The Foyle Foundation Completes its Grant Giving Programme in 2025

The Foyle Foundation will complete its grant giving programme in 2025, marking 25 years of giving to the fields of the Arts, Learning, Community Small Grants, State Schools Libraries and formerly Health.

We are delighted to announce that applications are still open for the final rounds of grants for projects which will complete by the end of 2025.  For full details, including timings of the application process and cut off dates, please see the relevant specific section of each of our grantmaking schemes (Main Grants Scheme, School Library Scheme, Small Grants Scheme).  Please also see Frequently Asked Questions.

What We Currently Fund

The Foundation awards funding in three main areas:

ARTS and LEARNING charities predominantly via the Main Grants Scheme

SMALL CHARITIES of all descriptions (with a turnover of less than £150K per annum) via the Small Grants Scheme (grants between £2K and £10K)

STATE FUNDED SCHOOLS predominantly via the Foyle School Library Scheme (grants between £2K and £10K)

For more information, please visit The Foyle Foundation

The Brian Conlon Foundation

The Brian Conlon Foundation is an independent Charitable Trust set up in Brian’s memory to continue his legacy by supporting causes that were close to his heart and that he was passionate about.

Brian was hugely successful in many walks of life – a high achiever in education, entrepreneurship, sport and in business. When a knee injury ended his budding Gaelic football career, Brian turned his attention to business, setting up First Derivatives from his mother’s spare bedroom in 1996. Now one of Ireland’s most successful companies, it employs nearly 3,000 people with fifteen offices globally. Thousands of local graduates have passed through the company’s HQ in Newry, many of whom ended up being deployed to large financial institutions throughout the world.

Brian was immensely proud of his roots and his hometown of Newry, and, despite all of his success, he remained a humble and generous individual throughout, supporting numerous people and deserving causes, often quietly.

Grants will be awarded to community associations and groups in the Newry area, who are working to advance education, amateur sport, provide opportunities for young people, and assisting communities in the local area.

Grants up to £3,500 will be open for applications.

The Brian Conlon Foundation will support the provision of support for projects based in Newry City – view boundary map here

The fund will focus on the following priorities:

• Advancement of Education

• Advancement of Amateur sport

• Opportunities for young people from the local area

• Assistance for communities in disadvantaged areas

This might include:

• Educational activities supporting people from disadvantaged areas

• Projects that provide enhanced sporting opportunities for people who are particularly disadvantaged

• Projects that will directly benefit those disaffected from mainstream education

• Early years intervention, particularly in disadvantaged areas, within Newry city

Awards will be available of up to a maximum of £3,500 to support small community projects. We anticipate, however, that the average grant will be around £2,000.

Under the most recent funding round (May 2023) – 43% of applicants were successful.

Who can apply?

• Constituted organisations with charitable purposes based within and to support beneficiaries in the Newry city area

Closing date for applications is 9th February 2024.

For more information and to apply, please visit The Brian Conlon Foundation - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.org)

Openreach Community Fund

Constituted grass roots community and voluntary groups – grants between £500-£2000

Criteria:

• Priority will be given to applications from small groups, typically with an annual income of less than £200,000, as evidenced in most recent set of accounts

• Projects must aim to directly support one of the following specific groups:

·       Young people

·       Older people

·       People with disabilities

• The Fund will not support projects targeting all ages.

• Priority will be given to projects that will benefit groups dealing with disadvantage (e.g. rural isolation, low income, social exclusion, reduced access to services), and projects that involve the beneficiaries in their development and delivery.

• In the event of oversubscription, priority will be given to lower income organisations

Examples of types of projects that may be supported within Fund themes:

• Community education and training opportunities

• Communication and leadership skills

• Local initiatives to improve resources and community facilities

• Creativity and self-expression through drama, music or a range of arts activities

• Inclusion and involvement of disadvantaged communities

• Out of school projects for young people

This round of the Openreach Community Fund (previously the Telecommunity Fund) will close for applications at 1:00pm on Tuesday 30 January 2024 .  To apply please check the website – www.communityfoundationni.org

Cregganconroe and Inishative Community Benefit Fund's are now open

Cregganconroe Community Benefit Fund

Purpose of the fund:

This local community benefit fund was 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.

