Funding & Training Focus - 29 October

Dark nights, bright ideas

The clocks have gone back, the evenings are darker, and it’s officially the season for hearty soups and even heartier project plans.

This week’s line-up includes support for housing projects, climate action, mental health, museums, and plenty more – all aimed at helping local groups make a lasting difference. Whether you’re lighting up your community (literally or figuratively), planning something new for winter, or just keeping things ticking over, there’s something here for you.

So wrap up warm, get the kettle on, and have a scroll through this week’s funding newsletter. As always, if you’d like to talk through an idea or need a hand shaping an application, I’m only an email away: mwollberg@engagerenfrewshire.com
 

Funding

• Arts and music
• Children and Families
• Community
• Education
• Environment, Nature and Climate Change
• Housing
• Miscellaneous
• Museums
• Sport
• Vulnerable People
• Young people

Events/Training

• No Barriers Here - Facilitator Training
• Free upcoming Breast Awareness Workshop: Train the Trainer

Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation
The Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation has announced that the next application deadline for their grants programme is 5pm on 05 December 2025. The programme is open to small UK-registered charities working in music, the performing arts, and Jewish life and learning (including interfaith initiatives). The Foundation aims to support initiatives that significantly impact individuals and/or communities and leave a lasting legacy. Large charities will not be considered. A new Personal Awards category has been introduced, offering grants of up to £5,000 to support individuals driving innovative change within the Foundation’s existing themes. Medical Research Travel grants of up to £1,000 are also available. Find out more

Update about the £15 Million Programme to Tackle Child Poverty
BBC Children in Need has launched a £15 million programme to support local communities in tackling child poverty across the UK over the next five years. “Communities for Children”, a strategic collaboration programme with four other funders, will initially invest in four of the most economically deprived areas before expanding to ten, including rural, urban, and coastal locations. The programme aims to address the root causes of child poverty, and empower local communities to develop their own local solutions. Each location will receive up to £1.5 million to support local organisations in co-creating targeted interventions with children, families, and partners from the voluntary and public sectors. The programme is not open to general applications, with lead organisations identified directly by BBC Children in Need. Find out more

Arnold Clark: Community Support
This funding provides support to projects that are embedded in the communities in which we operate. It will be available to charities and groups that directly benefit those within our local communities and address the needs of those living within them. The Arnold Clark Community Fund is here to help registered UK charities and community groups close to our branches.
We believe that by caring for these communities today, we can help them create a better future for generations to come. You can apply for up to £1,000 of funding per Community Support application. The Arnold Clark Community Fund is only accepting applications from registered charities and community groups that are within a 50-mile radius of an Arnold Clark branch. Find out more

 

Funding to Support Education in Disadvantaged Areas
Grants are available to support registered charities that run educational projects with children and young people under the age of 25 in marginalised communities. The Educational Opportunity Foundation normally makes grants totalling about £700,000 in any one year. For UK projects, the focus is on improving the educational outcomes and life chances of care experienced young people.  Grants for UK projects range between £30,000 and £60,000. There is a two-stage application process. The closing date for applications is 14 January 2026. Applications shortlisted at this stage will be invited to submit a Stage 2 proposal. Find out more

Grants of Up to £9,000 Available for Education and Heritage Projects
Registered UK-based non-profit organisations can apply for grants of up to £3,000 per year for up to three years through the King Charles III Charitable Fund’s Small Grants Programme. The Fund supports organisations and projects that make a meaningful difference in key areas such as social inclusion, health and wellbeing, education, environment, countryside, heritage and conservation. This funding round is focused on Education and Heritage & Conservation projects. Eligible organisations must have an annual income between £25,000 and £500,000, have been operating for at least two years, and propose projects with a total cost under £50,000. The programme is highly competitive, with over 1,400 applications submitted and around 100 grants awarded in the last funding round. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2025. Find out more

Funding Available to Involve More People in Tackling Climate Change
The National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund – Our Shared Future is still open for applications. As part of a ten-year, £100 million commitment to community-level climate action, the fund supports projects that embed climate action into daily life, especially among groups previously unengaged or facing barriers such as poverty or discrimination. Grants typically range from £500,000 to £1.5 million, with up to £3 million available for exceptional projects over seven years. Up to 25 projects will be funded, with a focus on formal partnerships between community, voluntary, and public sector organisations. Eligible applicants include charities, voluntary groups, CIOs, schools, universities, statutory bodies, and other not-for-profits. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until at least 17 December 2025. Find out more
 

