2023

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Content

Success stories

Chalk Cliff Trust – Diversity Resource International (DRI)
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs - Chewing Gum Task Force - Lewes District Council
Sussex Community Foundation – General Awards

Events

Hastings Community Network (HCN) - Open Mic & Marketplace

Information and Guidance

Arts and Health Evaluation - Navigating the Landscape
Contribution of Music Tourism to the UK Economy
National Lottery Heritage Fund Announces Details of Transition to New Strategy

Lottery

National Lottery Community Fund - The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund
National Lottery Community Fund - The UK Fund

Government

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) - Neighbourhood Planning Grants and Support Programme
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) - Grants to the Voluntary Sector
Home Office - Community Engagement Fund

Trusts and Foundations

A B Charitable Trust
Andy Thomson Foundation
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - Force for Change Programme Round 2
Armed Forces Families Fund - Research Grants Programme
The Arts Society Grants
Benefact Trust - Heritage Skills for Christian Buildings Grants
Bernard Sunley Foundation
Clothworkers' Foundation
Congregational and General Charitable Trust Grants
Delamere Dairy Foundation
Ellis Campbell Foundation – Youth Power and Leadership Grants
Green Hall Foundation
G S Plaut Charitable Trust Limited
Hollick Family Charitable Trust
Islamic Relief UK Grants Programme
Leeds Building Society Foundation
Money Saving Expert (MSE) Charity
The Royal Countryside Fund - Supporting Rural Communities Programme
Screwfix Foundation
Steel Charitable Trust
Sussex Community Foundation – General Round
Sussex Community Foundation – The Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm Fund
Toy Trust
Tree Council - Branching Out Fund
Wolfson Foundation - Theatre Improvement Scheme

Funding Diary

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Success Stories

Chalk Cliff Trust – Diversity Resource International (DRI)

DRI’s purpose is to develop human capital and to create a safe environment for the learning and development of ethnic minority individuals, communities and organisations.

DRI was recently awarded £4,768 through Chalk Cliff Trust to deliver English classes to participants from ethnically diverse communities in Peacehaven. The classes will be led by a formal ESOL teacher but have an informal and comfortable format. They will include activities such as discussions, vocabulary exercises, topic-based role-play, and outings to learn about the neighbourhood.

These sessions will provide a safe space for learners where they can further build their confidence and access information that is available to them. This will be project-focused on skill improvement, understanding the local neighbourhood and its institutions, community building (providing time for community members to build relationships in a learning space), and to build confidence among the participants.

These sessions will develop their interpersonal skills to access employment, health, and social care support services. The aim of theses course are to develop a holistic understanding of the UK cultural norms and how the public sector system works.

Tel:  07586 340592

Email:  community@driorg.com

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs - Chewing Gum Task Force - Lewes District Council

Lewes District Council has successfully applied for a £25,000 grant to remove chewing gum that blights pavements in Lewes district.

The council is one of 56 across the country to be awarded funds from the Chewing Gum Task Force, now in its second year, to clean chewing gum off pavements and prevent it from being littered again.

Established by Defra and run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, the Chewing Gum Task Force Grant Scheme is open to councils across the UK who wish to clean up gum in their local areas and invest in long-term behaviour change to prevent gum from being dropped in the first place.

Monitoring and evaluation carried out by Behaviour Change has shown that in areas that benefitted last year a reduced rate of gum littering is still being observed six months after clean-up and the installation of prevention materials.

Estimates suggest the annual clean-up cost of chewing gum for councils in the UK is around £7 million and, according to Keep Britain Tidy, around 77% of England’s streets and 99% of retail sites are stained with gum.

Sussex Community Foundation – General Awards

Sussex Community Foundation’s grants programme is made up of a range of funds which help to address disadvantage and deprivation and build resilience in Sussex communities. Grants of up to £10,000 are available and they are particularly keen to support grassroots community groups and small-to-medium sized voluntary organisations.

The Foundation recently announced that 113 charities and community groups were allocated £619,000 of funding. This was a record-breaking round, demonstrating the high level of need for the funding and support. The Foundation received 280 applications and over £2 million in grant requests, 40% of applicants received funding. 

Eastbourne 

Carers Support and Wellbeing - £5,000

Carers Support and Wellbeing CIC support families and carers affected by someone else's substance misuse issues. They provide a range of 1:1 support, fortnightly face to face support groups and wellbeing activities which improve the families and carers physical and mental wellbeing. They support anyone living in the Eastbourne to Lewes area. Funding is requested towards their programme of activities and support.        

Eastbourne Citizens Advice - £3,080

Eastbourne Citizens Advice are a local charity providing free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to the residents of Eastbourne and the surrounding area. They provide advice on the problems people face on their rights and responsibilities, and campaign to improve the policies and practices that affect their lives. Funding is requested for core costs.    

Holding Space - £4,000

Holding Space offers parent peer support to families across East Sussex whose children and struggling with their mental health. We provide a safe, non judgemental space for parents and carers to come together; connect, chat and to be supported. For them to know that they are not alone. Funding is requested for staff costs.

TechResort CIC - £3,506

TechResort CIC share digital skills to improve lives, and tackle digital exclusion throughout Sussex. They provide informal 1:1 coaching via drop in sessions and appointments, run a device donation scheme to help people get online, and help local partner organisations improve their digital skills, so they can better help their clients. Funding is requested towards their provision across Sussex.      

The Sanctuary Eastbourne - £5,000

The Sanctuary Eastbourne offers a support service to asylum seekers, refugees and other immigrants, who are living in Eastbourne. They do this mainly through a weekly drop-in for all the above guests; and twice-weekly English Language classes. Funding is requested towards running costs from September.  

UnderWired Productions - £5,000

UnderWired Productions create new, fully inclusive multi-sensory musicals placing children with disabilities, and those without. They provide much needed respite for parents/carers, bringing families together for a magical shared experience. They develop confidence of disadvantaged children through dance, drama & singing workshops. Funding is requested for staff, production and core costs. 

Hastings     

Changing Chances for Children CIC (trading as Changing Chances) - £2,000         

Chancing Chances for Children CIC provide training and guidance for adults supporting children and young people who are struggling: in education, with their behaviour or those suffering anxiety or disengagement. They work with parents, carers and professionals including school staff, youth workers, police and social workers. They also provide assessments and coaching for YP. Funding is requested for their Young Brain Coach awards programme.     

Christ Church Ore - £1,983

Christ Church Ore is based in the heart of the Ore Village. They are a church with a passion for people and the community. Offering a number of projects that support the poorest people in their ward. They offer a warm space, art and creative projects, food and friendship. Funding is requested towards youth provision and holiday clubs.         

Fellowship of St Nicholas - £5,000

Fellowship of St Nicholas (FSN) is a charity supporting disadvantaged communities across Hastings and surrounding areas of East Sussex providing focused support for those living in poverty, deprivation and isolation. Funding is requested towards the provision of 15 free courses across 12 months focusing on building resilience, confidence and life skills linked to improving employability, and including opportunities to engage in volunteering.         

Hastings Furniture Service - £1,500

Hastings Furniture Service is a local charity that provides affordable reused furniture, helps low-income households to furnish their homes, collects surplus furniture and appliances for reuse, and provides practical opportunities for people to gain skills, experience and confidence. Funding is requested towards opening up their Dorset Place premises as an reused office furniture warehouse and to employ a part time store and marketing assistant.     

Hastings Storytelling Festival - £1,000

The Hastings Storytelling Festival celebrates and promotes the art of the spoken word; advancing and encouraging literacy through storytelling – especially for young people. They organise and deliver an annual storytelling festival for which funding is sought.       

Seaview Project - £2,000

The Seaview Project is an open access Wellbeing Centre in the heart of St Leonard's with an emphasis on supporting people who find themselves on the margins of society. With an emphasis on promoting wellbeing, Seaview supports homelessness people and refugees, those with addiction, mental health and many other disabilities. Funding is requested towards volunteer development and staff costs.       

Lewes         

A-LISTERS - £2,750

A-LISTERS is an inclusive film-making club for learning-disabled young adults in the Lewes area. They meet regularly and talk about movies, movie-craft and movie-making techniques. Then they go ACTION! And make their own short films. All the time, having a lot of enjoyable film-making fun! Funding is for four film projects.         

