British Red Cross: PRISM Small Grants - To improve integration of groups within communities

The British Red Cross, ArtsEkta, Corrymeela and the Irish Red Cross have partnered to develop a project which brings together different cultures from across Northern Ireland.  As part of this project small PEACE IV grants of up to £2500 are available for eligible organisations to conduct programmes which aim to improve integration of groups within their community.

Who Can Apply?

Voluntary or community groups, with a constitution or set of rules in the group’s name explaining the aims and objectives of the organisation which includes but is not exclusive to Charities, Community Interest Companies and Social Enterprises.

Which Geographical Areas Are Covered?

• Antrim,

• North & West Belfast,

• South & East Belfast,

• Craigavon,

• Derry/Londonderry,

• Dungannon and Newry.

The maximum funding available is £2,500. This includes the following programme costs:

• Equipment.

• Venue hire, if you can demonstrate that a venue external to your organisation is clearly required.

• External Facilitators and expertise. If you are using a facilitator, mediator, or consultant you must provide names and organisations and a detailed breakdown of the rates.

• For events lasting less than three hours, there is a basic cost for refreshments which is capped at £2.50 for every person present.

• Refreshment fees are available for events that continue for more than five hours at a capped rate of £8 for every person present.

• For a residential, which is referenced as essential to the project, fees are capped at £80 for every person for every 24 hour period. This includes accommodation and all refreshments. Activities must be listed and costed separately

• For expenditure items over £200 you are required to perform a price check in advance of the contract award with at least two suppliers who ordinarily supply the relevant service or product.  A price check can take the form of a written quote, internet check, leaflet etc.

Criteria and Decisions

The small grants initiative aims to compliment and expand the work of the workshops.  The activities financed must therefore promote contact between the below groups:

• Migrants & Ethnic Minorities

• Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist

• Catholic/Nationalist/Republican

Any organisation which hopes to receive funding must show how their proposal will promote and support sustained contact in the community, contact which will continue after the funded initiative is completed.

This can be achieved through one or more of the following:

• Improving social networks in the community, specifically connections between community members from different groups.

• Providing opportunities for isolated community members from each of the groups to access the wider life of the community.

• Increasing the diversity of your client base by helping underrepresented groups access your services and programmes, enabling greater contact between different groups in their community.

Additional information:

The successful organisation must show they have experience bringing communities together and managing potential conflicts.

The programme must reach a minimum of 35 - 50 beneficiaries (the actual number is dependent on how many organisations in each geographical area are awarded the small grant.  A maximum number of two small grants will be awarded per area and there must be 100 beneficiaries in total per area).

The main target / beneficiaries of the programme should be aged 18 and over.

Successful applicants will provide a full breakdown and costing of their programme and will be responsible for accounting for expenditure.

Funding will not be supplied to programmes which have already been fully funded by another source.

Exclusions

Funding will not be provided for the following costs:

• Staff costs including travel for staff.

• Academic/Policy or service development research projects.

• Groups applying to do repeat work with the same participants unless there is a clear rationale demonstrated for doing so.

• Retrospective funding i.e. activities that have already taken place and been paid for before we offer you a grant.

• Debts and other liabilities.

• Reclaimable VAT.

• Travel outside UK.

How to apply

For further information please contact -

Mrs Gemma Robinson, Project Manager

British Red Cross, 12 Heron Road, Sydenham Business Park, Belfast BT3 9LE

Tel:  028 9073 5371 or email:  gemmarobinson@redcross.org.uk

OR

Mollie Drew, Project Finance and Admin Officer

British Red Cross, 12 Heron Road, Sydenham Business Park Belfast BT3 9LE

Tel:028 9073 5371 or email: MDrew@redcross.org.uk

Closing Date for applications - Friday 2nd August 2019

Housing Executive - Rural Community Awards - Upcoming deadline

Villages across Northern Ireland are being urged to enter the Housing Executive’s Rural Community Awards to be in a chance of winning prizes worth £1,000.

With a total prize fund of £6,000 available, community and residential groups in rural areas can apply for three awards;

• Cleaner and Greener,

• Rural Community Spirit  

• Sustainable Village of the Year.

Each of these awards will have two categories, one for villages with a population of less than a 1,000 and one for villages with between 1,000 and 5,000 residents, with a prize of £1,000 up for grabs for each category.

The awards, which are now in their sixth year, recognise rural communities that have gone the extra mile to make their neighbourhoods a better place to live. This could be by organising a community clean-up, introducing health and well-being initiatives or developing projects that improve community relations.

How to Apply

We have made applying for the awards as simple as possible. All you have to do is complete a short form.  This form can be downloaded from https://www.nihe.gov.uk/Home/News/Our-Rural-Community-Awards-are-now-open! or by contacting the Rural and Regeneration Unit on 028 95 982 502.

To be considered for the Sustainable Village of the Year award, groups must apply for both the Rural Community Spirit and Cleaner and Greener awards. They should also write a 500 word statement that outlines steps that they have taken to shape the future of their village.

For example, this could be projects that encourage biodiversity, protect local wildlife, create new jobs in the community or help residents lower their carbon footprint.

