Your weekly funding news and deadlines update from GrantTracker.
Weekly Funding News
Paul Hamlyn Foundation: Shared Ground Fund to pause to applications
The Shared Ground Fund supports organisations to influence migration system reform, improve access to support services, strengthen civic participation and inform public understanding of migration and integration narratives. The funder has announced they will pause new applications and enquiry calls to the Shared Ground Fund from 9 February (11:59pm) through early spring 2024 to implement changes to our criteria and application process following an in-depth consultation process. The Fund will re-open with new criteria in spring 2024.
Department of Foreign Affairs’ Reconciliation Fund opening soon
The Department of Foreign Affairs are pleased to inform you that the Reconciliation Fund’s Annual Funding Round (for 12-month funding) will open on Monday 12 February 2024 at 11am. They will accept applications through their online application portal until the final closing date of Wednesday 20 March 2024 at 12pm. The link to the application portal will be posted on their website when the round opens. The Reconciliation Fund is hosting a series of Outreach Workshops in January/February 2024. Registration is currently open on Eventbrite for their next events in Armagh, Derry, and online. You can find out more from Jenny Quinn, Joint Director of the Reconciliation Fund, Department for Foreign Affairs at NICVA’s Funding Fayre 2024.
Linking Generations NI: All Ages April Grants 2024 open
This funding aims to create connections across generations and links between groups, settings and organisations that wouldn’t normally work together. LGNI’s vision is that these connections and relationships will continue into the future. Activities can be a one-off event or a project delivered over a number of sessions promoting the value of incorporating Intergenerational and Age-friendly values into everyday practice. 40 small grants of £125 are available and open to a range of groups across Northern Ireland including: older people's groups, care homes, schools, community groups, youth groups etc. Opened 1 February 2024 until 29 February 2024 (noon).
Reminder National Lottery Community Fund NI first application period opening
The Sustainable Community Buildings programme will open in stages across Northern Ireland. Grants are available for voluntary and community organisations in Northern Ireland to support them in making their buildings more energy efficient, helping to save money on bills. Maximum value: £ 50,000. In the first application period from 7 February 2024 to 20 March 2024, applications will be accepted from organisations with community buildings located in the following council areas:
- Ards and North Down Borough Council
- Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
- Mid Ulster District Council
- Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
APEX: Community Spirit Grants open
Applications for Apex’s Community Spirit Grants (formerly CIF Grants) are now being accepted from individual tenants, community groups and non-profit organisations. Individual Apex tenants can apply for up to £250 to deliver a programme that will bring their community together or address an issue that has been highlighted by tenants. Community groups and non-profit organisations can apply for grants of up to £500 towards providing assistance and support to communities in which Apex tenants live. Deadline 17 February 2024.
British Council: International Collaboration Grants returns
The International Collaboration Grants is a £1 million grants programme which supports the creation of new cultural collaborations between UK artists, arts professionals and organisations and their peers around the world. Available grants range between £25,000 and £75,000. Applications must demonstrate genuine international collaboration and deliver explicit benefit to participating UK artists and organisations and their international partners. Projects can address any theme and they ask applicants to share their approach to diversity, inclusion and environmental sustainability in the delivery of their project.
Barclays Community Football Fund reopening
The Barclays Community Football Fund is helping to reduce inequalities in football by supporting community sports groups who need it most. The programme focuses on groups operating in areas of high deprivation and supporting young people from the following underrepresented groups: women and girls, racially diverse communities, young people with disabilities, from the LGBTQ+ community, and from lower socio-economic areas. The application process is managed by Sported. The Barclays Community Football Fund will re-open on Monday 12th February 2024.
Upcoming Deadlines
The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust funds UK registered charities operating in the UK in the fields of the advancement of the arts, health and medical welfare and environmental protection or improvement. Their grant range is usually within £500 – £6,000. The majority of their grants are one-off grants for one year. The Trustees will consider applications for core costs or projects. Deadline 6 February 2024.
Theatres Trust - Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities Grant Programme
This grant programme aims to achieve progress with the restoration, reopening or revitalising of theatres on their Theatres at Risk Register through funding towards commissioning expert support. Part of their Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities project, it is generously supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Pilgrim Trust and Swire Charitable Trust. They will accept applications from £5,000 up to a maximum of £20,000 (although it is likely the majority of grant awards will be up to around £10,000). Deadline 9 February 2024 (noon).
Community Foundation for Northern Ireland: The Brian Conlon Foundation
The Brian Conlon Foundation is an independent Charitable Trust set up in Brian’s memory to continue his legacy by supporting causes that were close to his heart and that he was passionate about. Grants of up to £3,500. Deadline 9 February 2024 (1pm).
The Programme is organised by The Executive Office (TEO) in partnership with the Education Authority and aims to deliver good relations camps that contribute to building lasting positive community relations in Northern Ireland. The overall aim is to build positive relations and long-lasting friendships between young people across all parts of Northern Ireland. The Camps bring together diverse groups to get to know each other and try new experiences. Deadline 9 February 2024 (4pm).
They are a grant giving charity with a clear purpose to support projects that improve, repair and maintain homes and community facilities used by those in need throughout the UK. The Screwfix Foundation currently offers local registered charities and not for profit organisations funding up to the region of £5,000. Deadline 10 February 2024.
Fundraising Events
NICVA’s Funding Fayre 2024 – RESERVES LIST ONLY
28 February 2024 - 10am to 3pm
Generously supported by the Halifax Foundation of Northern Ireland NICVA’s Funding Fayre 2024 on 28 February from 10am to 3pm has proved popular is now operating a reserves list. We will endeavour to establish as format where we can accommodate as many people as possible.
For an update list of confirmed exhibitors, please visit the event page (click link above). Webpage where you can find details of the activities available on the day. We have plans in place to accommodate everyone on the Reserves List – a few spaces are available.
Please note:
Strike action by the GMB, Siptu and Unite unions is due to take place on February 1st, 15th, 27th and 28th. This event will still go ahead, so please plan your journey taking into account planned strike action.
Fundraising Support
Training
Developing a Case for Support - In Person
21 March 2024 - 10:00am to 1:00pm
This 3-hour session in NICVA aims to support those responsible for fundraising within voluntary and community and who are unfamiliar with the use of Cases for Support in their work.
Fundraising Clinics – book now for March
These popular, free fundraising advice clinics provide members with an hour-long chance to discuss and address specific fundraising needs. The sessions can be delivered online or over the telephone.
Clinics will be held on 12 and 20 March 2024 from 10am to 4pm. Four slots are available per day. I
Register for a clinic here.
Fundraising Hub
Explore the Fundraising Hub for a wide range of articles and resources to support your fundraising journey. A few are below:
This resource outlines some reasons behind funders wanting organisations to address EDI in the applications alongside advice on broaching the topic in writing, getting started on your journey and where you can find further information on this topic.
The Foyle Foundation will complete its grant giving programme in 2025, marking 25 years of giving to the fields of the Arts, Learning, Community Small Grants, State School Libraries and Health.
After listening to their applicants and grant holders, the Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland are delighted to launch Better Together - their Strategy for 2024-2028 and its accompanying suite of funding programmes.
360Giving announce UK Grantmaking, a new hub for grantmaking data and insights set to launch in 2024. Find out more and learn how you can be involved.
Get ahead with GrantTracker and access over 1000 funding schemes in NI's leading database. Just £100 a year for NICVA members and £145 for non-members. Sign up here.