Your weekly roundup of funding news and deadlines from GrantTracker.
Funding News
Connect Fund offering up to £500k for voluntary and community groups
The Connect Fund will soon reopen for applications with a total of £500,000 on offer, as the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) prepares to launch the third round of its Connect Fund grant programme. The Connect Fund strengthens collaboration between community and voluntary groups across the east and west of the UK. Round 3 will open for applications from 00.01 on 2 November 2026, until 17:00 on 18 December 2026. Each applicant can bid for between £300 and £50,000 to deliver their project, and return applicants are welcome to apply, with project delivery running from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2028.
Wooden Spoon is a British and Irish Rugby charity that supports projects that help mentally and physically disadvantaged children under the cognitive age of 25. Organisations such as schools, charities, and clubs can apply for capital items and project costs. There is no maximum or minimum grant level; however, it is unlikely that a project of a physical nature that is under £2,000 will have sufficient substance and scale to qualify. If your project fulfils the criteria please complete the expression of wish form for an initial assessment by their projects team, after which one of the team should be in touch within 6 weeks.
Community Relations Council (CRC) Core Funding
The Northern Ireland Community Relations Council's Core Funding Scheme provides support for organisations which are considered of strategic importance in promoting community relations work across the region. The scheme contributes towards salary and organisational running costs. The amount awarded per organisation normally ranges between £25,000 and £85,000 per annum with an average award of £45,000; they expect an available budget of £600k for new applications. The Core Funding Scheme is open for applications. Closing date for applications is Thursday 12 November 2026 at 4 PM.
UnLtd: Community Climate Action
Awards of up to £8,000 and support for early-stage social entrepreneurs taking practical action on climate change within their communities. They’re supporting UK-based founders targeting one or more key focus areas: transport, home energy, sustainable food, and reduced waste and consumption. Open to founders lived experience and deep roots in the communities they serve, including people ethnic minoritised communities, disabled founders, and those working in areas experiencing economic disadvantage encouraged. This programme is open till July 2028 with upcoming information sessions taking place in early October.
Upcoming Deadlines
Aviva Foundation: Financial Futures Fund
The Aviva Foundation’s Financial Futures Fund provides multi-year, grant-funding. With the minimum grant size of £100,000. The Fund runs a bi-annual, application process to identify and support organisations driving transformational change in financial resilience. It is open to medium and large organisations supporting UK beneficiaries with an annual income over £1 million. Deadline 7 October 2026.
Community Foundation for Northern Ireland: Corlacky Community Benefit Fund
The Corlacky Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund provides financial support towards the development of locally beneficial community-based projects and initiatives within a 7km radius of Corlacky Wind Farm. Grants up to £3,000. A wide range of themes can be supported including education, environment, health and wellbeing, culture, renewable energy projects and others. Capital build projects can only be considered if full Planning Permission has already been approved, and match funding is in place. Apply 1pm on 8 October 2026.
Belfast City Council: Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
The End Violence Against Women and Girls Local Change Fund supports the community voluntary sector in Belfast to deliver events, projects or programmes of activity aimed at ending violence against women and girls. There are 3 grants available: Tier 1 - Minimum award £1,000.00 to Maximum award £10,000.00, Tier 2 - Minimum award £10,001.00 to Maximum award £15,000.00, and Tier 3 - Minimum award £15,001.00 to Maximum award £25,000.00. Apply by 12 noon on 9 October 2026.
NI Policing Board: Police Property Fund Grants Scheme
The Police Property Fund consisting of assets recovered by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) as a result of criminal investigations is closing their fourth call for applications soon. The Board will award small grants of between £1000 and £10,000 to eligible projects. Projects should demonstrate engagement with local police, contribution to building community safety and/or confidence in the police in your area. The closing date for this call will be 12 October 2026, 12pm (noon).
Fundraising Events & Training 2026/27
We're Supporting Good Relations Week 2026
NICVA is proud to support Good Relations Week 2026 and this year's theme of INCLUDE. We invite you to explore our upcoming events, connect with others, and discover practical ways to advance inclusion in your organisation and community.
Sign up for these learning opportunities today:
LGBTQIA+ Awareness Training with The Rainbow Project | NICVA
20 October 2026 - 10:00am to 1:00pm, FREE
The Rainbow Project invites you to attend their LGBTQIA+ Awareness Training. Offered in support of Good Relations Week 2026’s theme, INCLUDE, this in-person session will give learners opportunities to broaden their understanding, challenge perceptions, and breakdown barriers.
Unheard Voices: Young People Seeking Asylum Awareness
4 November 2026 - 10:00am to 1:00pm, £25 NICVA members; £35 non-members
Gain a deeper understanding of the asylum process and the experiences of those seeking safety in this half-day session delivered by Include Youth. Co-designed with young people seeking asylum, the session is ideal for anyone working with asylum-seekers or refugees.
Neurodiversity in the Workplace
19 November 2026 - 10:00am to 1:00pm, FREE
Join NICVA and Employers for Disability NI (EFDNI) for this practical session exploring neurodiversity in the workplace and how organisations can create more inclusive and supportive environments for neurodivergent employees.
Fundraising Training and Events Calendar for 2026/27 | NICVA
To support the voluntary and community sector, we have a wide range of opportunities to learn and develop your skills, broaden your knowledge and network with others. We also invite you to save the date for the return of NICVA's annual Funding Fayre.
Articles and Resources
Webinar recording: easyfundraising
In this helpful and informal session, Becky from easyfundraising walked us through using the easyfundraising platform to raise additional free unrestricted funding from online shopping. Read on to find out how you can get involved, download the presentation slides, watch the webinar and learn about the easyfundraising Impact Fund where you can apply for a £1000 unrestricted grant.
New £10m programme to address violence against women and girls | NICVA
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced plans for a new £10 million programme to support local projects to prevent violence and abuse against women and girls across the UK. The Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Prevention Accelerator will build UK-wide capability to stop violence and abuse by funding and supporting promising grassroots initiatives.
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