Barcombe Explorers (part of Barcombe District Scouts) - £2,776     

Barcombe Explorers (soon to be Allegiance Explorers) supports the development of independent, community focussed young people aged 14-18, using the Scout framework. Specifically focussing on: outdoors and community activities, and broadening horizons through a diverse programme of visits, visitors and learning through doing; development of young leaders as active citizens in community volunteering though a Young Leader Programme. Funding is requested for equipment costs.       

Fitzjohn's Food Bank - £3,601

Fitzjohns provides community food support to those in financial crisis or hardship, they are volunteer-led and believe in connecting those that want to help with those that are struggling. They seek to provide a sustainable response to food poverty, promoting dignity, agency and choice. Funding is requested to employ a volunteer co-ordinator.  

Home-Start East Sussex - £5,000

Home Start East Sussex facilitates the increased safety, well-being, confidence and independence of local families that have experienced adversity. The charity supports family members to build safer, stronger, and more resilient relationships, encouraging clients to make decisions, act for themselves and take back control of their lives. Funding is requested towards core staff costs.      

Know Dementia - £4,570

Know Dementia provides 22 weekly/monthly community events across East and West Sussex for the benefit of those diagnosed with dementia and their Care Partner in order to support the maintenance of relationships in the family home and create the opportunity for well-being. Funding is requested for their Brain Wave community choir.      

Latest Group CIC - £3,000

Latest Group run inclusive projects that help the marginalised, particularly young people. With air-time on TV, they offer a voice to groups and individuals so they benefit their own communities. They run skills transfer programmes and unique projects, jointly agreed with the beneficiaries, they seek to improve community cohesion and civic pride. Funding is requested for staff, volunteer expenses, equipment and marketing costs.   

Now! Charity Group Ltd - £5,113

The Now! Charity is a non-profit social enterprise driven by a mission to build prosperous and sustainable futures for people and planet. They achieve this by providing access to quality household items to those in need across Sussex and increasing access to green waste management techniques. Funding is requested towards the cost of running their vans.

Prison Family Support - £5,000

Prison Family Support (PFS) runs a service at HMP Lewes to support fathers in custody to be engaged in their children's lives. Among the service delivery, PFS facilitates dads' participation in child protection meetings, adoption processes etc, provides activity packs to support communication with their children where possible. Funding is requested towards core costs.

Seaford (Sussex) Contemporary Illustrators and Printmakers (SCIP) - £5,000

Sussex Contemporary Illustrators and Printmakers (SCIP) is a small, grassroots arts charity dedicated to providing free access to the arts in Seaford and the wider Sussex community. They are passionate about providing arts activities for free and believe that every child & young person should have access to the arts regardless of family income. Funding is requested towards project costs and capacity building.         

The Futsal Stars Foundation - £6,080

The Futsal Stars Foundation provide after-school Futsal & Fitness Education classes and holiday camps to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds as a means of improving mental and physical well-being and encouraging social cohesion. Work is supplemented with healthy lifestyle workshops and food provisions to tackle help issues such as diet, nutrition, bullying and anxiety. Funding is requested towards their provision in Newhaven and Seaford.      

The Keys Project - £2,500

The Keys Project supports individuals to find freedom from addiction, primarily to drugs and alcohol, through a holistic programme of medical, spiritual and community support. They train volunteers to provide medically safe, community-based detox support, alongside the additional relational and emotional support needed to address the root causes of their addiction. Funding is requested towards running costs of their new centre in Seaford.         

WAVES Seaford Ltd - £5,000

Waves Seaford works with disadvantaged & marginalised children/families- supporting them when they feel utter hopelessness. They provide guidance and practical support to vulnerable and isolated families including parenting courses; a family day centre, counselling, links to food bank etc. Funding is requested towards core costs and organisational development.   

Rother        

Helping Hands - £2,250

Helping Hands Roberstbridge provides volunteer support for villagers for everyday tasks including transport, shopping, prescriptions, gardening and technology as well as supporting various activities. Funding is requested towards supporting the local food bank, the HAIRE project, and local community health and cost of living initiatives.  

Icklesham Memorial Hall Trust - £5,000

The Icklesham Hall Trust owns the Village Hall and leases and manages the Sports Pavilion. It manages, maintains and hires the hall to local residents and for various community and charity groups: Youth Club, Warm Hub (Tuesday Club) Sight Impaired and Adult Learning Disability Group. It initiates and promotes community events/activities. Funding is requested to recruit a freelance Activity & Event Co-Ordinator.

Willow Tree Children's Support - £9,340

Willow Tree Children's Support provide therapeutic support for children aged 4-16 and their families, experiencing family illness and bereavement. The support is for 1-6 children to provide a safe and secure space to explore their feelings and emotions through a variety of open ended activities such as arts, crafts, games and talking opportunities. Funding is requested towards volunteer development and training.       

Wealden     

Artytime - £4,260

Artytime's mission is Building Better Communities-Creatively. They develop and deliver sessions involving some form of art and/or craft to help improve mental health, isolation as well as help people back into the work place. These sessions are tailored to various age groups to help build better communities. Funding is requested for a sewing circle project including staff, materials, equipment, overheads and volunteer expenses.   

ENGAge - £4,764

Engage provides socialisation opportunities for rural older/vulnerable people through the TN22 club and TN22 dementia Plus club, offering carers' respite. Funding is requested for staff, volunteer, venue hire and activities costs.   

People Matter Trust - £10,000

People Matter provides quality, Matrix accredited, CIAG (career information, advice and guidance) to jobseekers alongside practical support to help them progress into sustained work or accredited training. Funding is requested for their jobseekers programme in Heathfield.       

Tel:  01273 409440 

Email:  info@sussexgiving.org.uk

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Events

Hastings Community Network (HCN) - Open Mic & Marketplace

This event, held on  15th September 2023 at Hastings Centre is an opportunity to share information about your work, learn about a range of services that are delivered in Hastings, browse the marketplace, and network with a mixture of people from the voluntary, statutory and independent sectors. You will also have a chance see a presentation about an exciting project to turn Hastings into a Garden Town/Corridor.

As the HCN Executive Group Elections fall in this year, the new Executive Group will be announced at the event.

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Information and Guidance

Arts and Health Evaluation - Navigating the Landscape

This resource provides a comprehensive mapping of what arts and health evaluation frameworks and toolkits exist, as well as provides general tips and advice. From the Social Biobehavioural Research Group at UCL, it is designed to support anyone interested in arts and health to navigate the landscape of evaluation.

Email:  sbbresearch@ucl.ac.uk

Contribution of Music Tourism to the UK Economy

UK Music, the collective voice of the UK music industry, has published the Here, There and Everywhere report, which reveals the huge contribution of music tourism to the UK economy - pulling in over 14m tourists and £6.6bn of spending.

The new report outlines the impact of the eagerly anticipated resurgence of live music in 2022 – the first full year of post-pandemic festivals, gigs and concerts in the UK, and shows the international reputation of the UK’s live music events.   There’s also a guidance on how local authorities and others can utilise existing funding and spaces to help music thrive with four recommendations for councils on how to build their own music communities: 

• Use data to ensure music is at the heart of planning and licensing policy.
• Create a register of available spaces and places to support music activities.
• Enshrine music and the local community in regeneration and development.
• Set up or support city-wide music advisory boards

Tel: 020 3713 8444 

Email: info@ukmusic.org

National Lottery Heritage Fund Announces Details of Transition to New Strategy

The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), the UK's largest funder of UK heritage has published the details of its first delivery plan (2023-2026) for its new 10-year strategy, Heritage 2033 with an anticipated £3.6 billion to be awarded to good causes over the next decade.

Of immediate interest to organisations applying, or planning to apply, to the National Lottery Grants for Heritage programme are details of how the new strategy will be implemented over the next year.

Key points: 

• In the next three years, £870 million will be invested through National Lottery Grants for Heritage and a further £140 million in strategic initiatives
• The National Lottery Grants for Heritage application process will be simplified, making it more proportionate to the amount of money being requested
• Recognition of rising costs. The upper grant limit has been raised from £5 million to £10 million, and the lower grant threshold will be raised from £3,000 to £10,000 in January 2024

NLHF also announced that: 

• In partnership with departments in England and Wales, it will distribute more than £43 million in government funding in 2023-24
• In Autumn 2023, an announcement is expected of the first nine of 20 location across the UK where NLHF will invest through its Place initiative
• In Winter 2023, it is expected that details of the partnership to deliver urban nature recovery through Nature Cities and Towns initiative will be announced
• In 2024-25 grants will be available to support the development of projects through the Integrated Landscapes initiative
• In 2024-25, grants will be available for the development and delivery of projects under the Heritage in Need initiative
• The funding plans amount to a total of £1 billion between now and 2026

Organisations that are planning to apply for a National Lottery Heritage Grant should note the following changes to the application schedule:

Changes to applications for grants between £3,000 and £10,000 - Applications will close in December 2023. From January 2024, the lower threshold will rise to £10,000. There will be no further grants below £10,000. The funder is ‘exploring options' to deliver grants under £10,000 through other organisations and initiatives.