Grants to Support Canoeing and Inland Waterway Conservation
Not-for-profit organisations, charities, clubs, and other interest groups based in the UK can apply for a grant to help them to increase participation in canoeing. The grants can be used to promote new or improved access points for canoe trails on to moving water, estuaries, canals and reservoirs. This can include new and improved launch and landing platforms, steps or ramps; improvements to pathways and accessible routes to the water’s edge and signage and information that promotes positive behaviour. Find out more


Big Give: Earth Raise 2026
Charities delivering climate action work or environmental projects can benefit from this match funding event designed to coincide with World Earth Day in April 2026. Every donation received during the campaign period will be doubled. Registrations open 04 November. Find out more

Lintel Trust Reopens its Small Grant Fund to Support Scottish Housing Communities​
The Lintel Trust has announced the reopening of its Small Grant Fund, aimed at supporting community-led projects closely linked to social housing providers in Scotland. This initiative underscores the Trust's commitment to empowering grassroots efforts that enhance the well-being of housing communities. Eligible organisations can apply for grants of either £500 or £1,000. The fund focuses on projects that tackle social isolation, promote digital participation, enable older individuals to maintain independence, support people with disabilities to live independently, and assist those transitioning from homelessness to secure tenancies. To qualify, applicants must be not-for-profit entities based in Scotland with a close connection to a housing association, housing co-operative, or other social housing provider such as a local authority. Additionally, organisations should have an annual turnover under £500,000 and possess Equal Opportunities and Protecting Vulnerable People policies. The next application deadline is 7 November 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 funding through their Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd (Community Grants) scheme, which aims to increase the use of Gaelic, especially among young people, enhance Gaelic learning, and promote a positive image of Gaelic. Organisations can apply for grants of up to £5,000 for one-year projects or 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 10 December 2025. Find out more
 

Funding to Support Scottish Veterans and their Families
Applications are now open for a £500,000 funding round supporting projects that improve the lives of veterans and their families in Scotland. The funding, made available through the Scottish Government’s Scottish Veterans Fund, aims to support initiatives addressing financial support, mental and physical health, and employment. The fund offers two streams: one for larger, multi-year initiatives providing long-term support, and another for smaller, one-year projects that build stronger links between serving personnel and veterans. Charities, community groups, and non-profits are eligible to apply before the 5 December 2025 deadline. Find out more

Grants of up to £20,000 Available to Help UK Museums Care for their Collections
Grants of up to £20,000 are available to small and medium-sized museums to support core museum activities like collections care and conservation. The Association of Independent Museums (AIM) has reopened the Museum Fundamentals grant programme for 2026, with a total funding pot of £300,000. Eligible applicants must be AIM members, including UK-registered charities and public bodies with annual visitor numbers under 50,000. The deadline for submitting an Expression of Interest is 6 February 2026 with museums encouraged to contact Grants Officer Fiona Woolley to discuss project eligibility. Supported by the Julia Rausing Foundation and Pilgrim Trust, this programme aims to help museums enhance their ability to research, interpret, and display their collections effectively. Find out more
 

Funding to Help Museums Generate Income
Grants of up to £250,000 are available to help accredited and non-accredited museums in Scotland develop income-generating activities that improve their financial sustainability. The funding will enable museums (including formally constituted groups of museums) to trial and implement innovative and ambitious projects that may be considered too risky without external support. This could include event hosting, holiday accommodation, workshops, and new tourism offers. The fund supports feasibility studies for new ideas and significant developments of existing projects, but will not cover routine or ongoing activity. Applicants must complete an organisational health checker before applying. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis. The Innovation Fund, part of Museums Galleries Scotland’s Museum Futures Programme, will remain open until February 2026. Find out more 

Boxing is Love Launches New Equipment Fund to Support Gyms and Youth Charities
Boxing is Love, a UK-registered charity, has launched the Boxing is Love Equipment Fund to empower grassroots boxing clubs and youth organisations across the country. The fund aims to remove financial barriers by providing essential equipment to gyms, charities, and community groups that support disadvantaged young people. Successful applicants will receive free, pre-filled boxing bags and access to £10,000 worth of additional high-quality equipment at subsidised rates. The initiative supports organisations that share the charity’s mission of using boxing to foster personal growth, discipline, inclusion, and community engagement. By investing in local clubs, Boxing is Love hopes to enhance young people’s wellbeing, confidence, and sense of belonging. Applications are now open and will close at 9 pm on 10 November 2025. Find out more

