Funding & Training - 07 August

Funding

• Digital Presence – small charities
• Environmental 
• Heritage 
• Human Rights 
• Museums 
• Poverty and inequality 
• Young People 

Please reach out if you think you would benefit from one to one support.  Jane – jhamilton@engagerenfrewshire.com 


Events/Training

• Get Your Voice Heard: Funding for the Third Sector 
• Third Sector 101: Understanding Employability Policy & Funding in Scotland

Digital Presence 

Funding to Improve Online Digital Presence for Small Charities
UK charities can apply for funding of up to £2,500 to help them improve their online digital presence. The funding is available to charities with an average income of less than £400,000 a year to support hard-to-fund digital expenditures that other funders will often not cover. Funding will help organisations to build websites and apps, digitise services, and purchase digital products. Each quarter there is a different priority for support.  This funding round will be given priority to applications from organisations working in Environmental Protection or climate change mitigation. The closing date for the next round of applications is 5 pm on 27 September 2024. Find out more here 

Environment

Energy Saving Trust
Plugged in Communities Grant Fund: Grants of up to £75,000  for zero emission community vehicles. Find out more 
 

Rewilding Britain 
Rewilding Innovation Fund: The fund provides up to £15,000 to support innovative rewilding projects across Britain. Projects must b part of Rewilding Britain's Rewilding Network (applicants may join at the point of application), working to apply the rewilding principles to benefit nature, climate and people. Deadline for this round is 30 August 2024. Find out more 
 
The Matthew Good Foundation
Grants for Good Fund: The aim is to support small charities, not-for-profit groups, and social entrepreneurs who are passionate about making a difference for people, their communities, and the environment. The Fund will share £15,000 between five shortlisted projects every three months. Deadline for the next funding round is 15 September 2024. Find out more. 
 
Funding to Reduce Litter and Improve Recycling in Public Open Spaces
Grants of up to £10,000 are available to local authorities or organisations responsible for managing public spaces in the UK to reduce litter and improving recycling in diverse public areas such as high streets, parks, and beaches, ensuring widespread benefits. The Neat Streets grant fund provided by Hubbub, a UK-based environmental charity, and backed by McDonald’s aims to address environmental challenges through established campaign models. The grants can be used to purchase new bins and signage, organising events, and developing comprehensive campaigns. Five grants will be given out over the next 12 months, with 1 – 2 grants, allocated every 3 months. The closing date for the first round of applications is 13 September 2024 and there are subsequent rounds planned to open in October 2024.  Find out more here

Heritage

Scottish Connections Fund Opens for Applications
The Scottish Connections Fund has made £50,000 available for projects strengthening Scotland’s international diaspora. Individuals and organisations with a Scottish connection through heritage, education, business, culture, or other affinities can apply for grants ranging from £2,000 to £5,000. This funding aims to support at least 10 new innovative projects to foster connections among Scotland’s diaspora and promote Scottish heritage globally. The fund empowers organisations and individuals to explore and celebrate their Scottish heritage. Applications for the Scottish Connections Fund must be submitted by 5 pm on 04 September 2024. Projects need to be completed by the end of March 2025.  Find out more here
 

National Lottery Grants for Heritage - Grants of up to £10 Million Available
Not-for-profit organisations across the UK can now apply for grants of between £250,000 and £10 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for projects connecting people and communities to UK heritage. The funding can support a broad range of activities and project costs such as volunteer expenses, capital works, repairs, maintenance, conservation costs, professional fees, event costs, and the acquisition of heritage. All projects must also consider long-term environmental sustainability. Partnerships are encouraged. Up to 10% match funding is required. The next closing date for expressions of interest for National Lottery Grants for Heritage is 12pm on 15 August 2024.  Find out more here

Human Rights

Funding for Projects that Defend Human Rights 
UK registered charities working to defend the human rights of marginalised and excluded people can apply for grants of up to £30,000 through the AB Charitable Trust’s Human Rights Framework. The funding aims to protect and promote human rights through campaigning, advocacy, and changing the conversation. To be eligible, charities must have an annual income between £150,000 and £1.5 million. The funding is available to support both the core running costs of organisations and specific projects. The closing date for applications is 25 October 2024. Find out more here 

Museums

Grants of up to £100,000 Available to Enable Museums to Better Engage with the Public
Accredited museums or partnerships of museums and other organisations can apply for grants of up to £100,000 for projects lasting up to two years that aim to bring their collections closer to people by enhancing accessibility and engagement with the public. The funding, which is being provided through the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation’s Collection Fund aims to award approximately 12 grants per year, distributed across two funding rounds. The funding focuses on existing collections; applicants are expected to centre their proposals around them. The Foundation encourages museums to build on their previous experience and apply for funding to develop their projects further. The closing date for applications is 16 September 2024. Find out more here 

