Small Grants for Winter Activities to Help Reduce Social Isolation for Older People (UK)

Founded by Home Instead, the UK’s leading provider of home care, Home Instead Charities’ mission is to end loneliness for ageing adults. The organisation exists to bring happiness and joy into the lives of Britain’s ageing population so that ageing adults are thriving, not just surviving.

To this end, they offer funding to support local community events that enhance and enrich the lives of people over the age of 55 to combat loneliness and sometimes isolation ensuring they stay fit, active, healthy and connected and contributing to their local communities.

There are two levels of funding:

• Grants of up to £500 for small grass roots organisations.

• Grants of up to £1,500 for small local registered charities. Larger grants can be considered for exceptional projects.

The funder will only fully fund a grant request where the applicant holds no more than three months operating costs in reserve. For organisations that have more than this, up to 50% of the project costs will be funded.

The grants can be used for:

• Regular weekly or monthly events and activities such as weekly cinema club, weekly knit and natter or Thursday lunch club.

• One off activities such as a day trip or a Christmas lunch.

• Activities such as yoga or a guest speaker for the group such as a local historian.

There are four application windows per year (January, April, July and October). Applications received outside of these window will not be processed.

Applications will be accepted from 1 October until 31 October and will be processed and awarded in November 2025. For more information, please visit Apply For A Grant | Home Instead Charities

Hardship Funding to Support Vulnerable Families and Individuals Across the UK

COSARAF is offering grants of up to £2,000 to organisations that support families and individuals from across the UK who are in financial need and struggling with everyday costs such as basic expenses, utilities, or rent arrears.

The Hardship Grants Programme supports recognised third-party social organisations, such as charities, housing associations, schools, and social services, which are acting on behalf of a family or individual in need, with priority being given to:

• The most financially excluded people.

• Families over individuals.

• Those with caring responsibilities.

• Items that will make the most difference to the individual/family’s long-term future.

Funding can be used to support vulnerable individuals with costs such as:

• Household items, such as white goods, and occasionally furniture, including sofas or wardrobes.

• Basic living expenses, such as utilities and food.

• Work or education-related expenses.

• Rent or Council tax arrears where there is a clear risk of homelessness.

• Immigration-related costs, where a person’s current immigration status is causing financial hardship.

Applications are assessed every six weeks, and groups can expect to receive a response within eight weeks of their application.

Applications can be submitted at any time. For more information, please visit Hardship Grants - Cosaraf

Cultural Bridge Fund Opens for UK Applications 1 October

This is a unique investment programme between the UK arts councils and leading German cultural institutions that supports the development of cross-border partnerships. Now in its fifth year, the funding has enabled arts organisations that place communities at the heart of their work, to build and develop new partnerships that allow exploration and exchange of practice across the UK and Germany.

The Fund is open to all arts and cultural organisations with proven expertise in socially engaged/participatory practice. Partnerships must be bi-lateral, including at least one German partner and one UK partner, from any one of the four nations: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The total budget for the 2026-2027 programme is £370,000. It is anticipated that 20 awards will be made.

Two tiers of funding are available for activity that starts from 1 April 2026 and is completed by 31 March 2027:

• Tier 1 - Practice exchange and development of new partnerships - supports the development of brand new partnerships between arts and cultural organisations in the UK and Germany. Grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 per partnership.

• Tier 2 - Co-development and project delivery for established partnerships - supports further development of partnerships, where organisations already have experience of working together. Grants of up to £30,000 per partnership.

Cultural Bridge is open to all artforms. This round will prioritise support for:

• Smaller arts and cultural organisations who do not already receive significant or sustained funding.

• Organisations based or working with communities outside of major cities, eg, in rural areas or less populated urban centres.

• Organisations who empower local communities through their creative work.

• Organisations whose work aligns with the programme's aims and place themes.

• Organisations who foster equity, diversity and inclusion through their leadership and practice.

The programme is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive network. The activity supported, and the workforce of arts and culture organisations funded, should reflect the diversity of the UK and Germany, and as such applications are encouraged from diversity-led organisations and from those from under-represented backgrounds.

