Your weekly roundup of funding news and deadlines from GrantTracker.
Funding News
The Connect Fund awards up to £1m to strengthen civic East-West collaboration on matters of shared interest, including mutual challenges and opportunities across a range of sectors that directly affect communities in Northern Ireland. The next round of the Connect Fund opened for applications on 7 January 2026, and community groups will have until February 12 to apply. Unlike Round 1, applications will not be accepted on a rolling monthly basis. Instead, applicants will be assessed in a single window. Delivery of projects must be within the period from 1 April 2026 - 31 March 2027.
Executive Office Central Good Relations Fund (CGRF)
Executive Office Central Good Relations Fund (CGRF) supports constituted voluntary and community sector groups to deliver good relations projects where there is evidence of identified good relations need. Applications for the 2026/27 Central Good Relations Fund (CGRF) funding programme for project funding (over £2,000) are now open and will close on Friday 30 January 2026 at 4pm. Online Information Sessions are being hosted - go to their website to register.
Community Foundation Goodyear Community Fund
The Goodyear Community Fund is designed to distribute funding to support grassroots organisations within the greater Lurgan and Craigavon area with a focus on the continued promotion of sport, arts, health & wellbeing and cross-community engagement. Grants of between £1,000 to £5,000 are being made available to cover project and associated costs for your organisation. Deadline for submission Friday 30th January 2026 at 1pm. The Foundations has also announced that the following funds opened for applications on 12 January 2026: Inishative Community Benefit Fund and Cregganconroe Community Benefit Fund. The Brian Conlon Fund will open 13 January 2026. Visit here for more information on open grants.
The Trust will consider applications for grants from charities registered in the United Kingdom, with preference being given to charitable organisations operating in Scotland. Typically grants of between £500 and £5,000 are awarded for projects that fall within the following areas: Child welfare, Medical research & support, Animal welfare, Services for personnel welfare, Sea rescue, Community projects, Overseas support, and Adult welfare. The window for new applications for the Autumn 2026 meeting will close on 30th June 2026.
The Three Guineas Trust is a grantmaking trust that currently funds work to support the autonomy, liberty and civil rights of autistic, neurodivergent and disabled people. They fund projects in the UK. Their Holiday activity schemes for autistic children and young people for 2026 round opens 2 February and provides grants of up to £15,000 to organisations which deliver autistic-specific activity schemes exclusively for autistic children and young people, and their siblings, which run in the school holidays. An expression of interest form will be available on the website from Monday 2 February until Friday 13 February at 5pm.
Upcoming Deadlines
Educational Opportunity Foundation: Main Fund - UK
Educational Opportunity Foundation supports work that aims to improve the educational outcomes and life chances of care experienced young people (under the age of 25 and living in the UK). They will fund between £30,000 to £90,000 per project (maximum £30,000 per year for multi-year projects). UK registered charities with an income normally between £100,000 and £2.5 million can apply. Application deadline 14 January 2026.
Micro Community Investment Fund
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. Funds up to £2,000. Application deadline 16 January 2026 1pm.
The Executive Office TBUC Camps
This Programme aims to support T: BUC Strategic Priorities: Our Children and Young People and Our Cultural Expression providing Camps that bring together diverse groups of young people together. Open to EA Registered Local and Regional Voluntary Youth Organisations, EA Statutory Youth Centre and Youth Projects and EA Registered Schools. Funding up to £22,500. Application deadline 4pm on 16 January 2026.
Big Give: Earth Rise (previously known as The Green Match Fund)
Earth Raise is a seven-day online match funding campaign dedicated to helping charities playing a vital role in tackling pressing environmental issues, run in partnership with Environmental Funders Network (EFN). Matched funding up to £100k. Deadline 5pm on 16 January 2026.
This is an opportunity to shine a light on the dedicated individuals, groups, and projects working tirelessly to promote good community relations, intercultural work and peacebuilding in Northern Ireland. There are seven Award categories. Deadline for Nominations is 19 January 2026 at 12pm(noon).
Events & Training
FREE: 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.
FREE: Creating a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign
- 11 February 2026 - 6:30 to 8:00pm
Join Sport NI and Crowdfunder UK for an engaging free webinar designed to help you unlock the power of crowdfunding. Learn practical steps to create campaigns that inspire support and raise funds for your cause.
Using AI to create Social Media Content
- £75 NICVA members; £110 non members
- 25 February 2026 - 9:30am to 1:00pm
This session has been designed for anyone who needs to understand how AI can support their social media efforts. It is a practical session in which you will learn how to use AI tools to brainstorm ideas, create content, and improve efficiency. It will be important also for feeling confident in incorporating AI into your social media strategy while maintaining a human touch.
FREE: Funding Fayre 2026
We're pleased to announce NICVA’s Funding Fayre returns in 2026, and we’re inviting voluntary and community organisations across Northern Ireland to register their interest in joining us. Kindly supported by the Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland, this event is an ideal opportunity for anyone connected with raising funds for your cause. Register now for this popular event!
Latest Articles
Guest Blog: Funding Opportunities for Churches and Christian Organisations in Ireland
Heather Pope, the new Grants Officer for Ireland with Benefact Trust, gives an overview of the support available for churches and Christian organisations across the island of Ireland.
Foyle Foundation completes spend down in December
The Foundation’s long planned spend down and closure takes place in December 2025 by when it will have distributed over £185M in total to over 7,000 charities and state schools across the UK.
**UPDATED** AI a powerful force for good?
The growing role of AI in our lives and workplace and the opportunities it presents in improving both accessibility and efficiency for organisations is apparent to many including funders. We highlight the position of some local funders and provide a list of useful resources.
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