Changes to applications for grants between £10,000 and £250,000 - Applications will temporarily close in November 2023 and reopen in January 2024 with new Heritage 2033 guidance and application forms.

Changes to applications for grants of between £250,000 and £10 million: 

• Expressions of Interest will temporarily close in September 2023
• Development applications will temporarily close in November 2023 (delivery round applications are not affected)
• Applications for grants from £250,000 and £10 million will reopen in January 2024 under new Heritage 2033 guidance and application forms

Until the changes take place, the current guidance and outcomes are to be used.

Full details of the Heritage 2033 delivery plan (2023-2026) can be found on the National Lottery Heritage Fund website.

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Lottery

National Lottery Community Fund - The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund

This funding is for organisations that support people and communities under severe pressure because of the increased cost of living.

The main priority is to fund organisations supporting low-income households and individuals.

You can apply for between £10,000 and £75,000. If you need £10,000 or less you could try National Lottery Awards for All fund.

To apply your organisation must already run critical services around at least one of the following: 

• Food and emergency supplies – like food and baby banks or the provision of hot meals, clothes or toiletries
• Emergency shelter – like night shelters or other accommodation for people experiencing homelessness
• Safe spaces – like domestic abuse services and youth services
• Warmth – like warm rooms and spaces
• Financial and housing advice – like giving people advice because of the increased cost of living

Your organisation must also be facing both: 

• Increased demand for these critical services and
• Increased costs of delivering these critical services

They are more likely to fund small and medium-sized front-line organisations with an annual turnover of between £10,000 and around £1 million.

Larger organisations can also apply if they do both of the following: 

• Show that they work closely and effectively with local communities
• Fill a gap in essential local services

You can get funding to pay for:  

• Costs of delivering, expanding or adapting your existing critical service(s) from the date you are funded until 31st March 2024. The date you are funded will be around 12 weeks from the time you submitted your application
• Retrospective costs of running the existing critical service(s) you’re applying for between 24th July 2023 and the date you are funded

The fund wants to support a range of critical services that reach as many local communities and groups of people as possible. This will be one of the things they think about when deciding which applications to fund.

The deadline for applications is 16th October 2023 at 12pm.

Tel:  0345 4 10 20 30 

Email:  general.enquiries@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

National Lottery Community Fund - The UK Fund

Funding is intended to develop and expand community links by: 

• Strengthening relationships between people whose experiences of life have not been the same. For example, relationships between people of different ethnic backgrounds, generations, occupations or geographies
• Creating connections between online and offline worlds
• Helping to make sure people from all backgrounds can shape the future of their communities

Grants of £500,000 to £5 million are available.

It is expected that most awards will be for two to five years, though funding for up to ten years may be considered.

Around 15 to 20 projects will be funded in the first year.

The following types of organisations are eligible to apply: 

• Registered charities
• Community interest companies (CICs)
• Charitable incorporated organisation (CIOs)
• Community benefit societies
• Co-operative societies (if they have a not-for-profit clause and are registered with the Financial Conduct Authority)
• Constituted voluntary or community organisations
• Statutory bodies (including town, parish and community councils)
• Companies limited by guarantee
• Partnerships of organisations

All companies that apply must have at least two directors who are not related in any way. This also applies to companies that are also registered as charities.

Eligible projects must demonstrate that they: 

• Will benefit communities across the UK (or have the potential to) - this could be by sharing learning, influencing, collaborating, convening or delivering activity across and between UK countries
• Scale their impact - this might be by expanding into new locations, developing infrastructure, strengthening delivery or increasing reach
• Focus on equity – the funders are looking for projects that involve and benefit places, people and communities who experience poverty, disadvantage and discrimination
• Have a positive impact on the natural environment
• Share learning openly

There is also interest in projects that have:

• Potential for systems change
• An approach to learning
• A way to work with others
• A regenerative approach

Grants can cover the following costs: 

• Staff costs, including sessional workers
• Development work (testing new ways of working, staff training and development, developing governance, tech or IT upgrades and purchases, sharing learning)
• Transport
• Utilities and running costs
• Volunteer expenses
• Learning and evaluation
• Equipment
• Capital costs, though these are unlikely to make up a significant part of the budget
• Costs associated with delivering the project in other languages

Applications are now  accepted on a rolling basis.  There will be twice-weekly information webinars. Applicants must register to attend one of these before they can apply.

 After the webinar, groups will then be able to email NLCF to book a one-to-one chat to discuss their proposals. If a proposal is deemed a good fit, the funders will then send an application form for the applicant to complete and submit.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted within 10 weeks, before a final decision is made by the panel.

Tel: 0345 4102 030 

Email: TheUKFund@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

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Government

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) - Neighbourhood Planning Grants and Support Programme

The programme provides both grant and technical support for local communities that are drawing up a neighbourhood plan for their area.

The following support is available: 

• A basic grant of between £1,000 and £10,000 for groups writing a neighbourhood plan or neighbourhood development order
• An additional grant of up to £8,000 is available for groups facing more complex issues, giving a maximum total amount of £18,000
• Specific packages of technical support where needed

Any grant support received since April 2015 will be taken into account when assessing how much grant can be applied for.

Town and parish councils, neighbourhood forums and prospective neighbourhood forums preparing a neighbourhood development plan or neighbourhood development order in England may apply.

The programme is particularly keen to help ambitious groups, from all types of neighbourhoods, who want to really influence how their place grows and changes going into the future.

To apply for an additional grant of up to £8,000, applicants must be at least one of the following: 

• Allocating sites for housing
• Including design codes in their plans
• A designated business neighbourhood plan
• A cluster of three or more parishes writing a single plan
• A Neighbourhood Area with a population of more than 25,000
• A designated neighbourhood forum
• A group based in an area which has a high level of deprivation (where 30% or more of the neighbourhood area or population is in the 20% most deprived areas in England according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation)

The funding is for costs associated with developing a neighbourhood plan or a neighbourhood development order.

Funding can be used for a number of different things, including, but not limited to: 

• Training sessions for members of the steering group
• Help with putting together a project plan
• Help with developing the evidence base and analysing it to identify issues and aims for the plan or order
• Undertaking a housing survey
• Engaging a facilitator to help with capacity building, for community consultation or workshops
• Developing a website
• Engaging a planning expert to help draft policies
• Support for making site allocations
• Contribution to required specialist studies
• Contribution to undertaking a strategic environmental assessment (SEA)
• Support with undertaking the six week pre-submission consultation
• Support with collecting and analysing responses from the six-week pre-submission consultation and deciding how to modify the neighbourhood plan
• Help with understanding whether the plan is ready for examination (meeting the basic conditions and other legal requirements)
• Provide training in the legal requirements which will be tested at the examination stage
• Venue hire
• Publicity materials
• Printing
• Virtual meeting platforms (e.g., Zoom or Skype)
• Online survey tools
• Improvement to website accessibility

There is a two stage application process: 

• The first stage is to complete an Expression of Interest (EoI) form. The answers will determine what support they are eligible for and generate the relevant application form
• Groups will be automatically directed to the relevant application form which they can begin to complete immediately. The application form needs to be completed within 15 days

Groups can apply for both grant and technical support at once on the same application form.

Tel: 0121 237 5780 

Email: neighbourhoodplanning@groundwork.org.uk

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) - Grants to the Voluntary Sector

HMRC is looking for voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations to help customers to form or rebuild a relationship with HMRC that enables them to engage directly with HMRC in the future. 

HMRC’s fund has a total of £5.5 million on offer for 2024-2027, equating to £1.835 million per year. This will be given out in grants of £30,000 to £600,000 per year, with a maximum threshold set at 50% of an organisation’s annual turnover.

Registered charities, voluntary and community organisations, social enterprises, mutual and co-operatives based in the UK can apply, provided they have an annual turnover of no less than £60,000.

