Funding & Training Focus - 26 June

Hello,

Our last funding newsletter of June 2024. As we move in to the summer break I wish for the sun to shine on all your summer plans and activities.

On that note, as we know funding is a never ending cycle, and I would encourage those of you looking to deliver winter projects and activities to begin considering how these will be funded. Remember it can take a minimum of 12 weeks to receive a funding decision, sometimes longer to actually receive any funds.

If you need support developing your funding strategy or looking for opportunities, please get in touch. Jane – jhamilton@engagerenfrewshire.com 

Funding

• Animal Welfare
• Art
• Care Experienced
• Environmental
• Financial Inclusion
• Health
• Schools
• Social Housing
• Veterans
• Young People

Grants to Support Animal Welfare Charities
Not-for-profit animal welfare organisations in the UK and Worldwide can apply for grants of up to $500,000 from the EA Animal Welfare Fund which supports advocacy, research, and movement-building work aimed at improving the wellbeing of animals, primarily farmed and wild animals, in relatively neglected geographic regions around the world. The fund has historically supported many different interventions, including research that improves understanding of relevant issues, and campaigns that push large corporations to improve their farm animal welfare policies. Funding could be used to support projects such as: promoting alternative proteins in order to reduce demand for animal products; researching ways to improve the welfare of farmed fish; and advocating against the use of some cruel practice within the industrial agriculture system. Applications can be made at anytime. Funding recommendations are made in February, July, and November each year. Find out more here

Idlewild Trust Announces Next Application Deadline
The Idlewild Trust has announced that the next closing date for applications to its grantmaking programme is 19 September, 2024. The Idlewild Trust supports charities that improve opportunities for young professionals working in the arts, particularly at an early stage in their careers, and supporting the conservation of important works of art and objects in museums, galleries, places of worship, historic buildings or their grounds that are being lost through the lack of funds to look after these works. The Trust awards around £108,000 each year in grants.  During 2020, the average grant was £4,911. Find out more

Undergraduate Scholarship Programme for Care Leavers
The Open University, in collaboration with the John Lewis Partnership, offers young people who experienced care the opportunity to study an undergraduate qualification for free. The Care Experienced Scholarship programme offers six full undergraduate scholarships for 2024/25 to young people aged 25 and under who have spent time in care and faced significant barriers to entering and succeeding in higher education. Those who successfully apply for the scholarship can study flexibly, including spreading their learning over three years, to fit in with family or existing work commitments. Applications close at midday on 24 July 2024. Find out more

Environmental 

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
 

Funding for Projects that Have a Positive Impact on Communities, People or the Environment
The Matthew Good Foundation has opened the next round of its 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, which will be voted for by John Good Group employees. The project that receives the most votes will receive a grant of £5,000, second place £3,500, third place £2,500, and fourth and fifth place, both receiving £2,000. As well as established projects and charities, the Foundation wants to hear from people with innovative ideas that need some funding to get their projects up and running. To be eligible, applicants must have had an income of less than £50,000 in the last 12 months. TFunding is awarded every three months and the next deadline for the next funding round is 15 September 2024. Find out more
 

Funding for Projects which Benefit People & the Environment
Registered charities, not-for-profit organisations, schools, local authorities and social housing providers across the UK and the Republic of Ireland can apply for grants of up to £2,000 for projects that positively impact local communities and the environment. The Bupa Foundation Green Community Grants programme will fund practical projects which benefit both people and the planet's health, with priority given to the regeneration of green spaces for community use, particularly in disadvantaged areas. The funding could be used, for example, to improve green spaces for community activities, create an outdoor classroom or forest school, or to plant trees. The funding is delivered in partnership with Groundwork as part of Bupa's #HealthyCities campaign. The closing date for applications is 30 June 2024. Find out more


Rewilding Innovation Fund Re-opens for Applications
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

