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Funding News - February 2025

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Funding News - February 2025

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Funding News is produced by East Sussex County Council and is aimed at charities and community sector organisations. Should you require further information about services available please visit our Funding pages.

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Information and Guidance
Charity Awards
New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) and Clothworkers’ Company – Seminar Series for Trustees
Woodland Trust - Free trees for schools and communities

Lottery
British Film Institute (BFI) National Lottery Screen Heritage Fund
Sport England – Movement Fund Update

Government
Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) - Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

Trusts and Foundations
Alpkit Foundation
The Arts Society
Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust - Access to the Arts
Birkdale Trust for Hearing Impaired
Bruce Wake Charitable Trust
Canoe Foundation
The Caron Keating Foundation
Cash For Kids - Children's Mental Health Grants
The Classical Association - Major Projects
Douglas Arter Foundation
DWF Foundation
Education Endowment Foundation – Post 16 and Early Years - Grants for evaluation
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
Fletchers Foundation
Gosling Foundation
Henry Moore Foundation
Henry Smith Charity - Holiday Grants for Children
The Homity Trust – Grants for Sussex based Community Groups
Hospice UK - Society for Disabled Artists Bursaries
Hospital Saturday Fund
Inman Charity
Institute of Physics (IOP) Public Engagement Grant Scheme
Ironmongers’ Company – Charitable Grants for Iron Projects
Learning through Landscapes – Local School Nature Grants
Music for All Community Project Fund
Naturewatch Foundation - Pet Rescue Grants
Network Rail - Community Tree Planting Fund
Postcode Society Trust (South of England)- Unrestricted Grants
The Royal Society – Partnership Grants for Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Schools
The Scout Association - Scout Grants Committee UK HQ Grants
Shaping the Future – A Fund to Support Leadership in the Migration Sector
South Downs National Park Trust
UK German Connection - Grants for joint activities between schools and youth groups
UnLtd - Awards for Social Entrepreneurs
Veolia Environmental Trust – Community Grants for Buildings and Outside Spaces
William Wates Memorial Trust
Youth Music Trailblazer Fund – Round 9

Funding Diary

Information and Guidance

Charity Awards

The Charity Awards is Civil Society Media’s annual awards programme to identify, recognise and reward organisations doing exceptional work in all areas of charitable activity.

The Awards are judged by a respected panel of voluntary sector leaders. The judges assess each entry against the Awards Hallmarks of Excellence – attributes that should be present in any successful project.

Awards are given out in ten categories and an overall winner is chosen from the winners in each category.

The awards have been designed so that any charity – regardless of their size, location, or cause – can enter their project and be in with a chance of winning.

For your project or initiative to be considered, you need to submit your completed form by Wednesday 26th February 2025.

Email: awards@civilsociety.co.uk

New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) and Clothworkers’ Company – Seminar Series for Trustees

New Philanthropy Capital and the Clothworkers’ Company have published a new seminar series for trustees, with a particular focus on those of small and medium-sized organisations.

All seminars are free.

What trustees need to know about AI - 26th March 2025 (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm)
How can trustees be more adaptive and systemic? - 8th May 2025 (12:30 pm – 2:00 pm)
Trusteeship and influencing in the new political landscape – 4th June 2025 (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm)
Achieving impact in a challenging financial context - 8th July 2025 1(2:30 pm – 2:00 pm)

Woodland Trust - Free trees for schools and communities

The Woodland Trust is giving away trees to schools and communities.

The Trust’s scheme is open to schools, nurseries, colleges, universities and outdoor learning centres, resident associations, sports clubs, parish councils, scouts, guides and community groups.

The most important thing is that you are willing to take on the planning, planting and care of the saplings.

Visit the Trust’s website for more information about how to apply.

The Trust expects to close for applications in August, with packs delivered to groups in November 2025.

Lottery

BFI National Lottery Screen Heritage Fund

The British Film Institute (BFI) BFI National Lottery Screen Heritage Fund is supporting organisations with screen heritage collections to widen access, develop skills and build resilience.

The Fund is open to legally constituted organisations, Limited Liability Companies, Community Interest Companies, local authorities and statutory bodies. Individuals can also apply for grants to remove the obstacles to getting into the screen heritage sector or progressing their career once they’re in.

Project Funding offers between £10,000 and £80,000 for audience-facing projects allowing more people to engage with heritage collections reflecting the diversity of the UK; build a thriving screen heritage sector; unlock screen heritage for education and enjoyment, and enable everyone to experience a range of screen culture
Organisational Skills offers between £1,000 and £25,000 to deliver skills and training support for workforces in the screen heritage sector
Individual Skills offers up to £10,000 to remove the obstacles to getting into the screen heritage sector or for career progression.

