Small Grants Programme 2023-2024

The Small Grants Programme has been set up to allow young people from Education Authority Youth Service (EAYS) registered and verified groups to apply for grants for projects to Support the Growth and Participation of young people.

The Small Grants Programme for 2023-2024 is to enable young people to apply for funding to support other young people in their communities to:

• Promote youth participation, leadership and volunteering

• Build and develop life skills

This year, there are two options. Groups can apply for a maximum of £500 for a one-off event or a maximum of £1500 for a group work programme with multiple sessions. All projects must demonstrate young people’s involvement in planning and delivery.

The closing date for applications is 20th October 2023.

Any applications received on or before 4th August will be assessed and notified by the end of August 2023. Any applications received after 4th August will be assessed and notified by the end of November 2023. All projects must be completed by 31st March 2024.

If you would like to make an application in the 2023-2024 programme, please ensure your organisation is registered with the EA Youth Service and have received a verification visit. Registration is open all year round and details on how to register can be found here.

Youth Service: Small Grants Programme
Education Authority
Grahamsbridge Road
Dundonald
BT16 2HS

Email: sgp@eani.org.uk
Phone: 02890566429

Community Grants Programme

The overall aim of the Halifax Foundation is:

To support charitable organisations within Northern Ireland to enable people, who are disadvantaged or with special needs, to participate actively in their communities.

The Foundation has two main target areas to which it seeks to allocate funds:

• Social and Community Needs

• Education and Training

Types of costs funded include - materials and equipment, contribution towards salary costs, overheads, transport costs, volunteer expenses, training/tutor costs, activity costs and refurbishment costs.

For more information and to apply, please visit Funding Opportunities 2023 | Halifax Foundation NI

The Woodward Charitable Trust - Children’s Summer Playschemes

The Summer Play Scheme grant round will open Monday 6th February 2023, the online application form will only be available after this date.  The deadline is noon on Friday 31st March 2023. The Trustees will review summer play scheme applications in May and successful applicants will be informed by the end of June 2023. 

Each year the Trustees of the Woodward Charitable Trust set aside funds for summer playschemes for children from disadvantaged backgrounds between the ages of 5-16 years.

Trustees only fund programmes that run for a minimum of 2 weeks or 10 full days or 20 half days across the summer holidays.

Grants can only be paid to registered charities, CICs, CIOs or exempt charities. If your organisation does not fall into one of these categories, please give the full name and address of a registered charity who has agreed to accept a grant on your behalf. Please note you will need to upload a copy of their most recent audited accounts at the end of the application form, if this is not available on the Charity Commission or Companies House.

Please note that Trustees will now only fund up to 50% of the total cost of a scheme. Most grants awarded are in the range of £500 to £1,000. Around 35 grants are made each year.

Preference is given to:

• small local playschemes that provide a wide-ranging programme of activities. Trustees prefer activities that are relatively inexpensive such as crafts and cooking, as well as outdoor activities and sport.

• schemes that involve a large number of children.

• schemes where past users are encouraged to come back and help as volunteers.

Exclusions

Trustees will not fund:

• trips that are only social such as to a theme park or cinema. Trustees prefer to fund trips that are educational and motivational or relate to the natural environment such as to the seaside or countryside.

• charities whose annual turnover exceeds £100,000.

• overseas projects

Application Form

The trustees receive many more applications than they are able to fund, so please make the most of the opportunity to tell us what makes your charity different and what your achievements are. When talking about your plans for this summer, please feel free to compare them to previous years and what the benefits of attending the scheme has meant to the families and the children attending. Please give details of what you plan to do, beyond just a list of activities, and note that we are looking for organisations that are making a real difference in their communities. Please let us know if any of your activities are child-led and who your volunteers are. Do you provide food and if so, what do you provide?

For more information and to apply, please visit Children’s Summer Playschemes Guidelines | The Woodward Charitable Trust

BBC Children In Need

At BBC Children in Need, children and young people are at the heart of what we do. After the events of the last few years, we have developed a new charitable ambition and grantmaking strategy. This strategy focusses on our principles of:

• Sharing power with children and young people

• Acting flexibly

• Using our voice to build awareness and empathy around issues

• Building partnerships to bring communities and investors together

As part of this, we have made some significant changes to our grantmaking model:

• We will continue to offer project based funding, similarly to how we have in the past.

• We will be offering funding for core (organisational) costs as a separate grants stream.

• In spring 2023, we will launch a funding stream for smaller, emerging organisations. This stream is aimed at organisations who may need greater support to access our funding.

Organisations will only be able to apply for one of these streams per year. Your organisation should choose which stream is most suitable to your work and we will provide more detailed information about them, over the coming months. We will also give more details about our funding priorities at a local and regional level.

