Your weekly roundup of funding news and deadlines from GrantTracker.
Funding News
Hilden Charitable Fund encourages NI applications
The Hilden Charitable Fund supports UK-based organisations delivering projects within the UK to support social justice and to tackle disadvantage most notably for Refugee and asylum seeker support and Prisoner and ex-prisoner support. NICVA has been notified that they struggle to get applications from Northern Ireland. The next round opens on 28 July for organisations with an income of under £200,000.
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 now open applications for projects / activities across their heritage and conservation and education funding themes. Applications open on 5 August 2026 (9am) and close 12noon on 19 August 2026.
The National Lottery Community Fund: Small Eco Awards
The Small Eco Awards are grants of between £300 and £20,000 available for communities across Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. They are expecting to fund projects that focus on areas such as energy and carbon reduction, nature and outdoor spaces, climate education and sustainable living. The programme will operate on an open rolling basis and has an indicative budget of £1m available for 2026/27.
Air Ambulances UK: AAUK Improving Outcomes Fund
Air Ambulances UK (AAUK) Improving Outcomes Fund is designed to support air ambulance patients, their loved ones, and the crews who respond to life-threatening emergencies. Air Ambulance charities will be able to apply for grants ranging from £5,000 to £25,000 to fund initiatives that improve patient outcomes and crew wellbeing. The fund is now open until noon 15 September 2026.
Arts Council NI: Rural Engagement Arts Programme
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is inviting applications to the fourth year of its Rural Engagement Arts Programme (REAP). The scheme closes 24 September 2026 at noon. The purpose of the Rural Engagement Arts Programme (REAP) is to provide an integrated, cohesive approach to the needs of local rural communities while recognising some specific issues they face. The primary theme of REAP is combatting isolation and loneliness, promoting social inclusion and to improve equality of access and opportunity to arts provision across all Section 75 groups, encouraging greater participation in the arts within all communities. The maximum award available is £10,000.
Upcoming Deadlines
Home - The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust
Grant rounds 3 and 4 focus on Unpaid carers. Funding will support projects that provide therapeutic support, including healthy eating and outdoor activities. To be eligible, a project must focus exclusively on unpaid carers as its beneficiaries, without extending services to other groups. They don’t fund salaries for charity staff unless specifically employed for the project concerned. Grant Round 3 ends 31st July offers grants of £1,000; Grant Round 4 is open between 1st - 30th September for grants of £5,000.
The Foundation supports Christian charities concerned with social inclusion, particularly through ministries of healing and the arts. The maximum grant provided is £12,000. They will consider both Uk and overseas projects. The Trustees look favourably on organisations whose Boards demonstrate equal opportunities. Next deadline 31 July 2026.
The Marc Fitch Fund is an educational charity which makes small grants towards the costs of publishing scholarly work in the fields of British and Irish national, regional and local history, archaeology, antiquarian studies, historical geography, the history of art and architecture, heraldry, genealogy and surname studies, archival research, artefact conservation and the broad fields of the heritage, conservation and the historic environment. Next deadline 1 August 2026.
The Trust specialises in creating opportunities and supporting disabled people who want to play tennis inclusive of all disabilities e.g. physical impairment, deaf, learning disability, visually impaired etc. Supports individuals up to £600 and organisations up to £1,600. Round 3 deadline is 3 August 2026.
Fundraising Events & Training
Fundraising Training and Events Calendar for 2026/27
We’ve summarised the upcoming Fundraising Training and Events Calendar. Click the link above for more information.
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.
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