Engage Funding & Training Update - 07 December

Funding

Funding to Support the Education of Young People with Physical or Learning Disabilities 
Schools, charitable organisations and other groups in Scotland supporting the education of young people under the age of 21 who have a physical or learning disability or who are socially disadvantaged can apply for funding to the John Watson Trust. Previous awards of around £1,000 have been made for items such as dyslexia tuition or books and equipment. For example, Castleview Primary School, Edinburgh received a grant of £1,000 to support field trips and days out for eligible pupils; and Women’s Aid East and mid Lothian received £1,000 towards their summer programme. The next closing date is 27 January 2023.  Find out more here.

Funding to Improve the Environmental Sustainability of Hospices
Grants of up to £20,000 are available to UK hospices to reduce their impact on the environment and enable them to deliver sustainable healthcare. The funding is primarily to support capital costs. However, revenue costs that help deliver the capital activity can be included. The funding is being made available through the Rank Foundation Hospice Grants programme and can include projects that deliver some care remotely, sustainable energy such as solar panels and heat pumps, etc and reducing food wastage. Eligible organisations are independent adult hospices that are members of Hospice UK and based in the UK, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. The closing date for applications is 5pm on 20 January 2023.  Find out more here.

Coop Foundation Launches Future Communities Fund
The Coop Foundation has launched the first funding round of its Future Communities Fund. Designed to support its new strategy, Building communities of the future together, the fund will provide grants of up to £30,000 per year for up to 5 years to support organisations building communities that are diverse, equitable and inclusive as well as prioritising youth activism, shared power and transparent governance. Eligible charitable organisations will have an annual turnover of £250,000 or less; have young people at the core of their delivery; advocate for diversity and inclusion in all areas of society; and actively engage with young people from diverse communities in a meaningful and inclusive way; etc. The closing date for applications is midday on 23 December 2022.  Find out more here.

Grants of up to £10,000 to Support Grassroots Charities
Grants of up to £10,000 are available to support small, grass-roots and local charities which are currently delivering services to the young, vulnerable, elderly, disadvantaged or the general community across the UK. The funding, which is being made available through Foyle Foundation’s Small Grants Scheme, can be used to cover projects, core costs, building projects, or essential equipment to enable ongoing service provision for charities with a turnover of less than £150,000 per annum that can show financial stability and a clear need for their services. Competition for funding is expected to be strong. Applications can be submitted at any time.  Find out more here.

Comic Relief Launches Emergency Cost of Living Appeal
Comic Relief has launched a cost-of-living appeal in partnership with the Evening Standard and the Independent, to raise urgent funds for people in need this winter. Money raised through the On the Breadline Cost of Living Christmas Appeal will support community organisations working to get help to people across the UK who need it most. This could include supporting foodbanks, and providing help, advice and mental health support, along with warm winter clothes, electric blankets and water bottles, energy top cards, and food vouchers. Comic Relief has donated £1 million to launch the appeal and help organisations tackle the cost-of-living crisis.  Find out more here.

National Lottery Grants for Heritage
Not-for-profit organisations across the UK can apply for grants of between £250,000 and £5 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for projects connecting people and communities to UK heritage. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic the National Heritage Fund will prioritise heritage projects that promote inclusion and involve a wider range of people; boost the local economy; encourage skills development and job creation; support wellbeing; create better places to live, work and visit; and improve the resilience of organisations working in heritage. All projects must also consider long-term environmental sustainability. Partnerships are encouraged. The next closing date is noon on 22 February 2023.  Find out more here.

Funding Towards Data Protection Consultancy Services
The DPO Centre is inviting applications to their Charity and Community Fund which provides charities and not-for-profit organisations with access to their data protection consultancy services at an 80% reduced rate. Applicants will receive support from subject matter experts and data protection professionals to help decrease the potential for compliance failure across their organisation, leading to fewer data breaches. Organisations can apply for funding of up to £10,000 towards a range of consultancy services including data protection training, policy drafting and reviews, data sharing, impact assessments and gap analysis. The closing date for applications is 18 March 2023.  Find out more here.

National Churches Trust Announces Changes to Grants Programme
The National Churches Trust has announced a change to its grants programmes which includes changes to the names of its grants and to the range of projects that can be funded. The Trust will continue to offer three types of grants: Small grants of up to £5,000 will support small but urgent maintenance and repair issues; Medium grants of up to £10,000 will fund small repair work or the development of projects; and Large grants will fund toilet and kitchen projects costing more than £30,000 and repair projects costing more than £80,000. It is expected that around £1.4 to £1.6 million in total funding will be available, with funds opening to applications in March 2023. Find out more here.

