Your weekly roundup of funding news and deadlines from GrantTracker.
Funding News
Ulster Garden Villages reopens its grantmaking
Based on the current critical issues facing our communities, for the next 18-24 months UGV is focusing its support on the areas of Poverty and Homelessness. Grants range from £750 to, in exception, £1,000,000, depending on the project, the proposed impact and each charity’s size and scope of work. Open to registered charities, their preferred projects will demonstrate active participation and self-help. They should be innovative and developmental with an achievable, practical and sustainable objective. Accepting Expressions of Interest from 1 November to 30 November 2025.
Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation Grants
The Foundation was founded as a living tribute to Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball, two children who tragically lost their lives in a 1993 IRA bombing in Warrington. The Foundation’s primary grant-making focus area is Promoting Non-Violence against Young People, women and girls and supporting Victims of Violent Crime/Terrorism. The Foundation will make grants up to, but not exceeding, £10,000. You can apply for salaries associated with a funded project. Apply at any time.
Fermanagh Trust’s November deadlines
Callagheen Community Wind Farm Fund supports not-for-profit initiatives located within 7km of the Callagheen Wind Farm between Belleek and Garrison. Grassroots organisations delivering community, environmental, educational or social benefit can apply for awards of no more than £3,000. Deadline 12noon 3rd November 2025. Teiges Mountain Wind Farm Fund supports organisations within 5 km of Teiges Mountain Wind Farm, outside Brookeborough. Small Revenue Grants up to £2,000 and Strategic Project Grants of up to £5,000 per year over 1–3 years. Deadline 12noon 6th November 2025. Cornavarrow & Slieveglass Wind Farm Fund supports community project within 5 km of either Cornavarrow or Slieveglass Wind Farm (Drumquin and Killen). Revenue/Small Grants: up to £4,000, Strategic Projects: up to £5,000 per year over 1-3 years, and Strategic Capital/Legacy Projects (Cornavarrow only): large grants (up to £25,000 per annum over multiple years). Deadline 12noon 13th November 2025.
The JobStart Scheme provides funding from the Department for Communities to allow employers including voluntary and community sector to create new job opportunities to help those who are currently unemployed or economically inactive, in receipt of working age benefits and wish to enter or re-enter the workplace. Employers receive 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage for up to 25 hours of work per week, the associated employer National Insurance contributions, and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions for 6-month or 9-month job opportunities. Scheme closes 31 December 2025.
After being paused for a month, the Fund has reopened with a reduced maximum grant of £9,999 from £50,000, for the remainder of Round 1, in line with the availability of remaining funds. The Connect Fund aims to strengthen civic East-West collaboration on matters of shared interest, including mutual challenges and opportunities across a range of sectors that directly affect communities in Northern Ireland. They encourage applicants seeking larger grants in Round 1 to consider applying to deliver a portion of their proposed project. Applicants are welcome to apply for funding to deliver the remainder of their project in Round 2. This is a rolling program accepting applications at any time. Submit by the 10th of the month for decisions the beginning of the following month.
Upcoming Deadlines
Community Foundation NI Community Benefit Funds' deadlines:
The following funds are accepting applications until the 23 October 2025 at 1pm deadline: Monnaboy Community Benefit Fund (up to £2.5k), The Dunbeg Community Benefit Fund (up to £6k), Cloonty Community Benefit Fund (up to £5k), Corby Knowe Community Benefit Fund (up to £2.5k), Dunmore Community Benefit Fund (up to £2.5k), and Carn Hill Community Benefit Fund (up to £3k).
Parkinson's UK: Physical Activity Grants
A grants programme to help people with Parkinson's to become and stay active. Grants of a minimum of £500 up to £3,000 to support physical activity projects for people with Parkinson's all over the UK. Deadline 23 October 2025.
The Linnean Society: Our Nature Local Grant Scheme
The Our Local Nature Grant scheme is designed to provide young people with an opportunity to take the lead on projects that involve their local nature and natural spaces, to aid young people in realising their influence to affect positive change, to have their voices heard, and see their ideas come to life. They fund innovative projects that are designed and led by young people in the UK. Individuals and organisations can apply for a maximum award of £1,000 per proposal. Deadline midnight 25 October 2025.
The Avocado Foundation: AVOCADO+ Accelerator Programme
The AVOCADO+ Programmes offer BAMER-led (Black, Asian, Multi-Ethnic and Refugee) non-profits and their leaders, unique, innovative and intensive training and support which is designed to improve the Sustainability, Capacity and Leadership of your organisation. Worth £3,000 per organisation but offered for free to qualifying UK-registered BAMER led charities and social enterprises with an annual income between £0 - £250,000, the deadline to apply is 26 October 2025.
Linking Generations NI: Intergenerational Christmas Small Grants
This funding aims to create festive connections across generations and between organisations that wouldn’t normally work together. Christmas and the festive season spirit offer a great opportunity to develop connections and make a difference in our communities. LGNI’s vision is that these connections and relationships will continue into the future. Small grants are £125. Scheme is now open until 28 October 2025 at 12pm(noon).
Fundraising Support, Events & Training
Chartered Institute of Fundraising in Northern Ireland Autumn Forum
Tuesday, 4 November from 09:00 – 12:30 at NICVA, Belfast
This Forum will focus on two key areas of fundraising for the year ahead:
- Navigating the New Fundraising Code - Gain insights into the updated Fundraising Regulator Code of Practice which will come into effect on 1 November. Learn practical guidance to ensure your fundraising is ethical, compliant, and effective. This session will give you the tools and confidence to build long-term supporter trust and maximise income growth.
- Keeping Volunteers Inspired - Fundraisers and volunteers from PIPS, Cancer Fund for Children, and Mary’s Meals will share their best practices in recruiting, managing, and retaining volunteers. This session will provide practical tips and real-world insights to keep your volunteer teams engaged, motivated, and valued, strengthening your organisation’s impact.
Tickets: Members £14 / Non-members £20
Latest Articles
BBC Children in Need update to pause in grantmaking
BBC Children in Need announced they were to pause applications to their grants programmes while they transitioned to a new grantmaking system. Initially planned to launch their new system by the end of September, it will now launch by the end of October 2025 along with changes to policies affecting who can apply to BBC Children in Need.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation announce Arts Fund not accepting new applications
Instead of opening for new applications, the Foundation will give out the same amount of funding through renewing existing grants and reconsidering applications received over the past year.
The Foundation launches new fund offering creative support for charities in Northern Ireland
Belfast-based design agency The Foundation has announced the launch of The Foundation Fund, offering 25 days of professional creative support to charities, community projects, and third-sector initiatives across Northern Ireland.
Rosa, the UK Fund for Women and Girls, launches new strategy
Rosa’s bold new three-year strategy, Creating lasting change for women and girls, aims to help them continue their mission to fund and champion the UK’s women and girls sector.
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