Funding currently open for applications are -

• Project Grants Funding Stream - Project Costs Funding Stream - BBC Children in Need

• Core Grants Funding Stream - Core (Organisational) Costs Funding Stream - BBC Children in Need

Main themed grants

The main aim of the Small Grants Programme is to improve road safety at a local level.

The programme has been designed after reviewing our first four years of funding and listening to the views of stakeholders. This told us that there was a need for funding for smaller, local projects with a practical focus.

We are looking for measurable interventions that link to local priorities and show a proposed link to reducing casualties either directly or through clear interim measures.

We expect the projects funded by The Road Safety Trust to focus on engineering, infrastructure and technological measures, while recognising the contribution of education and enforcement to these measures.

The main objective of any project should always be to help protect vulnerable road users. Funding is available for a maximum of three years.

Eligible projects might include evidence reviews, trials, roll-outs, evaluations and support for the profession through guidance or other resources.

It is essential to download the ‘Fitness to Drive’ Grant Guidance in order to apply for our Main Theme Grant round open until 19 October 2022.

Organisations, public and professional associations, registered charities and university departments in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland may apply for grants.

We offer funding towards projects that meet our grant criteria. Grants are available for up to two or three years depending on the programme, and these can range from £10,000 up to £300,000.

For more information and to apply, please visit Our Grant Themes — Road Safety Trust

Churchill Fellowship

A Churchill Fellowship offers you the full funding to travel anywhere in the world for 4-8 weeks, researching a topic of your choice that can make a contribution to UK society on your return.

Scheme details

Churchill Fellows are funded to spend up to two months discovering new approaches and best practice in their chosen topic, from innovators and leading professionals worldwide. Then they support you to share their global insights with communities and sectors across the UK and turn their ideas into action.

For the first time, Fellows can carry out their international research entirely online from the UK, or by travelling overseas, or through a combination of both.

These are not academic research trips, they are journeys to learn about real-world issues from the leading practitioners in the world. And we want you to make a real-world difference with your learning when you come home.

Who can apply

Fellowships are open to all UK adult citizens regardless of their age, qualifications or background. They prioritise applicants and projects that would not receive funding from any other source and welcome applications from those with lived or learned experience of the issue they wish to address.

The Fellowship experience is life-changing for many. In their annual survey of Fellows’ impact, the majority report significant growth in their knowledge, networks, confidence and standing – and projects that may have started with local aspirations have often grown to national scale. In the 2021 survey, 100% of Fellows said they would recommend applying for a Fellowship.

Applications made this year are for projects to begin from August 2023 onwards.

Eligibility

They fund UK citizens from all parts of society to research a practical topic overseas that can make a real difference to their community or profession when they come home. And award 150 of these Fellowships each year and selection is made on the potential of the applicant and the strength of their idea.

Application Deadline 5 pm on 22 Nov 2022
You can apply online here.

The ESB Community Benefit Fund is open for 2023

The ESB Community Benefit Fund aims to support community projects which clearly address current and emerging local issues, needs and opportunities, while also seeking to develop and build upon existing initiatives. From equipment to refreshments for activities; from painting lessons to science books, you can apply for items that will help you address at least one of the following themes:

• Education and skills

• Health, safety, and wellbeing

• Environment and habitat conservation

• Energy efficiency and sustainability

• Culture and heritage

• Recreation, sport, and social inclusion

Who can apply?

• If you are a current recipient, you should submit your last claim by Tuesday 1 November. Unfortunately, we will not be able to take your application forward if this is not the case.

• If you have been unsuccessful before to the ESB Community Benefit Fund, an application from your organisation/group is welcome.

• If you are a group/organisation applying for the first time to the ESB Community Benefit Fund, your application is welcome, please note the criteria below and for further information, visit our website.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, you must meet all the following criteria:

• Your project must address at least one of the above themes

• Your project must be located within the Area of Benefit.

OR the primary beneficiaries of your project must be drawn from one of the above areas of benefit.

• You must be a registered charity; voluntary/community sector organization; sports or recreation club; or school with a constitution or article of association.

Workshop

Join us for an online workshop which will cover the application form and criteria for this fund. Register here:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsf-qqqj0oGdVyN0uQl0aNmFuh7rWX-zIc

If you have any queries about your application, please send us an email at esbcommunityfund@groundworkni.co.uk

Grant Making Strategy for 2022-2025

BBC Children and Need have just launched a new Grant-Making Strategy for 2022-2025, with a new funding programme launching mid-October this year. This programme will offer project based funding, and also funding for core (organisational) costs. The strategy focusses on the principles of:

• Sharing power with children and young people

• Acting flexibly

• Using BBC Children in Need’s voice to build awareness and empathy around issues

• Building partnerships to bring communities and investors together

In Spring 2023, a funding stream will also be launched for smaller, emerging organisations. This stream is aimed at organisations who may need greater support to access funding.