Projects will need to align with BFI's objectives:

Experiencing screen culture - access to a wider choice of film and moving images including stories that reflect people’s lives; tackling social, economic, and geographic barriers for screen audiences in effective new ways; and allowing more people to engage with heritage collections that better reflect UK diversity
A skilled and representative workforce - building inclusive, flexible and supportive workplaces to improve retention; and developing vital skills for the sector that cannot be delivered by the commercial market
Success in a changing landscape - better support available for small and medium-sized organisations; and significant carbon footprint reductions are achieved for screen organisations

The Fund is open year-round and accepts applications on a rolling basis.

Email: ScreenHeritageFund@bfi.org.uk

Sport England – Movement Fund Update

Sport England has announced that its Movement Fund will be prioritising applicants needing help to recover quickly from the impacts of extreme weather.

Not for profit organisations can apply any time for grants of between £300 and £15,000 for emergency costs to help restore their sports facilities so activities can resume.

Examples include skip hire; minor electrical works; decontamination works or clearing blocked drains; cleaning work to get showers and changing rooms back up and running; or securing buildings.

Tel: 0345 8508 508

Email: funding@sportengland.org

Government

Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) - Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

DCMS’s Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme gives grants covering VAT on repairs of over £1,000 to listed buildings used primarily for public worship, or which are owned by or under the authority of organisations looking after redundant places of worship.

Visit the Fund’s website for detailed information about eligible types of work.

Listed places of worship, including those with registered charitable status are eligible to apply. The scheme awards £1,000 to £25,000 which can be spread across multiple claims.

In addition, to allow smaller projects to benefit from the scheme, each listed place of worship will also be allowed to submit one claim with a value of between £500 and £1,000 (excluding the VAT paid) in any 12-month period.

This is a rolling funding programme. You can apply anytime until 31st March 2026.

Tel: 0800 500 3009

Email: grants@lpwscheme.org.uk

Trusts and Foundations

Alpkit Foundation

The Alpkit Foundation supports projects that encourage people to experience the benefits of getting outdoors.

The Foundation welcomes applications from grass roots not for profit organisations, community groups and schools.

They award £50 to £500 to help contribute to project costs. This might include such things as:

Providing discounted equipment for outdoor adventures and trips to individuals, groups, schools and organisations that wouldn’t be viable without support from the Alpkit Foundation
Support outdoor educational programs, e.g. grants for outdoor First Aiders or Mountain Leader Training
Support proactive conservation and environmental projects, e.g. community gardens and allotments or grants to help re-wild woodland and protect our wild places
Support projects which encourage the development of facilities for outdoor skills and activities to be experienced by wider groups who otherwise may miss out e.g. cycling, climbing, outdoor swimming facilities.

There's no limit to the number of times you can apply for an award. They welcome multiple awards over time and each award is assessed on its own merit.

You can apply anytime. The Foundation recommends groups apply at least three months before the start of their project.

Tel: 01773 417007

Email: akf@alpkit.com

The Arts Society Grants

The Arts Society is welcoming applications from registered charities delivering projects engaging people of all ages in the arts, encouraging skills development in arts and heritage or supporting local arts organisations.

The Society is particularly interested in projects that provide access to the arts to those that would not normally have access to them.

Charities can apply for up to £2,000 for a wide range of initiatives. Examples of eligible projects include:

Applications with an emphasis on impacting local communities; particularly through grassroot projects supporting the arts and heritage
Supporting the introduction of artistic experiences and practises to people of all ages and backgrounds, such as skills training 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; or conservation activities
Regional and local theatres and performing arts spaces and groups

The deadline for applications is 31st March 2025. (If you are a charity applying for the first time you will need to register on their online portal to complete the application form in time for the deadline).

Tel: 020 7038 7590

Email: grants@theartssociety.org

Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust - Access to the Arts

The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust is funding charities working to support people who face the greatest life challenges and who have limited opportunities.

The Trust’s current funding round focuses on Access to the Arts. It offers grants of £1,000 for performing arts projects that improve audience access and participation in theatre, dance or music.

This round is for charities with an operating income between £100,000 and £1 million.

Their deadline for applications is 28th February 2025.

Email: admin@austin-hope-pilkington.org.uk

Birkdale Trust for Hearing Impaired

The Birkdale Trust for Hearing Impaired is supporting organisations that provide help to children and young people (aged up to their mid-twenties) who have a hearing impairment.

The Trust welcomes applications from registered charities, groups and educational establishments.

The Trust typically awards grants between £300 and £2,500.

Funding can be used to:

Purchase specialist hearing equipment or other aids to benefit an individual or organisation
Provide special courses or individual tuition or speech/language therapy
Support professional assessments and advice or support for appeals
Support another charity for hearing impaired
Special projects

You can apply any time.

