Your weekly roundup of funding news and deadlines from GrantTracker.
Funding News
Call for Northern Ireland applicants
The Spaces, Places & Belonging (SPB) Community Hub, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), is a UK‑wide programme supporting people working with heritage, culture and communities. Through funding, skills development and network‑building, the Hub aims to strengthen community‑led research and heritage work, and to create practical, long‑term benefits for the sector. As part of our funding approach, they practise portfolio balancing meaning they may prioritise applications from Northern Ireland and other Home Nations, or other under‑represented regions, to ensure a broad geographical spread of funded projects across the UK. Grants up to £30,000.
Northern Ireland Office: Community Partnership Fund
The Northern Ireland Office has launched the Community Partnership Fund which provides up to £1m over three years to strengthen and empower Northern Ireland’s voluntary sector. The Community Partnership Fund will harness voluntary sector expertise to support local community organisations, particularly those operating in rural areas. The award will be £1m between April 2026 and March 2029 to establish a partnership of established voluntary organisations. Submit an application form, budget/delivery plan tool, and accounts to [email protected] by 5pm Friday 19 June 2026.
Pilgrim Trust: Young Women in Mind 2026-2028
Young Women in Mind 2026–2028 is a joint funding programme from the Pilgrim Trust, the Prudence Trust and the Julia Rausing Trust. Together, they will grant £5 million over three years to strengthen and scale effective mental health services for girls and young women aged 14–25 across the UK. Their grants go to organisations that increase young women’s access to high quality, age and gender specific mental health services. Grants - £200,000 to £500,000 spread over three years.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation: Arts-based Learning Fund
They support arts and cultural organisations to work in partnership with schools, colleges, and other formal education settings. Organisations can apply for grants of between £30,000 and £300,000 (£100,000 per year); the majority are in the region of £150,000 to £250,000 over two to four years. On average they fund around 24% of the applications received. Rolling programme - no deadlines.
National Lottery Community Fund: The UK Fund
The UK Fund offers larger amounts of funding to help you develop work that’s already making a difference. Voluntary and community organisations, statutory bodies, charities and partnerships can apply for grants of £500,000 to £5 million, spread over 2 to 10 years, to support projects that bring diverse communities together. Core costs supported.
Upcoming Deadlines
Museums Association: Health and Wellbeing in Museums Fund
The Museums Association, funded by the Julia Rausing Trust, provides a programme of grant-making, networking and learning dissemination for health and wellbeing programmes in museums. Grants will enable the development and continuation of groundbreaking health and wellbeing programmes in UK museums during a time of financial crisis and increasing demand for services. They will make around 10 grants of £50,000 to £75,000. Final invitation to apply 20 May 2026.
Triangle Trust 1949 Fund’s first funding round for 2026 will focus on supporting work with girls aged 11-18 who are either already in contact with the criminal justice system or at high risk of involvement. Grants of up to £100,000 for a duration of 18, 24, 30 or 36 months. The amount of funding requested must be proportional to the project being undertaken. A maximum of £50,000 per year can be requested. The closing date for an Expression of Interest is 23:59 on the 20 May 2026.
Education Authority NI open grants
The Local Non Targeted/Generic Youth Provision Funding is currently accepting applications until 22 May 2026 at 4pm. Funding is for EA registered youth organisations whose youth work is delivered by volunteers for example, uniformed organisations, church based organisations. Funding is based on the hours of programme delivered and the average attendance of young people. Funding is a contribution to your running costs such as heat and light, insurance, and curriculum Materials.
Community Development & Health Network: Elevate
Elevate provides a unique opportunity for community organisations to put their collective learning on health inequalities into practice in a supportive and encouraging environment. One of the elements of Elevate is the Community Mentoring & Grants programme. Elevate is an integrated capacity building programme for community and voluntary sector organisations. Mentees can access a grant of up to £5,000 (capped at £1,000 for unconstituted organisations). Application deadline 4pm, 22 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
Meet the Funder: Rosa Stand With Us Fund 2026
28 May 2026 - 11:00am to 12:00pm
Join us to meet some of the grants team at Rosa, the UK fund for women and girls, to learn more about their recently launched Stand With Us fund and how to apply. The funding available is for women-led organisations working to address male violence against women and girls, for organisational development work. This is an opportunity to learn about the programme criteria and to share your questions.
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.
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