Your weekly roundup of funding news and deadlines from GrantTracker.
Funding News
Funding for projects, activities and programmes for the island of Ireland
We summarise a few of the recent funding announcements for projects, activities and programmes supporting work across the island of Ireland. Funding includes Shared Island Civic Society Fund from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, The Ireland Funds’ Heart of the Community Grants and PEACEPLUS Change Maker Programme.
Elevate is a capacity building programme which provides opportunities for the development of skills knowledge and expertise in community development as a way to reduce health inequalities. The programme is funded by Public Health Agency (PHA) and developed and delivered by Community Development and Health Network (CDHN). Open to Community groups (constituted and unconstituted), Charities, Voluntary groups, Social enterprises, and Community Interest Companies (CIC) based in Northern Ireland, successful applicants receive grant of up to £5000 to deliver a project aimed at reducing health inequalities in your community (local community or community of interest). Deadline 4pm, 27 June 2025.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Memorial Grants Scheme
The Memorial Grant Scheme gives grants towards VAT on the construction, repair and maintenance of public memorial structures, for work which took place on or after 16 March 2005. This is a UK-wide grant, available for memorials in any part of the UK (or overseas memorials in some circumstances). Applicants must be a registered charity or a faith group ‘excepted’ from registering as a charity. The maximum grant available is the full rate of VAT (20% of project costs). The deadline for applications to be reviewed in this round of funding is 23:55 on Monday 30 June 2025.
Royal Society of Biology: Outreach and Engagement Grants
Affiliates, associates, members, and fellows of the Royal Society of Biology can apply for the Royal Society of Biology's Outreach and Engagement Grant Scheme for funding of up to £1,000 to run a citizen science project. The Outreach and Engagement Grant Scheme for 2025 will open from 5 June - 6 July 2025. Teachers can apply to engage your school’s or college’s students, and your wider local community and community groups. Whether you are interested in aphids, yew trees, or any species across the alphabet, want to find the answers to specific questions, learn more about local ecology, or the local impact of climate change or sustainability — this grant is for you. RSB also offers up to £1,000 to create inspiring events or activities that celebrate the biosciences and engage diverse audiences - see Regional Events Grants’ webpage.
The MSE Charity, funded by Money Saving Expert, gives grants to not for profit organisations to fund the delivery of activities that improve people's ability to become more financially capable in their present and future circumstances. Open to UK registered charities, community interest companies, credit unions or a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee or social enterprise company with between £10,000 and £600,000 per year and hold between one and six months running costs in free reserves, you can request a maximum of £10,000. Their next grant round will open on Wednesday, 2 July 2025 to receive outline proposals, and will close on Thursday, 10 July 2025.
Upcoming Deadlines
Societe Generale UK Foundation: Bright Futures Grants
The SG UK Foundation’s new fund, Bright Futures, is investing £1 million over three years to empower and equip people from marginalised groups to access education and employment, driving lasting social and economic impact. One-year grants of between £10,000 and £50,000, unrestricted funding, are available for registered charities and charitable organisations. Managed by Charities Aid Foundation, Expression of Interest must be submitted by 3 June 2025.
Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council: Tak£500+
Tak£500+ is a Participatory Budgeting initiative which basically means that local people get to decide how public funds are used to address needs in their area. Communities can apply for up to £1000 for a project they think will benefit their area. Constituted groups and non-constituted groups can apply for funding to deliver their ideas based around the ‘Take 5 Ways of Wellbeing’. Deadline midnight on 4 June 2025.
Community Foundation NI: Micro Community Investment Fund closing for review
The fund will provide valuable investment for community initiatives making a difference in towns and villages across Northern Ireland. The fund will enable those organisations who are making the lives of others in their communities better, by improving their financial, physical, and mental wellbeing. Grants up to £1,500. The Micro Community Investment Fund will temporarily close on Friday 6th June at 1pm for review. Submit applications by 1pm on 6 June 2025.
Arts Council NI: National Lottery Project Funding 2025-2026
The Arts Council has designed this programme to assist organisations to deliver arts projects which contribute to the growth of arts in the community for new and existing audiences and which reflect the diversity of Northern Ireland’s society and culture. They want to support activities which benefit the people of Northern Ireland or that help arts organisations in Northern Ireland carry out their work. The minimum grant available is normally £10,001 while the maximum you can request is £75,000. Minimum partnership funding requirement is 10% (may be cash and/or in-kind funding) except for statutory bodies where the minimum partnership funding is 50%. Deadline midday on 6 June 2025.
Clothworkers Foundation: Open Grants Programme
The Clothworkers Foundation aims to improve the lives of people and communities, particularly those facing disadvantage, deprivation and/or discrimination. Grants are awarded to UK registered charities, CICs, and other UK not-for-profit organisations (including special schools). They fund both large and small projects: Small Grants Programme awards grants of up to £15,000 and Large Grants Programme awards grants over £15,000 and typically, not more than £150,000. Grants are awarded towards capital projects only – Buildings, Fittings, Fixtures, and Equipment including digital infrastructure, and vehicles. They have announced a temporary suspension of applications from 16 June to 2 July to make upgrades to their online applications portal. You can still apply using their current application form before 5.00pm on Monday, 16 June.
Events of Interest
Charity finance for charity finance workers
4 June 2025 - 10:00am to 12:15pm; £55 NICVA members, £80 non-members
An online training session specifically designed for staff or volunteers who work in the administration of finance within a charity. This session will give participants an opportunity to delve a bit deeper into the more technical aspects of charity finance.
Information session on new Code of Fundraising Practice - Fundraising Regulator
12 June 2025 - 12:00 to 1:00pm; FREE
Online information session about the new Code of Fundraising Practice delivered by The Fundraising Regulator (FR). The Fundraising Regulator will soon publish its new Code of Fundraising Practice. The new code, which has been shaped by extensive public consultation, represents a clearer, more flexible, and modern approach to fundraising regulation. This session will provide an opportunity for charities, fundraisers, volunteers and Trustees to find out more about the new code and the support available ahead of its implementation later this year.
Chartered Institute of Fundraising Northern Ireland Awards 2025
The Chartered Institute of Fundraising Northern Ireland Awards recognises the incredible work of local fundraisers, volunteers and businesses who make a huge difference to people living in Northern Ireland. Tickets to join the celebrations are now available.
Latest Articles of Interest
Community Foundation for Northern Ireland updates guidance for use of AI in applications
The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland has updated their Grant FAQs to include information on the use of AI for funding applications, as well as how they will use AI in their own processes.
Celia Currie, Stakeholder & Policy Manager-Northern Ireland for the Fundraising Regulator shares a few key takeaways from this year’s report.
Get ahead with GrantTracker and access over 1000 funding schemes in NI's leading database. Just £115 a year for NICVA members and £165 for non-members. Sign up here.