Applications will be accepted from 1 October to 12 November 2025. For more information, please visit Funding | Cultural Bridge

Sport NI Launches £1 Million Olympic Legacy Fund

Community organisations across Northern Ireland have the opportunity to secure match funding for projects to upgrade sports facilities.

The Olympic Legacy Fund is a new £1 million programme provided by Sport Northern Ireland through funding from the Department for Communities. Supported projects will leave a lasting community legacy from the success of Northern Ireland athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympic/Paralympic Games.

The fund aims to improve the quality of equipment and/or modernise facilities at community sports organisations, encouraging people to engage in sport and physical activity.

Unlike traditional grants, this programme requires applicants to first raise funds through Crowdfunder's platform. Projects must have a total cost of between £1,000 and £50,000. Once a project secures at least 18% of its funding target, Sport NI will pledge 65% of the total project costs and the project will need to raise the remaining 17%. Projects in areas of high social need may be eligible for a contribution of 75%.

Eligible applicants include constituted sports clubs affiliated with recognised governing bodies, community or voluntary organisations focused on sport or physical recreation and charitable trusts.

To apply, organisations must set up an eligible project on the Crowdfunder UK website and meet the initial fundraising criteria.

All applications/campaigns must be submitted for review by 20 February 2026. For more information, please visit Olympic Legacy Fund | Sport NI

Triangle Trust Opens Autumn Round to Support Young Women and Girls in the UK

In 2025, the Trust’s focus is specifically on young women and girls who have been in the UK’s criminal justice system or who are at a high risk of being drawn into it.

There are two funding rounds per year (spring and autumn). The autumn round offers grants of between £30,000 and £80,000 over two years (up £40,000 can be requested per year) for proposals focused on targeted work with high-risk young women and girls ages 11 and 30 who are on the edge of the criminal justice system. Projects will need to either be working towards reducing reoffending behaviours or reducing first convictions. 

Registered charities, not-for-profit social enterprises and community interest companies that are working within the UK and have a UK office can apply as long as they can clearly show that women and girls make up at least 80% of their total beneficiaries across their whole organisation.

They need to have a proven track record of running projects with vulnerable and challenging young women and girls between the ages of 11 and 30 years, and their work is both gender and trauma informed. Their average annual income over the past three years needs to be less than £1.5 million.

There is particular interest in funding projects working with young women and girls who are care experienced, come from Black or minoritized/racialised communities and work that is led by people with lived experience.

The Trust particularly welcomes applications from organisations working in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

In addition to the Main Grants, the Trust is offering Small Grants of £10,000 to grass roots organisations that are led by women and whose beneficiaries are 100% women and girls. The details are provided in a separate report.

The deadline for applications is 20 October 2025. For more information please visit The Triangle Trust

Help the Homeless Accepting Applications for Winter Grants

This small grant maker provides grants of up to £5,000 for capital projects that help homeless people return to the community and rebuild their lives.

Funding is targeted at projects to find practical ways to help disadvantaged individuals return to the community through training or residential facility provision, rather than merely providing short term shelter.

The reasons for being homeless vary enormously, but may include ill-health, those who are discharged offenders, addictions, family breakdown or other adverse circumstances.  Homelessness is not just about the people that the public sees and thinks about – principally “rough sleepers” living on the streets – but a whole range of people who lack a stable home.

The scheme will only fund capital costs. It will not fund core and running costs, computers or IT equipment.

UK registered charities with an annual turnover of under £500,000 can apply.

Applications are considered four times a year.

The next deadline for applications is 15 December 2025. For more information, please visit Applying for Funding — Help the Homeless

Community Gardens Awards Open for England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Delivered by the National Garden Scheme, the Community Gardens Award provides grants of £1,500 and £5,000 for gardening projects carried out within local communities in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

The scheme is committed to:

• Sustainability in gardening so proposals need to demonstrate that they will be using sustainable gardening methods – for instance being as far as possible peat-free.

• Celebrating biodiversity so projects that encourage biodiversity and wildlife, while not essential, will be a positive.

The funding can be used for a number of things, including but not limited to:

• Plants and containers

• Materials for flower or vegetable beds and other hard landscaping

• Greenhouses, polytunnels and sheds

• Seating

• Hand tools and certain garden power tools (eg strimmers)

• Materials for providing refreshment.