Completed forms should be emailed to rural.housing@nihe.gov.uk or sent to Rural and Regeneration, Housing Executive, the Housing Centre, 2 Adelaide Street, Belfast BT2 8PB.

The deadline for submission of applications is 4pm Wednesday 31st July 2019.

The Ironmongers’ Company - support for projects that provide opportunities for disadvantaged children and young people to fulfil their potential.

Grants are only given to registered charities. Projects must meet all of the following criteria:

• For children and young people under the age of 25 who are disadvantaged

• Consist of educational activities that develop learning, motivation and skills

• Have clear aims and objectives to be met within a planned timescale

• Are within the UK

The Company is looking for projects that deliver clearly defined educational benefits to a specific group of children or young people. Items of equipment will be considered only where a full explanation is given of how they will support this activity.

The Company is particularly interested in enabling primary age children to develop a strong foundation for the future. Projects could, for example, support special educational needs, address behavioural problems or promote citizenship, parenting or life skills. Preference will be given to projects piloting new approaches where the outcomes will be disseminated to a wider audience.

Grants

Grants range from a few hundred pounds up to around £10,000. The average grant awarded is £4,000.

Grants must be spent within twelve months from the date of the award.

Recipients are expected to submit a written evaluation report within three months from completion of the project.

The Company’s support should make a recognisable difference, therefore preference will be given to requests where the grant would cover a significant element of the cost and to those from smaller organisations.

Exclusions

• Large projects towards which a contribution from the Company would have limited impact.

• General appeals or circulars.

• Replacement of statutory funding.

• General running costs. (A reasonable proportion of overheads will be accepted as part of project costs).

• For further exclusions, please visit the website.

How to Apply

The Company’s Grant Application Summary sheet must be completed.

A description of the project of no more than three A4 pages, typed on one side of each sheet, should be provided. Please include the following headings:

• aims and objectives of the organisation;

• how the need for the work has been identified and why the project is the best way to address this;

• a detailed description of the project and the activities that will take place;

• the anticipated outcomes and the methods by which the success of the project will be evaluated;

• a full breakdown of the costs involved, explaining how the figures have been calculated.

If your organisation's most recent audited accounts are not available on the Charity Commission's online register, please enclose a copy. There is no need to send any other supporting documents. We will request them if we need them.

Completed applications should be sent to the Charities Assistant at the address below. The Appeals Committee meets twice a year at the end of March and October. Please note that applications are not accepted by email.

For further guidelines and access to the Grant Application Summary Sheet, please visit https://www.ironmongers.org/charity_organisations.htm

Next deadline for applications is Wed 31st July

The Screwfix Foundation

The Screwfix Foundation is a registered charity set up in 2013. We have a clear purpose of raising funds to support projects that will fix, repair, maintain and improve properties and community facilities for those in need throughout the UK. We raise funds throughout the year to support causes that will change people’s lives. We work with both national and local charities, donating much needed funds to help all sorts of projects,

• from repairing buildings  

• improving facilities in deprived areas,

• to decorating the homes of people living with sickness and disabilities.

The Screwfix Foundation Facts

The Screwfix Foundation currently offers local registered charities and not for profit organisations funding of up to £5,000. All applications are reviewed individually by our team on a quarterly basis, the review dates are in February, May, August and November. All successful applications will be contacted by post, email or phone to arrange the next step. Unsuccessful applicants will be contacted within one month of the review meeting. If on the first instance an application is unsuccessful, we welcome any future applications charities may wish to make.

How to Apply

Before applying for The Screwfix Foundation funding, please ensure your charity:

• Is a registered charity or not for profit organisation.

• Is helping those in need by reason of financial hardship, sickness, disability, distress or other disadvantage in the UK.

• Is looking for funding to support projects that relate to the repair, maintenance, improvement or construction of homes, community buildings and other buildings.

If your charity meets all of the above criteria and you wish to apply for funding, please visit https://www.screwfix.com/help/screwfixfoundation/

Rolling programme, though next quarterly meeting is in August 2019.

Public Health Agency - Making Life Better and ‘Take 5’ Steps to Wellbeing Grants Funding 2019-20

The Public Health Agency (PHA) have identified funding to address Health and Wellbeing in Northern Ireland (Western, Belfast, Southern & South-Eastern Areas).  The Grants will support a range of strategic themes and priorities including:

• ‘Making Life Better’ (Public health framework) priorities

• Mental Health, Emotional Well-being, Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm

The PHA are inviting community and voluntary sector organisations, through the CLEAR Project, to apply for non-recurring small grants to address the outlined themes.

The PHA has commissioned the CLEAR Project to facilitate this process in the Western, Southern, South Eastern and Belfast Local Commissioning Group areas. Small grants have already been allocated in the Northern area via the four community networks.

Two types of awards are available under this scheme.

• Grants of up to £1,000 that non-constituted and constituted non-profit taking Community / Voluntary Sector groups can apply for.

• Grants of between £1,001 and to a maximum of £5,000 for constituted, non-profit taking Community / Voluntary sector groups.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for the small grant, please visit https://www.dhcni.com/grants.html

where you will find guidance notes and the grant application form. 

