Funding News – 18 December 2023

Your weekly funding news and deadlines update from GrantTracker.

Funding News

National Churches Trust: Medium Grants

This programme offers their medium sized grants of between £3,000 and £10,000 towards urgent and essential maintenance and repair projects costing between £20,000 and £80,000. Also project development and investigative work up to RIBA planning stage 1, to support churches preparing for a major project, and in developing their project to the point at which they can approach a major grant funder. Grants will never exceed 50% of the net project costs (for this phase).

Howdens: Game Changer Programme

In partnership with the Irish FA Foundation, the Howdens Game Changer Programme aims to supply kitchens to grassroots Football Clubs, giving them an opportunity to serve their communities with food and refreshments. They want to support projects that will replace or enhance your current kitchen and the food and drink that can be offered. Priority will be given to applications that include a nominated fitter that will install the kitchen on a voluntary basis (or a professional fitter funded by the club) and applications that provide more detail on the impact a new kitchen would have on their club. Conditions of entry for Northern Ireland – Any grassroots club who own their facilities freehold or have an uninterruptible lease for the next 5 years. Deadline 31 January 2024.

Making Music: Take it away scheme

Making Music is the UK’s membership organisation for leisure-time music, with around 3,850 groups representing around 228,000 music makers across the UK. They are dedicated to empowering everyone, whatever their background or experience, to come together in their community to make or present music. The Take it away scheme offers interest free finance to purchase musical instruments.  The Take it away scheme is a Creative United programme, backed by Arts Council England and Arts Council of Northern Ireland. 

Windrush Justice Programme Round 3 now open

If you’re based in the UK and provide advocacy support to those wishing to access the Windrush Compensation Scheme, including work to regulate their status before being able to access the fund, you may be eligible to apply for their third, rolling funding round. The small grants of £22,000 (across two years) can be used to pay for case workers, cover administrative costs, venue costs, awareness raising events (please note events cannot be the only work you do around Windrush) and staffing costs. The advocacy they expect you to be carrying out, is the close relational approach that supports an individual with understanding and collating evidence required, listening to their story and fully supporting them to make a Windrush claim. Funding may support pay for case workers, administrative costs, venue costs, run awareness raising events (this cannot constitute the only work you do around Windrush), and/or meet staffing costs.

Money Saving Expert Charity

The MSE Charity is funded by Money Saving Expert and gives grants to not for profit organisations that deliver activities which make a lasting impact on how people think, behave and manage their money. The next round to open is Living with Long Term Challenges - projects focused on building financial capability skills assisting groups who support dementia, autism, learning difficulties, disabilities, caring responsibilities, mental illness, brain injury, stroke. Reopens 15 January 2024.

Upcoming Deadlines

Love Rowing Grant

Love Rowing is on a mission to bring more people into the sport, transforming lives through the benefits rowing brings with it. They are looking for initiatives that fit with their mission to transform lives through the sport of rowing. Applications are welcome from rowing clubs, schools and community organisations. Particularly those focused on young people from low socio-economic backgrounds, People from ethnic minority backgrounds, and People with a disability or long-term health condition. Deadline 19 December 2023.

RURAL ACTION AWARDS 2023/2024

The Rural Action Awards offers rural community-based organisations in Northern Ireland or the border region of Ireland the opportunity to apply for and secure £1000 or €1000 towards one volunteer led community action project. Deadline 20 December 2023.

The Utley Foundation: The Power of Music Fund

The Power of Music Fund, a ground-breaking initiative managed by the National Academy for Social Prescribing. Kickstarted by generous £1 million donation from The Utley Foundation, alongside support from Music for All, Arts Council England, and other donors, including members of the public, this fund is set to revolutionise the way we approach dementia care. The Fund offers an incredible opportunity for locally based music and dementia groups, including choirs, to receive small grants of £1,000 or £2,000 per year for three years. Deadline 22 December 2023.

Victoria Homes Trust

NI-based funder which funds only registered charities in Northern Ireland.​ Aims to assist the physical, mental and spiritual development of young people under 21 years of age. The Trust's policy is to provide small grants in support of local projects which benefit children and young people. The majority of grants are in the range of £500 to £2,500. Deadline 31 December 2023.

Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust

The Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust expects all applicants with an annual income of over £5,000 to be registered charities for at least 12 months. The Trust aims to support registered charities by making donations toward: General running costs associated with the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing or release of domestic, wild and exotic animals, Costs associated with the direct protection of endangered species, Feeding, capture, neutering and release of feral cats and dogs, and Assistance with vets’ fees and neutering costs of animals owned by those facing financial hardship.  The maximum pledge we will give is unlikely to exceed £35k. Next deadline 10 January 2024.

Fundraising Support

Save the Date

NICVA is currently planning to host a Funding Fayre 28 February 2024 from 10am to 3pm. There will be a wide range of funders, speakers, and information on offer including a chance to have one-to-ones with funders. Please check our website for further updates.

Fundraising Clinics returning February 2024

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. If you wish to secure a Fundraising Clinic before February, there may be availability for sessions in December and January. Please contact the Fundraising Advice Officer directly to be considered.

Resources

Explore the Fundraising Hub for a wide range of resources to support your fundraising journey. A few are below:

New Funding for LGBTQ+ Equalkity Announced at First UK LGBTQI Global Giving Summit

New funding for LGBTQI communities worldwide, totalling more than £40 million over the next five years, was announced by the UK Minister of State (Development and Africa), Rt Hon. Andrew Mitchell, at the first UK LGBTQI Global Giving Summit on 22 November 2023. Read more…

Jerwood Foundation merges with Jerwood Charity and sets out future funding plans

Jerwood Foundation, which has been supporting the arts since 1977 has completed the formalities of merging Jerwood Charity into the Foundation, now sets out funding plans.

#TicktheBox for Gift Aid – why it’s important

Every year, charities miss out on £560m in unclaimed Gift Aid. As we face a tough funding climate with increasing costs, encouraging your supporters to #TicktheBox means we can make an even bigger difference in these tough times.

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