Cregganconroe wind farm is based just off the Loughmallon Road, Pomeroy, Co Tyrone.  The areas located within a 6-mile radius of the wind farm are largely rural, having a rugged mountainous terrain within the Sperrin Mountains and comprises dispersed rural settlements including the hamlets and villages of Cappagh, Galbally,  Pomeroy, Carrickmore, Kileenan  and the Rock.

The Cregganconroe Community Benefit Fund is administered by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

The Cregganconroe Community Benefit Fund is available for local community projects within a 6-mile radius of the wind farm. Applicant organisations must be located in this area.

Cregganconroe Boundary Map

The fund aims to encourage:

• Any programmes/projects that address marginalisation and help tackle rural isolation.  In particular, support will be considered for transport solutions that allow a greater sharing of local community resources and to allow for improved mobility for the most isolated.

• Projects that have a particular emphasis on maximising community space by providing minor capital works that bring premises or facilities up to modern standards and in line with current building control regulations.

• Activities/services that are specifically aimed at children and young people and older people; provision of local educational classes/training courses and health related initiatives and arts/cultural activities.

• Projects designed to improve and develop local environmental schemes.

• Priority will be given to beneficiaries within the Pomeroy area given their close proximity to the wind farm.

• Projects that encourage greater cross community interaction at a local level with a focus on improving relations between nationalist and unionist communities in the area.  Consideration will be given to activities and events designed to encourage this interaction and cohesion e.g. – Open Days, Festivals and other Community Events including programmes of shared culture, music, sport, drama and dance.

Inishative Community Benefit Fund

Purpose of the fund:

This local community benefit fund was 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.

The Inishative Community Benefit Fund is administered by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

The Inishative Community Benefit Fund is available to local community projects within a 6-mile radius of the wind farm.  Priority is given to applicant organisations based within the Carrickmore (3.5 miles), Galbally/Cappagh (4-5 miles) and Sixmilecross (6 miles) areas.

Inishative Boundary Map

The fund aims to encourage:

• Stronger more inclusive communities by ensuring that local people have ownership and involvement in the design and delivery of the project.

• Partnership working with community, voluntary and statutory agencies to ensure a coordinated approach.

• Sustainable solutions that address local issues.

• Projects that improve the utilisation of existing community space in each of the above areas.

• Particular emphasis will be placed on funding activities/services that are specifically aimed at older people, people with disabilities, children and teenagers (including pre-school children), providing skills development of local people and promoting health related activities or services.

• Given the remoteness of some of these locations, the isolation and lack of statutory transport provision consideration will be given to local transport initiatives.

• Projects and programmes offering invaluable advice and information and signposting on key rural issues e.g. Farm Support Services, Welfare & Benefits and Parenting/Family issues etc.

• Outdoor/Environmental projects will also be considered in terms of encouraging a healthier and active community as well as protecting and enhancing the local environment.

• Finally, wider community events and programmes that encourage greater community interaction (including cross community aspects) encompassing the local rich and varied cultural aspects of music, drama, dance and sport.

• Funding will be considered for costs associated with running/administration costs and for purchasing additional equipment to expand services/activities in each of the areas.

• Priority will be given to projects which demonstrate the ability to collaborate, network and share best practice.

For more information on both funds and to apply, please visit Available Grants - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.org)

Applications are open for the Creative Youth on a Shared Island Funding Scheme

The Shared Island-dimension of the Creative Ireland Programme wants to explore creative opportunities for young people to connect.

The scheme seeks to reach children and young people across the island of Ireland.  Our aim is to harness the experience and expertise of organisations working in the creative, cultural, arts, community and youth sectors to engage young people. Together we can bring children and young people together and nurture a sense of collaboration, understanding and hope for the future, through a creative medium.

