Funding & Training Focus - 13 November

Welcome all,  

We have an exciting local funding opportunity from RenCAN Hub to support organisations looking to develop project to tackle the climate crisis. 

We would also like to invite you to take part in some local funding events. Bmc Azurri have a drop in here at Engage Renfrewshire on Thursday 14th between 9am and 12pm. This drop in is useful to all groups looking to diversify their fundraising opportunities. 

Climate Change

RenCAN Hub 
Small Grants Fund - RenCAN Hub will distribute £15,000 funding in the form of small grants to help community groups in Renfrewshire to run new and existing projects that aim to mitigate climate change, protect, enhance or increase local biodiversity, help communities adapt to and build resilience to climate change or raise awareness of and prompt action on climate justice. To apply you’ll need to be a RenCAN member. Grants will be up to a maximum of £500 per organisation and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.  Applications opened on 04 November 2024 and will close when all funds are distributed. Full guidance and application form can be found here.  

Green Match Fund Opens for Applications
The Green Match Fund, a seven-day campaign by the Big Give and Environmental Funders Network, offers UK-based environmental charities an opportunity to double their fundraising through matched donations. Eligible organisations can apply for up to £50,000 in matched funding to support projects that restore, protect, and enhance the natural environment. The initiative aims to address critical ecological issues such as biodiversity, pollution reduction, and climate resilience. The total funding available depends on contributions from major donors and philanthropic partners.  Now open, apply by Friday 17 January 2025. Find out more here 

The Woodward Charitable Trust 

Fund projects that help families and young people and that are aiming to improve the life chances of the beneficiaries. They prefer projects that promote community cohesion and the development of skills that will change the outlook and outcomes for the users. Organisations that promote volunteering and involve both past and present users in their delivery are encouraged. 

They are looking for organisations which aim to achieve a positive impact in at least one of the following areas: 

• Children and young people who are isolated, at risk of exclusion or involved in anti-social behaviour. 

• Disadvantaged families 

• Prisoners and ex-offenders and specifically projects that maintain and develop contact with prisoner’s families and help with the rehabilitation and resettlement of prisoners and/or ex-offenders after their release. 

The Trustees favour small-scale, locally based initiatives and most grants are only for one year. Next deadline: 13 December 2024 at 12pm. Find out more here. eir delivery are encouraged. 

They are looking for organisations which aim to achieve a positive impact in at least one of the following areas: 

• Children and young people who are isolated, at risk of exclusion or involved in anti-social behaviour. 

• Disadvantaged families 

• Prisoners and ex-offenders and specifically projects that maintain and develop contact with prisoner’s families and help with the rehabilitation and resettlement of prisoners and/or ex-offenders after their release. 

The Trustees favour small-scale, locally based initiatives and most grants are only for one year. Next deadline: 13 December 2024 at 12pm. Find out more here. 

Funding to Improve Homes & Community Spaces
Grants of up to £10,000 are available to UK registered charities for projects that improve homes and community spaces for those most in need, such as those experiencing homelessness, financial hardship, poor health, disability, or other disadvantage or distress. The funding is made available by the B&Q Foundation to decorate, renovate, or create indoor and outdoor spaces where people can feel at home and have a sense of belonging. Projects could include creating community gardens, redecorating properties, upgrading key fixtures and fittings, and creating new buildings or rooms. The deadline for applications is 6pm on 15 November 2024. Find out more here 

Unrestricted Grants of up to £1,000 Available to Charities
Grants between £500 and £1,000 are available to support the work of charitable organisations in Scotland. The Paristamen Charity offers unrestricted grants through its Responsive Grant Programme to small and medium-sized charities with annual incomes between £25,000 and £500,000. These grants are intended to impact the organisation's overall operations positively. Applications from UK-wide and overseas charities will also be considered if they have a significant presence in Scotland. Churches and other faith-based organisations are welcome to apply. Trustees meetings are typically held three times a year towards the end of June, October, and February, with decisions generally confirmed by 21st of the following month (July, November, or March). The next closing date for applications is 01 February 2025. Find out more here 

