Your weekly roundup of funding news and deadlines from GrantTracker.
Funding News
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.
The Big Give: Women and Girls Match Fund
Applications are now open for the Big Give's women and girls match funding programme - a seven-day online match funding campaign working with charities dedicated to serving the women and girls in our communities, fostering a future where every individual can thrive without limitations. Open to charities with an annual income of at least £5,000 seeking to raise at least £500 and up to £10,000 in public donations (to be doubled by match funds provided by Big Give’s Champion partners). Deadline 19 June 2026.
Girls in the criminal justice system - Triangle Trust
The Triangle Trust's 1949 Fund is open for applications for grants of up to £100,000. Grants will support work with girls aged 11-18 who are either already in contact with the criminal justice system or at high risk of involvement. Funding for work with young women aged 17-30 will be available in the autumn.
Lidl Northern Ireland have launched their ‘Lidl Green Fund’, which awards community groups, schools, and charities funding to support of local projects tackling key environmental challenges across climate and biodiversity, circular economy and sustainable living throughout Northern Ireland. Total prize fund is £25,000 and there will be six prizes of £4,200. Applications close 18 May 2026.
Shared Island Civic Society Fund
The Shared Island Civic Society Fund encourages and supports civic society and community organisations to develop new cross-border links, to further strengthen existing partnerships, or to create or broaden cross-border connectivity on issues of concern for the island of Ireland. The Fund has an allocated budget of €6m over the 2025-2027 period with €2 million available in grant funding in 2026. The maximum grant awarded to any project is €50,000. Application deadline 23:59 on 2 June 2026.
Upcoming Deadlines
Asda Foundation Local Community Spaces Fund
Local Community Spaces funding is opening soon for Registered Charities and Community Interest Companies with a community building or space that needs repair or renovation. Grants from £10,000 – £20,000. Opens to applications from 14 April 2026 at 10am and closes 28 April 2026 at 10am.
Community Foundation for Northern Ireland: Lead the Change
Lead the Change is a new, three year initiative launched by BBC Children in Need, in partnership with Co-op Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Henry Smith Foundation, Joseph Levy Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Postcode Justice Trust, UK Community Foundations and The National Lottery Community Fund. The programme supports young people to play a leading role in strengthening relationships, fostering understanding and building belonging in their communities. In Northern Ireland, there will be one grant of £123,353. The Expression of Interest window closes 1pm on 29 April 2026.
DAERA: Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme
The aim of the NI Regional Food Programme (NIRFP) is to raise the profile of quality regional food. Eligible applicants include formally constituted not-for-profit groups, registered charities and regional development agencies with a Northern Ireland membership or remit. A maximum of £70,000 per project is available, covering up to 40% of total project costs. Tranche 1 is now accepting applications for projects scheduled between 1 May 2026 and 30 September 2026, with a submission deadline of 29 April 2026.
Northern Ireland based funder who support registered charities in Northern Ireland with a preference for supporting short-term projects where visible benefits and outcomes are expected over a period of 3-12 months.. They particularly welcome applications for projects addressing the following needs of children and young persons around alcohol and drugs abuse, homelessness, and counselling for those in need of guidance, advice and support. Majority of grants are in the range of £500 to £2,500. Next deadline 30 April 2026.
King Charles III Charitable Fund: Small Grants
The King Charles III Charitable Fund Small Grants Programme awards small grants of up to £3,000 per year, for up to three years, to approximately 100 UK registered nonprofit organisations each year. The small grants programme is open for applications 23rd April – 7th May to eligible organisations working across their Environment and Countryside funding themes.
Events & Training
Chartered Institute of Fundraising Northern Ireland Awards 2026
Titanic Hotel, Belfast - Thursday 25 June 2026
Do you know an incredible fundraiser making a difference in Northern Ireland? Now’s the time to recognise them! Nominations are open to celebrate the passion, creativity and impact of fundraisers across our community.
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.
The Honourable The Irish Society to Launch New Grant Programmes | NICVA
The Society is pausing their current grants programme for a short time to allow them to build new programmes which reflect their strategic priorities.
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