Birkdale Trust for Hearing Impaired
PO Box 852
Southport
PR8 9WG

Email: bthi.grants@gmail.com

Bruce Wake Charitable Trust

The Bruce Wake Charitable Trust is supporting charitable organisations with projects that encourage and provide leisure activities for disabled people.

Priority areas for projects will include beneficiaries being wheelchair users and improved access for wheelchair users.

There is no minimum or maximum grant amount. However, for projects with improved access for wheelchair users, grants are up to £3,000. These specific projects must cost no more than £25,000 in total.

Apply any time. The Trust considers every quarter.

Tel: 01572 491100

Email: info@brucewaketrust.co.uk

Canoe Foundation

The Canoe Foundation has opened for applications. This funder supports canoeing, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding projects to improve access to the sports and the environment.

The Foundation welcomes applications from paddling clubs, community groups, parish councils and local authorities.

The Foundation funds:

Launch and landing platforms, ramps and steps
Improvements to pathways and accessible routes to the water’s edge
Designated or essential additional parking for water users
Works that create more sustainable access points
Access improvement projects that actively engage and allow water users to protect/enhance the waterway or riverbank environment (e.g. by preventing bank erosion
Signage and information promoting positive behaviour
Projects benefitting more than one user group
Projects providing opportunities to a wide range of paddlers rather than facilities limited to private members

The Foundation does not specify grant amounts. In the past, they have awarded £500 and £10,000. They have awarded over £10,000 in exceptional circumstances.

Their deadline for applications is 28th February 2025.

Email: enquiries@canoefoundation.org.uk

The Caron Keating Foundation

The Caron Keating Foundation funds small, registered charities which support people of all ages effected by cancer, particularly, breast cancer.

The Foundation funds equipment to aid cancer detection; counselling services; hospice care (at home or in a hospice); drivers to take cancer patients to and from treatment centres; complementary therapies helping with pain control; bereavement counselling; specialist beds and chairs to give physical relief; ‘syringe drivers’ used for giving pain relief.

The Foundation awards up to £25,000, however please note, most grants are between £2,000 and £5,000.

Charities can apply any time.

Contact Page.

Cash For Kids - Children's Mental Health Grants

Cash for Kids - Children's Mental Health Grants aims to improve the mental wellbeing of children and young people up to age 18.

Cash for Kids want to address the following priorities:

Poverty
Mental health and wellbeing
Sport and physical wellbeing
Disability or life-limiting illness
Education and essential skills
Diversity and inclusion

Cash for Kids welcomes applications from registered charities, schools and community and voluntary organisations.

They generally award between £1,000 and £3,000.

You can apply any time. This Fund is open until all funds have been allocated.

Email: getintouch@cashforkids.org.uk

The Classical Association - Major Projects

The Classical Association is funding activities which promote the teaching and learning of classical subjects in schools and sixth-form colleges.

Projects should increase access and sustainability to classic subjects and widen participation.

Previous projects supported include trips to historical sites including Arbeia Roman Fort and the British Museum, drama workshops and guest speakers.

The Association provides two levels of funding:

Small grants up to £5,000 awarded four times a year
Large grants of £5,000 and over awarded twice a year

The Association accepts applications from organisations, schoolteachers, students and academics.

The next deadline for either of these grants is 1st March 2025.

Email: canews@classicalassociation.org

Douglas Arter Foundation

The Douglas Arter Foundation supports registered charities whose activities are specifically for the benefit of the mentally and physically disabled of all ages.

The Foundation awards discretionary grant amounts. They have previously awarded £500 and £2,000, with most grants ranging between £250 to £500.

The Foundation does not have a website. Charities need to apply by letter, setting out in brief concise detail the clear objectives of the appeal; details of funding already available, including details of self-help, a timetable for the project, together with a copy of the latest audited accounts.

The Trustees welcome applications from charities at any time. The Foundation’s trustees meet four times a year (March, June, September and December).

The Secretary, Douglas Arter Foundation, Fern Villa, Melksham Road, Patterdown, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2NR

Tel: 01249 448252

Email: dafbristol@aol.com

DWF Foundation

The DWF Foundation supports registered charities with projects focusing on homelessness, health and wellbeing, employability, education, the environment and sustainability.

The Foundation generally awards up to £5,000. The Trustees consider running costs and salaries if they are part of a project.

The Foundation supports projects that develop and improve local communities by:

Tackling a specific community issue
Help voluntary and community groups become more effective and efficient
Encourage the involvement of communities often excluded
Enable young people to develop skills that will benefit the community

Charities can apply anytime.

