Your weekly roundup of funding news and deadlines from GrantTracker.
Funding News
Arts Council NI: National Lottery Project Funding 2026-2027
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. The minimum grant available under this programme is normally £10,001. The maximum grant available will be £75,000. Deadline: 1 June 2026 at 12pm(noon).
Charities Aid Foundation: Building Resilience Programme
The Charities Aid Foundation has opened its Building Resilience Programme, a programme of funding and support for social purpose organisations working to preserve and protect freshwater ecosystems. Small and medium-sized charities and not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants of £40,000 to £70,000 over two years. Grants are split: 50% unrestricted and 50% restricted to resilience-building activity. Successful applicants also receive tailored support. Deadline: 15 June 2026 at 12pm(noon).
Cash for Kids: Impact Grants and Holiday Hunger Grants accepting applications
Their Impact Grants scheme is available to registered charities with an annual turnover less than £1 million, schools, community organisations and other grassroots groups based across the UK are eligible to apply. Funds will support children and young people (up to and including 18 years old) living in their community affected by poverty, abuse, neglect or those with additional support needs. Their Holiday Hunger Grants are available to organisations and service providers who support children and young people (up to and including 18 years old) that have a genuine need for support, are disadvantaged due to poverty, the increase in the cost of living and face food insecurity. A Cash for Kids grant is typically from £1,000 to £3,000. Applications now accepted for all areas except East Yorkshire, Yorkshire Coast and Lincolnshire. No time period/deadline published.
Safefood: Community Food Initiatives (CFI) Innovate Funding
Safefood is inviting applications for funding for its Community Food Initiatives (CFI) Innovate Funding. CFI Innovate will fund organisations to deliver one-off projects where participants are supported over a period of time or other innovative initiatives using food as a vehicle to address key health and social concerns. Interested organisations can apply for funding up to a maximum of €1,500 or the sterling equivalent to deliver a project in their local area. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.
Belfast Harbour: Harbouring Connections Community Awards 2026
Harbouring Connections Community Awards are designed to support the work of grassroots community organisations and charities. The Harbouring Connections Community Awards will be given to projects in which two or more grassroots, community embedded, not-for-profit organisations with a charity number or a governing body affiliation, work together on the creation and delivery of the project or enhance their organisational resilience. The Harbouring Connections Community Awards Fund will provide two grants of up to £5,000 each. Apply via their online portal by 5pm on 29 May 2026.
Upcoming Deadlines
SPAR NI’s Community Cashback scheme returns and has pledged £20,000 towards community based charities and outreach organisation. This year, £20,000 will be split between seven organisations, with one £10,000 grant, one £5,000 grant and five £1,000 grants. Funding is available for community groups and clubs, with funding available for both new and ongoing projects. Applications close on 13th May 2026.
Community Foundation NI deadlines approaching
The Noah Donohoe Youth Sports Fund supports young people, aged 11-18, in developing their sporting abilities and opportunities. Grants of up to £2,000 towards equipment & kit costs, coaching costs, venue hire, and travel costs. The Openreach Community Fund exists to support local constituted grass roots community and voluntary groups with grants of £500 to £2,000. Both schemes close 1pm on 14 May 2026.
Startup grants of up to $20,000 to entrepreneurs launching new organizations. D-Prize is open to any business model (for-profit, non-profit, and everything in between). It depends on the selected intervention – choose from Health, Water, Agriculture, Livelihoods, Energy, Public Services, Education, and Custom. Early submission deadline 17 May 2026 at 23:59 Pacific Time.
Lidl Northern Ireland have launched their ‘Lidl Green Fund’, which awards community groups, schools, and charities funding to support of local projects tackling key environmental challenges across climate and biodiversity, circular economy and sustainable living throughout Northern Ireland. Total prize fund is £25,000 and there will be six prizes of £4,200. Applications close 18 May 2026.
Northern Ireland Offices Launches Engagement for Change Fund
The Northern Ireland Office has launched the Engagement for Change Fund. This is a three-year, £100,000 initiative designed to significantly bolster the capacity of the community and voluntary sector across Northern Ireland. The total £100,000 funding will be allocated to a single delivery organisation over the three-year period. The Fund directly supports the sector’s vital role by providing targeted leadership and advocacy development, enabling organisations to more effectively champion their crucial work and the communities they serve. A key pillar of this initiative is dedicated to increasing the representation of women in the public forum. Apply by 5pm on Friday 22 May 2026.
Events & Training
Wednesday 10 June 2026 | 8:45 - 5:15
ICC Belfast
NICVA has announced the return of its flagship NICVA Summit, taking place on 10 June at ICC Belfast amid growing pressures on voluntary organisations. The event will bring together hundreds of leaders, practitioners and decision makers from across the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, alongside partners from government and the business sector. Find out more and register here.
Fundraising Articles and Resources
Queen Elizabeth Trust launched to strengthen communities across the United Kingdom
A new UK-wide independent charity, the Queen Elizabeth Trust, has been established on the occasion of the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth to honour her lifelong commitment to public service.
Guest Blog: Latest news from the Fundraising Regulator
Gráinne Mathews, Stakeholder and Policy Manager – Northern Ireland updates us on the latest news and resources from the Fundraising Regulator.
NICVA Member Spotlight: North Down Softball Club
NICVA warmly welcomes North Down Softball Club to our growing membership. Based at Ward Park, Bangor, they are the only softball club in Co. Down and are run entirely by volunteers.
The Honourable The Irish Society to Launch New Grant Programmes | NICVA
The Society is pausing their current grants programme for a short time to allow them to build new programmes which reflect their strategic priorities.
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