For more information about available grants, please click here. If you would like to speak to one of the Northern Ireland team about a potential application, you can get in contact via email cin.ni@bbc.co.uk

The Community Food Initiative is now open for applications

The Community Food Initiatives (CFI) is a healthy eating programme funded by safefood.  The programme runs over a three year cycle (2022-24) and its purpose is to provide people with the knowledge and skills to provide healthy food options for themselves and their families.  safefood, as a North / South body established under the Good Friday Agreement, provides CFI funding to organisations in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland.  The programme is managed by SECAD Partnership on behalf of safefood.

CFI at Home

safefood is inviting organisations who are not currently involved in the CFI to apply for funding to deliver an online project, in their own local area, that meets the criteria of the CFI at Home Programme.  The purpose of the CFI at Home Programme is to support families in their own homes to develop their cooking skills and healthy eating habits.  Projects could include all or some of the following elements:

·     Learning how to prepare & cook a recipe

·     Attending an online cookery session

·     Online support groups for sharing ideas and tips

·     Online interactive talks delivered by a dietitian or registered nutritionist

Examples of online projects that were delivered during 2020 and 2021 can be found at this link: CFI Booklet 2019-21

safefood Resources

The resources needed to plan and deliver a CFI at Home project can be found on the safefood website at www.safefood.net/cfi-hub and include:

•    101 Square Meals Recipe Book

•    Food Pyramid and The Eatwell Guide

•    safefood START campaign

•    Handwashing

•    Family Meal Planning

•    Food Safety

•    Healthy Lunchboxes

•    Kitchen Skills

Funding

Interested organisations can apply for funding up to a maximum of €2,000 or £1,720 to deliver a project in their local area.

Applicant Organisation Criteria

Organisations must:

•    Be community-led organisations with a legal status and appropriate governance structure

•    Be experienced in the management of public funds which support social inclusion initiatives

•    Currently employ and manage full time professionals with community development experience

•    Have experience of working with the target group identified

•    Be supporting other broader community initiatives through their work

•    Provide supports across communities irrespective of age, race or creed

Preparing an Application

Please contact SECAD Partnership for details on how to apply for the funding at:

Sinéad Conroy

SECAD Partnership CLG

T: 00 353 (0)87 353 3606

E: sconroy@secad.ie

Closing date for application

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis up to and including Friday, 9th September 2022.  As funding is limited, interested organisations are advised to apply as soon as possible.  All activities must be completed by Sunday, 6th November.

Coca-Cola Thank You Fund

Now in its 12th year, the Coca‑Cola Thank You Fund was set up in 2011 to mark the 125th anniversary of the company.

Over the years, the Coca‑Cola Thank You Fund has supported projects including community, social and education programmes aimed at youth, healthy and active lifestyles and environmental leadership. To date €1,255,00 has been given to 121 non-profit organisations across the island of Ireland.

In 2022, Coca‑Cola will donate a further €100,000 to youth-orientated non-profit groups committed to support young people to build sustainable communities.

For the purposes of the Fund, young people are defined as those aged between 16 and 25 years of age.

In 2022, the Fund will focus on one overall theme – Investing in Sustainable Communities - enabling everyone to live in a community where economic and environmental sustainability as well as social equity is at its heart. The Fund will help to nurture a generation of change champions who will help to shape, create and maintain sustainable communities for the benefit of all.

Within this theme, the Fund is seeking applications which fall under one or more of the following three categories:

1.    EDUCATION
Educational, Training, Resilience, entrepreneurship programmes for young people

2.    DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Programmes that support Diversity & Inclusivity and social equity among young people

3.    CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Programmes that encourage and support young people to care for and protect the environment

For more information and to apply, please visit Thank You Fund | Community and culture | Coca-Cola IE

The 7 Stars Foundation

the7stars foundation, established by the7stars, supports the most challenged young people in the United Kingdom. Assisting forgotten young people aged 16 years and under, lacking opportunity, to achieve their potential.

Our funding looks to support those challenged by abuse; addiction; those who are young carers; and those without a safe place to call home. Our grant funding prioritises the areas of:

• Abuse

• Addiction

• Child Carers

• Homelessness

Application Submission Deadlines

• January 31st for March funding review

• April 30th for June funding review

• July 31st for September funding review

• October 31st for December funding review

Please note that we will notify you mid-month of any funding decisions applicable to you.

For more information and to apply please visit https://the7starsfoundation.co.uk/apply

Improving Lives Grant

The Improving Lives grant programme provides grants to charitable organisations that help people when other sources of support have failed, are inappropriate, or are simply not available.