Tel: 0151 907 3000

Email: clare.beavan@dwf.law

Education Endowment Foundation – Post 16 and Early Years - Grants for evaluation

The Education Endowment Foundation’s grant funding tests the impact of high-potential projects aiming to raise the attainment and wider outcomes of 2–19 year-olds, particularly those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Foundation has announced their Spring 2025 funding round is open for applications. This round focuses on Post 16 and Early Years and is for programmes that are developed and ready to be evaluated. EEF will appoint an independent evaluator from their panel for every project they fund.

Post-16: EEF seeks to support and evaluate programmes that seek to improve outcomes for post-16 learners. EEF is focused on Post-16 priority areas: Attendance; EdTech and AI; GCSE resits; Transition from school to college. Please note that this round has two separate application forms depending on the funding stream best suited for the programme –one for pilot projects, and one for efficacy and effectiveness trials
Early Years – EEF is also looking for programmes for the early years that focus on improving self-regulation or executive function in children.

Any organisation working with children and young people between the ages of 2–19 years old can apply for funding. Please note, EFF only funds projects taking place in schools, nurseries and colleges.

There are no set minimum or maximum award amounts. Past EEF grants to programme delivery organisations have ranged from £90,000 to £1.5 million.

The closing date for applications is Friday 14th March 2025 at 11am.

Email: applications@eefoundation.org.uk

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is funding charitable organisations with ambitious, long-term impact projects that drive change by breaking new ground or using tried and tested methods to push things forward in new ways.

The Foundation has three programmes

Our Natural World focuses on ensuring the natural world is restored and protected, and that people benefit from its recovery. The Foundations current priorities are peat; space for nature; freshwater; nature-friendly farming; and fishing in unison with nature
A Fairer Future is for initiatives that will contribute to a socially just and anti-racist society, where people have their rights protected, as well as opportunities to speak and be heard, and the freedom to express creativity. Priority will be given to arts and creativity making change; children and young people’s rights; racial justice; gender justice; and migrant justice
Creative, Confident Communities is for initiatives that will encourage local people to create change by building vibrant, confident places where they can fulfil their creative, human, and economic potential. The Foundation aims to contribute to the following key impact goals by 2030: Communities use their power to make change happen; Local economies work better for residents; Culture and creativity build thriving communities

The Foundation awards grants starting at £30,000. Most grants are for initiatives running for three to five years.

The Foundation accepts applications from not for profits with an income of at least £100,000. Organisations that are not registered charities will need to provide a copy of their constitution and have good governance (at least three directors, the majority of whom should not be paid employees).

To apply, first complete the Foundation’s online eligibility quiz, then follow the application process for any of the funding programmes.

Organisations can apply anytime.

Tel: 020 7812 3700

Email: info@esmeefairbairn.org.uk

Fletchers Foundation

The Fletchers Foundation supports organisations helping people to thrive following a life-changing injury.

The Foundation awards grants for aids and equipment; rehabilitation therapies; prosthetics; and counselling.

Charities or groups acting on behalf of families or individuals, and schools or organisations that collaborate with individuals affected are eligible to apply.

The Foundation offers:

Grants up to £10,000: this strand is open to local community groups with an annual income of less than £50,000
Discretionary grants: this strand is open to registered charities, community groups and schools with an annual income of more than £50,000

Organisations can apply any time. The Trustees consider applications on the last Friday of the month. Decisions are usually made within two weeks.

Tel: 03300 081212

Email: info@fletchersfoundation.org.uk

Gosling Foundation

The Gosling Foundation supports projects focused on the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, Education, or Youth.

Royal Navy and Royal Marines: this strand of funding is for projects focusing on improving quality of life
Youth: this strand of funding is for projects providing opportunities and support for disadvantaged young people
Education: this strand is aimed at projects providing opportunities and support for all

The Foundation accepts applications from registered charities, Community Interest Companies and Charitable Incorporated Organisations.

You can apply for a minimum of £5,000. Please note, the Foundation rarely fully funds projects.

The Foundation’s grants be used towards project costs; capital projects; IT projects; equipment and furniture; salaries (for positions directly impacting beneficiaries), or events.

Organisations can apply any time.

Tel: 020 38727723

Email: office@thegoslingfoundation.com

Henry Moore Foundation

The Henry Moore Foundation supports not for profit art galleries, museums and institutions in the development and research of historical, modern and contemporary sculptures.

The Foundation directs its funding towards:

New projects and commissions encouraging new thinking about sculpture or sculpture history or raising public awareness and appreciation. Grants are up to £20,00
Museums and galleries wanting to acquire or conserve sculpture for their collections as well as for cataloguing and display costs. Grants are up to £20,000
Long-term Research Grants for projects needing funding for more than one year, such as a permanent collection catalogue. Grants are up to £20,000
Publishing a new book or journal, hold an event, conference or lecture related to sculpture. Grants are up to £5,000

The Foundation’s current funding round closes 1st March 2025.

