Your weekly roundup of funding news and deadlines from GrantTracker.
Funding News
The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal Grants now open
The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal Grant Rounds in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland centre around three themes: Addressing Essential Needs, Improving Wellbeing, and Creativity and Play. Children and young people charities working at local, regional and national level can apply. Organisations that have an annual income of £20,000 – £500,000 must apply for a Community Grant and grants up to £10,000 will be awarded. Organisations that have an annual income of more than £500,000 must apply for an Impact Grant and grants up to £35,000 will be awarded. Application deadline is 13 March 2026 at 1pm.
Screwfix Foundation - UK and Republic of Ireland grants
The Screwfix Foundation is a registered charity set up in 2013 in the UK and launched in the Republic of Ireland in 2025. They are passionate about making a difference to communities by supporting projects that improve, fix and repair buildings, homes and facilities specifically used by people in need. The Screwfix Foundation currently offers local registered charities and not for profit organisations funding in the region of £5,000/€5,000 per project. All applications are reviewed individually by their team on a quarterly basis in March, June, September and December.
The Veterans’ Foundation Major Grants Programme
Building on 10 years of delivering support for the Armed Forces community, they are launching a new Major Grants Programme with awards of £200,000–£500,000 available for collaborative, partnership-led projects that will drive learning, innovation and long-term impact. Grants will support partnerships working across five priority areas: Community & Relationships, Employment, Skills & Education, Health & Wellbeing, Housing & Homelessness, and Tackling Disadvantage. Expressions of Interest open 2 March 2026 until 20th April 2026. Their Pre-application Q&A webinar takes place on 3 March 2026 - to register email: [email protected].
Asda Foundation Local Community Spaces Fund
Local Community Spaces funding is to support community groups throughout the UK who provide a safe space for people to meet and be together. Charities and not-for-profit organisations that benefit local people can apply for grants from £10,000 to £20,000. Applications open from Spring 2026.
BMT, has partnered with Sea-Changers to give children and young adults (aged 5-18) with limited access to the coast the chance to connect with the sea through conservation-led experiences. The BMT Next Wave Fund is being distributed through Sea-Changers' Main Grant Fund which offers grants between £500 and £2,500 (Deadlines 31 March and 30 September) and Small Grant Fund offers up to £500 (apply any time). Projects engaging children and young adults will automatically be funded through the BMT donation and they may additionally be eligible to get additional support from BMT employees as volunteers if appropriate and helpful.
Upcoming Deadlines
Ards and North Down Arts and Heritage Funding Opportunities
Ards and North Down Borough Council offers a number of arts and heritage grants and bursaries to support different creative and cultural activities within the borough. The Arts Project Grants help non-profit making organisations and constituted groups develop community arts-based events, projects or activities. Maximum grant of £1,000. Their Heritage Project Funding is designed to assist heritage events, projects or activities. Non-profit making organisations and constituted groups can apply for a maximum grant of £500. Deadline 17 February 2026 at 12pm(noon).
Armed Forces Covenant Fund: Rise Programme
The new Rise Programme is designed to help small and medium armed forces charities become stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future. It is a pilot programme. Eligible registered charities can apply for up to £30,000 for a project lasting 6 to 12 months. In some cases, charities working closely with others can apply for an enhanced grant of up to £20,000. Application deadline 12pm(noon) on 18 Feb 2026.
Saving Our Rural Heritage Grant
Delivered by RAPID on behalf of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the scheme will offer grants ranging from £1,000 to £5,000 to support projects that celebrate, preserve, and promote local rural heritage as they enhance engagement and widen access to heritage for individuals. Rural groups in Derg, Faughan and Sperrin (excluding Strabane Town) can apply electronically or by post. For more information or an application pack contact Sara at [email protected] or call 07821646552. Deadline 12pm(noon) on 19 February 2026.
The Housing Executive’s Rural Community Awards competition recognises the work of rural groups during 2025 celebrates the work of volunteers across NI who are quite often the ‘unsung heroes’ within our communities. There will be a £1,000 prize for the winners of the northern and southern Community Spirit and Cleaner & Greener awards, and £500 will be donated to the community groups nominating the highly commended winning applicants. Application deadline 4pm on 27 February 2026.
Genetic Disorders UK: Jeans for Genes Grants
The annual J4G fundraising event encourages children and adults to wear their jeans to school or to work on a specific week in exchange for a small donation. The Jeans for Genes Grant Programme is offering flexible, unrestricted funding between £3,000 and £5,000 to support genetic disorder charities and their communities across the UK. The deadline for applications is 23:59 on Monday 2nd March 2026.
#FundingFebruary 2026
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: Maximising Contactless Donations with Give A Little
19 February 2026 - 11:00am to 12:00pm
As physical cash disappears from donor pockets, charities must look beyond the traditional collection bucket to ensure their long-term survival. This webinar is designed to help Northern Ireland’s charitable organisations navigate the transition from cash to digital giving with confidence and ease. Vicky Hewlett, Head of Marketing Communications at Give A Little explains how you can work towards building a sustainable cashless fundraising strategy with their solutions.
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 – Reserved list only
27 February 2026 - 10:00am to 1:00pm
We have reached maximum registrations for our upcoming Funding Fayre; we have now opened a reserve list and those placed on this list will be notified if a space becomes available. Kindly supported by the Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland, this event is an ideal opportunity for anyone connected with raising funds for your cause.
Guest Blogs
Ahead of their webinar for NICVA, Vicky Hewlett, Head of Marketing Communications at Give A Little updates us on their solutions.
Paul Montgomery, Operations Lead, gives an overview of the Stroke Association’s cashless donations journey, from early testing in 2024 and use at staffed events in 2025, to getting the technology in the hands of the supporter in 2026.
AI is reshaping work, but people remain the real advantage. This article explores how leaders can guide teams through disruption with clarity, soft skills and purposeful action, turning AI from a challenge into a meaningful opportunity.
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