Bids should support HMRC’s principles of support for customers who need extra help and include two or more of the following activities: 

• Help people comply with their tax affairs
• Support customers with complex needs (including those referred from the Extra-Support Team)
• Support people to be able to use digital ways of accessing HMRC’s services

VCS's support is needed to help those customers HMRC currently find hardest to reach, or who cannot or will not interact directly with HMRC, for reasons that include geography, culture, language and trust.

There will be live Q&A sessions with the HMRC Grant Funding Team on 8th August 2023. 

The fund closes at 1159pm on 21st August 2023.

Tel: 0845 010 9000

Email: voluntaryandcommunitysectorgrantfunding@hmrc.gov.uk

Home Office - Community Engagement Fund

The Community Engagement Fund exists to engage communities and raise awareness of priority Home Office policy areas and the support available.

Some nationality groups, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ghana and India, despite possibly having been impacted, are not coming forward for compensation to the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

There also remains a significant difference between the number of people granted through the Windrush Scheme (documentation) and applications made under the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

During 2023 to 2024, the funding is intended to: 

• Raise awareness of and address any misinformation about the Windrush Compensation and Windrush Documentation Schemes with a focus on non-Caribbean communities and encourage them to apply to these schemes
• Build on the insights and learning taken from existing work on Windrush to understand:
  • why individuals are not applying for the Windrush Compensation Scheme and/or the Windrush Scheme
  • how to encourage eligible individuals to apply to these schemes

A total of £150,000 is being made available in 2023-24.

Grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 are available.

The following types of groups can apply: 

• Unincorporated charities or community organisations
• Community interest companies
• Companies with a charitable purpose
• Grassroots organisations
• Registered charities

Consortium or partnership applications are also accepted.

Grants can cover costs associated with: 

• Holding events, for example cost of venue, refreshments, and other related costs
• Creating and sharing marketing materials, like leaflets and posters
• Running communications campaigns both in person and online
• Accessing and using communication channels, for example social media or local radio
• Getting support from corporate partners, public figures or advocates
• Staff time to work specifically on the project

Applications will be accepted until 30th August 2023. Grants will be awarded in early October 2023.

To register one’s interest and to receive a copy of the competition documents, submit an email to communityengagementfundcompetition@homeoffice.gov.uk 

Two virtual information sessions will be held for community and grassroots organisations who are interested to learn more about the Fund and how to submit an application: 

• Tuesday 8 August (2pm-330pm)
• Thursday 10 August (11am – 1230pm)

Groups must register at least 48 hours in advance of the session they wish to attend. They should send an email to communityengagementfundcompetition@homeoffice.gov.uk.

Tel: 020 7035 4848 

Email: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

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Trusts and Foundations

A B Charitable Trust

The Trust aims to support charities that defend human rights and promote respect for vulnerable individuals whatever their circumstances.

The grants range in size, with most grants being in the range of £10,000 to £25,000 per year and are awarded from one to three years.

Charities registered and working in the UK can apply.   They should have an annual income of between £150,000 and £1.5 million (in both the most recent financial year and forecast for current financial year), have operated for at least a year and be able to provide a full year's audited or independently examined accounts.

The Trust is looking for applicant organisations that: 

• Deliver effective work and can demonstrate the difference it makes
• Listen to the people they seek to support about their needs, and amend their work accordingly
• Engage the talents of people who have experienced the problems the organisation exists to address
• Are well run, make best use of resources and follow best practice (e.g. in governance, financial management, DEI, safeguarding)
• Work well with others in the geographical or policy area (are happy to combine knowledge and resources where helpful and avoid duplication)
• Share knowledge where possible (e.g. with colleagues in the sector, or to influence attitudes to an issue or to influence policy)
• Would make best use of a grant (i.e. where the grant would make a positive difference)

ABCT supports charities working where human dignity is imperilled and where there are opportunities for human dignity to be affirmed.

To be eligible, projects should address at least one of the following categories: 

• Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers
• The justice system and penal reform
• Human rights, particularly access to justice

For all priority areas, the Trust usually supports single focus organisations working solely in priority areas. For these organisations, core funding (unrestricted grants) or project funding (restricted grants) are both available. On occasion it also accepts restricted grant applications from charities working more broadly, where the project is particularly focused, forms a significant strand, and the charity can show it is best placed to deliver the work.

Applications are considered four times a year.

The next deadlines for applications are:

• 27th October 2023 for decisions in January 2024
• 26th January 2024 for decisions in April 2024
• 26th April 2024 for decisions in July 2024
• 26th July 2024 for decisions in October 2024

Tel: 020 7243 9486 

Email: mail@abcharitabletrust.org.uk

Andy Thomson Foundation

Funding is intended to support vulnerable people experiencing issues such as poverty, illness, disability or substance abuse.

There is no minimum grant size, but the majority of awards will fall under £2,500.

Registered charities may apply. There is a focus on small charities, where small amounts of money will make a big difference.

As the Foundation tends to visit the organisations it supports, the majority of beneficiaries will be in the South East of England, though not exclusively.

Activities should support people in challenging circumstances and promote health and social welfare.

Grants can be used for one-off capital needs, or project-related running costs.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Email: admin@andytfoundation.org

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - Force for Change Programme Round 2

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust is now open for the second round of its local grants programme, aiming to support Armed Forces communities in the UK to become less isolated and engage more in their local area.

This year, Force for Change will support ideas that need small amounts of funding to deliver changes or improvements for Armed Forces communities, particularly for those who are experiencing particular needs due to cost-of-living challenges.

The fund awards up to £15,000 over one year for projects starting within one month of their award.

To be eligible to apply, organisations must be one of the following: 

• An established registered charity or community interest company (CIC) with substantial recent experience of supporting Armed Forces communities
• An Armed Forces unit or base
• A local authority
• A school
• A statutory body that delivers or co-ordinates NHS care

The programme is intended to be broad to allow those who know the most about what is needed to deliver their ideas. All projects must: 

• Demonstrate how they are needed and what gap they are filling
• Help people from within the Armed Forces community to address a specific need that they are experiencing
• Have been developed with people from Armed Forces communities
• Not duplicate existing local provision
• Support longer-term change.

Funding can cover continuation of existing work, provision of pilot activities or projects that build on earlier work with vulnerable Armed Forces communities.

The deadline to apply is 5pm on 13th December 2023, for decisions by the end of March 2024.

Email: info@covenantfund.org.uk

Armed Forces Families Fund - Research Grants Programme

With funding from the Ministry of Defence, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust has launched another grants programme from its Armed Forces Families Fund.

These new grants will support research projects to develop understanding of challenges that Armed Forces families can face, with a focus on: 

• Educational attainment for Service pupils
• Child welfare
• The welfare needs of Service families

The fund will make grants up to £60,000 over 18 months to registered charities or UK-based universities. It expected that most grants will be £30,000 or less.

Projects must address at least one of the following challenges: 

• What are the impacts of Service life on Service children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND)? How does access to the necessary support services compare to non-Service peers? (UK or globally)
• What is the impact of separation of Service personnel from children in their key early years developmental stage? Is there evidenced-based practice for early years practitioners to mitigate identified risks to support a good level of development (GLD) at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage (UK only)?
• Do Service children achieve the highest GCSE grades (Grades 9–5) at a rate comparable to their non-Service (non-Free School Meals) peers? How are their outcomes influenced by geographical location and by the parental Service (RN, RAF or Army) (England only)?
• What are the key educational risks and benefits associated with transitions between education systems for Armed Forces children? Are particular cohorts of Armed Forces children disproportionately affected by transitions between education systems (within UK & global, age and stage, socio-economic background, SEND etc)?
• Is there any evidence that serving families from the foreign and commonwealth are overrepresented in statutory social care services and single service welfare provision?
• To understand how UK Armed Forces families currently receive information from Defence; the formats in which they received it (what they receive, how 3 they receive it and the frequency); and to better understand any preferences that they have in how they would like to receive relevant information

The funders are not defining a particular methodology for how each research theme should be explored and encourage creativity in approach.

Applications are accepted until 6th October 2023 at 9am.

Email: info@covenantfund.org.uk

The Arts Society Grants

This fund aims to support UK-based registered charities to deliver projects and activities that make a positive contribution to people’s lives through the arts. Funding will support projects and activities that engage people of all ages in the arts, skills development in the arts and heritage sector, and projects that support local and regional arts organisations and museums.   