We support established organisations delivering services directly to beneficiaries. We are looking for services which can demonstrate a track record of success, and evidence the effectiveness of the work.

This is our largest grants programme, through which the majority of our funds are distributed.

Grant size: £20k – £60k per year

Length: 1-3 years

Decision timescale: 6 Months

Deadlines: None

Priority areas:

We have six funding priorities that describe the work we support and how we want to bring about change for the most disadvantaged people in the greatest need.

1. Help at a critical moment

2. Positive choices

3. Accommodation/housing support

4. Employment and training

5. Financial inclusion, rights and entitlements

6. Support networks and family

For more information and to apply please visit https://www.henrysmithcharity.org.uk/explore-our-grants-and-apply/improving-lives-grants-programme/improving-lives-grants-programme-overview/

The Community Food Initiatives Remote Healthy Eating Projects

The Community Food Initiatives (CFI) is a healthy eating programme funded by safefood. 

The programme runs over a three-year cycle and its purpose is to provide people with the knowledge and skills to provide healthy food options for themselves and their families.  safefood, as a North / South body established under the Good Friday Agreement, provides CFI funding to 5 organisations in Northern Ireland and 9 organisations in the Republic of Ireland.  The programme is managed by SECAD Partnership on behalf of safefood.

safefood is inviting organisations who are not CFI Leaders to apply for funding to deliver a project, in their own local area, that meets the criteria of the CFI at Home Programme.  The purpose of the CFI at Home Programme is to support families with children up to the age of 12 years in their own homes to develop their cooking skills and healthy eating habits.  Projects could include all or some of the following elements:

• Learning how to prepare & cook a recipe

• Attending an online cookery session

• Online support groups for sharing ideas and tips

• Online interactive talks delivered by a dietitian or registered nutritionist

Interested organisations can apply for funding up to a maximum of €1,500 or £1,300 to deliver a project in their local area.

Applicant Organisation Criteria
Organisations must:

• Be community-led organisations with legal status and appropriate governance structure

• Be experienced in the management of public funds which support social inclusion initiatives

• Currently employ and manage full-time professionals with community development experience

• Have experience of working with the target group identified

• Be supporting other broader community initiatives through their work

• Provide supports across communities irrespective of age, race or creed

If you wish to make an application, please email sconroy@secad.ie and we will send you out the application template and supporting information. 

While there is no closing date, funding is limited so interested organisations are advised to apply as soon as possible.

https://www.communityni.org/news/funding-available-remote-healthy-eating-projects

Digital funding for small charities up to £2500

The Fat Beehive Foundation is an independent UK registered charity that provides small grants for websites and digital products to other small UK registered charities.

Priorities for support

The Foundation can only support a limited amount of projects, based on the funding available for distribution in any given year. The funding priorities over the next year are:

• Environmental protection or climate change mitigation

• Human rights

• International development

• Equality and Diversity

• Social justice / Refugees / Housing

• Education

• Art & culture

• Health and wellbeing

• Prisoner rehabilitation

What they don’t fund

The funding programmes are very specific. They aren’t a general IT funder and hence don’t fund general software or hardware procurement projects.

They are keen for funding to have a genuine impact, so they don’t fund organisations without the internal resources to make the project a success.

Although they recognise the critical importance of funding core costs or staff time, they are unable to do this. The Foundation focus purely on hard-to-fund digital expenditure that other funders will often not cover.

The bulk of the funding is provided by Fat Beehive Ltd, and to avoid any conflicts of interest the Fat Beehive Foundation they will not provide grants to charities that already use or would like to use Fat Beehive Ltd’s services. 

The Foundation do not fund organisations set up to promote religion.

For more information please visit https://www.fatbeehivefoundation.org.uk/

Thomas Wall Trust Charities Grant Programme

The charities grant programme aims to support people with an emphasis on building confidence, knowledge and skills, and therefore increasing prospects of employment.

We offer grants up to £5,000 towards specific projects or core activities that support literacy, numeracy, digital and additional skills for learning that are likely to assist employment prospects. The Trust recognises that the future of the labour market will become increasingly competitive, with employers placing greater emphasis on transferable skills.

We will fund:

• A UK charity that has been registered with the Charity Commission for at least 3 years

• A project or running costs for a charity that equips people (aged 11 and over) with the skills ready for employment

• Annual repeat funding for up to 3 years – subject to satisfactory annual reviews of progress and impact

• The charity’s annual turnover does not exceed £500,000

We prioritise

• Match funded projects

• Charities that can provide compelling evidence of impact

• Charities working with collaborative networks

• Self-sustainable projects, with a view to becoming less reliant on grants in the future

For more information and to apply, visit https://www.thomaswalltrust.org.uk/grants-for-registered-charities-2/