Your weekly roundup of funding news and deadlines from GrantTracker
Funding news
Pathways to work innovation fund
The Government’s Pathways to Work Innovation Fund is a ‘call to action’ for the private, voluntary and public sectors to come forward with the most ambitious, creative ideas to help disabled people and those with health conditions get into and on at work.
The Fund will open for bids in September, with organisations across the UK invited to compete for funding to test genuinely new approaches to employment support.
The Fund forms part of the Government’s commitment to break down barriers to opportunity for disabled people backed by £3.5 billion in tailored employment support. This includes intensive, one-to-one job help from specialist advisers in their own communities, meeting people where they are, alongside a joined-up work and health offer.
Bridging the Digital Divide around the world - The Access Foundation
The Access Foundation awards grants to support charities to mitigate the digital divide by making IT facilities, support and learning available to disadvantaged and vulnerable people.
They support charities in the UK, Ireland, Romania, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
Grants are between £20,000 and £50,000 and will normally support a project that lasts no more than a year. A 12-month project costing £20,000-£50,000. It most likely to be successful in winning an award.
Boost Charitable Trust – Changing Lives Through the Power of Sport
Boost is a boutique grant-giving charity which accepts applications from small and medium-sized charities and non-profit organisations for outstanding sports and physical activity initiatives.
They have small awards under £1,000 for organisations under £100,000 income and large awards £2,000-7,000 for organisations under £500,000 income.
Applications are considered by the trustees quarterly. Boost is looking for:
- Real passion for improving people’s lives through sport
- Well-defined initiatives addressing disability or disadvantage
- Long-term impact and sustainability
- Projects where Boost is a principal funder
The Foundation aims are to fund work which:
- will make a lasting difference to people’s lives rather than simply alleviating the symptoms or current problems;
- is aimed at reducing isolation, stigma and discrimination;
- encourages or enables groups that experience marginalisation and/or discrimination to share in the life of the whole community.
The total amount they offer is up to £15,000. This can be over three years, two years, or a single grant. Most grants they make are for much less than this amount, with the average grant size being £5,000-£6,000.
Applications received by early August will be considered by board in October.
Upcoming Deadlines
Bígí Linn! - The aim of this scheme is to provide opportunities to use the Irish Language and facilitate awareness raising of the Irish language for minority communities, communities under-represented in the Irish language community, and ethnic minorities often not participating in activities aimed at the Irish language community.
Glacaigí Páirt! - The aim of this new scheme is to encourage people to practice pastimes along with the use of Irish in social, informal and enjoyable contexts. As a pilot scheme, this scheme is primarily aimed at parts of the community that do not have contact with Irish.
Deadline for both is 27 July 2026
The Irish Youth Foundation (UK) is inviting community and voluntary groups in Northern Ireland working with children and young people (post-primary to 25 years) who are marginalised or at risk to apply for grants of up to £10,000, however grants awarded are usually in the region of £5,000.
Projects in Northern Ireland should have a non-formal educational purpose and approach and contribute to good relations within and across communities. The following are priority areas: youth work, good relations and inclusion. Grants can be used to extend an existing activity, to employ additional staff, to purchase equipment or to try something new and different.
The closing date for application submissions is Friday 31 July.
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust is committed to funding initiatives that advance peace, equality, inclusion, and human rights within Northern Ireland.
The Northern Ireland programme has three priority areas:
1. Strengthening human rights and equality
2. Reimagining society
3. Cultivating peace and reconciliation
Northern Ireland Programmes round 2 account registration deadline 19 August 2026, applications deadline 2 September 10am.
They fund smaller UK-based charitable organisations (under £200k) delivering projects within the UK to support social justice and to tackle disadvantage in specific areas of focus – providing unrestricted or project/core funding.
They have two priority areas:
Asylum Seekers and Refugees - they want to support organisations and projects which provide essential services; which help meet Asylum Seekers and Refugees' needs; and which support their participation within the wider community.
Penal Affairs - they want to support work where charitable organisations go into prisons with projects to help prisoners – especially women – cope and/or maintain family bonds and to be better able to resettle positively when released. Also, applications for post-release projects which support positive resettlement; re-stablishing family bonds; and a reduction in the likelihood of reoffending.
The UK Programmes open again at 10am on Tuesday 28 July 2026 - until 3pm on Thursday 27 August 2026.
The Thomas Wall Trust believes that communication skills are critical capabilities for people who want to improve their employment prospects, self-confidence, resilience, and life chances.
The Trust offers grants up to £5,000 for specific projects that improve communication skills for disadvantaged adults and supports NEET people into employment. Beneficiaries must gain at least one accredited vocational qualification during delivery or within two months of project completion.
The deadline for 1st stage application is noon on Friday 11 September 2026.
Fundraising Events & Training
Did you know that NICVA members can access a FREE one-hour fundraising advice clinic to discuss your specific fundraising needs? These popular, free clinics allow you to discuss your most pressing funding needs and receive follow-on support. These can be arranged by contacting Jocelyn Horton, Fundraising Advice Officer or book one of the slots available on the dates below:
- 30 September 2026 - 10:00am to 1:00pm
- 25 November 2026 - 10:00am to 1:00pm
- 20 January 2027 - 10:00am to 1:00pm
- 31 March 2027 - 10:00am to 1:00pm
It’s easy to become a member, just click here for more information. If your income is less than £20K per year you can join for free!
Meet the Funder: easyfundraising
- 6 September 2026 - 6:00 to 7:00pm
- Online
If your community organisation is in need of additional funds, come along to this online session to find out how you can receive free unrestricted funding via funding platform easyfundraising. This free one hour webinar is delivered by Becky Coleman, Senior Community Manager at easyfundraising.
- 6 October 2026 - 10:00am to 1:00pm
- In-person
Across the UK, £564 million is lost to missed Gift Aid opportunities every year — donations that could have gone further but didn’t. In a funding climate where costs are rising and demand is growing, encouraging your supporters to #TickTheBox can ensure their generosity reaches its full potential. Join Tony Clarke and Jocelyn Horton to find out more.
Fundraising Articles and Resources
Erasmus+ for the UK - how to access life-changing opportunities
The United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) have agreed for the UK to associate to the Erasmus+ programme from 2027. From November 2026, Erasmus+ opens new opportunities for UK individuals and organisations working in education, training, youth and sport.
Guest Blog: Prizefunder - a Collaborative Approach to Strengthen Grassroots Funding
Lawrence O’Kane, founder and CEO of Prizefunder explains how this Northern Ireland community fundraising platform could help communities to work together, raise funds, strengthen local services and build lasting support for the causes they care about.
Guest Blog: Latest news from the Fundraising Regulator
Gráinne Mathews, Stakeholder and Policy Manager – Northern Ireland updates us regularly on the latest news and resources from the Fundraising Regulator.