Applicants must be a fully set up community group, registered charity or Community Interest Company (CIC) with a functioning non-personal bank account based and working in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Please note this year, the application process is in two parts. The first part is an initial eligibility check. The link to the second part will be sent by email.

Also new this year, the scheme has introduced a cap on applications. Only the first 300 eligible submissions will be considered for a grant.

The deadline for applications is 20 October 2025 (12 noon). For more information, please visit Community Garden Grants - National Garden Scheme

Capital Grants for Projects Supporting Those in Need of a Safe and Secure Home

The Leeds Building Society Foundation offers grants to UK registered charities for projects which address one or more of the following themes:

• Financial stress - projects that help with bills or debt stress.

• Security and refuge - projects that support emergency accommodation.

• Quality and suitability of housing.

• Health and wellbeing support for those experiencing homelessness if it is part of wraparound support and the application also meets at least one of the other themes.

Applications are welcome from those who take a Housing First and/or relationship-based approach. Applications should show evidence of:

• Strength-based practice

• Trauma-informed care

• Psychologically informed environments.

UK registered charities with a turnover of less than £1 million based anywhere in the UK can apply for small grants of between £250 and £1,000.

The funding is to be used for projects that support those in need of a safe and secure home. Grants are only for capital expenditure (that is, to purchase items used to directly help those in need).

This is the final small grants application window for 2025. Applications will be considered at the early December meeting.

Applications open on 12 August and close 3 November 2025. For more information, please visit About Charitable Foundation | Leeds Building Society

Community Foundation for NI - Windfarm Funding Open!

These local community benefit funds were set up by Gaelectric in 2016 and is now managed by CGN Europe - a wind energy and energy storage company that believes in a sustainable future. GCN is committed to ensuring that their wind farms, whilst having obvious environmental benefits, also provide significant economic benefits to the local community.

Monnaboy Community Benefit Funding – Greysteel area – grants of up to £2500 – closing date 23rd October 25 - Monnaboy Community Benefit Fund - Community Foundation Northern Ireland  

Dunbeg Community Benefit Funding – Limavady/Coleraine area – grants of up to £2500 – closing date 23rd October 25 - Dunbeg Community Benefit Fund - Community Foundation Northern Ireland

 Dunmore Community Benefit Funding – Dungiven area – grants of up to £2500 – closing date 23rd October 25 - Dunmore Community Benefit Fund - Community Foundation Northern Ireland

Carn Hill Community Benefit Fund - Within 6km radius of the windfarm, which includes the areas of Monkstown, Grange, Woodburn, Greenisland, Ballynure and Carnmoney. Grants up to £3000 - Carn Hill Community Benefit Fund - Community Foundation Northern Ireland

Corby Knowe Community Benefit Fund - located off the Parkgate Road, Kells, County Antrim. Grants up to £2500 - Corby Knowe Community Benefit Fund - Community Foundation Northern Ireland

Cloonty Community Benefit Fund - ocated in an area bounded by the B17 Straid Road to the north, the B62 Ballybogey Road to the west and B147 Kirk Road / Ballintea Road to the south and east. Grants up to £5000 - Cloonty Community Benefit Fund - Community Foundation Northern Ireland

For more information and to apply, please check the Foundation’s website – www.communityfoundationni.org

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. The fund is being delivered by the Department for Communities in partnership with Co-operation Ireland.

The aim is to enable community organisations to better meet the needs of their community and/or improve the quality and range of activities delivered in community buildings.

The scheme will provide funding towards:

• repairs to existing community buildings (for example, refurbishment or structural repairs, roof work, repairs to meet health and safety or building regulations)

• small scale refurbishment or renovation works to improve communal facilities, for example kitchen and toilets or changes to enable multi-use of premises

• capital works for accessibility improvements (upgrades such as ramps or lifts)

• energy efficiency measures (such as boiler replacement, window upgrades, insulation, heating systems, or solar panels).

The scheme will open for Expressions of Interest on 1 October 2025 and close on 29 October 2025 for projects to be delivered between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027.

