Funding & Training Focus - 21 August

Along with the super full moon this week, we have a super full funding newsletter. 

There is a mix of prospects for different groups and organisations under Community – Miscellaneous. You will see some opportunities for funding Christmas activity with various groups throughout, and for those of you working on environmental projects, there are lots of new opportunities. 

If you would like any support with your funding, please get in touch. Jane – jhamilton@engagerenfrewshire.com  

• Community – Miscellaneous  
• Climate Change/Net Zero 
• Digital 
• Fairer Work 
• Heritage 
• Human Rights 
• Music and Arts 
• Older People
• Social Change 
• Veterans 
• Victim/Survivor Support
• Young People/Schools  

Community - Miscellaneous

Funding to Deliver Live Sporting & Cultural Events 
To boost Scotland’s tourism and events industry, EventScotland has opened the latest round of the National Events Programme which supports the development and delivery of live sporting and cultural events outside Glasgow and Edinburgh. Grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 are available for events taking place between January to April 2025 that help drive domestic tourism and deliver social and economic benefits to local communities across the country. The type of events that could be supported include agricultural shows, comedy festivals, food and drink events and festivals, highland games, nature and wildlife festivals, and sports competitions or tournaments. Applicants must submit a funding enquiry in the first instance. The deadline for full applications is 5pm on 04 September 2024.  Find out more
 

Grants of up to £2,000 Available for Environmental, Community, and Music Projects
The Cruach Trust, a small Scottish charity, is offering grants of up to £2,000 for projects related to the natural environment, community, and music. Eligible organisations include registered or recognised charities, societies, trusts, and other bodies, with a preference for Scottish small and local charities. Organisations with an income exceeding £100,000 will not be considered. Examples of grants include support for horticultural apprenticeships, grants for gardens, wildlife, and the natural environment, grants for organisations working with children, young carers, the elderly, vulnerable, and homeless, grants for music, the arts, and cultural charities, and grants for medical research and support. The deadline for applications is 13 September 2024.  Find out more

Screwfix Foundation
Grants of up to £5,000 are available to local charities and not-for-profit organisations for projects that will fix, repair, maintain and improve properties and community facilities for those in need in the UK. The funding is being made available through the Screwfix Foundations, and the grants are available for all kinds of projects, from repairing buildings and improving facilities in deprived areas to decorating the homes of people living with sickness and disabilities. Applications are reviewed every quarter. The next closing date for applications is 10 November 2024. Find out more
 

£100,000 Fund to Support Local Food Produce
Scottish food businesses, producers and groups can apply for grants of up to £5,000 to promote and champion produce from their local area. The Scottish Government has allocated £100,000 in funding to the latest round of the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership’s Regional Food Fund to support small-scale regional and collaborate projects across the country. The aim of the funding is to increase the promotion of local produce, enable businesses to engage and educate local communities about availability, and showcase food and drink ventures. The fund has previously supported projects varying from food and drink tourism trails, festivals, new equipment and regional marketing campaigns. The deadline for applications is 5pm on 30 August 2024.  Find out more
 

Scotmid’s Community Grant Scheme
Small grants of up to £500 are available to assist and support community projects and initiatives throughout Scotland. Funding is available for a wide range of projects benefiting local communities but must be focused on the areas of children; education; community groups; active lifestyles; environment; the elderly; homelessness; fairtrade; arts & culture; and charity. To be eligible for funding, applicants must be a group or individual acting for the wider benefit of the local Community; and live within the geographic boundaries of one of Scotmid Regional Committees. Schools are also eligible to apply for activities that are not part of their statutory responsibilities. This could for example include funding for a breakfast club. Applications can be submitted at any time. Find out more

Climate Chnage/Net Zero

Rewilding Innovation Fund
Rewilding Britain, a charity that works to restore nature, has announced that the next funding round of the Rewilding Innovation Fund is now open for applications. The fund provides up to £15,000 to support innovative rewilding projects across Britain. The Rewilding Innovation Fund will support projects that are part of Rewilding Britain's Rewilding Network (applicants may join at the point of application) and are working to apply the rewilding principles to benefit nature, climate and people. Projects must be at least 40 hectares and can be land-based or marine. Marine-based projects can be any size. The Rewilding Innovation Fund was introduced to support the growing number of rewilding projects in Britain. It aims to help these projects overcome some of their challenges, such as securing funding and gaining public support. The closing date for applications is 30 August 2024.  Find out more
 

Funding for Community-led Environmental & Sustainability Projects
As part of its long-term commitment to sustainability, the Stobart Group has launched a new fund to support community-led environmental and sustainability projects across the UK. The Stobart Sustainability Fund will support not-for-profit organisations, community groups, schools and colleges in transforming their local communities through projects that tackle climate change, reduce carbon emissions, or protect and enhance the environment. The fund aims to help educate communities on how they can make a difference, by giving support to diverse projects and initiatives making a positive change. Organisations are invited to specify the level of funding they require in their application. No application deadline given.  Find out more
 