Closing date – Tuesday 23rd July 2019 at 3.00 pm

Comic Relief: Children Surviving and Thriving Grants Available

We want all children to survive and to achieve their potential during the first years of life - through good health, nutrition, opportunities for early learning, responsive and supportive care giving, safety and protection.

We want parents and other family members, communities and services to adopt the principles of children’s rights to survive and thrive, leaving no child behind, and supporting child-centred and family-centred care and nurturing.

As a result of the Comic Relief investment we wish to see a contribution to one or more of the following sub-themes:

• Developing community-based initiatives that contribute to sustained reduction in child food poverty

• Supporting families with young children, to help them reach their developmental potential up to their successful transition to primary school – through good health, nutrition, opportunities for early learning, responsive and supportive caregiving, safety and protection

• Reducing harm – for example, ensuring a strong focus on children and families who are experiencing or at high risk of neglect or abuse; building resilience among children with adverse childhood experiences; and tackling gender-related barriers that lead to unequal access for girls and boys to services and support

• Building capacity to improve the delivery of early childhood development, based on evidence of what works

• Strengthening organisations driving these changes, to ensure the work has long term benefit

• Supporting parents, carers and communities to be active and knowledgeable champions of effective early child development

• Developing and influencing guidelines, procedures, policies and implementation plans, and acting on opportunities for meaningful collaboration among key stakeholders

The maximum grant available will be £5,000

Who Can Apply?

You must be a locally led and based organisation. This means you are based within the area you are carrying out activities and have local people involved in the running of the organisation. As such we accept applications from the voluntary and community sector including:

• constituted voluntary and community groups

• charities

• social enterprises

• co-operatives

• community interest companies

• organisations with income levels of £250,000 or below

Your organisation will need to have been running activities for a minimum of 12 months

Priorities:

It is anticipated that this will be a very competitive programme. Having priorities helps us to make difficult decisions when there are so many applications.

Priority will be given to small, locally based and local run groups or organisations. Depending on the quality and volume of applications received priority will be given to:

• Those with the lived experience where people directly affected by the issues are involved in shaping, evaluating and benefiting from the programme to be supported.

• Those that are new to Comic Relief and/or Community Foundation funding

• Those in geographically underfunded areas

What we won’t fund:

• Vehicles, land, property, large scale building works

• Salary Costs and general core running costs, unless specific to delivery of a particular project

• Capital equipment

• Retrospective costs/debts

• Solicitor fees

• Medical expenses and medicines

• Holidays and overseas trips or shopping trips

How to Apply

For further information and the online application form please visit, https://www.communityfoundationni.org/cr-children-surviving-and-thriving

It is recommended that you read our Grant FAQs before starting your grant application.  Should you have any further questions please contact the Grants Team on 028 9024 5927 or email mhughes@communityfoundationni.org

Closing Date:  Wednesday 10th July 2019 at 1:00pm.

Fermanagh and Omagh Community Cash - Apply for up to £500 for projects around the following themes, Inter generational, Health & Well Being, Environmental Improvement and or Community Safety

Following last year’s successful pilot for Community Cash in Erne East and Mid Tyrone electoral areas the Fermanagh and Omagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive are running Community Cash in the following electoral areas:

• Enniskillen

• Erne North

• Erne West

• Omagh

• West Tyrone

What is Community Cash?

Community Cash is the name the PCSP and NIHE has given to our Participatory Budgeting initiative. PB is an innovative process which enables people to have direct decision-making powers over the allocation of resources in their community in a way that is fair and transparent. The Fermanagh and Omagh PCSP and NIHE decided to run PB as a different way to stimulate ideas to bring people together or make their community safer.

Who can apply?

You don’t have to be an existing group with your own constitution to apply.  You just need a minimum of three people who have an idea for a project and a constituted group to sponsor your entry. Groups with a constitution are also welcome to apply.

When and where should projects take place?

Your project should take place between 1 October 2019 and 29 February 2020 and must take place within one of the five electoral areas.

• Enniskillen           Castlecoole, Erne, Lisbellaw, Lisnarrick, Portora and Rossory

• Erne North          Ballinamallard, Belleek and Boa, Ederney and Kesh, Irvinestown and Tempo

• Erne West           Belcoo and Garrison, Boho, Cleenish and Letterbreen, Derrygonnelly, Derrylin, Florencecourt and Kinawley

• Omagh Camowen, Coolnagard, Dergmoney, Gortrush, Killyclogher and Strule

• West Tyrone      Dromore, Drumquin, Fairy Water, Fintona, Newtownsaville and Trillick

What can we apply for?

You can apply for up to £500 to pay for things such as tutors, venue hire, equipment, one-off events, transport for trips.

Your project must show how it relates to one or more of the following themes:

• Intergenerational, 

• Health & Well Being, 

• Environmental Improvement

• and or Community Safety

We look to see if your project is legal, safe, achievable within budget and timescale.

There are a few things that we can’t pay for such as salary costs, gift cards or gift vouchers, alcohol, political or religious activities or anything that would be considered contentious.

Please contact us if you’re not sure.