We are seeking projects from partnerships that are of significant scale and ambition. Applications should have at least one partner based in each jurisdiction. Grant funding of up to €180,000 will be awarded to at least 3 projects. It is envisaged that at least one grant will be awarded to a partnership that targets seldom heard children and young people. The projects should run between June 2024 to December 2025.

A full briefing document and FAQ is available below:

Briefing Document in English
FAQ

Applications must be completed online and submitted via Submit.com by 25th March 2024.

­

Opportunities to Receive Further Information and Network

Creative Ireland will be holding three information and networking sessions. These sessions will comprise of a presentation of the fund, Q&A, and the opportunity for applicants to meet potential partners from across the Island in order to collaborate on their projects. We will hold an online session and in person in both Belfast and Dublin. Please follow the below link to secure your place on these sessions:
 

Online        Thursday 18th January                    Register Here

Belfast       Wednesday 24th January                 Register Here 

Dublin        Thursday the 8th February               Register Here

­

­

­

­

Halifax Foundation for NI launch new funding streams

Halifax Foundation for NI have launched their new website and Strategy for 2024 - 2028, ‘Better Together’ - the following new funding streams are now available;

Community Flex

This is our main programme which will be a rolling programme, open to registered charities only which have 1 years full accounts published on the Charity Commission website. Maximum grant available £10,000. The charity income in the last 12 months needs to be less than £500,000 (this is a change to our last programme as it was open to those with an income of less than £1m) the charity must support those in greatest need and we can support running costs, salaries, materials, training, transport, activity costs and volunteer costs. Open now!

Ignite

This is a seeding grant for new charities, this does not mean newly registered on the Charity Commission website this means set up within the last 2 years -we will check the constitution date for this information. Groups must be on the Charity Commission website. The maximum grant available is £2,000. There is a set budget for this programme and once this has been allocated we will not be able to issue any further grants. There is an option for mentoring or training support with this grant. Open now!

Collaborate

This programme is for 2 or more registered charities coming together to tackle a social issue, both charities must have an income under £500k. This programme has a set budget and once this is allocated we will not be able to issue any further funding. Applicants must have a pre-application meeting with the Grants Team before applying online. This is for one year funding only. This programme is open for applications now. Max grant £20k.

Empower

This programme is not currently open for applications however this will open for funding on 3rd June 24 closing on 28th June 24. Awards will be made in August with a starting date of September.

This is for infrastructure charities supporting community groups to receive 1-2 year funding , maximum grant is £20k. The organisation needs to be a registered charity and must be strategic/transformational in nature. Projects must not duplicate activities supported by or the responsibility of government departments. A pre-application meeting must take place before applying.

40 Invest

This programme is not open for applications. It’s our 40th Anniversary in 2025, to celebrate we will be providing 2 year grants of £40,000 (£20k per year) 10% of this can be allocated as a contingency fund for unexpected expenditure. This programme opens for applications on Monday 2nd September and closes on Monday 30th September 2024. Awards will be made in December, with a start date of January 2025.  An additional £5,000 we will held for each grantee to support capacity building initiatives. Income must be less than £250k.

More information on each funding stream can be found on their website - About Us – Halifax Foundation NI

Call 1 2024-2025 Financial Assistance opening soon

Call 1 2024-2025 Financial Assistance will open on 22nd January 2024 at 12 noon.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council invites applications for financial assistance towards the programme areas outlines below:

• Arts & Culture Projects

• Community Engagement

• Community Events, Festivals

• Community Summer Schemes

• Good Relations

• Irish Language

• Minority Communities Fund

• PCSP Community Safety Support

• Sports Programmes

• Tourism Events

All themes are subject to funding availability. Late application submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Closing: 28 February 2024 at 12 noon

Due to the new system being built at present, please keep an eye on the Council’s Grants and Funding page for where to apply and access the guidance notes. If all goes to schedule with the system build this information should be available the week commencing 15th January 2024.