Grants of up to £10,000 for Creative Ideas that Confront the Role of Industrial Food Production in the Climate Crisis
Grants of up to £10,000 are available to UK-based artists & activists to use art and creative actions to highlight the role of the UK’s industrial food system in the climate crisis and to create change within places of public, political and corporate power. In recognition of inequities built into the industrial food system, the project will prioritise the perspectives of those who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, people of colour and/or working class. The closing date for applications the 15 January 2023.  Find out more here.

Funding to Build a Stronger Community Food Sector

Community and voluntary organisations, social enterprises, and public sector agencies in Scotland are invited to apply for grants of up to £5,000 for collaborative projects that build a stronger community food sector. 

The pilot funding is being made available by Public Health Scotland’s Community Food and Health programme, which aims to create a sustainable community food sector that supports access to, and take-up of, affordable, nutritious, sustainable, and culturally acceptable food for communities affected by health inequalities and poverty. The funding can be used for a variety of costs including staff or volunteer time to co-ordinate collaboration, staff or volunteer training or mentoring, and costs associated with meetings or events to support collaborative working. Expressions of interest should be submitted by 5 pm on the 07 December 2022. Applicants successful at this stage will be invited to submit a full application.  The closing date for full applications is the 16 December 2022. Find out more here

The Happiness Fund - re-opens in 1 month  
The Happiness Fund is available to enable and support projects which improve mental health and wellbeing, inclusion, learning and skills development in local communities. They are specifically looking for grassroots organisations that are set up for and by the local community. The main outcomes of the Fund are: - Mental health - Wellbeing & happiness - Inclusion - Learning and skills development The fund is intended to support the setting up of new groups and activities, but to be successful, applicants will need to indicate how the activity/group can become self-sustainable or able to attract funding from other sources for the longer term. Find out more here.

The MSE Charity - re-opens in 1 month  
Grants are given to help educate and inform people about financial literacy, consumer or debt issues. There is a different themed round each year. Find out more here.

Bank of Scotland Foundation - Reach - re-opens in 1 month  
The Reach programme is suitable for charities can demonstrate they address disadvantage or social exclusion and will reach the most vulnerable people across Scotland, to provide them with opportunity and equality and making positive, sustainable change. For disadvantage, examples include charities addressing primary disadvantage such as homelessness, abuse, mental health or poverty, or secondary disadvantage such as debt issues, learning disabilities, illiteracy, lack of employability skills or health issues. For social exclusion, examples include charities addressing exclusionary challenges for minorities, people with disabilities, LGBT people, drug users, institutional care leavers, the elderly or the young. Next deadline: 10 January 2023. Find out more here.

Training

Engage Training Calendar 

All online courses will be held of Microsoft Teams with links sent a day before. 

All in person events will be held at Engage Renfrewshire, 10 Falcon Crescent, Paisley PA3 1NS. 

If you require any further support email info@engagerenfrewshire.com 

TRIO of SCIO – learn how to form/convert to a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation 

3 in-person morning workshops held at Engage Renfrewshire – please note these workshops are only open to groups operating in Renfrewshire 

10 Falcon Crescent, Paisley, Renfrewshire, PA3 1NS – please ensure you can attend all 3 before signing up. 

Thursday 10.00 – 12.30pm 19th & 26th January and 2nd February 2023. 

Workshops will cover the following: 

Session 1 - SCIOs Explained 

This workshop provides an in-depth look at the SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation), a legal form for charities with a head office in Scotland.  The workshop will focus on the key features as well as provide guidance on how you form a new SCIO or convert your existing charity into a SCIO.  The workshop will highlight the considerations during the lifecycle of a SCIO from incorporation to wind up.    It will also provide practical information about the application to become a SCIO. 

Session 2 - Trustee Roles and Responsibilities 

This workshop will explore up-to-date Scottish charity legislation regarding trustee’s roles and responsibilities. The workshop will explore some of the other specific duties that apply to Trustees and what makes an effective trustee.   The workshop will also set out best practice when it comes to managing your charity. 

Session 3 - Charity Trading 

This workshop will look the rules on charitable trading, the tax and charity law position, as well as exploring the use of trading subsidiaries in line with charity law and the governance considerations needed.  In particular: 

when a charity can, and cannot trade 
what is primary purpose trading 
key features of a wholly owned, non-charitable trading subsidiary 
practical issues around tax, risk management and governance 

To register please sign up on Eventbrite Here – due to way Eventbrite is set up you will need to register for each date (this will ensure you receive reminders too nearer the time) 

Other training 

THRE – Third Sector Human Rights and Equalities 
 
Free full and half day training sessions: A Human Rights and Equalities First Approach 

The Basics: 09 December, 13 January, 30/31 January.  
Governance: 14 December, 18 January, 14 February, 14 March.  
Funding and Fundraising Monday 23 January