How do I apply?

For further details and access to application forms please visit https://www.fermanaghomagh.com/services/community/policing-and-community-safety-partnership/community-cash/

Return the entry form by 12 noon on 16 August 2019 to:

The Fermanagh and Omagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership,

The Townhall,

2 Townhall Street,

Enniskillen

BT74 7BA

Or email to carol.follis@fermanaghomagh.com

Belfast City Council - Small grants for Community Safety Projects available

Purpose of the fund

Policing and community safety partnerships (PCSP) aim to create safer shared communities and improve confidence in policing. All successful groups will be required to tell them how many people participated in the project, how many of them report that the project improved their confidence in policing and how many of them are more likely to report incidents to PSNI.

Small grants are the perfect way for Belfast City Council to support community and voluntary groups at a local level and to help build relationships with the appropriate Policing and Community Safety Partnership. The small grants will fund projects which as well as improving confidence in policing; prevent, reduce or address antisocial behaviour or crime and help people feel safer.

Small grant themes

Projects which are funded by policing and community safety small grants must clearly link to at least one of the small grant themes. These are to:

• build confidence in policing

• prevent, reduce or address antisocial behaviour

• prevent, reduce or address crime

• help people feel safer.

Types of projects

If your application is for diversionary activity, you must provide evidence to show that there is a policing or community safety need at the times, days and dates you want funding for. For example:

• diversionary activity after 9pm;

• diversionary activity during the Easter holidays, summer holidays and Halloween and more specific dates for which you have evidence of the need. This can include specific dates where tension may be heightened in local areas;

Maximum award: £5,000 for each project.

How to apply

For further information and access to online application please visit,

http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/community/grantsandfunding/grantsandfunding.aspx

Deadline for applications - Friday 5th July at 12noon

PHA Bursary Scheme - For attendance at the 30th World Congress of the International Assoc for Suicide Prevention, Derry~Londonderry

The Public Health Agency will make available bursaries for 10 members of the Community & Voluntary Sector working in the fields of Mental & Emotional wellbeing and/or Suicide Prevention in Northern Ireland to attend the 30th World Congress for the International Association for Suicide Prevention which will be held in Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland from 17th – 21st September 2019. 

The theme for the IASP 2019 is “Breaking Down Walls and Building Bridges”, a theme that not only resonates with the landmarks in our beautiful city, but also reflects the work we do in suicide prevention and building hope for those in crisis.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

The Bursary Scheme is open to members of the Community & Voluntary Sector working in the fields of Mental & Emotional wellbeing and/or Suicide Prevention in Northern Ireland.

There are two bursaries available per HSC Trust area.  These are limited to one per organisation across NI.  Bursaries will be selected using a random allocation.  Bursaries are not transferrable to another individual.  If you are selected and then unable to attend, you must inform the CLEAR Project immediately Tel: 028 7138 3386 Email: brenda@dhcni.com  If a bursary becomes available again, the random selection process will be repeated for that area.

How to Apply

All applicants must apply using the Scheme’s application form, available at https://www.dhcni.com/info.html and must answer all questions on the form.  The application form includes a section for the applicant’s line manager or equivalent to complete. Applications that are not signed by the applicants’ line manager or equivalent will not be considered.

The closing date for applications is 8th July 2019.

Bursaries are limited to a maximum of £711 per person (registration fee of £215 has already been paid) but the £711 may include accommodation and additional costs.

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation - funding priorities in the arts, children and young people, the environment, food or social change.

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation aims to improve the quality of life for people and communities throughout the UK both now and in the future. We do this by funding the charitable work of organisations that are building an inclusive, creative and sustainable society.  

Priorities

The Foundation offers grants to organisations doing legally charitable work in the UK across the following range of priority areas:

• The arts.

• Children and young people.

• The environment.

• Food.

• Social change.

Applicants should apply for the amount that they need. The Foundation does not set limits and makes grants across a fairly wide spectrum of sizes.

In the past grants have ranged from £2,000 to £1.5 million with the support lasting from one to five years. Funding can be used for core or project costs, including staff salaries and overheads.

Small grants of £60,000 or less are also available for one-off projects, or for testing out new ideas and collaborations (general running costs are not supported at this scale).

Who Can Apply

• Charities and not-for-profit organisations with a regular annual turnover of at least £50,000, that are properly constituted and involved in legally charitable work in the UK.

• Applicants must be able to demonstrate a track record to successfully deliver the work.

Restrictions

General exclusions:

• Organisations with a regular annual turnover of less than £50,000.

• Organisations without at least three non-executive trustees or directors.

• Work that is not legally charitable.

• Work that does not have a direct benefit in the UK.

• Grants to individuals, including student grants or bursaries.

• Capital costs including building work, renovations, and equipment.

• Work that is common to many parts of the UK such as:

  • Services that are provided in similar ways in many locations such as refuges, hostels, night shelters and standard services for homeless people, sports associations, playgroups, play schemes, out of school clubs, supplementary schools, playgroups, youth clubs, and general capacity building/ professional development.

  • Standard work to improve employability skills such as training on CV writing, interview skills, literacy, numeracy, ESOL courses and activities to increase self confidence.

