Funding & Training Focus - 29 May

Welcome All 

The first thing I would like to share this week is The Bank of Scotland Energise programme. This opportunity for unrestricted funding to help support vulnerable people, is for smaller charities with an income of £150,000 or less, and with a minimum of one year’s accounts logged with OSCR. The application process is in four stages, starting with 500 words (max) introduction to your organisation. The closing date is midday on Thursday 06 June. You can find out more here: Bank of Scotland Foundation 

This will be our last weekly funding update. As of next week, the Wednesday edition of our newsletter will alternate fortnightly with training and resources for Volunteer Managers.  

If you would like support with funding or the development of your organisation, please contact – Jane – jhamilton@engagerenfrewshire.com 

Funding

• Children, Young People and Families 
• Community Radio
• Miscellaneous
• Music and Art
• Rowing Clubs
• Schools
• Funder Update

Children, Young People and Families

Funding to Provide Early Years Education for Armed Forces Families
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust offers grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 to support early years education for children from Armed Forces families through the Armed Forces Families Fund: Early Years Programme. These grants, available to early childhood education providers, Local Authorities, and childminder training organisations, aim to increase capacity, enhance learning environments, and provide staff training. Projects can run for up to two years, to improve access to quality education and childcare near where families live or serve. The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 24 July 2024.  Find out more

Funding for Community Radio Stations
Community radio stations can apply for funding to help support the core costs of running licensed community radio stations. 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 £400,000 is available. 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 14 June 2024. Find out more

Miscellaneous

New Funding Programme to Support Vulnerable People 
In response to the cost-of-living crisis, the Bank of Scotland Foundation has announced a new funding programme to improve the quality of life for some of Scotland’s most vulnerable people. The Energise Programme will offer two-year unrestricted grants of £20,000 (£10,000 per annum) to help small and local charities continue to provide their vital services and become more sustainable. The funding can be used towards core costs, delivery costs, project costs and/or general running costs, enabling charities to use their funding most effectively. The programme will open to applications from charities with an annual income of less than £150,000 on 28 May 2024. The closing date for applications will be 12 noon on 06 June 2024.  Find out more

Grants for Unpopular Causes in Deprived Areas
The Seven Friends Foundation has reopened for applications. It offers small grants of between £300 and £3,000 to charities and charitable projects in deprived areas of the UK that are unpopular or do not receive widespread public attention. This could be due to negative focus within the media, difficulty accessing funding, political controversy, or the issue is not typically seen as a charitable cause. Examples of these types of groups or causes could be asylum seekers, ex-offenders, sex workers, LGBT+ and people experiencing violence or abuse. The programme will primarily support small organisations (annual income up to £300,000), with most grants under £1,000. The closing date for applications is 01 August 2024.  Find out more

Music & Art

Funding to Support Young Creatives to Launch a Project, Idea or Business
Youth Music, a national charity funded by the National Lottery, has announced that round 9 of the NextGen Fund has opened for applications. The fund supports emerging musicians and behind the scenes creatives aged 18-25 (and under-30s who identify as d/Deaf or Disabled) from across the UK to launch a creative project, idea or business. Grants of up to £2,500 could help people including singers, songwriters, producers, DJs, managers and agents who do not have the financial means to invest in themselves, to start a record label, launch a single, or provide a platform that supports underrepresented voices. Funding can also cover costs linked to career development, audience development or marketing, equipment and software, and business development. The closing date for applications is 5pm on 28 June 2024. Find out more
 

Funding to Support the Promotion of the Arts for Public Benefit
Grants are available to UK arts-based organisations for activities and projects that promote the arts for public benefit. These grants are provided by the Jerwood Foundation, which expects to award up to £2 million annually to support excellence and emerging talent in the arts and crafts. While no specific grant amount is given, previous awards have ranged from £1,000 to £150,000 to support artists and arts organisations to continue to develop their skills, imagination and creativity. Trustees meetings take place three times a year when the applications are considered. The next application deadline is 5pm on 14 June 2024. Find out more

Rowing Clubs

Rowing Foundation Grants Programme
Organisations, clubs, and schools involved in rowing can apply for grants of between £500 and £4,000 (up to 50% of the project's overall cost) from the Rowing Foundation to support junior & student rowers and adaptive rowing for all ages. This funding, targeted towards groups ineligible for larger grants or with smaller needs, helps purchase equipment like boats, sculls, ergos, oars, and safety gear, aiming to increase participation in rowing among young people, disabled individuals, and those in education. The Foundation offers two programs: Equipment grants, with applications due by 14 October 2024, and Refurbishment grants, accepting applications year-round.  Find out more

Schools

Funding for School Breakfast Clubs
Schools in deprived areas across the UK are invited to apply for funding to start or improve their breakfast clubs. For a school in England to be eligible, at least 35% of pupils should be recorded as eligible for Pupil Premium. A Primary School in Scotland qualifies for support when at least 55% of pupils are in SIMD Deciles 1 to 4 and/or at least 35% are eligible for FSM. A Secondary School in Scotland qualifies for support when at least 40% of pupils are in SIMD Deciles 1 to 4. The funding is being made available through the Magic Breakfast, a charity that aims to end hunger as a barrier to education in UK schools. Magic Breakfast are planning to expand to Northern Ireland and Wales soon so welcome applications from all UK schools. Schools are required to submit an expression of interest in the first instance and, as funds are limited, early application is recommended.  Find out more 

Funder Update

The National Lottery Community Fund Announces Major Expansion of its Grassroots Funding Programme
The National Lottery Community Fund has announced a major expansion of its grassroots funding programme. The new three-year Corporate Plan aims to reach over 80% of communities across the UK. The funding is focused on four community-led missions supporting communities to come together, be environmentally sustainable, help children and young people thrive, and enable people to live healthier lives. In addition to expanding its grassroots funding, the programme plans to award over half of all grants to disadvantaged communities, and at least 15% will support environmental sustainability projects. Further details will be made available in due course.