Projects that pass the Expression of Interest stage will be invited to complete a full application.

The full application must be submitted by 9 January 2026. 

For more information, please visit Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund | Department for Communities

PEACEPLUS - Change Maker Small Grants Programme

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.

Grants are available to voluntary and community organisations, schools, universities and research institutions in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of Ireland for partnership projects focused on cross-community relations and cross-border collaboration as part of the wider PEACEPLUS programme.

Applications will be accepted under the following investment areas:

• Investment Area 1.2: Empowering Communities to Embed Peace.

• Investment Area 6.2: Maintaining and Forging Relationships between Citizens.

 Each investment area has three tiers of funding.

Investment Area 1.2:

• Tier One - €10,000 - €20,000 for projects of up to 12 months.

• Tier Two - €20,001 - €60,000 for projects of between 12 and 18 months.

• Tier Three - €60,001 - €100,000 for projects of between 12 and 18 months.

Investment Area 6.2:

• Tier One - €10,000 - €40,000 for projects of up to 12 months.

• Tier Two - €40,001 - €60,000 for projects of between 12 and 18 months.

• Tier Three - €60,001 - €100,000 for projects of between 12 and 18 months.

Organisations must apply in partnership with one organisation acting as the lead applicant.

The following can apply:

• Non-government organisations (NGOs).

• Local community groups.

• Associations, including those focused on social inclusion opportunities eg, ex-offenders, sports, arts, history and cultural bodies, traveller and migrant organisations, disability support organisations.

• Voluntary sector organisations.

• Universities, schools, colleges, higher education, research institutions.

This is not an exhaustive list. Applicant organisations must have a constitution.

Direct costs associated with running the people-to-people activities are eligible for funding, including:

• Programmatic equipment necessary for the delivery of the project (capped at 20% of the overall grant whether purchased, hired or leased).

• External expertise and services, including:

• Facilitators and mediators

• Travel

• Venue

• Catering

• Training materials

• Staff costs.

Projects under Investment Area 1.2 must:

• Involve at least two organisations from different communities.

• Bring people together from different communities.

• Place particular emphasis on those most marginalised within communities.

Projects can focus on the following themes (not exhaustive):

• Groups and individuals who have not previously participated in Peace Programmes.

• Children and young people.

• Sport.

• Arts and culture.

• History.

• Victims & survivors.

• Ex-prisoners.

• Members of the security service.

• Health and wellbeing.

• Community education.

• Community safety.

• Community regeneration.

• Social innovation / enterprise.

Participation will be encouraged by those from minority and marginalised groups.

Projects under Investment Area 6.2 must:

• Include cross-border cooperation between groups.

• Engage people in cross-border activities around a shared interest/field.

Examples of eligible projects include:

• Small-scale projects to promote citizens’ cooperation around specific shared challenges eg, climate change and people-to-people projects, such as events and activities that develop mutual understanding and cement partnerships/collaboration.

• North-South joint events and activities that develop mutual understanding and cement partnership.

• Linking up sports clubs, cultural organisations and community groups.

The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is responsible for managing PEACEPLUS.

Tier One applications are being accepted on a rolling basis:

• I.A 1.2: Empowering Communities to Embed Peace (€10,000 - €20,000).

• I.A 6.2 Maintaining and Forging Relationships between Citizens (€10,000 - €40,000). 

Calls for Tier Two and Tier Three Grants will open within specified timeframes throughout the programme timescale.

Applications for Tier Three Grants under I.A 6.2: Maintaining and Forging Relationships between Citizens (€60,000 - €100,000) are now closed.

Guidance notes for each PEACEPLUS call and the online JEMS application portal can be accessed from the SEUPB website.

For more information please visit Change Maker Funding Programme | SEUPB

WCIT – IT4Good Grant Programme

Closing date 22/10/2025

 Grants are available for not-for-profit organisations across the UK to deliver IT projects and activities that support the themes of education, inclusion, IT for charities, and understanding of IT. 

 This fund aims to support IT projects and activities that relate to one or more of the following priority areas:

• Education.

• Inclusion.

• Tech for charities.

• Public understanding of Technology. 