  • Mainstream activities of organisations that are part of a wider network (including branches of national organisations).

  • General information and advice work.

• Work that does not set out to have a wider impact beyond the lives of the direct beneficiaries. It must have plans to change the way professionals like social workers or artists work in future; or changes attitudes to an issue, or affect policy.

• Academic research unless the applicant can demonstrate real potential for practical outcomes.

• Healthcare which has a clinical basis or related work such as medical research, complementary medicine, hospices, counselling and therapy, arts therapy, education about and treatment for drug and alcohol misuse.

• Work that is primarily the responsibility of statutory authorities. This includes residential, respite and day care, housing provision, individual schools, nurseries and colleges or a consortium of any of these, and vocational training.

• Funding to replace or subsidise statutory income, although rare exceptions may be made where the level of performance has been exceptional and where the potential impact of the work is substantial.

• Animal welfare, zoos, captive breeding and animal rescue centres.

• The promotion of religion.

• Retrospective funding.

How To Apply

This is a rolling programme and applications may be made at any time.

The Foundation currently receives about 2,000 first-stage applications each year, of which only one in ten is successful. As a result, it has created the online eligibility quiz to ensure the applicant's request for funding fits one of the funding priorities.

Applicants should read the guidance notes which can be downloaded from the Foundation's website https://esmeefairbairn.org.uk/home  

The Foundation operates a two stage application process. First-stage application forms are available to complete online at the Foundation's website.

Successful applicants will then be invited to complete a second-stage application form.

Alec Dickson Trust - Grants of up to £500 to support volunteering projects in the UK that are run by young people

Grants of up to £500 to support volunteering projects in the UK that are run by young people (under 30 years) and address a need in the local community, with particular interest in projects that promote and encourage volunteering among young people.

Objectives of Fund

The funding is aimed at individuals and groups of young people who are able to demonstrate that through volunteering or community service they can enhance the lives of others, particularly those most marginalised by society.

Who Can Apply

Small groups of young people who are under 30 years of age can apply.

Restrictions

Funding is not available for the following:

• Overseas trips or gap year projects.

• Uniforms, equipment or training for personal benefit, eg university course fees, laptop for an individual.

• Direct expenditure for a fundraising event, such as venue hire.

• Projects run by groups aged over 30 years.

Eligible Expenditure

The funding is for projects that support and encourage youth volunteering within the UK.

Grants are available for projects in the applicant's local area that involve local people and can demonstrate that through volunteering or community service they can enhance the lives of others, particularly those most marginalised by society.

Projects should adhere to the following:

• Be run by a young volunteer, or team of young volunteers, the majority of whom are younger than 30 years old.

• Take place in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

• Have a clear benefit to others in the wider community.

• Encourage volunteering. The more volunteers involved, the better.

• Preference is given to supporting innovative projects.

How To Apply

Future meeting dates:

July 24, 2019

October 23, 2019

The Trust should receive the application at least three weeks before the meeting date in order to be considered.

Applications received less than three weeks before a meeting will roll over to the next one.

Applicants should use the online application form on the Trust's website http://www.alecdicksontrust.org.uk/

Next deadline – 1st July 2019

Hope for Youth (Northern Ireland) - Grants for cross community projects for disadvantaged young people

Grants are available for cross-community projects that give disadvantaged young people (aged 11-18) in Northern Ireland the opportunity to work together on practical projects that foster teamwork, creativity and personal development, especially within the arts or in the great outdoors.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available.

Larger sums may be offered in exceptional circumstances at the Trustee’s discretion.

Who Can Apply

Organisations based and working in Northern Ireland can apply.

To be eligible, applicants must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Their projects engage with young people in Northern Ireland, normally aged between 11 and 18 years.

• Their projects foster community integration.

• Their projects focus on outdoor activities, sport, music, dance, drama and the arts.

• Their projects promote personal or team development.

• Applicants must be able to demonstrate a cross community emphasis e.g. a focus on improving community integration in regard to cultural, ethnic or religious diversity and all applications must include a statement of accounts, including details of income and expenditure.

Restrictions

The following are not eligible for funding:

• Core salaries of an organisation, though funding the staff costs associated with the delivery of a project will be considered.

• Transport, kit and equipment unless it is an essential part of a wider sustainable project.

• Applications from individuals.

• Capital building costs.

• Provision of utilities and running costs.

• Publications or research (unless the output of the project is a result of young people's collaborative work, such as a book of artwork).

• Projects taking place outside of the UK or the Republic of Ireland (e.g. foreign travel or expeditions or the preparation for a trip).

• Core work of statutory organisations.

• Other established fund-raising charities.

Eligible Expenditure

Priority will be given to:

• Projects based in recognised areas of socioeconomic deprivation.

• Projects where the benefits or effects on the communities and individuals can be measured.

• Projects that can demonstrate sustainable benefit.

• Longer-term projects ie, held over a number of months, where ongoing community development and improved community relationships can be realised.

• Projects based in recognised areas of socioeconomic deprivation.

• Projects that are small/locally based and those that are “start-ups”.

