Funding & Training Focus - 11 December

Merry Christmas Everyone
 
This will be the last funding round up of 2024 and I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best of a fun filled holiday season.

Now, to the funding bit...

The National Lottery now have 2 new funds available – Community Action and Fairer Life Chances both funds focus on helping communities tackle poverty, disadvantage and discrimination. Both funds offer funding from £20,001 to £500,000 for up to 5 years. For more information please click here

If you would like to make an appointment to discuss your funding strategy for 2025, please get in touch. Jane – jhamilton@engagerenfrewshire.com
 

• Accessible Transport
• Breast Cancer Recovery
• Children and Young People
• Environmental
• Mental Health
• Miscellaneous
• Self Management
• Older People
• The National Lottery

Events/Training

• OSCR – Annual Returns

Funding to Improve Transport Accessibility for Disabled People
The National Centre for Accessible Transport (NCAT) has launched the Scaling Innovation Programme to enhance transport accessibility for disabled people in the UK. Delivered by Connected Places Catapult, the programme offers up to £150,000 in funding, along with technical and business support, to as many as fifteen selected small and medium-sized enterprises developing accessible transport solutions. Projects should address specific challenges, such as physical barriers in street environments and interactions between transport staff, the public, and disabled people. Additionally, there is an open call for innovative solutions addressing other accessibility challenges. Applications from D/deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations, as well as individuals or entrepreneurs with lived experiences of disability, are particularly welcome. The application deadline is 5pm on 19 December 2024. Find out more here

Grants Available for Charities Supporting Breast Cancer Recovery and Well-Being
The Pink Ribbon Foundation has announced that it is currently accepting applications to its grant-making programme for 2025. Grants of up to £6,000 are available to UK charities and not-for-profit organisations working on practical projects and initiatives to improve the physical and mental health of individuals with or recovering from breast cancer. This year, priority will be given to supporting organisations with limited financial resources to deliver their services. Higher grants may be awarded in special cases. The closing date for applications is 30 May 2025. Grants are awarded annually in late July. Find out more here

Funding for activities with children and young people in north and west Renfrewshire
The Renfrew Tesco Stronger Starts is looking for applications from local groups from north and west Renfrewshire. They are looking for applications to go into their April – June blue token customer voting with awards being made in Aug ’25 - awardees have a year to spend the funds. Each 3 months, 3 groups are awarded 1st - £1,500; 2nd - £1,000 and 3rd - £500 after the vote results are counted.
This is a rolling programme, where community groups, charities and local authorities can apply for funding all year round although, to be considered for the April – June customer vote, applications need to be submitted by the end of January. Applications are open to all local good causes, with the current priority helping projects that support young people’s health and wellbeing as well as local store nominated good causes. This is also a great opportunity for groups to promote the good work that they do locally.  For more info follow this link https://tescostrongerstarts.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/ and don’t hesitate to contact your community enabler who can help you with the application process – tamara@greenspacescotland.org.uk 07825 671968 
 

Ogden Trust - Local School Partnerships
The Ogden Trust is currently accepting applications through its School Partnerships programme. The programme supports new partnerships of schools that are working together in order to enhance the learning and teaching of physics. The programme provides grants of £8,500 to partnerships for up to five years. Partnerships can include primary schools, secondary schools, or a mix of both. Priority will be given to schools serving disadvantaged areas. The closing date for submitting applications is the 10 January 2025. Find out more here
 

Holiday Grants for Disadvantaged and Disabled Children
Grants ranging from £500 to £2,750 are available for schools, youth groups, non-profit organisations, and charities to support recreational trips or holidays within the UK for groups of disadvantaged or disabled children 13 years old or younger. Applications from the 20% most deprived areas in the UK will be given priority. The grants can cover up to two-thirds of the total cost of a holiday or trip, lasting from one to seven days. The Henry Smith Charity is offering the funding, and applications must be submitted at least six weeks before the scheduled trip or holiday. Applications for trips between the 13 January – 30 April 2025 can be made until the 19 March 2025. Find out more here

 

Funding for Projects that Promote a Better Understanding of the Environment and Countryside
UK based schools and not for profit organisations can apply for funding to the Nineveh Charitable Trust for a broad range of projects and activities that promote a better understanding of the environment and countryside, whilst facilitating improved access, education and research. Whilst the Trust does not specify a minimum or maximum grant amount that can be applied for, an analysis of previous grants would suggest a maximum of £5,000 per year for up to three years. Previous projects supported include Castlemilk Day Nursery which received a grant of £5,000 to build a multi-function shelter with provision for special needs teaching; and St Joseph's Specialist School & College, which received a grant of £4,000 towards a community garden expansion. Applications can be submitted at any time. Find out more here

Grants for Charities Working in Mental Health
Grants of up to £75,000 are available to charities and local authorities working in mental health. The Wolfson Foundation provides funding for capital projects, with a particular focus on training, employment, and supported housing. Projects should aim to increase access to services for new and existing users, enhance the quality and range of services, and improve organisational sustainability. Grants are typically awarded for new builds, refurbishments, or equipment. Match funding is required for projects costing more than £50,000. There is a two-stage application process. The deadline for stage one applications is 05 January 2025. Organisations successful at this stage will have until 01 March 2025 to submit their full application. Find out more here

