Funding & Training Focus - 27 November

Welcome all,

We have lots of excellent funding opportunities for a variety of groups and organisations. The section for children, young people and families is particularly busy this week.

There is also an exciting new opportunity for any groups or organisations working with, or looking to diversify their support to include, individuals in the community justice system. Please take a minute to read the guidance to see where your work could fit and provide opportunities to support. If you would like to discuss a project idea, please get in touch with Jamie Gardyne - jamie.gardyne@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

As always, if you would like support to develop an application to any funder, or could benefit from an objective review before you submit, please contact Jane – jhamilton@engagerenfrewshire.com

Funding

• Children, Young People and Families
• Churches
• Community Justice
• Community Radio
• Heritage
• Increasing the use of Gaelic
• Miscellaneous
• Schools
• Sports Clubs
• Young Migrants

Events/Training

• OSCR Information Sessions - Changes to Charity Law in Scotland
• Mapping place-based projects in the UK
• Free mentoring programme for Muslim women

Children, Young people and Families

Grants of up to £20,000 Available to Support Youth Social Action Projects
Grants of up to £20,000 are available to support young activists, campaigners, disrupters, co-operates, and social entrepreneurs to lead social action projects that improve their communities. The funding is available through Round 2 of the Young Gamechangers Fund, a partnership between the Co-op Foundation, Co-op, and the #iwill Fund. A total of £1 million is available yearly, with grants awarded to young individuals (aged 10-25) or groups or organisations with an annual income of less than £100,000. The funding can be used for project or core costs. Successful applicants will also get access to peer support networks, training and mentoring to help their vision come to life – putting young people at the heart of change. The closing date for applications is 06 December 2024. Find out more
 

Funding to Break the Cycle of Poverty and Intergenerational Trauma
The Robertson Trust, one of Scotland's leading grant-making charities, has introduced a new funding theme named "Nurturing Relationships" as part of its ongoing commitment to address the intertwined issues of persistent poverty and intergenerational trauma. This initiative reflects a strategic pivot towards preventing and alleviating the impact of trauma within impoverished families, highlighting the Trust's understanding that poverty often exacerbates familial stress and trauma such as mental health issues, substance abuse, domestic violence, and poor health. From the 27th November 2024, the Trust will accept applications for both small and large grants under this theme.  The deadline for applications will be  24 January 2025. Find out more


Funding to Support Disadvantaged Young People and Offenders
Registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, and in exceptional circumstances Community Interest Companies can apply for grants for projects that support offenders and ex-offenders as well as into work and helping specific less popular groups within the criminal justice sector. The funding is being made available through the Weavers' Company who are looking specifically to support projects helping offenders find work as well as projects that support marginalised groups. A secondary priority is given to projects aiding disadvantaged young people, including immigrants, in realising their potential and engaging in society. The Weavers' Company has two funding streams: a Small Grants Programme offering up to £5,000, and a Main Grants Programme with no maximum limit. Funding covers both project and core costs. Applicants must demonstrate efforts to secure other funding and future sustainability. The next application deadline is 13 March 2025. Find out more


Funding to Support Disabled & Disadvantaged Children
Grants of up to £5,000 are available to registered charities to fund equipment and services to support disabled and disadvantaged children under 13 across the UK. The Toy Trust fund helps disadvantaged children and their families to alleviate suffering; support children through awful experiences; encourage achievement through adversity; purchase vital equipment; provide care; bolster existing initiatives; initiate brand new projects; and satisfy basic needs. Groups that have carried out some form of effective fundraising by themselves are particularly encouraged to apply. The next deadline to apply is mid-February 2025 for the March meeting of Trustees. Find out more


Funding for Respite Breaks for Disabled Children and their Families
Families and groups of children, schools, organisations, and other registered charities can apply for financial assistance from the Adamson Trust for the cost of holidays or respite breaks for disabled children with physical, mental, or emotional impairments. To be eligible, the child must be a resident in the UK, between the ages of 3 and 17, and the Trust requires evidence of their disability or illness from a medical or social services professional. Grants from the Trust usually only cover a portion of the holiday expenses. The next closing date for applications is 31 December 2024 for the February meeting. Find out more


Funding to Tackle Hunger Amongst Young People
Schools and other not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants of up to £1,500 for projects and activities that help children across the UK have a stronger start in life. Priority is given to initiatives that provide food and support to young people. These grants assist schools and organisations in offering nutritious food, healthy activities that promote physical and mental wellbeing—such as breakfast clubs or snacks—and equipment for healthy pursuits. Every three months, three local good causes or projects are selected for the blue token customer vote in Tesco stores throughout the UK, with grants awarded based on the number of votes each project receives. The funding is being made available through the Tesco Stronger Starts Programme, which is managed by Groundwork across the UK and is working with Greenspace Scotland to support applicants in Scotland. Applications can be made at any time. Find out more