Grants of up to £3,000 are available.

UK-registered charities with an annual turnover of less than £3 million can apply.

Applicants must provide a copy of their latest annual accounts (no more than 12 months old), alongside their organisational bank details.

Funding is for projects across all aspects of the arts and heritage, such as: 

• Projects that support a wide range of activities to introduce people of all ages and backgrounds to artistic experiences and practise, such as the development and training of skills in the arts, crafts, and heritage through bursaries, sponsorships, and crafts apprenticeships
• Support for regional museums, galleries, and arts organisations, such as:
  • Special projects
  • Displays
  • Internships and part-time posts
  • Training
  • Conservation activities
• Regional and local theatres and performing arts spaces and groups

Priority will be given to projects that provide access to the arts to those that would not normally have access to them, projects where there will be more emphasis on localism, and projects and organisations that support the arts and heritage at a grassroots level and achieve greater impact for local communities.

There is a two-stage application process: 

• Applicants must first register their organisation with The Arts Society through an online portal on their website
• Applicants can then complete an online application form

The next deadline for applications is 30th September 2023.

Tel: 020 7038 7590 

Email: grants@theartssociety.org

Benefact Trust - Heritage Skills for Christian Buildings Grants

This fund aims to support the preservation and promotion of heritage skills that are essential to the conservation of historic Christian buildings. Funding is available for organisations to train individuals who are pursuing a career in the heritage sector through apprenticeships, scholarships, and training courses.

There is no minimum or maximum award. Funding will be awarded at the discretion of the Trustees. 

Registered Christian charities offering training in heritage skills can apply.

Funding will support training in skills that are relevant to the maintenance and preservation of Christian buildings, including: 

• Stonemasonry
• Carpentry/joinery
• Heritage plumbing
• Heritage electricians
• Heritage bricklaying
• Lime plastering
• Thatching
• Lead work and glazing

Funding is for training specific individuals rather than providing general funding across a group of students.

Funding will support individuals for the duration of their training up to a maximum period of three years. Individuals supported through this programme should receive an accredited qualification at the end of their training that is recognised within the heritage sector.  

Funding can be used for both capital and revenue costs, including: 

• Purchasing tools required by an apprentice/scholar/trainee to undertake their training
• All apprentice/scholar/trainee employment costs, such as salaries or National Insurance costs
• Costs for existing staff which relate solely to the training of the apprentice/scholar/trainee
• Costs associated with off-the-job training, such as college fees

Applications can be submitted at any time.

Tel: 01452 873189 

Email: info@benefacttrust.co.uk

Bernard Sunley Foundation

The aim of the foundation is to help raise the quality of life, particularly for the young, disadvantaged and older people.

Although applicants may specify how much funding they need, the Trustees decide the level of grant to award based on the information contained within the application.

The Foundation offers three levels of grants: 

• Large grants of £20,000 and above
• Medium grants of up to £20,000
• Small grants of £5,000 and under

Large and medium grants are considered and agreed upon at Trustees’ meetings. Small grants, which form the majority of grants, are agreed by Trustees on a monthly basis and are normally awarded to projects costing £100,000 and under.

The majority (roughly 60%) of grants awarded are under £5,000. Grants exceeding £25,000 are exceptional and are typically awarded to major capital projects.

Charities registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales can apply.

Applications will also be considered from churches, specialist schools, uniformed youth groups (scouts, guides etc) and housing associations as well as co-operative societies and community benefit societies registered with the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority).

Applications are considered from all areas of England and Wales, particularly where rural and isolated communities are concerned.

The funding is for one-off capital projects (not running costs) such as purchase of leaseholds, new buildings, major refurbishments and transport. Rented premises must have a lease of at least 10 years remaining. Applications for transport should be for new, not used, vehicles.

In cases where grants are made, the projects are expected to be self-financing thereafter.

Community

Grants are awarded towards the building or refurbishment of scout huts, village halls, community centres, youth clubs, boxing clubs, outdoor activity centres, farm and outdoor learning centres, sports centres and pavilions, playing fields and playgrounds. Also funded are the purchase of new minibuses that assist those most in need in their local communities.

Education

The Foundation supports improvements and new facilities at special needs schools and the purchase of new, adapted minibuses that benefit children with special needs and disabilities. Also funded are educational nature centres and to new education and learning centres at museums, galleries and other arts organisations.

Health

The Foundation supports building and refurbishment projects, specialist new transport and the creation of outdoor or recreational spaces for care homes, hospices, day centres and other facilities that provide relief and sanctuary for patients, their families and those with special needs. The emphasis is on helping charities that are providing an excellent standard of care and support within their communities.

Social Welfare

The Foundation supports projects for veterans, the elderly, ex-offenders and those in prison and schemes that enable people with mental and physical disabilities to live fuller lives in the community.

There are no formal application deadlines. Applications are accepted throughout the year and are reviewed in order of receipt.

Small grant applications usually have a response within 3 months.

Projects with budgets of £100,000 upwards should apply at least six months before their project start date.

Tel: 020 3036 0090 

Email: office@bernardsunley.org

Clothworkers' Foundation

The Foundation aims to use its funding to improve the quality of life for people and communities that face disadvantage and marginalisation.

Funding is at the discretion of the Trustees who will determine what level of grant they will give.

For larger projects (£100,000+), the Foundation generally funds 10% or more of the balance to be raised. For example, if the project cost was £200,000 and the applicant had £150,000 left to raise, the grant award would be at least £15,000. The larger a project, the larger the grant is likely to be.

For smaller projects (with a balance of less than £10,000), the Foundation generally funds between 50% and 100% of the balance.

UK registered charities, community interest companies, and other registered UK not-for-profit organisations (including special schools) with an annual income under £10 million can apply.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the work of their organisation fits within one or more of the Foundation's programme areas and that at least 50% of service users benefiting from the capital project are from one or more of those groups.

This Foundation awards grants in the following areas: 

• Alcohol and substance misuse- projects supporting people affected by drug and/or alcohol misuse, and their families
• People with disabilities - projects providing services for people with physical and/or learning disabilities, and/or for people with mental health issues
• Disadvantaged minority communities- projects that work with minority communities facing both disadvantage (e.g. economic or cultural) and discrimination (e.g. due to ethnicity, sexuality, faith) to promote integration into mainstream society by providing:
  • Specialist services
  • Access to mainstream services
• Disadvantaged young people- projects which support disadvantaged young people, particularly (but not restricted to) those in or leaving care, or not in employment, education or training (NEET)
• Domestic and sexual abuse- projects supporting people affected by domestic or sexual abuse
• Older people - projects providing services for older people, in particular people living in areas of high deprivation and where rural isolation is an issue
• Homelessness- projects providing services for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
• Prisoners and ex-offenders- projects supporting prisoners and/or ex-offenders, or those at risk of offending, and their families
• Visual impairment- projects providing services for blind or visually impaired people

NB At least 50% of an applying organisation's service users benefiting from the capital project must be from one or more of the above groups.

Funding is available for capital costs. This means tangible items or work, including: 

• Buildings - purchase, construction, renovation and/or refurbishment
• Fittings, fixtures, and equipment - this includes but is not limited to office equipment/furniture, sports/gym equipment, digital/audio visual equipment, software and websites, garden equipment, specialist therapeutic (excluding medical) equipment
• Vehicles - minibus, car, caravan, people-carrier, 4X4. The Foundation is unlikely to fund the total cost of a new vehicle

Applications may be submitted at any time.

Email: foundation@clothworkers.co.uk

Congregational and General Charitable Trust Grants

Grants are available to support capital works on church buildings or towards the capital costs of church community projects in the UK.

Grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 are available. The level of grant awarded is at the Trustees discretion and will depend on the denomination of the church and type of work being undertaken. The maximum percentage project cost is 25% to the nearest £100.

Applications are accepted from churches of all denominations in the UK, but particularly those of the United Reformed and Congregational denominations and other churches of the Protestant tradition.

Funding is normally for church capital projects involving building work: repairs, improvements or extensions.

Applications will also be considered from church community projects for funding towards capital costs (but not for ongoing work).

Applications can be made at any time and are considered quarterly.