Information workshops

We will be running a series of online and in person workshops and recommend anyone interested in applying for financial assistance come along as we will be able to introduce you to the new grant management system. There have also been quite a few changes to the eligible and ineligible criteria of some of the themes. Should you still be experiencing difficulty backing-up your information from the existing grant management system we will be offering support after the in-person workshops in Newry and Downpatrick, so if you wish to utilise this support please bring a laptop or tablet device with you to the session.

Workshop date, times and locations:

• 17 January 2024, 10am – Online

• 18 January 2024, 2pm – Online

• 23 January 2024, 7pm – Newry Leisure Centre

• 25 January 2024, 7pm – Conference Room, Downshire Civic Centre

Tickets are booked via TicketSource.

Should you have any queries, please contact:

Grants & Funding Unit

T: 0330 137 4040 / 0330 137 4782

E: programmesunit@nmandd.org

TBUC Camps Programme 2024-25

Applications are now open for groups who wish to run a Camp under the T:BUC Camps Programme 2024/25 

Completed applications must be returned to the Education Authority no later than 4pm on Friday 9th February 2024.

*Successful applications are subject to funding being made available

The T:BUC Camps Programme is a headline action described in the Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) strategy which was announced by the Northern Ireland Executive in 2013. The relevant strategic aim relating to young people is: 

“To continue to improve attitudes amongst our young people and to build a community where they can play a full and active role in building good relations.” 

The Programme is about building positive relations and long lasting friendships among young people across all parts of the Northern Ireland community. Camps must therefore bring diverse groups together to get to know each other, try new experiences and help build longer term relationships between young people. 

Good Relations learning must be at the heart of every Camp. 

All Camps must:

Have a significant good relations element throughout the Camp which must be clearly demonstrated in funding applications;

• Be run on a cross community basis and focus on ensuring correct variance of both Catholic and Protestant participants is met.  Proposals are also strongly encouraged to include participants from other communities including ethnic minority communities and those of different racial backgrounds;

• Target young people aged 9 to 25 years;

• Provide social action opportunities

• Be fun and be appropriate to the needs and interests of participants.

Who is Eligable?

EANI registered youth organisations

• Bona fide voluntary and community organisations (including churches/faith based organisations, sports groups, arts groups etc.)

• Schools

• Regional organisations that have experience in working with young people

• Councils

The Education Authority will be running workshops to support groups to help develop their programmes and assist with applications.

Attendance at a workshop is strongly encouraged, as it will allow you to meet and network with other possible applicants, speak directly to members of the T:BUC team, receive support and guidance on programming and good relations resources, and be given support in how to make a good quality application to the T:BUC Camps Programme.

A number of the workshops are face to face, with online options also available.  It is essential that a place is pre-booked.  You can do so through the button below or by clicking here.

For more information, please visit T:BUC Camps Programme – EANI Funding

Community Festivals Fund and Social Connections Grant are now open for applications

Community Festivals Fund

Grant Amount: £750-£3,000

Purpose: to support community organised festivals that enable communities to enhance their quality of life through participation and engagement in culture, arts and leisure activities.

Closing Date: Friday 2nd February 2024 at 12 noon

The following costs can be applied for: Event insurance, Venue hire, Performance fees, Transport within the community/ area that the Festival is taking place in, Equipment hire, Signage, Advertising, marketing and media costs, Printing, Administration (stationery, postage etc.)

Social Connections Grant

Grant amount: £500

Purpose: to address loneliness and isolation and build social connections.

Closing Date: rolling programme

We want to fund projects that:

• create more opportunities to bring people together to make connections doing something they enjoy;

• help to reduce the social isolation that can be a result of experiencing financial difficulties;

• enable local activities to become more accessible.

You might be operating a Warm Space scheme, or planning an arts and craft programme or a community growing project or yoga classes and could apply for the grant towards the costs of venue hire, transport, refreshments, tutors or materials.