Email: grants@henry-moore.org

Henry Smith Charity - Holiday Grants for Children

Henry Smith Charity’s Holiday Grants for Children scheme is aimed at children up to age 13 or younger, who are disadvantaged, disabled or from areas of high deprivation.

The Charity supports organisations to provide a short holiday or outings, that children would not be able to experience otherwise.

Trips should either be for a day or a longer residential stay up to seven days outside the children's local area. More local trips are only considered if there is an emphasis on providing a new experience and broadening horizons. For example, camping, adventure activity centres or the seaside.

The Charity awards £500 – £2,750 per trip to schools, youth groups, not for profit organisations and charities.

The Charity prioritises projects that fall within the 20% most deprived areas according to the National Indices of Deprivation. For groups of children with disabilities, there is more flexibility regarding deprivation levels.

The next deadline for applications is 19th March 2025 for trips taking place up to 30th April 2025. Applications should be received at least five weeks before the date of the trip.

Tel: 020 7264 4970

The Homity Trust – Grants for Sussex based Community Groups

The Homity Trust, based in Brighton, is seeking grant applications from Sussex based community groups.

The fund provides smaller grants of up to £1,000 to registered charitable organisations helping end users in financial difficulties.

The Trust is particularly open this round to organisations helping with the increasing cost of living crisis. Application details and prior contact information are all on the website.

The next deadline is 28th March 2025.

Contact Form

Hospice UK - Society for Disabled Artists Bursaries

Hospice UK’s Society for Disabled Artists Bursaries scheme enables hospice and palliative care professionals working within hospices to study art and music therapy qualifications to improve the quality of care given to patients, their carers and families.

These bursaries can be used towards accredited courses (e.g. MSc in Music Therapy, BA in Art Therapy, MA in Music Therapy, Art Therapy Supervision Diploma, CPD accredited Art or Music Therapy Courses). Applications can be for individual modules or a particular year of multi-year courses.

Hospices can apply for up to £1,500 (a maximum of 50% of course or module fees in any one year).

Apply at least one month before courses or modules are due to start.

Email: Grants@hospiceuk.org

Hospital Saturday Fund

The Hospital Saturday Fund supports registered health charities such as hospitals, hospices and medical organisations.

The fund awards two levels of grants which can be used for medical projects, capital projects, medical care or research, hospice/respite care, medical training and running costs:

Standard Grants awards up to £2,000
Larger Grants awards up to £10,000. These grants are for specific projects, research or equipment rather than running costs

The Fund has deadlines for each Grant Scheme throughout the year. The next deadline for applications for Standard Grants is 9th April 2025. The next deadline for Larger Grants the deadline is 12th March 2025.

Tel: 020 7202 1365

Email: charity@hsf.eu.com

Inman Charity

The Inman Charity is funding registered charities with projects that improve social welfare and work with disadvantaged people. Previous areas of funding the Charity has supported include medical research, hospices, older people, disabled people and the armed forces.

The Charity generally awards £2,000 - £5,000.

Their next deadline for applications is 28th February 2025.

The Inman Charity. BM Box 2831, London, WC1N 3XX

Institute of Physics (IOP) Public Engagement Grant Scheme

The Institute of Physics (IOP) is seeking to fund physics engagement projects that align with their Limit Less campaign.

Limit Less aims to meaningfully engage whole family groups (including parents/carers) to improve their relationship with physics. It aims to challenge stereotypes that put young people off doing physics post 16.

IOP is prioritising projects that reach families with young people under the age of 16 who identify with one or more of the following groups:

Girls and young women
Disabled young people
LGBT+ young people
Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
Black Caribbean young people.

The IOP welcomes applications from not-for-profit organisations, community groups and libraries for the following Funds:

IOP’s Main Fund awards £500 - £4,000 for projects that showcase physics and physicists as role models, so underrepresented communities can see themselves reflected in those roles, see the diverse career paths and the breadth of roles available
Seed Fund: IOP is trialling this fund to bring together non-physicist and physicist participants. Grants of up to £500 can be used to foster relationships between new partners, from which a full public engagement grant application could arise

The IOP’s Main Fund accepts applications on a rolling basis until 1st September 2025. Their deadline for the Seed Fund is 31st March 2025 (5pm)

Tel: 020 7470 4800

Email: engagement@iop.org

Ironmongers’ Company – Charitable Grants for Iron Projects

The Ironmonger’s Company supports the conservation of historic ironwork or creating new decorative iron or steel work.