Funding to Improve the Lives of Vulnerable Young People
Grants of up to £2,400 are available to support the needs of vulnerable children and young people who have experienced a recent crisis or change in life that has had a significant impact on their wellbeing and their education. The funding is being made available through Buttle UK's Chances for Children Grants to provide a flexible range of support, such as items and activities to support learning and development (laptops, books, wi-fi, educational toys, tuition, etc); clothing and school uniforms; social, sporting and leisure activities; and items for children/young people’s bedrooms. Applications will only be accepted from frontline professionals working for a registered charity, housing association or public sector organisation including schools and colleges. Applications can be made at any time. Find out more


The Royal Countryside Fund Announces New Grant Scheme for 2025
The Royal Countryside Fund, which supports farming and rural communities, will launch a new UK-wide Supporting Rural Communities grant programme on 10 January 2025. The programme will support organisations to deliver transformative, community-led initiatives that enhance skills training and job opportunities for young people, and promote economic benefits for rural communities. Additionally, the programme will aim to increase environmental sustainability, and build community resilience through innovative initiatives that address climate change and extreme weather events. Not-for-profit and community organisations with an annual turnover of less than £500,000 will be eligible to apply for grants of up to £25,000 to deliver projects lasting up to two years. The deadline for submitting Expressions of Interest will be 21 February 2025. 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.  Although applicants can apply for grants of any size, most grants made to individuals by John Watson’s Trust will be in a range between £200 and £2000. The next closing date is 24 January 2025. Find out more

Churches

Grants for Urgent Maintenance Works & Small Repairs to Churches
Grants of between £500 and £5,000 (exceptionally up to £10,000)are available to churches across the UK requiring urgent maintenance works and small repairs identified as high priority within a recent Quinquennial Inspection, Building Survey or Condition Report.. The funding will enable listed and unlisted Christian places of worship, of any denomination, to investigate or address small problems and control building deterioration. This could include improvements to rainwater systems, removing vegetation growth from buildings, replacing gutter systems, addressing lost, damaged or slipped roof tiles, internal repairs to ceilings and walls, and electrical work. Project costs should be up to £20,000 incl. VAT and awards will never exceed 50% of the costs. The funding is made available through the National Churches Trust Small Grants Programme, which will accept applications until midnight on 28 February 2025. Find out more

Community Justice

This is an exciting opportunity for any groups currently working with those in and around the justice system, as well as an opportunity for groups looking to diversify their support to reach, and include this community.

The CJGS Population Profile is a useful document to help you see where the support you currently offer could be developed to include individuals involved in the justice system at different stages of intervention/support.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your project idea, please contact Jamie Gardyne - jamie.gardyne@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

You can also complete this expression of interest form - https://forms.office.com/e/MV93VPp14e .

Please submit your expression of interest by 03 December  2024.

CJGS Population Profile
Community Justice Grant Scheme Guidance
 

Funding for Community Radio Stations
Ofcom, the UK’s telecommunications regulator, has announced that the Community Radio Fund has re-opened for applications.  Grants can be awarded to support management costs, fundraising to support the station, administration costs, financial management and reporting, community outreach, and more. A total of £206,280 is available in this funding round to help support the core costs of running licensed community radio stations. Although there is no minimum or maximum grant level specified, the average grant awarded in the past has been around £14,000. The closing date for applications is 5pm on 08 December 2024.  Find out more

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 the 26 February 2025. Find out more

Funding to Increase the Use of Gaelic
Community organisations can apply for a share of £200,000 in funding to deliver projects that promote the use of Gaelic amongst Scottish communities. Bòrd na Gàidhlig is offering the funding through their Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd (Community Grants) scheme which aims to increase the use of Gaelic, especially among young people, increase the learning of Gaelic, and promote a positive image of Gaelic. Organisations can apply for grants of up to £5,000 for one-year projects, or grants of up to £10,000 for longer-term projects lasting up to two years. Up to 80% project costs will be supported. The deadline for applications is 3pm on 28 January 2025. Find out more

Miscellaneous

Funding to Support Core Costs of Small Charities
Small charities in the UK can apply for grants of up to £3,000 to support projects focused on supporting children and young people, disadvantaged families, prisoners, and ex-offenders. The grants are made available through the Woodward Charitable Trust and are intended to help cover core costs for small to medium-sized charities, particularly those with initiatives that engage volunteers, foster community cohesion, and promote skills development. The Trust also makes a limited number of larger grants over £3,000. These are however awarded only to charities known to the Trust. Applications are open until 12 pm on 13 December 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 the 10 February 2025. Find out more

