Your weekly roundup of funding news and deadlines from GrantTracker
Funding News
Department for Communities: Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund
The Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund is a small capital grant scheme for voluntary and community organisations. The Fund is a £4.32 million grant scheme to support voluntary and community sector organisations to improve the internal or external fabric of their existing community buildings. Eligible community buildings include community halls, community centres and other facilities used by and accessible to the wider community for social, educational and recreational purposes. The total costs of your capital project must be a minimum of £10,000, up to a maximum of £50,000. Funding is available for up to 95% of the total project cost or a maximum grant award of £40,000. The minimum grant award is £9,500. Expressions of Interest open 1 October until 29 October 2025.
Community Foundation NI opens six Community Benefit Funds:
The Foundation are pleased to announce that the following funds have opened for applications: Cloonty Community Benefit Fund, Dunbeg Community Benefit Fund, Monnaboy Community Benefit Fund, Carn Hill Community Benefit Fund, Corby Knowe Community Benefit Fund, and Dunmore Community Benefit Fund. Funding from up to £2,500 to up to £6,000; closing 23 October 2025 at 1pm. The Micro Community Investment Fund offering up to £2,000 has also reopened (no deadline).
ncat: Scaling Innovation Programme 2025/26
Launching its second round of funding, the National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) Scaling Innovation Programme is delivered by ncat partner Connected Places Catapult. They are seeking solutions that directly address challenges in vehicle stop design, travel assistance, and access to information, to create system-wide changes that remove barriers to travel for disabled people.
Open to public, private, or third-sector organisation of any size (registered). Funding runs through three phases. Progression is not automatic. Phase 1 – Planning: Up to 20 projects selected; each receives. Phase 2 – Delivery: 12–15 projects selected to progress each receiving £50,000–£150,000. Phase 3 – Scale: 8-10 projects from Phase 2 receive £100,000 to £150,000. Funding covers direct costs including staff time, overheads, and participation in programme. Deadline 5pm on 7 November 2025. Register here for information webinar on 8 October 2025.
STFC Public Engagement Spark Awards 2025B
Apply for funding to engage the public with Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) supported science. Almost anyone can apply for a Spark award, but your host institution must be a research organisation eligible for UK Research and Innovation funding, based in the UK and who produce annual accounts certified by an accountant. You can apply for the 100% full economic cost (FEC) of your project up to £20,000. Projects are expected to be between 12 and 36 months in duration. Deadline 6 November 2025 at 4pm.
The Toy Trust exists to raise money predominantly from the toy industry, its suppliers and friends. They welcome applications from small, registered children's charities with an income of less than £1million working for the benefit of disadvantaged children under 13 across the UK. Applications are accepted from organisations based in the UK and Ireland for grants of up to £5000. Applications received by mid-November will be forwarded to their December Trustees meeting.
Upcoming Deadlines
Creative Lives champion community and volunteer-led creative activity. Their micro grant opportunity operates as a competition with varying themes. Their latest micro-grant competition is all about volunteers, and how to make sure they feel supported, appreciated and cared for. They’re looking for top tips, great ideas and innovative examples of how creative groups look after their volunteers. They share your stories in an online guide, so that everyone can benefit from them - and their favourite entry wins a £250 micro-grant (or €290 in Ireland). Simply share your story, photo or two of your volunteers in action and email [email protected] by 30 September 2025.
The Different Foundation: AI For All
The Different Foundation flagship initiative, "AI For All,” provides targeted grants up to £2,500 for smaller UK charities (£150K-£1.15M turnover) advancing inclusive AI initiatives. They seek to promote access and opportunity for members of underrepresented and diverse communities in AI innovation supporting organisations committed to diversity in technology. The current focus is addressing digital bias, elevating diverse voices, and developing AI that works for everyone. Deadline 30 September 2025.
National Manuscripts Conservation Trust
The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust (NMCT) provides financial assistance to support the preservation of the nation´s written heritage. Open to record offices and libraries in the UK that offer public access and are not directly funded by the government, including local authorities, universities, and specialised record repositories and UK owners of manuscripts and archives. You can apply for a grant to conserve one item or a whole collection, costs covered include the conservator's time, conservation materials and digitisation if it is part of the conservation project. The majority of their grants are between £500 and £10,000. Next deadline 1 October 2025.
Bagri Foundation: 2025/26 Arts & Culture Grants programme
The Bagri Foundation, a UK charity dedicated to promoting an understanding of Asian cultures, offers grants to non-profit arts organisations actively engaged in the cultural sector, supporting artistic projects. The Foundation is inviting UK non-profits to apply for funding for projects that explore and promote Asian arts and culture. Grants range from £5,000 to £150,000, typically covering 10–40% of the total project cost. Expression of Interest deadline 11pm on 3 October 2025.
Gilly’s, the Gillian Stevenson Charitable Trust CIO, invites small UK charities with an annual income of £100,000 or less working to improve the lives of disadvantaged children, young people, families and adults living in the UK, to apply for a grant of up to £5,000. Funding may cover running costs of a new or existing service or programme or specific projects designed to provide long-term benefits to significant numbers of individuals. Opens annually. Deadline midnight 5 October 2025.
Fundraising Support, Events & Training
**NEW** Fundraising Workshop Series
Starting in September, our new Fundraising Workshop Series aims to support you and your fundraising knowledge, capability, and capacity to successfully navigate the competitive fundraising landscape. This workshop series covers the fundamentals of fundraising and a fundraiser’s role, fundraising readiness, using tools to maximise your time for fundraising and how to effectively select funders and complete funding applications.
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
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.
BBC Children in Need launch Communities for Children
BBC Children in Need have announced the launch of Communities for Children – the £15 million funding programme dedicated to tackling child poverty in the UK.
Communities Minister launches Northern Ireland’s first Olympic Legacy Fund
The £1million capital investment will modernise facilities at local clubs and community groups as part of a lasting legacy in honour of our athletes at the Paris Olympics.
£1.8million Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme 2025/2026 opens for applications
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA has announced a new £1.8million Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme (RMCGS). Applications close 12.00pm midday on Monday 20 October 2025.
NICVA response to Charity Commission's new strategic agenda
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland consulted on its new strategic agenda for 2026-2029. NICVA has submitted its response.
Virgin Media O2 creates new £1 million apprenticeship talent fund
Virgin Media O2 is unlocking up to £1 million in funding to help small businesses, charities, social enterprises, and local authorities recruit and train the next wave of apprentices — creating real career opportunities that power long-term growth.
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