Equipment Grants for Disabled and Disadvantaged Young People
Schools, charities, and not-for-profit organizations in the UK can apply for Wooden Spoon Society Grants to support equipment for mentally, physically, and socially disadvantaged children. This programme funds capital items only—covering sensory rooms and gardens, playgrounds, outdoor spaces, specialist equipment, and facilities—aiming to improve health and wellbeing. Projects focused on education, health, wellbeing, or disability sports must include a key sport element, preferably rugby, to engage young participants. Grants have no set maximum limit, although applications for under £5,000 are unlikely to be considered. The program does not fund revenue costs like staffing, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Find out more here 

The Volant Charitable Trust 
The Volant Charitable Trust Small Grants Programme is prioritising the focus of its awards on charities and organisations who are particularly addressing poverty and deprivation, helping to support vulnerable groups who are most affected, with an emphasis on women, children and young people. 

Project areas of interest, in order of priority, include: 

1. Poverty and deprivation (with an emphasis on women, children and young people): This includes support for vulnerable families facing extreme poverty; Food provision and promotion of healthy eating in areas of extreme deprivation; and Mental health projects for vulnerable groups living in poverty. 

2. Women: This includes support for isolated and lone mothers ; Community integration support for black and minority ethnic women and children and asylum seekers; Support services for women prisoners and their families; Support for victims of sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence, and those working in the sex industry; Provision of antenatal and postnatal care for young mothers or those affected by postnatal depression. 

3. Children and Young people: This includes counselling for vulnerable children; Support services and outreach projects for those who are disadvantaged or deemed to be ‘at risk’ through neglect, emotional and physical abuse, alcohol, or drug misuse. 

Application Deadline – Wednesday 18 December at midnight. Find out more here 

The RS Macdonald Trust 
The trust supports Scottish charities under the funding themes: Tackling Child Abuse & Neglect, Visual impairment, Neurological conditions, Animal welfare and Medical research.  Apply now. Next deadline is 11am on 06 March 2025. Find out more here 

Music for All 
Music for All supports every type of music maker from community groups and schools, to experienced musicians and aspirational individuals. They support anyone with limited access to music or restricted financial capability.  Next deadline: 13 January 2025. Find out more here 

Grants to Promote Contemporary Music 
Funding is available for charities, not-for-profit organisations and individuals undertaking projects to promote music across the UK. The Hinrichsen Foundation supports the performance of contemporary music, which may include the commissioning of new works, non-commercial recordings, and the publication of work. There are two levels of funding available: one-off small grants between £500 and £2,500 for new applicants and past beneficiaries, and grants of £2,000 or more for larger projects or concert series. The Foundation views applications more favourably if they include a degree of matched funding. Multi-year partnerships may be considered. The application deadline is 5pm on 12 December 2024. Find out more here 

Funding for Innovations that Improve the Lives of People Affected by Dementia
Grants of up to £100,000 are available to develop new products and services that will improve the lives of people affected by dementia across the UK. The Alzheimer’s Society’s Accelerator Programme will support ‘innovators’ such as engineers, designers, developers, and entrepreneurs to turn their products or services into a reality. This could include a simple product that makes an everyday task easier for a person living with dementia or an innovative idea for a new service or way of working for care home staff. Applicants will also receive a year of business support from the Society’s innovation team, as well as being allowed to test their product or service with people affected by dementia. The deadline for applications is 06 December 2024. Find out more here  

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 28 November 2024. Find out more here 

War Memorials Grant Scheme
Grants of up to £20,000 are available to repair and conserve free-standing war memorials in England. These grants are intended to help those who are responsible for the upkeep of war memorials. The grants support the care and preservation of war memorials to a high standard and to prevent the decay of this important part of our built heritage. Grants will normally be for up to 75% of eligible costs. The funding is being made available through the War Memorials Trust and the next application closing date is 28 February 2025. Find out more here