Email: admin@candgtrust.org.uk

Delamere Dairy Foundation

The funding is intended to support the work of charities and organisations whose purpose fits with the objects of the Delamere Dairy Foundation for the benefit of the public, namely: 

• The advancement of agriculture and of environmental protection
• The advancement in life of young people by developing their capabilities so that they may mature as contributory members of society
• The relief of financial hardship
• The advancement of education
• The relief of sickness

Grants of between £250 and £5,000 are available.

Charities and organisations may apply once per calendar year.

If project-based funding is being applied for, then the project must last no more than 12 months.

Applications will be accepted from charities, community groups and social enterprises .

Grant requests to support a range of costs and activities will be considered, for community projects that align with the values of the Delamere Dairy Foundation.

The next deadline for applications is 31st August 2023 for consideration at the Autumn 2023 panel.

Tel: 01565 632422 

Email: foundation@delameredairy.co.uk

Ellis Campbell Foundation – Youth Power and Leadership Grants

The Trustees are keen to make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged young people and have a particular interest in youth-led projects focussing on Youth Power and Leadership. Projects should have a system change approach.

A small number of grants between £5,000 and £10,000 are available.

Grants will either be paid as single payments in a one-year period or they may be extended over three years.

Applications will be accepted from ‘a diverse range of organisations.

The Trustees consider all applications on their merit and will consider capital projects, other projects or core costs.

The funding can be for one-off projects or multi-year applications.

The trustees meet twice a year to consider grant applications: normally in March and September.

The next deadline for applications is 30th August for consideration at the September 2023 meeting.

There is no standard application form. Applications are to be made in writing.

Applications should be between two and four pages.

Tel: 01256 381 821 

Email: enquiries@elliscampbellfoundation.org

Green Hall Foundation

The foundation's objective is to sustainably improve lives among the sick, the elderly, the disabled and the disadvantaged, particularly in the UK.

Grants typically range in value from £1,000 to £10,000.

Charities registered in the UK may apply as follows: 

• Each May meeting will be open to charities in all income brackets
• Each November meeting will only be open to charities with an annual income of £250,000 or less

A charity can only submit a further grant application a full 12 months after the date of their last application. This applies in all instances, even if the further application is for a different project.

Funding is available to support special projects or the purchase of specific equipment that will make a tangible difference to the relevant charity (for example, where the Foundation can meet a significant proportion of the funding required), and which will make a lasting difference, for example where permanent equipment is needed or building required as opposed to funding salaries or the charity running costs.

Preference will be given to projects that will benefit a number of beneficiaries rather than just a few.

The next round opens on 1st September 2023 (9am).

Only the first 150 applications will go forward to the Trustees for consideration at each meeting. Once the limit has been reached, the application cycle will be closed, which is normally within two days.

The Trustees meet twice yearly to consider applications, in May and November.

Tel: 01534 487757

G S Plaut Charitable Trust Limited

The G S Plaut Charitable Trust Limited provides grants which are available to organisations registered throughout the UK.

Funding is at the discretion of the Trustees. Previous grants have been for between £1,000 and £4,000.

Eligible organisations must be registered in the UK.

Costs associated with eligible charitable activities.

Applicants should note that the Trust does not maintain a website.

Applications are considered twice a year but interested applicants may apply at any time. Interested applicants must submit a brief proposal in writing and should include a stamped addressed envelope.

Email: GSPCTrust@gmail.com

Hollick Family Charitable Trust

The Hollick Family Charitable Trust offers grants to charitable organisations working in the areas of Kensington and Chelsea, Camden, East Sussex and Kent.

Funding is at the discretion of the Trustees. It is the objective of the Trustees to make a number of relatively small but significant donations to a range of charities each year and also to identify at least one cause to which they are able to provide more substantial funding.

Costs associated with eligible projects with charitable objectives will be funded.

The Hollick Family Charitable Trust does not maintain a website. Groups should write to the Trust for further information on how to apply.

David W Beech
Hollick Family Charitable Trust
Prager Metisx LLP
5A Bear Lane
Southwark
London SE1 0UH

Tel: 020 7632 1400 

Email: dbeech@pragermetis.com

Islamic Relief UK Grants Programme

This fund aims to support projects that empower and increase support for marginalised and vulnerable people and their communities across the following themes: 

• Build resilience to poverty
• Empowering women and girls
• Support refugee and asylum-seeking populations
• Youth and family development

A total of £2 million is available in 2023.

Grants of between £1,000 to more than £40,000 are available depending on the project for first time applicants.

This may increase further for second time successful applicants and can rise to £50,000 or more. There is an option for multi-year funding.

Organisations with charitable purposes can apply, such as: 

• Local community groups and/or faith-based organisations
• Charities (including local branches of national charities) acting for the benefit of the local community
• Voluntary and community organisations
• Registered charities, including charitable incorporated organisations
• Registered not-for-profit companies
• Registered community interest companies

Applicants must be constituted and have an organisational bank account.

Funding is for projects and activities that promote one of the following themes: 

• Building resilience to poverty:
  • Prioritise programme delivery within disadvantaged and vulnerable communities
  • Incorporate sustainability within programme initiatives
  • Develop the capacity of local communities to address issues of poverty
• Empowering women and girls:
  • Providing economic opportunities for women
  • Supporting survivors of domestic abuse
  • Developing the confidence and skills of women
• Supporting refugee and asylum-seeking populations:
  • Prioritise work which supports and promotes the rights of refugee communities
  • Engage in projects which empower refugee communities socially and financially
• Youth and family development:
  • Engaging young people in constructive activities
  • Encouraging youth leadership and confidence-building
  • Supporting disadvantaged BAMER populations

Preference will be given to organisations that can demonstrate: 

• Strong local or subject area expertise
• Involvement of beneficiaries in the planning and delivery of their programmes

Funding can be used to cover all the costs of delivering a project, including: 

• Staff salaries and associated costs
• Room hire
• Equipment, materials, and other project resources
• Organisational or core costs (including rent, heat, light, insurance) proportional to the size of the project

This is an annual programme with applications accepted once a year.

The deadline for applications is 13th August 2023 (midnight).

Email: uk.progs@islamic-relief.org.uk

Leeds Building Society Foundation

The funding is intended to support projects to improve the health, wellbeing and financial literacy of people who are experiencing homelessness.

Small Grants of between £250 and £1,000 are accepted from UK registered charities with a turnover of less than £1 million.

The funding is for projects that support those in need of a safe and secure home. Grants may only be used for capital expenditure (that is, to purchase items used to directly help those in need).

Applications may be submitted at any time for consideration at quarterly meetings of Leeds Building Society Charitable Foundation.

The remaining deadlines for applications in 2023 are 30th August and 23rd October.

Tel: 0113 225 7518 

Email: foundation@leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk

Money Saving Expert (MSE) Charity

Funded by Money Saving Expert, the MSE Charity gives grants to UK not-for-profit organisations that deliver activities which make a lasting impact on how people think, behave and manage their money.

There are two rounds per year. Four themes rotate through a two year cycle. 

• Raising the Next Generation
• Life Changing Transitions
• Living with Long Term Challenges
• Building and Developing Resilience.

In response to the Cost of Living Crisis, the September 2022 round was brought forward to June 2022. In turn, the February 2023 round is being brought forward to January 2023.

Grants of up to £7,500 are available.

The MSE Charity will consider full project cost recovery, but costs must only relate to the project itself and not the organisation's core funding.

Small to medium-sized non-profit organisations with a constitution can apply, including UK registered charities, community interest companies, social enterprises and credit unions.

To be eligible, applicants should: 

• Have an annual income of less than £750,000
• Have unrestricted reserves that are less than six months of their running costs

Community interest companies and social enterprise organisations must have a governing document which shows the name, aim/purpose, objects of the group, including a dissolution clause - what happens if the group ceases to function. This clause should show that they are a not-for-profit group by confirming that any assets remaining after all debts are paid will be given to another voluntary group with similar aims. This document should also include details of their Trustees or management committee.

The following are not eligible for funding: 

• Statutory organisations
• Capital equipment such as laptops, projectors or other electronic devices
• Applications only providing debt advice/management

All projects should focus on building financial capability skills for those who need it most and address the theme for that particular round. 

• The theme for the January 2023 grant round is 'Raising the Next Generation'. Projects should support the younger generation (under 25) to help them learn financial life skills and to grow during the difficult financial climate
• The theme for the September 2023 grant round is 'Life Changing Transitions'

All applications must demonstrate how the project they are seeking funding for has a lasting impact on the people taking part.