The Company prefers to fund entire projects, or specific elements of a project.

This funder accepts applications from registered charities, schools and churches.

Their next deadline for applications is 31st March 2025.

Tel: 020 7776 2311

Email: charities@ironmongers.org

Learning through Landscapes – Local School Nature Grants

Learning through Landscapes – Local School Nature Grants Programme supports outdoor school and early years projects that encourage outdoor learning.

Learning Through Nature is inviting Early Years, Infant, Primary and Secondary schools to apply for £500 worth of outdoor resources, and a two-hour training session.

This page lists all the products available to help you decide if you would like to apply

This initiative is possible, with thanks to the People's Postcode Lottery.

The deadline for applications is 4th April 2025.

Tel: 01962 392932

Email: lsng@ltl.org.uk

Music for All Community Project Fund

Music for All has opened its first funding round for 2025.

The Fund is open to groups, schools, any form of educational establishment, community projects, charities, and organisations bringing music to their communities.

For this round, Music for All awards up to £2,000 for the following:

Work with primary school-aged children - music-making opportunities to young-people aged between 4–11, including groups operating in caring as well as more formal educational settings. Applicants should be able to demonstrate ways in which they nurture underprivileged young talent
Learning and cognitive challenges - opportunities to make music to those with learning and cognitive challenges, including but not limited to autism, aphasia, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, attention deficit and memory loss
Working with diverse communities from the Global Majority - music-making opportunities working with diverse communities from the global majority

The deadline for applications is 27th March 2025.

Tel: 0140 362 8892

Email: help@musicforall.org.uk

Naturewatch Foundation - Pet Rescue Grant

Nature Watch Foundation’s Pet Rescue Grants scheme is aimed at frontline animal welfare services providing a second chance to exploited pets.

The scheme focuses on organisations providing veterinary care; behavioural support; specialist facilities; equipment; training; or other initiatives directly helping dogs, cats and/or rabbits who have been exploited for profit.

The Foundation offers the following:

Main grants of £10,000 for registered charities and Community Interest Companies with an annual income up to £5 million
Mini grants of £1,000 for unincorporated not for profits, including unregistered charities and community groups

The deadline for applications is 21st February 2025.

Tel: 01242 252871

Email: petrescuegrant@naturewatch.org

Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund

Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund is supporting tree planting projects that will directly benefit communities in Southern Rail regions.

Their funding priorities, under the current funding round’s theme of ‘Trees and People’, include:

Strong community involvement in design and delivery and community volunteers for planting
Projects located close to communities such as villages, towns, cities, urban areas, close to public spaces, or public rights of way
Projects demonstrating robust establishment and aftercare plans
Achieving biodiversity
Proposals from partnerships or consortiums
Projects involving the young people that show elements of training, skills development, or enterprise
River/riparian-themed projects, including flood prevention or SUDS in urban communities

Not for profit organisations, community groups, schools and local authorities are eligible to apply.

The Scheme provides three levels of funding:

Main grants between £2,500 and £5,000
Large grants between £5,000 and £10,000
Flagship grants between £10,000 and £15,000

The types of trees funded include bare root trees (with preference to younger trees, although trees up to ‘standard’ size will be funded); hedging (bare-root whips and cell-grown 40 to 120cm in height); hedgerow trees; and orchards.

The Fund also considers supporting more robust and costly guards if the setting justifies it, such as near sports fields or street trees; fencing; equipment and machinery hire for larger projects.

Organisations can apply any time for the 2024/25 planting season.

Tel: 020 7407 9992

Email: grants@treecouncil.org.uk

Postcode Society Trust – South of England

The Postcode Society Trust re-opens for applications this month.

The Trust’s funding is aimed at smaller charities and not for profits in the south of England making a difference to their community for the benefit of people and the planet.

Projects will need to align with one of the Trust's themes for 2025:

Enabling participation in physical activity
Enabling participation in the arts
Improving biodiversity and responding to the climate emergency
Improving green spaces and increasing access to the outdoors
Preventing or reducing the impact of poverty
Providing support to improve mental health
Supporting marginalised groups and tackling inequality

The Trust awards unrestricted grants. This means that funding doesn't need to be tied to a specific project or activity.

The level of funding depends on the type of applicant.

Applicants not formally registered as a charity with the Charity Commission can apply for £500 to £2,500
Applicants that are registered with the Charity Commission and can provide a charity number can apply for £500 to £25,000

There will be three funding rounds in 2025. Round 1 opens 24th February and closes 3rd March 2025. Round 2 opens 26th May and closes 2nd June 2025. Round 3 TBC.

Tel: 0131 322 9430

Email: info@postcodesocietytrust.org.uk

The Royal Society – Partnership Grants for Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Schools

The Royal Society's annual Partnership Grants Programme has reopened for applications.

