Your weekly roundup of funding news and deadlines from GrantTracker.
Funding News
The Henry Smith Foundation: Domestic Abuse Fund
The Foundation has launched the Domestic Abuse Fund under their new strategy area Safer Futures. The Domestic Abuse Fund backs ‘led by and for’ organisations providing specialist domestic abuse services. They will fund holistic, person-centred services designed around the needs of people from marginalised communities who’ve experienced domestic abuse. They expect to make around 20 five-year running cost grants of £250,000 (£50,000 per year) to help formally registered, not-for-profit organisations with a charitable purpose strengthen their foundations, grow their work and build long-term impact. Opens 13 August until 10 September 2025 (5pm).
NI Policing Board: Police Property Fund Grants Scheme
The Police Property Fund is made up of assets recovered by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) as a result of criminal investigations. This call for applications will award a total of £150,000 in large grants of between £20,000 and £30,000 to eligible projects. Applicants need to demonstrate that the project is strategic in nature, engages with local police, contributes to building community safety and/or confidence in the police in your area, and is aligned to a charitable purpose. This call closes 22 September 2025 (noon).
Cash for Kids Sports and Community Challenges
Sports Challenge - Cash for Kids is calling on grassroots sports groups across Northern Ireland to join their unique fundraising competition. They’re looking for groups making a real impact and breaking down barriers to sport for children and young people facing disadvantage or disability. Up to 15 groups will be shortlisted and given from 20th September to 20th October to raise as much as they can. All shortlisted groups get 100% of the funds they raise plus either, 1st place £5000, 2nd £2500, 3rd place £1,500 or for all others £500. Entries open until midday on 15 September 2025. Community Challenge – from 11 August the Community Challenge is open aiming to empower local grassroots organisations, charities and community groups to fundraise for their services, which support disadvantaged children in Northern Ireland. Every penny you raise being returned to your organisation with Cash for Kids team’s support. Last year’s top fundraiser raised an incredible £16,319 to help support their charity’s work in the local community. Signups close on 15 September – visit website to find
VINCI UK Foundation funding reopens January 2026
VINCI UK Foundation funds projects supporting those currently excluded from the job market, that enable access to housing for underprivileged individuals, that improve accessibility and mobility for people trying to secure employment, health care and education, and projects that strengthen social links and fight social isolation. Small and medium size registered community interest or non-profit organisations located near a VINCI office (VINCI are located at Belfast City Airport) can apply for funding of between £3000 to £10,000 for tangible goods only (e.g. tools and equipment, vehicles, IT, furniture, building works).
National Garden Scheme’s 2026 Community Garden Grants reopening soon
Eligible community garden projects from England, Wales and Northern Ireland are welcome to apply for grants of between £1,000 and £5,000. Applicants must be a fully set up community group, registered charity or Community Interest Company (CIC) with a functioning non-personal bank account. An application must relate to an existing or proposed community garden or similar site. Funding can be towards plants and containers, materials for flower or vegetable beds and other hard landscaping, greenhouses, polytunnels and sheds, seating, hand and power tools, refreshments, etc. Applications will open on Monday 15 September 2025.
Upcoming Deadlines
The Reimagine programme is designed to inspire creativity and increase stability and resilience in the sector. Project grants of £10,000 up to £50,000 are available for projects that grow and engage audiences, increase capacity and expertise in collections work/workforce, and encourage partnerships, shared learning and sustainability in the sector. For 2025, their key aim is to fund projects that help organisations reimagine their work with collections and open to formally constituted, not-for-profit organisations that hold permanent collections. Deadline 12 August 2025.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council: Seniors' Christmas Event Grant
Funding of up to £500 is available to constituted community/voluntary groups and tenant associations representing independent living facilities to provide Christmas Dinners, Tea Dances or Christmas Celebration Events. Events/projects must take place during the period 15 November – 25 December 2025. Deadline 14 August 2025 (4pm).
Following a review of the grant-giving programme, they now offer grants of up to £25,000 to registered charities. Two programmes available: Physical health – supporting health charities across the UK that provide therapeutic interventions, health information, and direct healthcare and Mental health – supporting charities that help children and young people recovering from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and parents affected by ACEs, mental illness, or addiction. Deadline for EOIs 15 August 2025 (5pm).
North Belfast DPCSP is seeking applications from constituted groups in North Belfast to deliver the Community Safety Network Support Project. The value of the grant is £35,000. Email [email protected] for an application pack. Closing date 12 noon Monday 25 August.
Fundraising Support, Events & Training
**NEW** Fundraising Workshop Series
Starting in September, our new Fundraising Workshop Series aims to support you and your fundraising knowledge, capability, and capacity to successfully navigate the competitive fundraising landscape. This workshop series covers the fundamentals of fundraising and a fundraiser’s role, fundraising readiness, using tools to maximise your time for fundraising and how to effectively select funders and complete funding applications.
Latest Articles
Communities Minister announces new fund for investment in sustainability of community facilities
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced a major new funding scheme that will deliver refurbishment works to buildings, halls and facilities used by community and voluntary organisations across Northern Ireland.
John Ellerman Foundation launches new Funding Strategy
The John Ellerman Foundation has launched a new funding strategy for 2025-2030 offering multi-year core costs funding that supports work with a national relevance addressing social justice and the environment. UK charities with an annual income of between £100,000 and £10 million can apply for up to £180,000.
Henry Smith Foundation Announces New 5-Year Strategy
The Henry Smith Foundation, formerly known as the Henry Smith Charity, has published its new strategy, Elevate Your Impact (2025-2030) which ‘reaffirms their commitment to backing people and organisations driving change in communities across the UK.’
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