There is particular interest in applications which use memorable, innovative, and or creative ways of delivering financial life skills which will make a lasting impact on the way people think, behave and manage their money.

Applications are usually invited twice a year: in February and September. Each grant round is limited to the first 40 accepted applications.

The next grant round, Life Changing Transitions, is expected to open for applications on 4th September 2023 with a deadline of 29th September 2023.

Applications are only accepted electronically and only within the grant round dates.

Email: info@msecharity.com

The Royal Countryside Fund - Supporting Rural Communities Programme

The funding is intended to support innovative projects that will create a long-term difference in remote rural areas of the UK.

The RCF seeks to achieve the following outcomes through the programme: 

• Reinvigorating or developing community networks
• Improving the health and well-being of socially isolated people
• Creating a legacy of support and promoting community spirit and cohesion
• Communities supporting one another through volunteering opportunities
• Promoting a greener economy by encouraging people to travel less and utilise locally grown and crafted products
• Rural communities are more resilient
• Successful community-led solutions

Grants of up to £25,000 over two years are available.

Applications will be accepted from properly constituted, not-for-profit and community-led organisations with an income of less than £500,000 per year, operating in remote rural areas, who can demonstrate how beneficiaries will be drawn from the local rural community.

Applications from groups and organisations with projects in hamlets, villages and small market towns are particularly welcome.

Funding is for community-led projects that are pursuing innovative and strategic solutions to the challenges facing their rural area and which will improve the viability and resilience of their community.

Successful projects will achieve one or more of the following programme aims: 

• Support people to resolve existing and emerging community issues, circumstances, and priorities in their locality
• Build rural community resilience
• Develop innovative and replicable projects
• Enable leadership and community planning
• Improve the economic or social resilience of a rural community
• Reduce isolation for people living in rural areas through improving service provision
• Create a self-sufficient rural community fit for the future

Projects must also be able to demonstrate community demand and support.

There is particular interest in 'fledgeling' ideas and projects.

Priority is more likely to be given to projects in areas of deprivation or to projects that benefit those most in need within an area of wealth disparity over projects from more affluent areas.

There are usually two funding rounds per year with applications accepted in the Spring and again in the Autumn.

Applications for Autumn grants 2023 are expected to open on 8th September 2023 and close on 20th October 2023.

Email: grants@countrysidefund.org.uk

Screwfix Foundation

The funding is intended for both national and local charities across the UK so that they can fix, repair, maintain and improve properties and community facilities specifically for those in need (by reason of financial hardship, sickness, disability or other disadvantage or distress) in the UK.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available.

Registered charities and not-for-profit organisations based in the UK (including specialist not-for-profit schools) can apply.

To be eligible, applicants must: 

• Be supporting people in need in the UK by reason of financial hardship, sickness, disability or other disadvantage or distress. The main beneficiaries could be:
  • People suffering from sickness or disabilities
  • People from diverse groups
  • Disadvantaged or vulnerable people
  • People suffering from financial hardship
  • People suffering from mental health issues
• Be looking for funding to fix, maintain and improve properties or community facilities
• Have suitable governance to manage funds, e.g., financial reporting, committee meetings, etc

The funding is for projects which improve a physical building (or land attached to it) that is used by people in need.

The funding is to be used for the following types of projects: 

• Improved energy efficient lighting and heating
• Installation of new kitchen, bathroom etc
• Installation of a sensory room
• General painting and decorating
• Improving safety and security of a building

There are two more application windows for 2023: 

• 11th May to 10th August for a decision by 30th September 2023
• 11th August to 10th November for a decision by 30th December 2023

Tel: 01935 414100 

Email: foundation@screwfix.com

Steel Charitable Trust

The funding is intended for projects that make a real impact in the areas of arts and heritage; education; environment; health; and social or economic disadvantage.

The minimum grant size is £10,000. Awards of more than £25,000 are rare. 

Applications are accepted from: 

• Charities, including CIOs, registered in any part of the UK
• Exempt charities as defined in schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011
• Municipally-funded museums not included in schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011

All applicants must have an annual turnover of over £50,000 (defined as 100% of charitable income plus proceeds from any trading income).

The Trust awards funding in the following five core categories: 

• Arts and Heritage
• Education
• Environment
• Health
• Social or Economic Disadvantage

The funding can support: 

• Core costs
• Capital works
• Specific projects

There are no focus areas within the categories of Arts and Heritage, Education.

Applications for the Environment category may include measures that improve the applicant organisation’s carbon footprint. However, the applicant organisation’s main business must still be connected to one of the five funding categories listed above. ‘Traditional’ environmental applications, such as to improve habitats and conserve species, remain welcome.

Applications made until 20th October 2023, for the Health category, should have a focus on one of the following: 

• Programmes and activities that aim to support, maintain and improve mental health in any demographic
• Health care for older people

Applications made until 20th October 2023, for the Social or Economic Disadvantage category, should have a focus on one of the following: 

• Disadvantaged children
• Housing and homeless people

There are four funding rounds each year.

The deadlines for applications are: 

• 15th January for consideration in March
• 15th April for consideration in June
• 15th July for consideration in September
• 11th October (noon) for consideration in December.

Email: info@steelcharitabletrust.org.uk

Sussex Community Foundation – General Round

The next general round deadline is Friday 8th September 2023.

Please note, applications will now be made under four new funding priorities. You will be asked to pick just one of the headline priorities that best suits your activity. Don’t worry too much if your project covers more than one of these, just pick the one that is most relevant, as they will be reviewing the information submitted as part of the assessment process.

Tel:  01273 409440 

Email:  info@sussexgiving.org.uk

Sussex Community Foundation – The Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm Fund

The Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm Fund supports charities and community groups based within a ten-kilometre radius of the wind farm. Funding is available for environmental, educational, community and charitable activities. Applications close on Friday 8th September.

Tel:  01273 409440 

Email:  info@sussexgiving.org.uk

Toy Trust

The funding is intended for UK based children's charities who are working for the benefit of disadvantaged children under the age of 13 years and their families.

Grants for less than £5,000 are considered. However, the Trust may make larger and longer commitment for special projects.

Registered charities in support of disadvantaged children aged below 13 years and that are based in the UK or Ireland are eligible to apply. Applications will also be considered from organisations around the world that have a UK based office.

Funding is available to help disadvantaged children aged below 13 years and their families to: 

• Alleviate suffering
• Support children through awful experiences
• Encourage achievement through adversity
• Purchase vital equipment
• Provide care
• Bolster existing initiatives
• Initiate brand new projects
• Satisfy basic needs

Projects should: 

• Show real benefit for relieving hardship and suffering to beneficiaries
• Run for a minimum of one full year
• Be in support of children and projects regardless of faith, sex or disability

Funding can be used for equipment and services.

Applications can be made at any time throughout the year and will be considered at the next Trustee meeting.

Tel: 020 7701 7271 

Email: tracey@btha.co.uk

Tree Council - Branching Out Fund

The funding is for tree and hedge planting projects taking place during the 2023/24 winter planting season.

Grants of between £250 and £2,000 are available.

Grants will be paid after planting has taken place and upon submission of a claim form, receipts and photos (evidence of planting).

Funding can be awarded to: 

• Schools
• Further education colleges and universities
• Constituted community groups
• Childcare nurseries or care homes (charity or community funded)
• Tenants and residents associations
• Parish/town councils/community councils
• Tree Warden networks (preference will be given to a Tree Council member network)
• Community interest companies (limited by guarantee)
• Small registered charities

Groups must have a bank account registered in the name of the applicant organisation, into which the grant can be paid.

Grants can be used for: 

• Bare root, UK-sourced and grown, native trees of an appropriate size (priority will be given to younger trees that will establish better)
• UK-sourced and grown, bare-root whips (saplings) and cell grown (root trainer) stock for hedging projects (between 40-120cm height)
• Hedgerow trees
• Orchards, such as fruit trees on semi-vigorous, vigorous, and very vigorous rootstocks
• Cardboard/bioplastic tree/hedge guards
• Non-plastic ties
• Stakes (coppiced material such as chestnut or hazel is preferred, although machined softwood will also be considered)
• Mulch
• Non-peat based soil improvers if needed

The following may also be considered: 

• Non-native tree varieties if appropriate to the setting, e.g. urban/park etc
• Non-native varieties and species that are chosen to take into account climate change adaptation and resilience
• Fruit trees on dwarfing rootstock, if the setting is appropriate
• Trees in containers/raised beds if the reason is adequately explained and supported by a robust and comprehensive irrigation and aftercare plan
• More robust and costly guards if the setting justifies it, e.g. near a sports field or for street trees
• Other project resources to support tree establishment such as irrigation equipment like watering cans/irrigation aids, and PPE

Priority will be given to projects that utilise a wide variety of tree types.