The Programme awards up to £3,000 to primary and secondary schools to support the teaching of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

It aims to provide teachers and practising scientists and engineers with the opportunity to work together to develop imaginative projects for school children aged between 5 and 18 years old.

Additionally, the scheme includes an extension called "Tomorrow's Climate Scientists," which funds research on climate change and biodiversity.

To help lead teachers and lead STEM partners with their application, the Royal Society provides free online introduction sessions throughout term time. Sessions can be booked through the Royal Society's Event portal.

The application process opens in February each year, with three possible submission deadlines so schools can plan.

The next deadline for applications is 30th April 2025.

Tel: 0207 451 2500

Email: education@royalsociety.org

The Scout Association - Scout Grants Committee UK HQ Grants

The Scout Association is awarding funding to support the development of the Scouts and help members experiencing financial hardship to continue to be involved in activities.

The Association offers two funding strands:

Outdoor Adventure Fund supports outdoor activities and adventures that demonstrate significant benefit. Examples include an evening event, day trip or night’s away experience. This fund awards up to 50% or £100, whichever is the lower for projects benefitting an individual. For group projects, grants awarded are either 50% of the project cost or £15 per young person, whichever is lower
Royal Navy Sea Scouting supports Sea Scout Groups and Explorer Sea Scout Units recognised by the Royal Navy. Funding will go towards purchasing boats and equipment, training courses and developing Sea Scouting afloat training. This strand offers up to £2,500

The Scout Association accepts applications any time.

Tel: 0345 300 1818

Email: grants@scouts.org.uk

Shaping the Future: A Fund to Support Leadership in the Migration Sector

The Shaping the Future Leadership Initiative is designed to bolster leadership in the refugee and migration sector. It offers targeted support to grass roots organisations, and individuals with lived experience of migration.

The fund is open to individuals, organisations, and partnerships currently supporting or interested in supporting leadership development in the refugee and migration sector.

The fund promotes leadership development that is:

Anti-oppressive: Challenging systemic inequities and power dynamics
Wellbeing-focused: Prioritising mental health and sustainable leadership practices
Grounded in lived experience: Building on the strengths and insights gained through lived experience of migration

Through this initiative, organisations and individuals can design and tailor their own leadership programmes or approaches to meet the specific needs of their teams and communities.

The size of the grant depends on how much you are applying for. If you are applying as:

An individual, you can request up to £10,000 for 1-2 years to support personal leadership development
An organisation, you can request £10,000 - £60,000 for 1-2 years to strengthen leadership within organisations
A collaborative partnership, you can request £60,000 - £100,000 for 2 years to support collaborative initiatives that foster leadership across networks

Interested applicants can sign up for the fund’s information webinar on 24th February 2025 (1pm). Register via the website. If you cannot attend, register anyway and the fund will send you the recording.

Apply by 12th March 2025 (5pm).

Tel: 07494 152 877

Email: mex@global-dialogue.org

South Downs National Park Trust

The South Downs National Park Trust is running two grant programmes:

Community Pitch offers grants up to £5,000 to organised community groups tackling climate change in the Ouse Valley Climate Action area (Lewes District area). This can be through mitigation activities or education/awareness, supporting wildlife or reducing waste
School ReNature grants is for state-funded schools within 10km of the national park. Schools can celebrate 75 years of National Parks with a grant up to £1,000 to buy materials and equipment to support nature in school grounds. e.g. tools, plants, bird boxes, trees, hedge, water containers and feeders.

The deadline for Community Pitch is 28th February.

School Renature is open for applications on a first-come-first-served basis until July.

Tel: 07471 997344

Email: grants@southdowns.gov.uk

UK German Connection - Grants for joint activities between schools and youth groups

UK German Connection has opened its grant programme for exchanges and partnerships taking place after April 2025.

The scheme is for primary and secondary schools (including SEN schools), FE colleges and youth groups.

Partnership Visit Fund supports staff planning visits to set up new or foster on-going partnerships between schools and youth groups in the UK and Germany. This strand supports staff planning visits (for teachers, headteachers and youth group leaders). This Fund awards up to £1,000, depending on the overall costs of the visit. The grant can cover a maximum of 75% of total cost of the visit. In exceptional cases, it is possible to apply for a higher amount of funding (please see the guidelines for full details)
Instant Impact supports first-time taster trips, group visits aimed at reviving a dormant partnership, or joint thematic projects (Instant Impact Plus). This Fund awards up to £2,500 (or up to £5,000 for Instant Impact Plus), depending on the overall costs of the visit. The grant can cover a maximum of 75% of total cost of the visit. In exceptional cases, it is possible to apply for a higher amount of funding (please see the guidelines for full details)

UK Connection is running a series of Q&A webinars for anyone interested in finding out more about their funding programmes. These interactive sessions will provide detailed information about their grants and offer you the chance to ask questions and run your ideas past them.

