Your weekly funding news and deadlines update from GrantTracker.
Funding News
2023 John Gray & Co Community Assistance Programme
A Funeral Directors that has been serving the community of North Down for more than 60 years has launched an initiative to support local projects and build long-lasting relationships. Small grants of £300 to small, local community initiatives. The team want to support causes led by people who have a clear understanding of community issues and that address the needs of the most disadvantaged people in the local area. Activities funded aim to improve the quality of life of residents and the wider community. Next deadline 29 October 2023 (noon).
Sport NI: Renewable Energy Fund
The Sport NI Renewable Energy Fund, a £1million pound National Lottery investment for 2023/24, which seeks to reduce the environmental impact of sports clubs throughout Northern Ireland. Sports clubs (affiliated to a Sport Northern Ireland recognised governing body of sport) can apply to implement energy projects such as installing solar energy systems, ground source heating systems, etc. Available funding from £3,000 (development stage) up to £30,000 (delivery stage). Deadline 30 October 2023 (4pm).
LCCC Hardship Funding Programme 2023/2024
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has developed a Hardship Funding Programme to support constituted/legally governed community and voluntary /not for profit organisations to address hardship due to the current cost of living crisis, particularly the increase in energy and food costs. applicants can apply for up to a maximum of £2,000. Closes 3 November 2023 (noon).
The following Community Benefits Funds from the Community Foundation for NI offer Micro grants of up to £3,000 for small projects and Strategic grants of £30,000 over a 2-year period for larger scale strategic partnership projects, with one lead applicant. Applications welcome from constituted community and voluntary groups addressing Energy efficiency and sustainability, Social, cultural or sporting benefit for the local community, Educational issues with a sustainability angle, and Environmental benefit or economic benefit. Closing date for all, is 10 November 2023 (1pm):
- Long Mountain Community Benefit Fund
- Rathsherry Community Benefit Fund
- Thornog Community Benefit Fund
Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful Tackling Textiles Grant: Skills and Innovation
The launch of the second year of the Tacking Textiles Grant: Skills and Innovation follows the successful pilot grant in 2022. Applications welcome from Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (under 250 employees), Social enterprises, Charities, Not for profit organisations, and Community & voluntary groups for grants between £500 to £2,500 supporting projects tackling textile waste through waste prevention, reuse, repair and reimagine. Closing 9 November 2023 (5pm).
Public Health Agency - grants for Sports Clubs
The Clear Project, in conjunction with the Public Health Agency, are offering constituted, voluntary sector sports clubs in the Western Trust area the opportunity to avail of training which will help them support their members and get £500 worth of relevant sports equipment for the club. Deadline 6 November 2023 (3pm).
Upcoming Deadlines
Foras na Gaeilge: Colmcille A Project Schemes
Foras na Gaeilge is providing funding through the Colmcille Project Scheme to help applicants build relationships between the Scottish and Irish Gaelic language communities, and to strengthen Scottish and Irish Gaelic through this relationship. Deadline 20 October 2023.
NIHE: Sustaining Tenancies Funding Programme 2023-2025
The fund supports their tenants in creating more resilient, sustainable tenancies in the short, medium and long term. They particularly want to help vulnerable customers at greater risk of tenancy breakdown. They aim to invest over £3 million in the voluntary, community and charitable sector through grants between £5k and £100k for this purpose - to be delivered over three tranches for projects lasting up to 36 months. Expression of Interest deadline 20 October 2023 (5pm).
The Small Grants Programme has been set up to allow young people from Education Authority Youth Service (EAYS) registered and verified groups to apply for grants for projects to Support the Growth and Participation of young people. Groups can apply for a maximum of £500 for a one-off event or a maximum of £1500 for a group work programme with multiple sessions. All projects must demonstrate young people’s involvement in planning and delivery. Deadline 20 October 2023.
Community Foundation for NI: Dunmore Community Benefit Fund
This local community fund has been set up by Dunmore Wind Farm to ensure that wind farms, whilst having obvious environmental benefits, also provide significant social and economic benefits to the local community. Funding up to £2,500 will be available to local community projects that are planned and run for the benefit of the local population within the designated catchment area. Deadline 23 October 2023 (1pm).
Shared Island Civic Society Fund now open
The Shared Island Civic Society Fund is an initiative to promote practical North South cooperation and engagement across a range of sectors and themes, consistent with the objectives and commitments of the Good Friday Agreement. This initiative will up to make 1 million euro available in January 2024 to organisations working on North South projects across a range of sectors. They particularly welcome applications for grants of up to €10,000 from small community based organisations. Other funding awards of up €25,000 per successful project will generally be made, with scope for awards of a maximum of €50,000 where necessary for larger projects. Deadline 23 October 2023 (1pm).
Fundraising Support for autumn 2023
Events
Free Online Introductory Fundraising Workshops for NICVA Members
We are hosting a series of FREE workshops for NICVA members introducing a different fundraising topic or aspect of fundraising. These sessions are an opportunity to find out about an area of fundraising that's new to you, top up your existing knowledge, or be a snapshot into an element of fundraising you'd like to explore. Each workshop is led by NICVA’s Fundraising Advice Officer.
- Using your internet channels for better fundraising - 18 October 2023; 4:00pm to 4:45pm
- Communicating your Need - 15 November 2023; 12:00pm to 12:45pm
Training
A Practical Guide to Completing Funding Applications
As the voluntary and community sector face a squeeze on finances from a variety of sources, securing funding is essential but it’s a competitive environment. This in-person event gives a useful overview and the practical advice you need to complete funding applications with a focus on addressing emerging funding priorities.
- 30 November 2023
- 9:30am to 12:30pm
- Paid (£35 members £50 non-members)
Fundraising Clinics
These popular, free fundraising advice clinics provide members with an hour-long chance to discuss and address specific fundraising needs. The sessions can be delivered online, in-person or over the telephone.
Taking place, the last Tuesday in September, October, and November, you can book a slot from 10am until 4pm. See links below:
- 31 October 2023 (Fully booked)
- 22 November 2023 (3 places left)
Resources
Explore the Fundraising Hub for a wide range of resources to support your fundraising journey. A few are below:
The partnership between Meta and PayPal Giving Fund to handle the processing of charitable donations means UK organisations need to act to avoid disruption to their fundraising on Facebook and Instagram. Fundraisers should also note that processing fees will now be incurred.
National Lottery funding distributors announce big changes
Both The National Lottery Community Fund and The National Lottery Heritage Fund have launched their new funding strategies. A summary of the changes is provided.
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