Projects that are worth between £250 and £500 should provide evidence of: 

• Strong community involvement
• Involvement of local schools
• Engaging young people in planning, delivery and aftercare
• Involving a broad cross section of the community (e.g. age, gender, ethnicity)
• Good value for money
• Project is part of wider environmental initiatives
• Access to relevant experience within the group or available locally
• Trees sourced locally from a local tree nursery and/or community tree nursery

Projects that are worth between £500 and £2,500 must also demonstrate: 

• The inclusion of different tree types e.g. individual trees, hedges, hedges with hedgerow trees or orchards
• A considered establishment and aftercare plan
• Involvement of local Tree Warden/s
• That the project is volunteer-managed and delivered
• That the project is set in an animal welfare setting or with a wildlife focus
• Consideration of risk management e.g. in identifying the presence of underground service/utilities
• An understanding of the project site and that it is suitable for tree planting (e.g. contacting a local ecologist/wildlife trust/local natural history society)

Funding is for projects taking place during the 2023/24 planting season (end of November 2023 until early February 2024).

Funding is limited, and applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.  Successful applicants should be notified within five weeks of a complete submission.  Applications for less than £500 are likely to be processed more quickly.

The deadline for applications is 3rd December 2023.

Tel: 07927 550431 

Email: info@treecouncil.org.uk

Wolfson Foundation - Theatre Improvement Scheme

The scheme supports charitable theatre operators in the UK to carry out capital projects to improve their theatre buildings. Projects must fall within a specific theme each year.

The theme for the next three years - 2021, 2022 and 2023 - is Improving Environmental Sustainability.

Grants of up to £20,000 are available.

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following requirements: 

• Own or manage theatres with titles or signed leases of more than five years
• Demonstrate that they run a year-round programme of live performance, of no less than 30 performances a year
• Have a bona fide UK charitable or not-for-profit legal structure and be able to provide certified or audited accounts for at least two years
• Operate theatres that achieve excellence through their producing and programming or architectural significance

Grants can be used for capital costs of building or equipment.

The theme for applications is Improving Environmental Sustainability. Funding will be given to projects that demonstrate how a small intervention can have a big impact on reducing the theatre's environmental impact.

Grants support a range of projects that consider different ways theatre buildings can reduce their environmental impact, for example: 

• Sedum roofs
• New windows
• Building management systems
• More efficient water heaters

The Trust welcomes pre-application discussions. Applicants should contact Lucy Mason, Theatres Adviser, to discuss their project.

The next deadline for applications is 5th September 2023 (12 noon).

Tel: 020 7836 8591  Email: lucy.mason@theatrestrust.org.uk

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Funding Diary

August 2023

Veterans' Foundation – 07/08/2023

Cabinet Office - Domestic Abuse Evaluation Accelerator Fund – 08/08/2023

Screwfix Foundation – 10/08/2023

Islamic Relief UK Grants Programme – 13/08/2023

Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust - Transformational Grants – 14/08/2023

GSK Health Inequalities Programme 2024 – 14/08/2023

Leeds Building Society Charitable Foundation – 14/08/2023

Home Office - Places of Worship Protective Security Funding Scheme – 15/08/2023

Universal Music UK Sound Foundation School Fund – 16/08/2023

National Lottery Heritage Fund – Grants over £250,000 - 17/08/2023

Arts Council England - Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) – full applications 18/08/2023

Henry Smith Charity - Holiday Grants for Children – 18/08/2023

HMRC – Voluntary Sector Grants – 21/08/2023

Elise Pilkington Charitable Trust – 25/08/2023

British Ecological Society - Outreach Grants  - 30/08/2023

Home Office - Community Engagement Fund – 30/08/2023

7stars Foundation – 31/08/2023

Chapman Charitable Trust – 31/08/2023

CLA Charitable Trust – 31/08/2023

Delamere Dairy Foundation – 31/08/2023

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales - d/Deaf and Disabled People's Organisations – 31/08/2023

 

September 2023

Fisheries Improvement Programme  - 01/09/2023

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) IMPACT Awards – Stage One – 01/09/2023

Kelly Family Charitable Trust – 01/09/2023

Waterloo Foundation - Environment Programme – Marine Programme – 01/09/2023

Idlewild Trust – 05/09/2023

Theatres Trust - Theatre Improvement Scheme – 05/09/2023

People's Postcode Lottery - Learning through Landscapes – Local School Nature Grants – 08/09/2023

Sussex Community Foundation – General Round – 08/09/2023

Sussex Community Foundation – The Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm Fund – 08/09/2023

Help the Homeless Grant Scheme – 15/09/2023

Ulverscroft Foundation – 15/09/2023

Warburtons - Families Matter Community Grants Programme – 15/09/2023

PRS for Music Foundation – Beyond Borders – 18/09/2023

Which? Fund – 18/09/2023

Defra Landscape Recovery Scheme – 21/09/2023

Lloyd's Bank Foundation for England and Wales - Local Collaborations Programme – Expression of Interest – 22/09/2023

Department for Transport – Reach for the Sky Fund – 29/09/2023

Fat Beehive Foundation – Equality and Diversity – 29/09/2023

Fidelio Charitable Trust – 29/09/2023

Money Saving Expert (MSE) Charity – 29/09/2023

Veolia Sustainability Fund – 29/09/2023

Association of Independent Museums (AIM) - Collections Care Audits – 30/09/2023

Ellis Campbell Foundation – Youth Power and Leadership Grants – 30/09/2023

Michael Tippett Musical Foundation – 30/09/2023

Patagonia International Environmental Grants – 30/09/2023

Southover Manor Trust – 30/09/2023

 

October 2023

National Allotment Gardens Trust – 01/10/2023

Sussex Lund Grants Programme – 03/10/2023

Armed Forces Families Fund  - Research Grants – 06/10/2023

Heritage Crafts Association - Endangered Crafts Fund – 06/10/2023

Friends Provident Foundation – Building a 4D Economy Grants Programme – 09/10/2023

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) IMPACT Awards – Full Stage – 09/10/2023

National Lottery Community Fund - The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund – 16/10/2023

Hubbub - Time after Time e-waste Fund - Expression of Interest – 20/20/2023

The Royal Countryside Fund - Supporting Rural Communities Programme – 20/10/2023

Leeds Building Society Charitable Foundation – 23/10/2023

Veterans' Foundation – 23/10/2023

A B Charitable Trust – 27/10/2023

NFU Mutual Charitable Trust – 27/10/2023

Rowing Foundation – 30/10/2023

Edgar E Lawley Foundation – 31/10/2023

Magic Little Grants Fund - 31/10/2023

 

November 2023

7stars Foundation – 01/11/2023

People's Postcode Lottery - Learning through Landscapes – Local School Nature Grants – 10/11/2023

Screwfix Foundation – 10/11/2023

Armed Forces Covenant Fund - Reaching and Supporting Armed Forces Communities Fund – 13/11/2023

National Lottery Heritage Fund – Grants over £250,000 - 16/11/2023

Henry Smith Charity - Holiday Grants for Children – 19/11/2023

 

December 2023

Waterloo Foundation - Environment Programme – Tropical Rainforests – 01/12/2023

Tree Council - Branching Out Fund – 03/12/2023

Armed Forces Covenant Fund - Force for Change – 13/12/2023

Help the Homeless Grant Scheme – 15/12/2023

International Tree Foundation - UK Community Tree Planting Programme – 15/12/2023

Ulverscroft Foundation – 15/12/2023

 

January 2024

National Allotment Gardens Trust – 01/01/2024

Fat Beehive Foundation – Art and Culture - 05/01/2024

A B Charitable Trust – 26/01/2024

Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) Grants for England – 26/01/2024

Patagonia International Environmental Grants – 31/01/202

 

March 2024

Waterloo Foundation - Environment Programme – Marine Programme – 01/03/2024

Help the Homeless Grant Scheme – 15/03/2024

 

April 2024

A B Charitable Trust – 26/04/2024

 

July 2024

A B Charitable Trust – 26/07/2024

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