These schemes have rolling deadlines. However, applications must be received by UK-German Connection at least six weeks in advance of the visit.

Tel: 020 7824 1570

Email: funding@ukgermanconnection.org

UnLtd - Awards for Social Entrepreneurs

Social entrepreneurs who have an idea or are already making a difference and are looking for support to develop their social venture can apply for funding and support to help get started or grow.

UnLtd provides:

Starting up grants up to £8000: this strand is aimed at social entrepreneurs committed to creating social impact in a financially sustainable way. You are at an early stage or have started to make a difference to people's lives, communities, or the planet
Scaling up grants up to £18,000: this strand is aimed at growing an existing social enterprise that has been operating between one and four years. You are the founder of a financially sustainable social venture that is making a positive difference to people’s lives, communities, or the planet. You have evidence of your social impact and ambitions to build on it

UnLtd is prioritising social ventures tackling inequality and focusing on the most marginalised communities and those with high levels of need. The fund is also committed to providing 50% of their awards to Black, Asian and minority ethnic social entrepreneurs, and/or disabled social entrepreneurs.

The next deadline for applications is 24th March 2025.

Tel: 0207 566 1100

Email: awardapplications@unltd.org.uk

Veolia Environmental Trust – Community Grants for Buildings and Outside Spaces

Veolia Environmental Trust’s Community Grants scheme funds physical improvements to community buildings and outside spaces. Projects include community centres, public parks, play areas, sports grounds and community gardens.

The Trust awards £10,000 to £75,000 for projects costing no more than £350,000. Please note, this fund requires match funding of at least 10%.

The fund accepts applications from not for profits and local authorities. A project’s eligibility depends on where the project is located. The Trust provides a postcode eligibility checker.

The facilities must be available for everyone and anyone to use daily (minimum of 16 hours per week.

The Trust has four funding rounds per year. They provide key dates on their website.

Tel: 0203 567 6820

Email: UK.Trust@veolia.com

William Wates Memorial Trust

The William Wates Memorial Trust aims to enhance the lives of disadvantaged young people (ages 5 - 19) in London and the South East.

The Trust wishes to encourage disadvantaged and vulnerable young people away from anti-social behaviour and criminal activity, enabling them to fulfil their potential.

The Trust supports projects that:

Have impact after the Trust’s support has ended. For example, helping a young person get a coaching qualification as opposed to facilitating them to play football once a week
Support individuals long after specific (sometimes intensive) projects end. This may be done in house or through connections with other local organisations

The Trust is open for applications from registered charities and not-for-profit enterprises. In addition, to be eligible to apply, applicants should have no more than 60% of their turnover from public service contracts or other commissioned work.

Most grants are for approximately £30,000 over three years. However, at any one time the Trust will also have two to three grants for £30,000 to £50,000 per annum over three years.

Their next deadline for applications is 28th February 2025.

Email: wwmt@wates.co.uk

Youth Music Trailblazer Fund – Round 9

Youth Music Trailblazer Fund is offering grants of £2,000 to £30,000 to organisations to run projects for children and young people (25 or under) to make, learn and earn in music.

Eligible projects should trial work or test a new way of working, sustain a grassroots programme or disrupt the status quo (or all three).

Projects must meet one of their themes:

Early years
Disabled, d/Deaf and neurodivergent young people
Youth justice system
Young people facing barriers
Young adults
Organisations and the workforce

Trailblazer provides two levels of grant funding:

£2,000 to £15,000 for organisations less than one year old
£2,000 to £30,000 for organisations more than one year old

This funding can support a mix of delivery costs and core costs. Projects can start between September and November 2025, and last between 6 and 24 months.

Your total project budget should include at least 10% match funding. There are two types of match funding: Cash (where money is involved, for example a grant from another funder. At least 5% of your total project budget should be cash) and In Kind (non-cash support, for example free venue hire or volunteer support).

Please note, funding from Arts Council England or National Lottery cannot be used towards meeting the minimum match funding requirements but can be used as additional contribution.

Applicants may also request personal access costs to remove barriers, enabling staff to deliver the project and complete grant reporting. This support is available for those who are d/Deaf or disabled, neurodivergent, have learning difficulties, mental health conditions, or long-term health conditions. Personal access costs can be requested in addition to the main grant, up to a maximum of 10%.

The deadline for Round 9 applications is 11th April 2025 (5pm).

Tel: 020 7902 1060

Email: grants@youthmusic.org.uk