• Projects that can match fund from other sources.

How To Apply

Please read further guidance and an online application form can be found on the http://hopeforyouthni.com/grants/  

Applications can be submitted by either post or email.

Application deadline:31/07/2019

Arts Council NI: Arts and Older People Grants

The Arts & Older People Programme was set up to increase opportunities for older people to engage with the arts.  It achieved this by providing funding to arts-based projects that addressed related social issues such as poverty, isolation and loneliness, as well as promoting positive mental health. 

The programme to date has made 136 awards to community groups, voluntary groups and arts organisations. Over £1.8 million has been invested in the Arts & Older People Programme.

Who can apply?

The programme is aimed at constituted community and voluntary groups who are working at a local level to support older people and can demonstrate strong partnership working with relevant age sector organisations and Local Authority initiatives e.g. Health Cities/ Healthy Communities.

This programme is also open to non-governmental organisations, Local Authorities and arts organisations who can clearly demonstrate partnership working with older people.

Themes of the Programme

Projects must meet one or more of the following strategic themes:

• Isolation and Loneliness:

• Social Inclusion

• Poverty

• Health Issues/Dementia including Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing

• Strengthening the Voice of Older People

They are interested in proposals that are:

• Developed through consultation with older people;

• Based upon a partnership approach;

• Support best practice in working with older people though creative activities;

• Consider legacy and sustainability;

• Consider scale of impact with a strong advocacy element at the end of the project which could be in the form of a showcase event, exhibition, performance, publication, etc.

How much can  you apply for?

Grants from £1,000 to £10,000 are available. 

How to apply

For further information and to apply please visit http://artscouncil-ni.org/funding/scheme/arts-and-older-people-grants-programme  Applications may only be submitted online. (Note that the system will shut down at 4pm on the deadline date of Thursday 4th July 2019.)

If you need assistance to complete the application form, please contact the Arts Council NI on 028 9262 3555.

Esme Mitchell Trust - Grants for projects of a heritage, cultural or artistic nature.

Appeals over a wide area of benefit are supported, available in Ireland as a whole, but principally in Northern Ireland. The present policy of the Trust is to give special consideration to charitable projects of a cultural or artistic nature, which includes grants to museums, churches and preservation trusts.  Appeals for other charitable projects are also considered.

There are no restrictions on the size of grants available and there are generally no time limits.

Who Can Apply

Applications are invited from organisations and voluntary groups with general charitable purposes, in Ireland as a whole but principally in Northern Ireland.

Restrictions

It is very unlikely that applications from individuals wishing to undertake voluntary service or further education will be successful.

Eligible Expenditure

The trustees are keen that the level of benefit covers a wide area.  Examples of eligible projects/themes include the following:

• Archives and artefacts.

• Arts, culture and heritage.

• Buildings and built environment.

• Built heritage.

• Craft and design.

• Cultural events and festivals.

• Cultural heritage.

• Environment.

• Giving.

• Good relations.

• Multiculturalism.

• Performing arts.

• Verbal arts.

• Visual arts.

• Media.

The Fund will consider cross-border projects, particularly those which meet the criteria of the charitable projects and purposes of a cultural or artistic nature.

How To Apply

The Trust does not maintain a website.

Applications may be submitted at any time and are considered monthly.

There is no formal application form available.  Instead, applicants should submit three copies of the following:

• A concise description of the proposed project.

• A recent statement of accounts.

• A copy of the constitution.

• Details of tax and legal or charitable status.

• A copy of the latest annual report.

• A list of committee officers.

• Information on other sources of finance.

• Contact address and telephone number.

For further information on how to obtain this grant locally, please contact the following:

Trust Administrator

Esme Mitchell Trust

Cleaver Fulton Rankin

50 Bedford Street

Belfast

BT2 7FW

Tel: 028 9024 3141

Email: trusts@cfrlaw.co.uk

Co-Ownership Community Fund 2019/20 - Grants available!

Community groups with a social, educational or environmental focus are being encouraged to apply for a share of the 2019/20 Co-Ownership Community Fund. The fund, which has a total budget of £15,000, is open to local organisations and partnerships to either support their continued community work or to finance a new or specific project.

Now in its third year, the fund is earmarked for groups and projects which help regenerate, rebuild, and revitalise neighbourhoods and communities, provide support to the elderly and disabled, and provide advice or educational services to promote financial capability, inclusion, energy efficiency or encourages biodiversity in the community.

Following a judging process, the fund may be awarded in full to one or more applicants.

How to apply

To apply for the 2019/20 Community Fund please download the application form https://www.co-ownership.org/about/social-responsibility/community-fund-2019/ and return it to us (either via email or post) by Friday 28th June 2019 at 5pm.

The Garfield Weston Foundation Grants Available

One-off grants are available to charitable organisations in the UK for a wide range of projects in the areas of welfare, youth, community, arts, faith, environment, education, health and museums and heritage. The Foundation aims to 'be responsive to where need is greatest' and thus support a wide range of charitable activity in the UK

Background

The Garfield Weston Foundation was established in 1958 by Willard Garfield Weston, a Canadian businessman who arrived in the UK with his family in 1932. He was the creator of Associated British Foods and the Foundation was endowed with the donation of family owned company shares.