Funding Available to Enhance Scotland’s National Cycle Network
Charities, social enterprises and community groups in Scotland can apply for tools and equipment for projects which benefit people or wildlife across National Cycle Network routes. The Love Your Network grant fund, funded by Transport Scotland and delivered by Sustrans Scotland, seeks to empower communities in implementing physical improvements which make journeys on the National Cycle Network more attractive and enjoyable. Examples of the items that can be funded include tools for maintenance and wildlife management tasks, litter-picking equipment, wheeled littercarts, hi-vis vests, battery-powered tools, and wildflower seeds. Applications will be assessed monthly until 05 February 2025.  Find out more
 

Youth Climate Action Fund
Are you a young person aged 15 to 24? Do you have an idea for a climate project? Would you like grant funding to deliver your project? £800-£3,900 per grant available. Deadline: Sunday 25 August 2024. Find out more.  

SSEN Powering Communities to Net Zero fund
Support projects that enhance community facilities, services and communication specifically to mitigate the impact of, or support the local response to a significant emergency such as extended power loss or severe weather events or climate change. Grants of up to £15,000. The fund is split into two categories; community-led physical and environmental resilience, and Low Carbon Technology (LCTs). 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. 

Digital

Co-operative Bank - Customer Donation Fund
Organisations with a Community Directplus account at the Co-operative Bank, such as registered charities, co-operatives, and credit unions, can apply for grants of up to £1,000 from the Customer Donation Fund. Since 2003, the Co-operative Bank Donation Fund has donated over £1,000,000 to more than 1,100 local causes. The funds can support special projects and fundraising activities and all Community Directplus account holders are eligible to apply. Previous projects supported include Digital Life Skills CIC which works to give children and young people a better digital future by empowering them to navigate the growing online world: and funding for a non-profit organisation to purchase new tools, boots, hard hats, and high-visibility jackets for their workers. Applications can be submitted in March and September each year and will be assessed in April and October. Find out more

Fairer Work 

A new Fairer Workplaces Fund – of up to £350,000 – launched on 29 July 2024 will fund projects that contribute to the Scottish Government’s wider ambition of creating a Fair Work Nation by 2025 and commitment to tackling in-work and child poverty, while widening the availability of a diverse range of workers that can help improve the productivity, recruitment and retention of the workforce for employers.  

The Scottish Government hopes the funded projects will deliver key impacts for participating employers and learning that can be disseminated further, setting the foundations for creating long term culture change. 

The Fund offers grant funding, of up to £50k per project, to organisations to work with third and private sector employers. Projects are expected to commence early October 2024 and must be completed by the end of March 2025. 

The closing date for applications is 01 September 2024. 

Further information can be found at https://www.gov.scot/publications/fairer-workplaces-fund-form-and-guidance 

Heritage

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 12 pm on 21 November 2024. Find out more

Human Rights

Funding for Projects that Combat Abuse and Violation of Human Rights
UK-registered charities working to combat human rights abuses can apply for grants of £10,000 to £30,000 per year for up to three years. The funding is available to charities supporting migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, criminal justice reform, and access to justice. The funding is being made available through the AB Charitable Trust. It typically makes one-off grants to eligible charities with annual incomes between £150,000 and £1.5 million and limited investments or surpluses. The next application deadline is the 25 October 2024.  Find out more

Music and Arts

Grant Programme for Arts Award Centres
Arts Award Centres working on Arts Award projects with young people for whom access and inclusion is an issue will soon be able to apply for grants of between £100 and £1,500 to support their work. All registered Arts Award centres based in the UK will be eligible to apply, with priority given to those working with young people for whom access and inclusion is an issue and where the grant will be used to support the organisation to pilot, embed or develop their Arts Award work with these groups. This can include young people who are from marginalised groups, those with disabilities, special needs, or those living in areas of rural isolation. The Arts Award Access Fund opens for applications on 02 September 2024 and closes on 04 October 2024. Find out more

Older People

Funding for Christmas Activities for Older People
Grants of up to £1,000 will be available to charities and community groups organising Christmas events for people aged 65 and over. At least 30 grants will be awarded to support a variety of activities, including Christmas Day meals, group social events, and support for day care centres or community spaces operating over the festive period. Priority will be given to organisations connecting older people between the 24th December and the 2nd January, but events planned for earlier in December will also be considered. Organisations with an annual income under £250,000 will be eligible to apply. The funding is provided by the McCarthy Stone Foundation through their Christmas Connections Fund, which opens to applications on 01 September 2024.  Find out more