This is a rolling grant programme for activity from 1st April onwards and applications will be assessed on a regular basis within 3 weeks of applying.

You can find the online application forms and guidance notes at https://grants.ccgbcapps.com/

If you've any queries please get in touch with us at community.development@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk.

There are a number of other grants open for applications and details of these can be found at https://www.causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/grantsandfunding:

• Policing & Community Safety Partnership

• Sports Grant & Bursary Programme

• Personal Learning Account Fund

• Food Hardship Grant

• LiveSmart Grant

• Building A United Community Fund

• Culture, Arts & Heritage Grant

• Creative Practitioner's Bursary Scheme

• Youth Creative Skills Bursary Scheme

• Tourism Large Events Fund

• Tourism Events Growth Fund

• Landfill Community Fund

• Town Twinning Grant

• Town Centre Experience Fund

Comic Relief Announces New UK Fund for the UK’s Migration Sector to Open in February 2024

Comic Relief Announces New UK Fund for the UK’s Migration Sector to Open in February 2024

 Comic Relief has given advanced notice that it ‘expects to launch a new funding opportunity in February for organisations that are supporting refugees and asylum seekers in the UK and/or who are doing influencing work for safer routes and improved outcomes for people affected. This will be for organisations that are already working in this area.’

‘Further funding criteria is being developed. More information about the funding and the application process will be made available in February 2024.’

This will be the first grant scheme under Comic Relief’s new funding strategy, which is focused on the following:

• Effects of Poverty programme fund works that enables people who bear the brunt of poverty to build community-led solutions and overcome the many problems they face.

• Tackling Injustices programme funds organisations and movements that strive for fairness and equity, in order to end the injustices that cause and keep people, in poverty.

• Climate Justice programme will work in places and with people who are already vulnerable and dealing with the effects of climate change.

Further details about the new grant will be provided as soon as they become available.

For more information, please visit Funding opportunities | Comic Relief

LandAid’s Routes Out of Homelessness Programme to Open 8 January

LandAid is a charity established by the UK property industry that has been working for 30 years to end youth homelessness across the UK.

It award grants to exceptional small-medium sized charities working with young people who are at risk of becoming homeless, are currently homeless, or have experienced homelessness in the past. Mainly capital projects are funded as they provide much-needed homes for vulnerable young people.

The Routes out of Homelessness grants programme aims to create new bedspaces for young people (16-25 years) who are homeless or have experienced homelessness.

There are three funding streams within this programme.

• Safe Spaces Programme: to create new/additional hosting bedspaces, generally bedspaces in the homes of individuals or families who may be volunteers or paid. These bedspaces would generally be used for emergency housing, or as a form of supported housing. There are no funding limits, but bedspaces are expected to cost anywhere between £1,000 and £3,500.

• Capital Grants Programme with awards between £20,000 and £100,000: to create bedspaces in properties owned by, or on a long-term lease to, charitable organisations. These bedspaces could be used for emergency, supported or move-on accommodation.

• Move-on Grants Programme: To unlock bedspaces in the private, or social, rental sector. These bedspaces will be for move-on accommodation. These grants would be for charities working with young people who are ready and wanting to move forward into independent living, but face barriers in accessing rental accommodation.  It is anticipated that the average move-on bedspace in the private sector will generally cost £1,000 to £2,000 to unlock.

In 2024, there is particular interest in projects that will create bedspaces with the following attributes:

• Based in the North-East of England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

• For groups of young people who may be disproportionately at risk of homelessness. This would include young people of colour, young refugees and young people identifying as LGBTQ+.

• Which would be transformational for the charity and/or local area.

UK organisations with charitable objectives and three unrelated members of their board of trustees can apply. This includes registered charities, Community Interest Companies (CICs), Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) or other not-for-profit organisations. Partnership applications are also welcome.

There is a two-stage application process.

Expressions of Interest will be accepted from 8 January 2024.