The Foundation donates around £60 million per year with around 1,500 charities from across the UK receiving funding.  The Foundation offers two levels of funding, which can be used towards capital, revenue or project costs:

• Regular Grants of up to £100,000.

• Major Grants of £100,000 and above. (When awarding major grants, the Foundation would typically expect that the project and organisation's overall annual income is in excess of £1million.)

Typically grants are made for a single year; however, the Trustees may consider making a grant spread over a number of years at their discretion if they feel this would be appropriate.  The Trust prefers to support those organisations working directly with beneficiaries at a grassroots

Eligible Expenditure

The Foundation ‘strongly recommends’ groups apply for whatever are their greatest priority and area of need. This could be in one of three areas: capital, revenue (‘core costs’) or project work.

• Capital costs - funding for tangible things, such as a building project, repairs, equipment etc. A grant is unlikely to be more than around 10% of the total Capital project cost.

• Revenue/Core Costs - funding for the general costs of what the organisation does - its activity. As a general rule, this funding is unlikely to be more than approximately 10–20% of the organisation’s total annual income.

• Project Costs - funding for a very specific project or activity and would include all the costs involved in delivering the project, including staff costs and a reasonable percentage of overheads if relevant. The Foundation recommends that the applicant has around half of its funding identified before applying.

Projects should fall within at least one of the following categories:

• Arts

• Community

• Education

• Environment

• Faith

• Health

• Museums and Heritage

• Welfare

• Youth

How To Apply

Applications for a Regular Grant may be made at any time and they will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. It takes around four months from the time an application is received to notification of a decision.

The guidelines and an online application form can be found on the Foundation's website https://garfieldweston.org/  Groups should read the guidelines before starting the application process.

Major Grants cannot be applied for via the Foundation’s website. Instead, applicants should send a one page summary to Grace da Rocha via gdarocha@garfieldweston.org outlining what they are raising funds for, the total cost and fundraising target. Applicants will be advised which Board meeting they are to apply to if invited to do so following their initial letter and subsequent phone call with the Foundation's Director.

Rolling programme

Community Foundation for NI: Pears Community Spaces Fund

Together with Pears Foundation the Community Spaces Fund will work to develop greater respect and understanding between people of different backgrounds. More than a fund this investment will encourage joint working and cohesion through more targeted approaches by staff at the Foundation, encouraging and supporting joint bidding for funding and through organised cluster events. 

They are delighted therefore to be able to work with the Pears Foundation on the Community Spaces Fund.

What impact they expect from this programme:

• A stronger community sector equipped to face today's challenges

• A more confident and vocal community sector

• Safer, stronger, confident individuals and communities thriving after the conflict

• A safer NI for those most marginalised and vulnerable

Project Criteria:

All projects must give space to groups to connect, share ideas, explore and learn together. 

In addition projects must meet one or more or the following;

1.  Increased contact and dialogue among project participants in NI and their community and those of another community background, faith or political persuasion

2. Underpinning the Peace Process and promoting community development and cohesion

3. Increased understanding, tolerance and respect to and for each other on the post conflict legacy issues which divides us

4. Increased sharing & use of space between and within for community cohesion and community development related activities

5. Increased dialogue among the sector and other stakeholders to address key and or emerging themes which could destabilize community cohesion. 

6.  Increased contact and dialogue between policy makers and the community voluntary sector.

How Will It Work?

Small grants of up to £5,000 where community and voluntary groups are able to demonstrate a partnership approach that evidences need and joint working.

The grant could be for using a shared space in their local community or to carry out joint activities or events aimed at bringing different communities together, whether that be communities of faith, ethnicity, neighbourhood or of different backgrounds.

The fund will give space to groups to connect, share ideas, explore and learn together.

How to apply

• The Fund will be managed by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

• The fund will close for online applications on Tuesday 2nd July 2019 at 1:00pm.

• It is recommended that you read their Grant FAQs before starting your grant application. Should you have any further questions please contact the Grants Team on 028 9024 5927 or speak to Michael Hughes (mhughes@communityfoundationni.org ).

Foyle Foundation – Small Grants Scheme

Grants are available to smaller charities registered and operating in the UK for projects that will make a significant impact on their work.

Background

The Foyle Foundation is an independent grant making trust that distributes grants to UK charities. Since it became operational in November 2001, the Foundation has disbursed more than £91.5 million in grants.

The Foundation supports charities in three main areas:

• Main Grants Scheme, supporting charities whose core work covers Arts and Learning.

• The Foyle School Library Scheme.

• Small Grants Scheme, supporting charities in all fields with a turnover of less than £150,000 per annum.

Small Grants Scheme

The Small Grants Scheme is provided by the Foyle Foundation to support smaller, grass-roots and local charities in the UK with projects that have the potential to make a significant difference to their work.

This is a highly competitive scheme, and the Trust receives many more applications than it is able to fund.

Grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 are available for 12 months.

Grants can be used for core costs or equipment or project funding.