 
Grants of up to £10,000 to Support Grassroots Charities
Grants of up to £10,000 are available to support small, grassroots and local charities currently delivering services to the young, vulnerable, elderly, disadvantaged or the general community across the UK. The funding, which is being made available through Foyle Foundation’s Small Grants Scheme, can be used to cover projects, core costs, building projects, or essential equipment to enable ongoing service provision for charities with a turnover of less than £150,000 per annum that can show financial stability and a clear need for their services. The Foyle Foundation will close all of its grant-making programmes by the end of January 2025, and the final closing date for applications to the small grants programme is 31 January 2025. All projects/activities need to be completed by the end of 2025 to be eligible for consideration. Find out more
 

The Fore’s Spring 2025 Funding Round
 
What we offer successful applicants:

• An unrestricted grant – up to £30,000, spread across 1 to 3 years
• Access to skills and networks – including peers and pro bono support from experienced professionals
• Access to training – through our workshops programme and fully funded impact measurement support courses

Who we fund:

•  Registered Charities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs), Community Interest Companies (CICs) limited by guarantee, and Charitable Community Benefit Societies (CBSs)/Non-Charitable CBSs with an asset lock
• Your annual revenue should be less than £500,000

To double check your eligibility, please take our short quiz here.
 
What we fund:
We offer unrestricted funding to help applicants grow, strengthen, become more efficient or resilient. We believe that by asking you and your charity what you need, our grants will create a transformational impact on your organisation.

How to apply:
Register your interest in applying. Registration will be open for one week from 12pm on Wednesday 04 December to 12pm on Wednesday 11 December.  Apply for Funding 

On Thursday 12 December, everyone who has registered will receive confirmation of whether they have been allocated a place on the funding round along with details of how to apply. If there are more applicants registered than places available, places will be allocated at random.

Once you have received confirmation of your place on the funding round, write and submit your application before the deadline of 5pm on Monday 13 January.
 
We are hosting an online Q&A session on Wednesday 04 December, 3pm to 4pm. If you want to hear more from The Fore team about our application process and pose your own questions before you register your interest in applying, you can sign up here. If you can’t make it on the day, please still register if you would like to receive the recording.  If you have any questions, we are happy to help – Please email us at info@thefore.org

Funding for Schools to Purchase Musical Equipment
Grants of up to £1,000 are available to schools across the UK and Ireland that teach the national curriculum, to improve their access to music by purchasing or upgrading musical instruments and/or equipment. The funding is made available through the Universal Music UK Sound Foundation’s School Award. The deadline for applications is 1pm on 22 January 2025. Find out more

 

Funding for Special Schools and Colleges
Grants of up to £75,000 are available to special schools and colleges for children and young people with special educational needs. Grants are awarded towards capital costs such as new buildings, refurbishing existing buildings, and equipment. The funding is available for projects focused on helping pupils develop skills that would help them gain employment or live independently after leaving school or college. The grants are made through the Wolfson Foundation’s Special Schools and Colleges grants programme. There is a 2-stage application process. The closing date for Stage 1 applications is 05 January 2025. Applications successful at this stage will have until the 1st March 2025 to complete the stage 2 application. Find out more

Funding to Improve the Sustainability of Community Sports Clubs
Grants of up to £2,000 are available to support community sports clubs and organisations in the UK and Ireland. The grants can be used for various purposes, including improving facilities, purchasing new equipment, obtaining coaching qualifications, and investing in the long-term sustainability of clubs. The funding is being made available through the Cash4Clubs programme, funded by Flutter Entertainment and delivered by Sported. This UK charity supports community groups that use sport and physical activity to help young people reach their full potential. To be eligible, applicants must be involved in delivering activities solely to adults (18+). The programme particularly encourages applications from clubs serving deprived communities. The closing date for applications is 12 December 2024. Find out more

Funding to Support Vulnerable Migrants
Not for profit organisations and private law firms working with vulnerable young migrants can apply for grants of up to £30,000. The grants can be used to support legal work that benefits young migrants living in poverty who face significant disadvantage or discrimination as a result of their immigration status. Applicants should note that the average grant size is around £12,000. The funding is being made available through the Strategic Legal Fund (SLF) for Vulnerable Young Migrants and the closing date for applications is 27 January 2025. Find out more

Additional Support/Training

Mapping place-based projects in the UK

Place Matters has launched an interactive map, capturing place-based projects that are tackling systemic challenges alongside their communities and in collaboration with local stakeholders across the UK.  It currently draws on data from 15 funders and will be an ongoing development project to enable connection and collaboration across funders and community organisations. 

Free mentoring programme for Muslim Women

The Three Hijabis have launched The Shifa Circle, an online mentoring programme for Muslim women working in social justice spaces.  There are 8 spaces for this first cohort and the deadline for applications is 20 December 2024.