Poverty and Inequality

Funding for Projects to Improve Local Communities
Grants are available for small charitable organisations that are working to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged people. The Give Local grants, funded through payroll giving by Costco Warehouse staff, aim to support community-based initiatives focused on education, income stability, and health. Thirty grants of £1,500 will be awarded to organisations with an annual income below £300,000 operating in various locations across England, Scotland, and Wales. Funding can be used for core costs, new programme development, or expansion of existing projects. The fund is administered by United Way UK, a charity that connects organisations providing grants with local communities. The closing date for applications is  31 August 2024.  Find out more here

Funding for Projects that Strengthen Local Communities
Grants of £1,000 - £5,000 are available for local projects that help strengthen communities across England, Scotland and Wales. The Delamere Dairy Foundation will support charities, community groups, social enterprises and other not-for-profit organisations delivering projects that benefit communities through the advancement of agriculture and environmental protection by improving the lives of young people and education and relieving financial hardship and sickness. Applications will be considered at panel meetings, which will be held regularly. The next closing date is 31 August 2024.  Find out more here

King Charles III Charitable Fund Launches New Funding Round
The King Charles III Charitable Fund has launched a new funding round of its Small Grants Programme to support projects that will improve people’s lives and build sustainable communities across the UK. The fund will allocate up to £5,000 in grants to around 100 community-based organisations, including charities, community interest companies, and parish councils each year. The fund aims to support small-scale projects that can potentially create substantial impacts within their communities, especially those that typically face challenges accessing larger funding sources. In this funding round, the Fund will accept applications for projects/activities relating to education, heritage and conservation. The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 14 August 2024.  Find out more here

Comic Relief Launches New Funding Strategy
Comic Relief has announced further details of its new funding strategy aimed at making a greater impact on those facing poverty and inequality. The charity has outlined key areas of focus which include: the Effects of Poverty programme which supports the delivery of community-led projects to improve the lives of people living in poverty; the Tackling Injustices programme which funds organisations working with the most marginalised communities to reduce the structural barriers that keep people in poverty; and the Climate Justice programme which will support people living in poverty who are most affected by climate change. Further details will be provided as soon as they become available. Find out more here

Young People

Funding to Enable Disadvantaged Young People Reach their Potential
Registered charities (including Schools registered as charities for young people with disabilities) that work with disadvantaged children under 25 can apply for funding of up to £10,000. Of particular interest are projects that provide opportunities for disadvantaged children and young people to fulfil their potential and educational activities that develop learning, motivation and skills. Projects could, for example, support special educational needs, address behavioural problems, promote citizenship, parenting, or life skills. Preference will be given to projects piloting new approaches to disseminate the outcomes to a wider audience. The funding is being made available through the Ironmongers Company's grants programme. The next deadline for applications is 15 December 2024.  Find out more
 

Funding for Projects that Strengthen Local Communities
Grants of £1,000 - £5,000 are available for local projects that help strengthen communities across England, Scotland and Wales. The Delamere Dairy Foundation will support charities, community groups, social enterprises and other not-for-profit organisations delivering projects that benefit communities through the advancement of agriculture and environmental protection by improving the lives of young people and education and relieving financial hardship and sickness. Applications will be considered at panel meetings, which will be held regularly. The next closing date is 31 August 2024.  Find out more

Funding for Arts Activities for Disadvantaged Children & Young People
Freelance artists and not for profit organisations in Scotland can apply for funding to deliver arts activities for disadvantaged children and young people. The Youth Arts Open Fund provides grants of up to £8,000 to individual artists, and up to £15,000 to creative, third sector or youth work organisations for the delivery of high quality and accessible community-based arts activities that enhance the health, wellbeing, skills, and confidence of children and young people who may not have access to such activities. The funding is made available by the Scottish government, and delivered in partnership by Creative Scotland and YouthLink Scotland. The closing date for applications is 05 September 2024. Find out more

Training

Get Your Voice Heard
Thursday 8 August | 11:00 
Join Social Enterprise Scotland's policy team for a session exploring funding challenges for social enterprises and the wider third sector. Hear from the Social Justice and Social Security Committee on the 2025-26 budget and calls for longer-term, flexible funding, fair wages, and streamlined processes. Share your views and #GetYourVoiceHeard. 
Book here

Understanding Employability Policy & Funding in Scotland

Thursday 22 August | 13:00 
Join Social Enterprise Scotland for a joint event hosted in partnership with the TSI Network, and TSEF to explore the latest in employability policy and funding. Hear from experts on the "No One Left Behind" strategy, local authority roles, third sector impact, and funding opportunities from UKSPF and DWP. 
Book here