Who Can Apply

• UK charities that have an annual turnover of less than £150,000 are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to charities that are working at grass roots and local community level.

• Eligible organisations should evidence how a grant will positively impact their work and be able to demonstrate ongoing sustainability.

Restrictions

Funding is not available for the following:

• Individuals.

• Organisations that can consistently generate operational surpluses or that have built up considerable unrestricted reserves.

• Charities with an annual turnover of more than £150,000.

• Larger or national charities.

• Feasibility studies.

• Retrospective costs.

• Multi-year funding.

Eligible Expenditure

One-year grants are available for core costs, equipment or project funding to charities that can show that such a grant will make a significant difference to their work.

How To Apply

Applications can be submitted at any time. Applicants are advised to apply well in advance of their requirements for funding as a decision from the Trustees may take up to four months.

Application forms and further guidance on other grants are available to download from the Foundation's website http://www.foylefoundation.org.uk/

Emailed applications will not be accepted.

All applications are acknowledged by email or by post within two weeks of receipt.

Nationwide Building Society - Community grants for local housing projects

Nationwide Building Society was founded to help people into homes of their own and its ambition that everyone should have a place fit to call home stands firm today.  The Nationwide Community Grants programme awards up to £500,000 across 11 UK regions annually.

Expected outcomes

Nationwide are looking for local housing projects that will strengthen local communities to support the most vulnerable by:

• Preventing people from losing their home

• Helping people in to a home

• Supporting people to thrive within the home environment

How it works

Charities, Community Land Trusts and housing co-operatives can apply for grants of between £10,000 and £50,000 to make a change in your local area. The applications will be reviewed and voted on by a regional Community Board, made up of Nationwide members and colleagues. And it’s more than just money, the funded projects will also get community and volunteering support.

Priorities

We will prioritise organisations that:

• Illustrate a clear link to Nationwide’s ambition for everyone to have a place fit to call home and can demonstrate the impact their project will have on the local community

• Projects that are supporting people in housing need in original or creative ways. This includes both projects already delivering local impact and those carrying out research to find new ways to challenge the housing crisis

• Have projects/ideas that have the potential to be used by others across the country

• Have robust plans to measure and report on the difference the grant will make

• Can demonstrate sustainability beyond the life of the grant, by building the skills of staff and volunteers, diversifying funding streams and providing long-term solutions for the people they are helping

• That can evidence knowledge of local issues and have a network of local connections

Scheme details

• Nationwide grants are between £10,000 and £50,000 and the funding period is between one and two years.

• Nationwide will fund between 50% to 100% of the total cost of the project. For example, if your organisation is seeking funding for an £80,000 project, you should apply for a minimum of £40,000. Successful organisations will be required to raise any remaining project costs within two months of the award.

• Nationwide will fund a maximum of 25% of an organisation’s annual income, for two-year projects this can be per annum. For partnership projects we will accept a combined income.

How to Apply

Please visit https://www.communityfoundationni.org/nationwide-fund for further information, to see the eligibility checklist and for a link to the online application.  

Before you submit your application you may find it useful to take a look at some of the projects previously funded by the Nationwide Community Grants programme, you’ll find a summary of these at www.nationwide.co.uk/communityfunding

 Closing Date - Friday 5th July 2019

Slieve Rushen Wind Farm Community Fund – South West Fermanagh

The Slieve Rushen Wind Farm Fund is a community fund managed in conjunction with the Fermanagh Trust. Mantlin Ltd will donate £50,000 a year to the Fermanagh Trust to support the initiative and it is hoped that this funding will continue throughout the lifetime of the wind farm’s operation.  The fund is open to community and voluntary organisations/projects which are not politically affiliated and which are located within a ten-mile radius of the Slieve Rushen Wind farm.

Who can apply?

The group/project must be resident within 12km of Slieve Rushen Wind Farm

Funding Criteria

• Only one entry per organisation/group per Award is allowed.

• Proposals will be accepted from all aspects of community life – economic, social, and educational.  However, preference will be given to proposals that have an environmental theme and/or are linked to sustainable local activities and have a positive impact on the local community.

• Subject to demand it is envisaged up to 70% of the funding will be allocated to projects located within a 6km radius of the Wind Farm.

• The Fund aims to make a positive contribution to the community, hence significant weighting will be given to the impact, the proposed project will have on people’s lives.

What can you apply for?

• One-off grant aid up to a maximum of £2,000 to support community initiatives taking place up to March 2020.

• Capital projects up to a maximum of up to £10,000 per annum in any financial year, over a 3 – 5 year period which will have a lasting legacy on the lives of people living in the area.  To be considered for this funding project must have the necessary statutory permissions in place and be able to utilise any grant awarded in the relevant financial year.

Exclusions

Grants will NOT be provided to finance;

• Salaries

• Fund Raising initiatives

• Band Equipment

• Political or Religious activities

• Retrospective Funding

• The relief of statutory responsibilities

• Individuals may not apply in their own right

How to apply

For more information, guidelines and access to the application form please visit, http://www.fermanaghtrust.org/our-grants/slieve-rushen-wind-farm-fund

Closing date for applications 12noon Monday 10th June 2019