Grants of up to £15,000 are available.

Grants over £15,000 may be considered in exceptional circumstances. 

Registered charities and organisations with a formal not-for-profit constitution, such as community interest companies (CICs), can apply. 

Applicants must provide:

• A document proving charitable state.

• A copy of their most recent audited annual accounts.

• A copy of their current safeguarding policy

• A copy of their Person with Significant Control Register (for CICs and companies limited by guarantee).

Applicants for grants over £5,000 and less than £15,000 must also provide contact details of an external referee who can provide a reference on the charity’s effective project or service delivery. This contact must be external to the organisation and be happy to be named. They should not be related to any applicant staff or volunteer.

Applicants for grants over £15,000 must also provide:

• Their most recent annual report or minutes of AGM. If the organisation is new, the minutes from the meeting when the constitution was formally adopted are acceptable.

• Contact details of two external referees who can provide a reference on the charity's effective project or service delivery. The contacts must be external to the organisation and be happy to be named. They should not be related to any applicant staff or volunteer.

Projects that are more likely to be funded include:

• The development and delivery of new services, solutions, training, apps, analytics, AI, robotics, or accessibility features/hardware.

• Projects where WCIT is a material or sole funder.

• Projects where WCIT is the sole funder of the IT component of a larger project.

• Organisations that could benefit from pro-bono support.

Proposed projects should demonstrate an innovative use of IT, be scalable for wider replication, and be sustainable over time. 

The next deadline for applications is 22 October 2025. 

Guidance notes and an online grants portal are available from the WCIT Charity website. 

 For more information please visit Home - WCIT Charity

David Riddell Memorial CIO

Applications can be submitted at any time and are considered on a rolling basis.

Grants are available for charities, charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs), and community interest companies across the UK to deliver projects and activities that make a real difference to suicide awareness and prevention. 

This fund aims to support suicide awareness and prevention programmes run for charitable purposes.

Priority will be given to innovative projects. 

Grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 are available. 

Charities, charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs), and community interest companies that are limited by guarantee, across the UK, can apply.

Priority will be given to smaller charities with an income of less than £1 million.

Applicants should provide their latest set of audited/examined financial accounts. 

 Funding is for costs associated with project delivery.

Applications can include full cost recovery.

Applications for core costs may be considered to the extent that the mission of the applicant organisation meets the funding criteria. 

To apply, groups should send a brief memo (no more than two sides of A4) by email containing the following:

• Charity name, number, and address.

• Contact details of the applicant.

• An overview of the charity, including the stated aims and objectives of the organisation, website address, number of staff and volunteers employed, and the number of beneficiaries.

• Confirmation (if applicable) that the organisation has a child protection policy in place.

• Confirmation that the organisation has public liability insurance in place.

• Forecast income and expenditure for the current financial year.

• A summary of the proposed project, detailing how the project will make a difference to the recipients and how the group will measure the outcomes.

Successful applicants will be contacted directly by the grants team to discuss additional information requirements. Depending on the size of the grant, this may involve an assessment visit or video call from one of the trustees.

The turnaround time for a successful application from submission to funding is around three months. 

 For more information please visit Grants — David Riddell Memorial CIO

Ards and North Down - Arts Project Grant

Closing date 17/02/2026

Grants are available to constituted voluntary and community groups to support and develop arts-based events, projects or activities that take place in the Ards and North Down Borough.

The funding is intended to support delivery of the following strategic objectives:

• To improve access to the arts.

• To promote and encourage artistic development and skills in the community.

• To encourage participation in the arts.

• To support wellbeing through creative activity.

• To ensure quality arts experiences and best practice.

Arts Project Grants of up £1,000 are available per group, per financial year.

Match funding of at least 20% either cash or in-kind is required.

Applications are accepted from non-profit making organisations and constituted groups that are based in Ards and North Down Borough.

Groups based outside of the Council Borough may apply if the proposed activity is taking place within the Borough boundaries.

 Grants are designed to support new and/or developmental one-off projects and activities.

Projects must:

• Address a minimum of four strategic objectives, which are:

• To improve access to the arts.

• To promote and encourage artistic development and skills in the community.