For more information, please visit Routes Out of Homelessness Grant Programmes - LandAid

Vision Foundation Accepting Applications for National Resilience Fund

Vision Foundation is offering grants of up to £30,000 for registered charities, community interest companies, charitable incorporated organisations, and other charitable organisations that provide support and services for blind and partially sighted people across the UK, for projects and activities designed to reduce levels of isolation and loneliness. 

In the current funding round, grants are available for projects that: 

• Reduce loneliness and isolation for people living in rural areas.

• Increase people’s confidence in engaging in activities that reduce loneliness and isolation and improve well-being, eg cultural, physical and work-related activities.

• Equip people with practical and sustainable tools and skills that reduce anxiety about interacting in person or online, eg digital or interpersonal skills.

• Support people to build and maintain healthy personal relationships that reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.

• Address specific challenges faced by under-served groups, eg the queer community, black or Asian communities and people with multiple disabilities or learning differences.

• Focus on the ways that challenging life events can increase loneliness and isolation for blind and partially sighted people, eg relationship breakdown, bereavement or experiencing domestic violence and abuse.

Priority will be given to organisations that demonstrate a strong commitment to involving experts and people with experience, such as blind and partially sighted people or people at risk of sight loss, in their work.

The deadline for applications is 22 January 2024 (23:59). 

For more information please visit Apply for funding – Vision Foundation

Grants for Digital Projects Tackling Problems in Vocational Learning

The VocTech Activate scheme supports the development of new ideas that use digital tools and approaches to transform how people in the UK gain skills for work. The scheme is described as a ‘test bed’ where the first spark of an idea which could solve a vocational learning problem can be scoped and tested in a supportive environment.

The design, development and early stage testing of novel approaches to digital vocational learning will be funded. The aim is to help take those ideas through basic prototyping to the next stage of 'seeding the market' by delivering a first proof of concept prototype and planning a route to market. 

Individual grants of between £30,000 and £60,000 will be awarded for projects lasting up to 12 months.

Applications are invited from UK-based early-stage businesses, smaller digital innovators and other organisations looking to test new digital approaches on a small scale. Charities, trade bodies, existing learning providers, and employers who would like to test new approaches to using digital technology for vocational learning, may also apply.

The deadline for applications is 31 January 2024.

For more information, please visit Ufi VocTech Activate grant fund 2024 | Ufi VocTech Trust

From Idea to Impact: UnLtd Offers Funding and Support for Social Ventures

Funding and specialist support are available for UK social entrepreneurs to help them develop as social leaders, and to start up or grow their idea for a social venture.

UnLtd is inviting applications from social entrepreneurs aged 16 and over who are living in the UK and who are the founder of the social business. Depending on the stage of development, UnLtd can offer:

• Funding of up to £8,000 for entrepreneurs who are starting up their venture.

• Funding of up to £18,000 for entrepreneurs who are scaling up their venture.

To be eligible, the social entrepreneur must:

• Have identified a social issue and developed a business model that works to solve it.

• Be committed to, and have a track record of, delivering local, regional or national social impact at scale.

• Be experienced, ambitious and capable of growing their venture.

• Have a realistic growth plan.

• Be committed to working full-time in their social venture.

Their social venture must:

• Be at least one year old and less than four years old.

• Have a turnover of less than £250,000 in their last financial year.

• Be dynamic and ready to grow to local, regional or national scale and have a logical and appropriate plan to deliver this.

• Have a compelling performance to date and/or a logical and appropriate plan for rapid growth to reach local, regional or national scale.

• Not solely exist to secure investment in the year ahead.

• Target beneficiaries predominantly based in the UK.

Together with funding, programme particpants receive expert advice and mentoring through a community of business professionals, corporate partners and social entrepreneurs.

The deadline for applications is 31 March 2024.

