Your weekly roundup of funding news and deadlines from GrantTracker.
Funding News
Mid Ulster District Council Grant Aid
A number of schemes for organisations supporting local communities are now open until 20 February 2026 at 12pm(noon) including Community Development Grant 2026-29, Irish Language Activity Grant 2026-29, Community Infrastructure Grant 2026-27, Pitches and recreational Spaces Strategy Feasibility Development Grant 2026-27, and Pitches and recreational Spaces Strategy Infrastructure Development Grant 2026-27.
Music for All Community Projects
Music for All provides grants for both individuals and groups based within the UK to enable more people to access musical instruments and lessons and music programmes for the community. Community groups, schools and individuals across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can apply. Round 5 offers financial awards up to £1,500 or instruments for projects working in marginalised and deprived individuals. Deadline midday on 14 January 2026.
Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, has launched a new “Pass the Plate” appeal to support food projects for vulnerable children and young people. The campaign will raise funds for grants to organisations tackling child hunger and helping children to thrive. Organisations in the UK and Republic of Ireland will be invited to apply and are encouraged to prepare applications for projects addressing children facing poverty or food insecurity.
Belfast City Airport: Community Fund
Belfast City Airport is now accepting applications for its Community Fund, inviting community groups, charities, schools, and local organisations across Greater Belfast, Ards, and North Down to apply for financial support. The Community Fund, which has provided over £700,000 to 237 projects since its inception, is designed to benefit groups that create meaningful change for the local community. Maximum request is up to £5,000. Deadline 12 December 2025.
£2 million cancer charities grant scheme launched
A major £2 million Cancer Charities Grant Scheme for 2025/26 has been unveiled by the Department of Health and Macmillan Cancer Support, boosting community-based cancer services across Northern Ireland. The grant scheme has been developed through a co-design approach, working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Cancer Charities Coalition. The funding will be offered across two tiers: Tier 1: Grants up to £25,000 for smaller projects (with around £500,000 ringfenced) and Tier 2: Grants from £25,001 to £150,000 for larger programmes (with around £1.5 million available). Applications will open on 27 November 2025 and close on 23 January 2026, with awards issued in March 2026.
Upcoming Deadlines
National Churches Trust: Wolfson Fabric Repair Grants
Grants will be awarded towards essential fabric repairs at churches in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. These grants are usually up to £10,000 and are offered in partnership with the Wolfson Foundation. Historic places of worship can apply for a Wolfson grant via the National Churches Trust’s Medium and Large grant programmes (depending on the size of the project). Large grant deadline midnight on 4 December 2025.
Hospice UK: Dying Matters Community Grants Programme
The Dying Matters Community Grants Programme – supported by Dignity Funerals – funds creative community projects that start conversations about death and grief. The Dying Matters Community Grants Programme funds new and creative ways to spark those important conversations in communities across the UK. The grant programme focusses on working with people who they know are least likely to have already had access to existing models of support. Grants of up to £10,000 are available to cover the costs of projects using arts and culture to open up the conversation about death and dying. The deadline for applications is 17:00 on 5 December 2025.
Safefood: Community Food Initiatives (CFI) Cross Border Partnerships Funding
Safefood is inviting applications for funding for its Community Food Initiatives (CFI) Cross Border Partnerships Funding. The Community Food Initiatives programme aims to empower people in low-income communities to make healthier food choices. It funds local projects that improve access to healthy and safe food using a community development approach. Since 2010, over 65,000 people have taken part in a Community Food Initiative activity. Interested organisations may apply for funding up to €2,650 (€5,300 per partnership) or the sterling equivalent per annum. Application deadline 5pm on 5 December 2025.
Cash4Clubs, funded by Flutter UKI, has boosted their 2026 funding to £/€500,000 to help 250 grassroots sports and community clubs across Ireland and the UK. In partnership with UK charity Sported, these small grants of £/€2,000 to clubs and organisations that help keep adults engaged with sport, particularly in areas that need it most. Deadline 8 December 2025.
Rosa: Voices from the Front Line
Rosa’s Voices from the Frontline fund, now in its eighth year of running, offers grants of up to £10,000 over 18 months to women’s and girls’ organisations to support campaigning and influencing work that enables women and girls to use their voice to achieve change. The work funded should strengthen your organisation's skills and experience in campaigning, activism and/or advocacy and influence power holders in the UK such as local communities, government, service providers and corporates. Submit your online application and 3-minute video by 4pm on Tuesday 9th December 2025.
Events & Training
Funding February & Funding Fayre return for 2026
NICVA’s delighted to announce the return of Funding February 2026—a month-long focus on funding and fundraising for voluntary and community organisations across Northern Ireland. For 2026, we shine a light on all things digital, online and tech related and we’ll end the month with our annual Funding Fayre.
Enthuse's Digital Fundraising Labs series
NICVA is delighted to offer this series of free Digital Fundraising Labs in partnership with Enthuse, Europe’s number one charity first fundraising platform. Each session is designed to guide, inspire, energise, and empower your online fundraising approach.
Latest Articles
Fundraising news and opportunities you may have missed
Jocelyn Horton, Fundraising Advice Officer, rounds up some of the key news you may have missed in October. Included is a chance to add your voice to the Department for Economy NI’s latest consultation, opportunities to enhance your fundraising, receive pro bono support worth thousands, and become a Charity of the Year. Also highlighted are important updates from funders, a simple, ethical way to find unwanted goods from businesses, and publications about grantmakers including for Trustees Week 3-7 November 2025, insights into who are the Trustees behind grantmaking trusts and foundations.
New procurement guidelines to cut bureaucracy and save money announced
Finance Minister John O’Dowd has announced updated guidelines to simplify arrangements for grant recipients.
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