Funding News – 23 January 2023

Your weekly funding news and deadlines update from GrantTracker.

Funding News

Arts Council of Northern Ireland: Annual Funding Programme 2023/24

The Annual Funding Programme (AFP) supports Northern Ireland’s arts infrastructure through grants to organisations in all artforms and practices for their core and programming costs. Only organisations who have received an award of at least £10,001 from the Arts Council since 1 April 2020 are eligible to apply to the Annual Funding Programme. Please note that this minimum amount must be in relation to a single award: an organization that has received 2 awards totalling over £10,001 would not be eligible. New applicants must contact the relevant art form officer by 5pm on 10 February at the latest to discuss a possible application. Please note this is a criterion for eligibility.

IFA: Multi-Sports Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund – EOIs invited by 3 February 2023

The Irish Football Association (Irish FA) and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) Multi-Sports Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund aims to allow local grassroots football clubs in Northern Ireland (NI) to improve and upgrade facilities to create a better grassroots football infrastructure foundation. The UK Government has confirmed the allocation of a £230 million uplift to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for investment in football facilities across the UK. Expression of Interest deadline NOON, 3 February 2023.

Near Neighbours: Windrush 75 - Windrush Day Grant Scheme 2023

This year’s Windrush Day Grant Scheme will support groups to commemorate, celebrate and educate people about the contribution of the Windrush generation and their descendants across communities in our country. The grant scheme forms a part of the Government’s commitment to level up opportunity across diverse communities and help build greater trust in public services while improving outcomes for everyone and forging a greater sense of belonging.  This year’s grant scheme will also for the first time be open to community organisations in Northern Ireland to apply for funding and join together in celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the arrival of the MV Empire Windrush. Visit link to sign up to bidder workshops.

DBACE Award for creatives opens 31 January

The Awards from Deutsche Bank partnering with MEWe360 enable and celebrate talented entrepreneurs to make positive social impact through their creative ventures. This year for the first time, DBACE is open to all applicants over the age of 18 from not-for-profit, commercial or enterprise sectors and offers a £60,000 prize fund pot and £100,000 worth of business support to 5 winners.

The 2023 Ashden Awards now open

The Ashden Awards offer grant prizes of up to £25,000, as well as ongoing development support. This year, the Awards will help power up inclusive innovation creating a fairer low carbon world – tackling inequality and empowering communities on the frontline of the climate crisis through jobs, skills and training. Ashden winners come in all shapes and sizes. They don’t reward the biggest organisations or slickest marketing pitches – they’re looking for passion, potential and commitment to their values. Closes 23:59, 8 March 2023.

Woodward Charitable Trust: Playschemes opens 6 February 2023

The Trust funds summer playschemes for children between the ages of 5-16 years. Funded programmes must run for a minimum of 2 weeks or 10 days across the summer holidays. Grants can only be paid to registered charities, but other groups can nominate a registered charity to accept a grant on their behalf. Grants usually range from £500 to £1,000 with preference towards small local playschemes providing a wide-ranging programme of activities, large number of children, and catering for an inclusive programme involving children from all backgrounds including those with disabilities.  

Upcoming Deadlines

EBS: Volunteers in Sport Awards

The Federation of Irish Sport hosts the Volunteers in Sport Awards as a unique celebration to honour and recognise individuals who are part of the wider volunteering community involved in sport, who give freely of their time and efforts in a variety of ways through the structure of sports clubs and/or community organisations in Ireland. Nomination deadline midnight 25 January 2023.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council: Community Development & Festivals Grants

The Community Development and Festivals Grant Aid Programme provides financial support for groups in the Antrim and Newtownabbey District Council area which have Community Development as a primary objective that improves the lives of local people. Projects must also develop a strong, healthy and vibrant community whilst encouraging maximum participation in community life by all residents. Closing 4pm, 31 January 2023.

Causeway Coast & Glen Grant Programmes

The Policing and Community Safety Small Grant for 2022 and the Culture, Arts and Heritage Grant Scheme close NOON, 27 January 2023. Community Festivals Fund closes NOON, 3 February 2023.

Community Foundation of Northern Ireland’s upcoming deadlines

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal Impact Grants Fund closes at 1pm on 10 February 2023while the Cregganconroe Community Benefit Fund, BC & P Fund, and Inishative Community Benefit Fund close at 1pm on 13 February 2023.

Fundraising Clinics & Training

Free Fundraising Clinics for NICVA Members - next available session, March 2023

These popular, free fundraising advice clinics will return February 2023 to provide members with an hour-long chance to discuss and address specific fundraising needs.  These monthly events occur on the last Tuesday of each month from 10am until 4pm. The Clinics are extremely popular and tend to book up quick.

February fully booked – click link to book for March!

Success in Fundraising Applications | NICVA

This session is suitable for fundraisers from the community, voluntary, and faith sectors who are new to grant applications or interested in refreshing their skills. We will explore funder expectations, what’s involved in completing funding applications and useful tips to articulating your needs.    

Fundraising Articles & Resources

NEW Guest Blog: The National Lottery Community Fund - remember to consider your environmental impact when applying for funding

Mark Creaney, from The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF), talks about how the largest community funder across the UK is supporting communities who are seeking to minimise their impact on the environment.

Making a Sustainable Difference in your Organisation

The environment affects all aspects of our lives and there are numerous benefits for organisations to address environmental issues such as improved finances and greater appeal for employees, supporters, and funders. Find out more here including potential funders.

Fundraising Hub

NICVA Fundraising Advice has a range of articles from contributors supporting fundraising. Explore our Fundraising Hub for advice and information: 

Get ahead with GrantTracker and access over 1000 funding schemes in NI's leading database.  Just £100 a year for NICVA members and £145 for non-members here.