The MSE Charity Announces New Funding Programme 
Following a strategic review, the MSE Charity has launched its new grants programme. Not-for-profit organisations across the UK will be able to apply for project grants of up to £10,000 to support activities that make a lasting impact on people's thinking, behaviour, and money management. The activities that could be funded include money management workshops, volunteer training, upskilling staff, and financial inclusion activities for disadvantaged people by age, disability, ethnicity or gender. A two-stage application process has been introduced. The deadline for stage one applications is 31 July 2024. Applications may close earlier if a large number are received. Successful applicants will be invited to stage two. Find out more here  

 

Funding to Help People with Parkinson's to Become & Stay Active
Community groups and organisations across the UK can apply for grants of up to £3,000 to help people with Parkinson's to become and stay active. The Funding is for new activities that encourage people affected by Parkinson’s to participate in physical activity and sports or increased participation in these areas. This could be anything fun that encourages people, particularly those from isolated and ethnic communities, to get moving such as a walking group, a dance class, or playing table tennis. The funding, which is made available through the Parkinson’s UK Physical Activity Grants Programme, can be used to cover costs such as equipment, facility hire, maintenance of equipment, coaching fees, and training. Applications can be made at any time until all of the funding has been allocated. Find out more

 

The Foyle School Library Scheme Final Deadline Announced - Reminder
The Foyle Foundation has announced that its School Library Scheme will finally close to applications on  30 September 2024. The scheme awards grants of between £2,000 and £10,000 to UK state schools to improve or establish their libraries. Priority is given to primary schools up to Key Stage 2, but secondary schools that need books and reading resources for catch-up reading programmes for Key Stage 3 pupils and/or transition reading programmes for feeder/local primary schools will also be considered. The Foundation can also consider applications from special schools for all SEN age groups. Applications can be submitted at any time up to the final deadline. Find out more here  

Social Housing

Grants & Loans for Social Housing Projects
Grants and interest-free loans are available to registered charities and small organisations providing affordable homes for vulnerable people in need in England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands & Isle of Man. The Quaker Housing Trust provides support through two separate programmes to help housing projects that meet the needs of people undergoing transitions in their lives, such as those seeking asylum, recovering from addiction, leaving prison, or moving from domestic abuse. Best Practice Grants of up to £6,000 are offered to support projects in their early stages of development, while the Main Grants and Loans Programme awards a mixture of grants and loans up to £50,000 (with maximum grants of £25,000) to fund housing projects. The next deadline for applications is 04September 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 May 2024. Find out more

Funding to Address Veterans' Housing Needs
Charities and registered social housing providers with experience in supporting Veterans are invited to apply for grants of £75,000 to £500,000 through the Major Capital Grants programme. This new initiative, launched by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, aims to alleviate the housing challenges Veterans face, contributing to the government's ambition to reduce Veteran homelessness and end rough sleeping. The Trust can also offer larger grants of £500,000 to £1million for exceptional projects. To be eligible for funding, applicants must demonstrate that a substantial portion of their organisation's work focuses on Veterans or that they possess extensive experience in working with this demographic. The grants will be used to enhance the availability of affordable and supportive housing options for Veterans, contributing to their overall well-being and integration into civilian life. The next closing date for submitting an Expression of Interest is on 08 January 2025. Find out more

Young People

Funding to Enable Disadvantaged Young People Reach their Potential
Registered charities (including Schools that are registered as charities for young people with disabilities) that work with disadvantaged children under the age of 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 or promote citizenship; and 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 closing date for applications is the The next deadline for applications is 31 July 2024. Find out more


Funding to Encourage Volunteering Amongst Young People
Grants of up to £500 are available to individuals or groups of young people aged 30 or under who aim to make a difference through volunteering or community service. The funding is made available through the Alec Dickson Trust. It prioritises projects involving many volunteers, addresses the specific needs of disadvantaged communities and individuals, and is innovative and sustainable. The Trust is looking for projects that identify a specific need and propose to carry out activities that will help address this need and are as long-lasting and sustainable as possible. The deadline for submissions is 10pm on 01 July 2024. Find out more