• To encourage participation in the arts.

• To support wellbeing through creative activity.

• To ensure quality arts experiences and best practice.

• Be effectively planned, budgeted and have clear objectives and outcomes.

• Be accessible to the general public where appropriate.

• Be adequately marketed and publicised throughout the Borough.

• Represent value for money.

• Be non-party political, non-religious and non-sectarian.

Examples of types of projects that could be funded include:

• An arts group could invite a professional practitioner to lead a series of creative workshops to develop new skills in the groups.

• A residents' association could work with an artist to design an artwork for a community venue.

• An older persons' group could work with an artist to bring to life stories from the past.

• A youth group could work on a project with a drama/art tutor, resulting in an end performance or exhibition.

• A community group organising a special event/performance that encourages engagement in creative activities.

Applications for 2026/27 will open on 6 January 2026 and must be submitted by the deadline of 17 February 2026.

All projects must have a minimum lead-in time of eight weeks from the deadline for applications before the project is due to start.

Guidance notes and the application form can be accessed from the Ards and North Down Borough Council website - Arts Project Grant | AND Culture

Funding Workshops for Capital Grants Programme

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council invites interested parties / organisations to attend a workshop on the Capital Grants Programme.

This fund will support local sports and community organisations with the development of new or the enhancement of existing facilities to meet unmet needs.

The workshops will provide information on the expression of interest process, full application process and criteria for application.

Interested organisations are invited to a Capital Grants Workshop on either Wednesday 1st October (online) at 7.00pm or Thursday 2nd October at 3.00pm in: Bann Gallery, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Cloonavin, 66 Portstewart Road, Coleraine, BT52 1EY.

To register for a workshop please email grants@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk and specify date attending. A link for the online meeting will be sent to all attendees in advance of the meeting.

For more information, please visit - https://causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/news/funding-workshops-for-capital-grants-programme

National Lottery Awards for All - Northern Ireland briefing session

Are you working with your local community to develop a project in Northern Ireland to support people in your local area? 

If so, this session may be of interest to you.

The National Lottery Community Fund in Northern Ireland are hosting a lunch time information session to tell you more about their ever-popular small grants programme, National Lottery Awards for All.

This session is for voluntary or community organisations based in Northern Ireland who are seeking funding between £300 to £20,000, for projects lasting up to two years, to deliver activity in their community.

The session is open to everyone but is aimed primarily at groups who have not applied to National Lottery Awards for All Northern Ireland before or who would like a refresher on the programme aims and application criteria.

At the session you will receive advice on how you can check that your project and organisation are eligible to apply and how you can make sure you have provided the right info on your application form.

We'll also offer advice and tips on how to describe your project, how you can check that your idea meets the aims of the programme, the different ways you could involve your community and how you can explain your project costs.

All of which could lead to a more successful application

We recommend that you have a look at the webpage guidance to ensure your organisation is eligible to apply before you reserve your spot. Find out more at https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/awards-for-all-northern-ireland

To reserve a spot please visit National Lottery Awards for All - Northern Ireland briefing session at Online event tickets from TicketSource

£1.8million Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme 2025/2026 opens for applications

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA has today announced that a new £1.8million Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme (RMCGS) will open for applications on Monday 15 September 2025.

Capital grants between £500 and £2,000 will be available to rural voluntary and community organisations and Social Economy Enterprises to fund projects tackling locally identified issues of poverty and/or social isolation. The Scheme is funded from DAERA’s Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme.

Projects must focus on one of the following themes:

• Modernisation (of building(s) or assets)

• Information Communication Technology (ICT)

• Health and Wellbeing

• Energy Efficiency or Environmental Improvements.

The scheme is being delivered by Rural Support Networks on behalf of DAERA. Applicants to the Scheme will be required to provide a minimum of 15% match-funding.

The Scheme closes for applications 12.00pm midday on Monday 20 October 2025.

For further information on the 2025/2026 Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme including revised registration requirements please contact the Rural Support Network in your local council area. More details from the DAERA website.

Cash4Clubs Opens for UK Applications

Cash4Clubs is a grant programme funded by Flutter UK & Ireland, part of Flutter Entertainment, the global sports betting, gaming and entertainment provider. For this reason, groups must be delivering activities to adults (18+) within the UK or Ireland.

