Your weekly funding news and deadlines update from GrantTracker.
Funding News
The National Lottery Community Fund: Climate Action Fund - Energy & Climate (new funding)
This new funding under their Climate Action Fund is aimed at involving more people in climate action and to inspire bold and exciting change. From 27 March 2024 you can apply to help you reach more people by either: linking climate action to the everyday lives and interests of local communities, inspiring them to take action. Or influencing communities at a regional or national level such as linking up groups across locations or through a campaign that inspires change across one country, or the whole UK. Applicants should be in a partnership with a mix of organisations and sectors and smaller groups that represent the people you’re working with. You do not have to be a climate or environment-focused organisation to apply. The minimum you can ask for is £500,000.
Worldwide Cancer Research Grants
Their goal is to support research that seeks to answer the difficult questions in cancer biology. They are looking for innovative and truly novel ideas that have the potential to revolutionise our understanding of cancer and how to beat it. The maximum budget allowed is £275,000, but it should be noted that most of the three-year grants we award have a budget of around £200,000. They award project grants of 12 to 36 months in length to support basic, fundamental, or translational research into the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of cancer. Reopens 29 February 2024.
The aim of the awards, in line with Stephen’s own approach, is to help create success by finding and nurturing innovative ideas and projects that can lead to practical, sustainable social change. The awards committee is particularly interested in supporting ideas that address social problems at a systemic level. Funding of £25,000 will be made available to support Award winners in developing their initiatives.
Woodroffe Benton Foundation: Small Grants
The Woodroffe Benton Foundation’s Small Grants programme offers applicants one-off grants in the range £500 to £2,500. Their next Small Grants Programme funding round will be open from 1 to 31 March 2024 and will focus on “Improving the quality of life and social engagement for older people in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland”. Trustees prefer to support smaller charities with incomes under £750,000.
Royal Society of Chemistry - Inclusion and Diversity Fund
Funding is available to projects aimed at improving inclusion and diversity in the chemical sciences. Previous recipients of their funding have included projects related to gender, disability, socio-economic background, language, race and ethnicity, the LGBT+ community and more. They will consider individual applications up to the value of £5,000. Funding greater than £5,000 may be considered for one project each year. Open to RSC members or non-members based in the United Kingdom/Republic of Ireland, the scheme reopens 4 March 2024.
British Council: Beyond Literature Borders
This is a British Council funded Grant Programme in collaboration with Speaking Volumes. The scheme is a pilot which aims to enable the British Council to support a wider diversity of literature projects and organisations. Four grants of UK Sterling £7,000 available.
Upcoming Deadlines
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council: PEACEPLUS PROGRAMME Community Advantage Programme – extended deadline
The Community Advantage Programme aims to create investment in local capital projects (projects to construct either new facilities or improvements to existing facilities) across the Borough. It is anticipated that the Programme will support a minimum of 2 and maximum of 5 projects. The request for funding within an application should be a minimum of £200,000 and up to a maximum of £400,000. Expression of Interest deadline 20 February 2024 (noon). The Expression of Interest form can be requested by emailing John Devaney, PEACE Programme Manager at [email protected] or 07793130417.
Naturewatch Foundation: Pet Rescue Grant
The Naturewatch Foundation Pet Rescue Grant funds projects that help with the rescue or rehabilitation of dogs, cats or rabbits who have been affected by the illegal pet trade. Up to £5,000 is available each year and applicants may apply for all or part of the grant. Deadline 21 February 2024.
The Enkalon Foundation is a local grant-making trust which makes small grants primarily in the fields of cross-community, unemployment and generally helping disadvantaged people. Applications to the General Fund may be for core running or project costs but must clearly demonstrate the need for the funding and how the group, users and wider community will benefit from it. Enkalon Foundation is a small funder and whilst applications of up to £6000 are accepted the average grant is £1000. Next deadline 21 February 2024.
Probation Board for NI: Community Service Work Placements 2024/25 Funding Scheme
PBNI has responsibility for securing local placements for individuals who are subject to Community Service / Supervised Activity Orders imposed by the Courts. To fulfil the obligations of these Orders the people to which they are subject complete unpaid work placements within their communities in local organisations. PBNI therefore invites applications from organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector to provide such placements. Successful applicants will be required to provide meaningful work and effective supervision of people subject to any such Court Orders. Deadline 8 March 2024 (4pm).
The Royal Countryside Trust: The Rural Start-Up Fund
Forest Holidays, partners with The Royal Countryside Fund to create The Rural Start-Up Fund, an exciting opportunity for rural businesses to receive financial support as they embark on a new business venture. A total of £5,000 is available in the Rural Start-Up Fund to be awarded to one winning business or shared between a number of rural start-ups. In addition, as part of the Rural Start-Up Fund, the successful applicant(s) will receive mentoring support from a relevant expert in the Forest Holidays team to further guide and support them. Deadline 23 February 2024.
Fundraising Events
NICVA’s Funding Fayre 2024 – REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED
28 February 2024 - 10am to 3pm
With 23 funders, support organisations, speakers, advice drop ins, and ones to ones, this event, generously supported by the Halifax Foundation of Northern Ireland, aims to help local organisations secure the vital funds and support they need to thrive.
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.
Free places available for CIOF-NI event
Join the Chartered Institute of Fundraising NI’s upcoming event for free. This time the forum focuses on investing in corporate partnerships and contactless donations in practice with guest speakers. Event also includes refreshments, breakout discussions, and networking opportunities. Tickets: Members £14 / Non-members £20. On a first come, first served basis, 5 free places for small charities with an income of under £50k are available. Register here: https://NIfundraisingforum-spring24.eventbrite.co.uk
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
1 date left in March for Fundraising Clinics – book now
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. Book your place today.
Fundraising Hub
Explore the Fundraising Hub for a wide range of articles and resources to support your fundraising journey. A few are below:
The Shared Ground Fund is changing in response to the vision, priorities, and current needs of those working towards migrant justice. Read more…
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.