Funding to Improve Mental Health Support for Vulnerable & Marginalised People
Grants are available for UK registered charities whose work supports vulnerable and marginalised people experiencing mental health issues, particularly those affected by bereavement, suicide, and online bullying. For its current grants round, the Kristina Martin Charitable Trust is offering a total of £400,000 in funding, which will be allocated across the following themes: homelessness and mental health; the impact of social media on mental health; reducing social isolation; and supporting the mental health of children and young people. Charities with an annual income of under £1 million are eligible to apply. The level of funding awarded for most grants will be determined by the Trustees. Applications open on 24 October 2025 and close on 12 December 2025. Find out more
 

Capital Grants Available for Projects Benefiting Disadvantaged People
The Clothworkers Foundation awards grants to charities and other not for profit organisations (including special schools) to support capital projects that support disadvantaged sections of the community. This can include the purchase or renovation of buildings, as well as the purchase of equipment and vehicles. To be eligible, the projects must fit within one or more of the Foundation’s specified programme areas. This includes alcohol & substance misuse; disadvantaged minority communities; disadvantaged young people; domestic & sexual abuse; homelessness; and older people. Applications can be made at any time. The Foundation aims to make a decision within 12 weeks for grants and projects of less than £15,000, or within 4 months for grants over £15,000. Find out more
 

Funding for Projects that Defend Human Rights of Marginalised Groups
UK-registered charities focused on promoting and defending human rights, particularly for marginalised and excluded groups, can apply for grants of up to £30,000 per year for up to three years through the AB Charitable Trust’s Open Programme. Funding is available for both core and project costs and supports charities with annual incomes between £150,000 and £1.5 million. Priority areas include upholding the UK’s human rights framework, improving access to justice, reforming the criminal legal system, and supporting migrants, refugees, and people seeking asylum. Eligible organisations may be engaged in legal advice, advocacy, policy work, campaigning, narrative change, or community organising. The next application deadline is 30 January 2026. Find out more
 

Grants to Improve Housing for Disadvantaged People
Registered charities in the UK can apply for grants of up to £10,000 to address the housing needs and assist with the financial wellbeing of people who are disadvantaged or are facing deprivation. The funding is being made available through the Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation. Priority is given to charities operating in the top 50% of the UK Index of Multiple Deprivation. Eligible applicants must be registered charities established for at least three years with a minimum of three trustees. Funding can cover core costs such as salaries and utilities, as well as project expenses like equipment and materials. The closing date for applications is 5pm on 31 October 2025. Find out more

Funding to Enable Disadvantaged Young People Reach their Potential
Registered charities (including Schools registered as charities for young people with disabilities) that work with disadvantaged children under 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 and/or foster social, emotional 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 deadline for applications is 18 November 2025. Find out more

Train the Trainer

12 November 2025 - 10am-4pm
Clarice Pears Building, 90 Byres Rd, Glasgow G12 8TB
Our Train the Trainer (TtT) programme is a free breast health promotion training course that trains local healthcare professionals and community workers to promote breast awareness, breast screening and risk reduction messages within their wider local communities. As a result, we’re aiming for breast screening attendance in the area to increase and people will present earlier to their GP with any changes to their breast that they may have noticed. 
 
The course can be delivered as a face to face one-day workshop or can be completed in your own time via an eLearning course – both free of charge. The training, support and resources are all completely free, and all we ask if that trainees commit to providing us with ongoing feedback including numbers and outcomes of their engagement work.   To book a space on this workshop, register as an e-learner, or set up a meeting to discuss further details or alternative dates, please email trainthetrainer@breastcancernow.org

No Barriers Here Facilitator Training

24 November 2025
Are you a health or social care professional or a community worker supporting people at the end of life, or working in the space of death, dying and grief? Do you feel confident supporting people to plan for their future care, especially when traditional approaches aren’t always inclusive or accessible?  In partnership with Marie Curie UK Good Life Good Death Good Grief and The Mary Stevens Hospice we are delighted to invite colleagues across Scotland to join us on Monday 24 November 2025 for No Barriers Here Facilitator Training. To register or for further information, please visit: https://www.nobarriershere.org/facilitator-training/training-events/