The fund has been increased this year to £500,000 and will provide 250 unrestricted grants of £2,000 each (€2000 in Ireland). 

Not-for-profit organisations, including charities, community groups and traditional sports clubs from across the UK and Ireland are eligible to apply.

The 2025/26 programme is focused on supporting adult participation in sport. Funding is available to groups that support over 18s only. 

Since Cash4Clubs aims to get vital funds to clubs that need it most, priority will be given to applications from groups working in areas of high deprivation and engaging adults from specific under-represented groups. That means those who:

• Are supporting adults living in an area of high deprivation. (Using Government Indices of Multiple Deprivation and the Pobal HP Deprivation Index).

• Increase access to sport for one or more under-represented groups, including women, people from racially diverse communities, people with disabilities and people from the LGBTQ+ community.

• Encourage adults who would not usually engage in sport to take part. Examples include activities that support physical and mental wellbeing or tackle issues such as loneliness and rural isolation.

• Address broader social issues for the local community, for example tackling crime and anti-social behaviour or supporting community cohesion.

The funding is unrestricted and can be used for anything that will support the organisation to continue and/or grow their sports activities for adults.

Groups can expect to have a decision on their application by the end of January 2026. The funding should be spent within a six-month period.

Applications are accepted from 8 September 2025 to 8 December 2025. For more information please visit Home - Cash4Clubs

Funding for UK Communities to Explore How Data Can Support Health/Wellbeing

Health Data Research UK is offering grants of between £500 and £1,500 to support community groups and organisations across the UK in delivering projects, events, or activities that explore how data can support health and wellbeing in their local community.

Proposals should be community-led and take a responsive, inclusive and creative approach. 

To be eligible, community organisations should be primarily working with at least one of the following under-served audiences:

• People from low socio-economic backgrounds

• People from minority ethnic backgrounds

• Older children and young adults aged 11–25 (especially in areas of deprivation)

• People over 65 (especially in areas of deprivation)

• People living in rural areas (defined as settlements of fewer than 10,000 people in England and Wales, fewer than 5,000 in Northern Ireland, and fewer than 3,000 in Scotland)

• People experiencing digital exclusion.

Successful projects, events and activities will:

• Be led by community organisations.

• Be suitable to engage one or more of the UK-based target audiences.

• Be embedded in the local community.

• Explore the role of data in health and wellbeing.

• Be standalone.

• Be free to attend for participants.

• Start no earlier than 12 January 2026 and end no later than 8 April 2026.

Examples of activities and projects include:

• A project to gather data to help the community advocate for their health needs

• Community step challenge and fun day

• An activity like a coffee morning or nature walk exploring the data behind a health statistic relevant to the community

• Health data inspired arts project or craft activities

• Wellbeing and health journaling project.

A Q&A session will be held on 11 September (14:00 to 15:00). Registration is required.

The deadline for applications is 13 October 2025 (17:00) with notification of decisions by end of November 2025. For more information, please visit Take the Lead community grants - HDR UK

Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation Accepting UK Applications

The Foundation offers grants of up to £10,000 to support UK registered charities from across the UK who are serving people in the top 50% of the UK Index of Multiple Deprivation.

The funding is to help people experiencing hardship and/or underserved groups to:

• Access a place to call home with the following target outcomes:

• Access and support into a safe and secure permanent place to call home – supporting charities that enable people most in need to live independently.

• Access and support into a safe and secure temporary home in times of crisis. Enabling people into temporary accommodation in emergency situations such as homelessness, palliative or end of life, or for those experiencing domestic abuse.

• Improve financial wellbeing with the following target outcomes:

• The support needed to prevent and/or address financial difficulty. Support for charities who provide help and guidance on how to manage money and improve financial wellbeing.

• Access to financial education. Support for charities whose work will support financial independence and education.

The Foundation will consider funding core costs, project costs, and small capital contributions.

Applications are accepted twice a year. The second round is now open for funding in 2026.

The deadline for applications is 31 October 2025. For more information please visit Skipton Charitable Foundation