Funding to Address the Related Themes of Poverty and Trauma
The Robertson Trust has launched its 'Nurturing Relationships' funding theme. This initiative aims to address the intertwined challenges of persistent poverty and intergenerational trauma by supporting projects that foster nurturing relationships within families and communities. Open to constituted community groups and registered charities in Scotland with annual incomes under £2 million, the programme offers small grants of up to £20,000 and large grants of up to £50,000. Funding prioritises preventative measures and holistic support, particularly for vulnerable groups such as lone parent families, disabled people, racial minorities, asylum seekers, those on low incomes or benefits, unpaid carers, and those in rural or deprived areas. Applications close on 24 January 2025. Find out more here
 

Unrestricted Grants of up to £30,000 to Strengthen Small Charities
From midday on the 4th December 2024, small organisations supporting marginalised and disadvantaged groups can apply for unrestricted grants of up to £30,000 to fund projects and activities with the potential to transform their organisation. Offered by the charity The Fore, this funding is designed to help organisations grow, strengthen, and become more efficient or resilient. The grants can be used for various purposes, including core costs and capital funding. UK registered charities, CICs, CIOs, or Community Benefit Societies with an annual income under £500,000 are eligible to apply. Organisations must register their interest by midday on the 11 December 2024. Those who qualify will be notified and invited to submit a full application. Find out more here

Community Partnership Programme to Tackle Food Poverty & Support the Elderly
Community groups and other not for profit organisations within a two mile radius of a One Stop shop can now apply for grants of up to £1,000 through the One Stop Community Partnership programme. The programme, administered by the environmental charity Groundwork, will support projects and activities tackling food poverty, supporting the vulnerable, supporting the elderly, supporting low-income families, and supporting a healthier lifestyle. Applications will be welcomed from various organisations, including voluntary/community organisations, registered charities, schools, health bodies, Parish/Town councils, social enterprises, and Community Interest Companies. The next closing date for applications is the 24 January 2025. Applicants are encouraged to visit their local One Stop store for more information. Find out more here

Self Management

Through Self Management for Life, Round 2, the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) is making Scottish Government grants available to third sector and community organisations working in Scotland, to support new activities that will encourage new approaches or add to learning around self management.

Applications are now open until 09.00 AM on 27 January 2025.
Two levels of grant will be available:

• Small grants of up to £15,000 for up to one year
• Large grants of up to £120,000 for up to three years

If you are interested in applying, we will be hosting Q&A sessions at the following times, please sign up for the session you would like to attend via the link:

• 12 December 2024 12.00-13.00
• 16 December 2024 18.00-19.00
• 7 January 2025 10.00-11.00
• 13 January 2025 14.00-15.00

For criteria, more information and how to apply, please visit the ALLIANCE Website.

Funding for Charities Working with Older People
Grants of £25,000 to £75,000 are available for charities and local authorities across the UK that provide care and services for older people, particularly those with neurodegenerative conditions or those who are isolated. The Wolfson Foundation will provide funding for new builds, refurbishments or equipment projects which aim to increase access to services for new and existing users, enhance the quality and range of services, and improve organisational sustainability. Match funding is required for projects costing more than £50,000. There is a two-stage application process. The deadline for stage one applications is 05 January 2025. Organisations successful at this stage will have until the 1st March 2025 to submit their full application. Find out more here

Community Action

This funding is for communities in Scotland. By communities we mean people who share an identity, interest or experience. Or people living in the same place.

We're looking for projects that will help people connect more with each other. We'll support projects that are open, inclusive and led by their community.

In your application, you must show how you’ll:

• help people come together. This could be through an activity or place, that's online or in person
• reach and support people who experience poverty, disadvantage or discrimination
• be led by your community. This means that people from your community lead on the project idea, planning and decisions
• build on the skills, experiences and strengths of your community
• understand the activities or services that are already available to your community. And show us how your work will fill a gap.

Your project must achieve at least 2 of these outcomes:

• build positive relationships
• support people’s health or wellbeing
• help people improve their access and connection to nature
• make a positive difference to the environment.

Funding from £20,001 to £500,000 for up to 5 years

Fairer Life Chances

This funding is for projects that support children, young people and families. Or that help people to be healthier and have better access to support.

Projects should support people experiencing poverty, disadvantage or discrimination.

Your project should be designed with the people you support. You should:

• involve them in how it’s developed, delivered and led
• make use of their existing skills and interests
• complement and make connections with other services that support them.

Projects must meet one of these outcomes:

• Children, young people and families thrive.
• People have better relationships, connections, and physical or mental health.

Funding from £20,001 to £500,000 for up to 5 years

For more information on both funds please click here
 

OSCR - Annual Returns

Have you submitted your online annual return?

Every year, each charity registered in Scotland must send us an online annual return, along with annual accounts, a Trustees’ Annual Report and an external scrutiny report. This is a legal requirement, and charities must send this information to us within 9 months of their financial year-end date.

Almost 20% of Scottish charities have a deadline in December. If your charity’s deadline is coming up soon, please ensure you are ready to submit your online annual return.

Read our guidance and tips on submitting your online annual return.