New or Updated Funds

National Lottery Community Fund: Leaders with Lived Experience 2020 (Closing Date, 5pm. 13th October)

Grants of £20,000 to £50,000 to support organisations set up or run by people with first-hand experience of a social issue, who are trying to create positive change for communities and people who share those experiences. UK-wide.  Will support lived experience leadership, and make sure lived experience plays a key role in shaping how communities move towards recovery and renewal after the impact of COVID-19. They expect to fund between 30 and 40 grants.

TESCO: Bags of Help COVID-19 Communities Fund (Revised Scheme Now Open)

During the last 6 months, Tesco put aside £4 Million to support 8000 local good causes through their Bags of Help COVID-19 Communities Fund, which provided single payment weekly awards of £500 to groups across the UK.  The current Tesco Bags of Help COVID-19 Communities Fund scheme has now closed.  In its place during October, November and December they will be providing grants of £1000 to support projects focused on local children and young people.​

National Churches Trust: Grants for Northern Ireland (Next Deadline, 5th October)

National Churches Trust's new Treasure Ireland project provides a Community Grants Programme which offers your church or chapel funding of between £500 and £10,000 for church maintenance or urgent repair work.

Leathersellers Company Charitable Fund: Small Grants

The Small grants programme is a fast track application process for small one-off grants (up to maximum of £3,000).  In the light of the high demand for funds, their small grants programme will now only consider applications from UK registered charities (this includes Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO) but not Community Interest Companies (CIC)) that are currently supporting vulnerable people; working in geographical areas of high deprivation; and have an annual income under £200,000

Women in Innovation Awards (Closing 11am, 14th October)

Innovate UK, as part of UK Research and Innovation, is offering 10 Women in Innovation Awards to female entrepreneurs across the UK. The winners will receive a £50,000 grant and a bespoke package of mentoring, coaching and business support.

Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council: Large Capital Project Fund (Closing 12 Noon, 31st October)

This programme is to fund Capital Works projects only, where the project value is greater than £5,000.   Grants awarded will be in the range of £2,501-£20,000 (max rate 50%). Projects must commence before 31 March 2021 after receiving letter of offer.

Community Relations Council - Publications Grant Scheme

This programme aims to encourage the production and dissemination of publications that will contribute to greater understanding and better community relations in Northern Ireland. 

Funds Closing Soon

The British Film Institute: FAN Film Exhibition Fund (Closing 30th September)

This new Fund supports activity to re-engage audiences with collective, big screen film experiences at film festivals, mixed arts venues, and both community and traditional cinemas. As part of a comprehensive package of support for film exhibitors, the Film Exhibition Fund will support dynamic cultural programming and activities to engage diverse audiences.

WA Cadbury Charitable Trust (Next Deadline 30th September)

The William Adlington Cadbury Charitable Trust funds cross community initiatives promoting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and Ireland. The UK programme supports penal reform and Quaker causes. The Trust also supports international development.

DWF Foundation (Closing 30th September)

The DWF Foundation, founded by DWF LLP provides funds, resources and support to help communities achieve their full potential.  The priorities for the Foundation are: Homelessness, Health & Wellbeing, Employability and Education. Between the launch of the DWF Foundation in December 2015 and December 2019, the foundation awarded over 135 grants totalling over £300,000.

NB To see all new and updated funds and deadlines, plus over 870 other funding schemes in a one-stop format, subscribe to NI's Leading database, GrantTracker, for just £100 a year for NICVA members and £145 for non-members here.

NB You can see ALL current and paused COVID-19 funding schemes on NICVA's constantly updated COVID-19 Fundraising Hub