Funding News – 21 August 2023

Your weekly funding news and deadlines update from GrantTracker.

Funding News

CAF: UKSAR Volunteer Training Fund

The aim of the UKSAR Volunteer Training Fund is to assist Search and Rescue volunteering, by providing support for the costs of volunteers' operational training, to help improve safety and the quality of UKSAR services. The UKSAR Volunteer Training Fund is provided and administered by Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). Minimum funding £1000 with up to 50% of training costs supported.

Foyle Foundation: Small Grants

Small Grants Scheme is designed to support charities registered and operating in the United Kingdom, especially those working at grass roots and local community level, in any field, across a wide range of activities. Online applications can be accepted from charities that have an annual turnover of less than £150,000 per annum. Charities can apply for between £2,000 and £10,000 for one-year grants to cover core costs, projects, essential equipment or building projects. No deadlines.

The Big Give: The Green Match Fund

The Green Match Fund is open to applications from 1 November 2023. This is a match funding campaign for charities whose core mission is working on environmental issues. All public donations made to participating charities via theBigGive.org.uk during the week of the campaign (18-25 April 2024) will be matched up to a specific amount. UK-registered charities with an annual income of at least £25,000 can seek to raise up to £10,000 through the 1:1 model (to be doubled by match funds) or up to £100,000 through the pledge model (to be doubled by match funds). Charities can receive up to £50k in Champion funds.

Wolfson Professional Development Grants - Hospice Staff

The programme aims to support the professional development of individual staff, significantly increasing their expertise in the work they do, rather than training or updating them in the basic skills needed for their role. All applicants must be working in an eligible organisation as either a: Nurse, Healthcare Assistant, Doctor, Allied Health Professional, or Social Worker from an eligible organisation (hospices that are members of Hospice UK). They encourage matched funding to be committed by the hospice or raised from another funder.

Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council

Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council offers financial assistance to eligible organisations who are delivering projects which align with Council's priorities. The following grants open 21 August (9am): Community Development Grants, Community Events Fund, Large Event Fund, Arts Project Fund, International Tourism Event Fund, and Good Relations Grants. Virtual Information Sessions have been arranged as follows: Tuesday: 22 August at 3.00pm and Wednesday: 23 August at 7.00pm. To register for these sessions please email [email protected].

NIHE: Rural Community Awards

Aims to improve community spirit within rural neighbourhoods and encourage rural communities to protect the physical asset of the rural landscape and to celebrate their communities. There will be a £1,000 prize for the winners of the northern and southern Community Spirit and Cleaner & Greener awards, and £500 will be donated to the community groups nominating the highly commended winning applicants. Deadline 29 September (4pm).

Upcoming Deadlines

Derry City & Strabane District Council: Sports Committee Maintenance Fund 2023/2024

The new Maintenance Fund provides financial assistance towards clubs who own and maintain their facilities and in particular playing pitches. The programme will fund up to 50% of eligible maintenance costs up to a maximum of £2,000. Open to clubs residing in the District Council area including constituted not for profit Sports Clubs who are affiliated to a National Governing Body and activities are recognised as a Sport as outlined on Sport Northern Ireland's/Irish Sports Councils website. Deadline 25 August 2023 (3pm).

Arts & Business NI: Investment Programme

The Arts & Business NI Investment Programme is a competitive match-fund, which supports partnerships between arts organisations and commercial businesses in Northern Ireland. All applications must be new or existing partnerships between an arts/cultural organisation and a business in Northern Ireland. This fund is open to both A&BNI members and non-members. Next deadline 23 August 2023 (5pm).

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council: Policing & Community Safety Small Grants Programme

This Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) Small Grants Programme has been designed to support, promote and develop community safety initiatives throughout the council area.  The programme provides organisations with up to a £999 grant to organise a project or event that will help prevent, reduce, address crime and help people feel safer in their own communities. Next deadline 25 August 2023 (noon).

Community Development & Health Network: Elevate

Elevate provides a unique opportunity for community organisations to put their collective learning on health inequalities into practice in a supportive and encouraging environment.  A grant of up to £5,000 is available to implement a community-based project following identification of local needs and solutions. They welcome all applications, and particularly welcome applications from groups in areas with previously low uptake (Lisburn and Castlereagh, Antrim and Newtownabbey, Lisanelly Omagh and Crossmaglen areas) and groups who support people from LGBTQIA+, BAME, and other under-represented groups. Deadline 28 August (4pm).

Fundraising Support for autumn 2023

Events

Meet the Fundraising Regulator - In Person | NICVA

This session in NICVA with Fundraising Regulator is an opportunity to hear more about their work, the guidance they provide and how they can support you. It is also a chance to hear about their upcoming review of the Code of Fundraising Practice.

Free Online Introductory Fundraising Workshops for NICVA Members

We are hosting a series of FREE workshops for NICVA members introducing a different fundraising topic or aspect of fundraising. These sessions are an opportunity to find out about an area of fundraising that's new to you, top up your existing knowledge, or be a snapshot into an element of fundraising you'd like to explore. Each workshop is led by NICVA’s Fundraising Advice Officer.

Training

A Practical Guide to Completing Funding Applications

As the voluntary and community sector face a squeeze on finances from a variety of sources, securing funding is essential but it’s a competitive environment. This in-person event gives a useful overview and the practical advice you need to complete funding applications with a focus on addressing emerging funding priorities.

  • 30 November 2023
  • 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Paid (£35 members £50 non-members)

Fundraising Clinics

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, in-person or over the telephone.

Taking place, the last Tuesday in September, October, and November, you can book a slot from 10am until 4pm. See links below:

Resources

Explore the Fundraising Hub for a wide range of resources to support your fundraising journey. A few are below:

National Lottery funding distributors announce big changes

Both The National Lottery Community Fund and The National Lottery Heritage Fund have launched their new funding strategies. A summary of the changes is provided.

Promoting best practice in fundraising | NICVA

NICVA encourages organisations to follow the Code of Fundraising Practice. This article provides information about The Code and The Fundraising Regulator.

Resources from Fundraising training series May-June 2023 | NICVA

An overview of the fundraising series and links to six resources that were developed from the training sessions. To help share and disseminate the knowledge learnt.

Guest Blog: Fundraising Regulator - Volunteer fundraising: understanding the difference between ‘in aid of’ and ‘on behalf of’ | NICVA

Celia Currie, Stakeholder and Policy Manager for Northern Ireland, reflects on the importance of volunteers in fundraising and why it's important for charities to understand what type of fundraising is being carried out.

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.