Social Change

Grants Available for Projects that bring about Social Change
Charities across the UK are invited to apply for funding to deliver projects that bring about genuine social change in their communities. The funding is made available by the Linder Foundation, which supports projects that aim to improve outcomes for vulnerable young people, protect and enhance the natural world, and support and champion the arts. Previously supported projects have included Youth on the Move, which provides recreational activities to disadvantaged young people; the V&A Illustration Awards, which celebrates the work of talented artists; and LEAF, which supports nature-based solutions to climate change. No funding amount is given. The closing date for applications is 31 October 2024. Find out more 

Veterans

Grants to Support those Affected by Domestic Abuse in Armed Forces Communities
Grants between £75,000 and £150,000 are available for projects supporting those affected by domestic abuse in Armed Forces Communities. The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust's Free From Fear Programme provides funding for projects lasting up to two years that either focus on preventing domestic abuse or offer effective support to those affected. Projects should aim to achieve one or more of the following outcomes: deliver effective, preventative, and educational measures to address domestic abuse; provide clear routes to enable victim-survivors to access support; and establish long-term, adaptable support services to meet the evolving needs of victim-survivors. Applications from UK-registered charities, Community Interest Companies, and Armed Forces bases/units will be accepted until 12pm on the 16 October 2024.  Find out more

Funding to Support Members of the Armed Forces and their Families 
The Veterans Foundation offers grants of up to £200,000 to support charities and not-for-profit organisations in the UK supporting serving armed forces personnel, veterans, operationally qualified seafarers, and their immediate families. The grants include small grants up to £5,000, project grants up to £30,000, and salary grants up to £75,000, all intended to support grassroots groups and community-based activities. Major grants up to £200,000 are also available, though this programme is currently closed until the first quarter of 2025. The next closing date for standard and salary grant applications is 08 October 2024, while small grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis.  Find out more

Victim/Survivor Support

Funding to Support Victims of Crime
The Scottish Government’s Victim Surcharge Fund has reopened to applications from organisations that directly support victims of crime and their families. The Fund, drawn from additional financial levies imposed on all offenders who receive a court fine, will help victim support organisations to cover the costs of short-term and practical support such as repairing or replacing damaged items, providing replacement clothes for people escaping domestic abuse, or equipment that helps people impacted by crime to feel safe. A total of £940,000 in funding is available in this round. The deadline for applications is 12 September 2024. Find out more

Young People/Schools

Funding for Projects that Address Severe Learning Disabilities
UK charities, voluntary organisations, and schools can apply for grants to help children and adults suffering from severe learning difficulties and autism. The funding is being made available through the Baily Thomas General grants programme and can be used to purchase equipment, support capital works as well and cover project and core costs. Previous grants have been used to support capital works for residential, nursing and respite care, and schools; employment schemes including woodwork, crafts, printing and horticulture; play schemes and play therapy schemes; day and social activities centres; support for families, including respite schemes; independent living schemes; support in the community schemes; and Snoezelen rooms. The next deadline for applications seeking funding over £9,000 is 01 December 2024. Applications for £9,000 and below can be submitted at any time.  Find out more

Grants to Support Disadvantaged Young People through Educational & Sporting Activities 
UK charities, Schools and Further Education Colleges as well as NHS Trusts seeking funding to support those under the age of 18 who are living with a mental health condition, disability or growing up in poverty can apply for funding through the Hargreaves Foundation. The Foundation aims to help children and young people to fulfil their potential and improve their wellbeing, self-esteem, and independence through educational and sporting activities. This could include initiatives that improve academic engagement and attainment, develop skills to aid future employment, improve life skills, and ensure sport is accessible. There is no minimum or maximum grant amount. Applications can be made at any time.  Find out more

Funding to Help Kickstart School Projects
Grants of up to £500 are available to schools and educational organisations across the UK seeking funding to kickstart projects that will benefit their students. The Twinkl Community Collection Prize Draw will help fund any project, such as setting up a breakfast club, resourcing after-school activities, purchasing new playground equipment, upgrading an ICT suite, or kickstarting big projects. The fund opens to applications every half term, and applications should be submitted by a member of the Senior Leadership Team on behalf of the school. Prize winners will be chosen randomly from all qualifying entries within thirty days following each closing date. One or more winners will be drawn in each draw at the discretion of the prize giver. The last date for entries is 31 August 2024.  Find out more

 

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 are socially disadvantaged can apply for funding to the John Watson Trust. Whilst the Trust operates primarily within Edinburgh and the Lothians, it may also award grants Scotland-wide to eligible individuals and organisations, including schools, established charitable organisations and other groups supporting disadvantaged young people. Grants can cover expenses such as special or additional tuition, school trips, bus passes, school expenses such as books and equipment, and laptops where there is a special education need. The next closing date is 25 October 2024. Find out more