For more information please visit UnLtd - Awards | Funding and support to grow your impact |

Applications invited for Assets Recovery Community Scheme (ARCS) funding to prevent crime in communities

The Assets Recovery Community Scheme (ARCS) funding is aimed at preventing crime and/or reducing the fear of crime.  The scheme is open to voluntary and community sector organisations; registered charities; and statutory bodies delivering projects in community settings in Northern Ireland.

Richard Pengelly CB, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Justice said: “ARCS seeks to re-invest funding which has been confiscated from criminals, and direct it towards projects that prevent crime and/or reduce the fear of crime. 

“The Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) partners continue to use asset recovery powers to deprive criminals of their ill-gotten gains, removing profits that fund crime and helping break the cycle of criminal activity.  This sends a clear signal that crime does not pay.”

ARCS allows monies received from the payment of confiscation orders, following a conviction, to fund community projects across Northern Ireland.  Through this, communities and individuals are supported, addressing some of the harmful impacts from a wide range of crimes.

The scheme will run for three years and applications are invited from organisations that will run projects during all or part of that period.

Projects can bid for money in each or any of the three years and should demonstrate how their proposals would meet the essential ARCS criteria of preventing crime and/or reducing the fear of crime and how the project would directly benefit victims; communities; or the environment.   

The application form and guidance notes can be found on the Department’s website at Assets Recovery Community Scheme 2024/27 Guidance notes and application form | Department of Justice (justice-ni.gov.uk)

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 31st January at 5pm.

TAK£500+ Your Community, Your Voice, Your Choice!

What is TAK£500?

Tak£500+ is a Participatory Budgeting process which means that local people get to decide how public funds are used to address needs in their area. Community Planning Partners have pooled their resources to fund community projects.

Communities can apply for up to £1000 for a project they think will benefit their area – and best of all, it is the local residents who decide which projects should go ahead!

WHO CAN APPLY?

The fund is open to everyone from

• Both constituted groups and non-constituted groups can apply for funding.

• There must be a minimum of three people per group.

• Each group can apply for one project per area (Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon).

• Children and young people aged eight and above can also form a group and apply for funding. If you are under 18, you will need an Adult Sponsor to support your application and to help develop and deliver your idea. You will also need a parent or guardian to sign your application form (More details on this below).

• If your group is not constituted, you will need to be sponsored by a constituted group or organisation.

• A maximum of two applications can be received from groups from any one organisation or umbrella group e.g., if a Local Sports Club has Junior or Senior Groups or a Primary or Secondary School has multiple year groupings. If we receive more than three applications, we will contact you and ask you to choose which applications you want to be considered.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

You can apply for up to £1000 to pay for things such as online activities, equipment, events, tutors, venue hire, transport for trips and other innovative ideas. *

All ideas must be based around the ‘Take 5 Ways of Wellbeing’. These are five simple steps to help maintain and improve your wellbeing on a daily basis;

CONNECT

With the people around you, family, friends, colleagues and neighbours and spend time developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.

BE ACTIVE

Go for a walk or run, cycle, play a game, garden or dance – even a short 10-minute walk can improve mental alertness and wellbeing.

TAKE NOTICE

Of the world around you, how you are feeling, what matters to you and reflect on your experiences.

KEEP LEARNING

Don’t be afraid to try something new, rediscover an old hobby or sign up for a course. Learning new things will make you more confident, as well as being fun.

GIVE

Do something nice for a friend or stranger, thank someone, smile, volunteer your time or consider joining a community group.

A PB Working Group of Community planning partners will review your ideas against the following criteria

• Safe

• Legal

• Feasible within budget and timeframe

• Will benefit people in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough

• In line with one or more of the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing and in line with the overall ethos of Take 5.

Unfortunately, there are things we can’t fund such as personal payments, alcohol, political activities and things you are already funded to deliver. If you are unsure, please contact us.

Applications open on Monday 4 December 2023 for six weeks and will close at midnight on Thursday 18 January 2024 - for more information and to apply, please visit TAK£500+ - YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR SAY, YOUR WAY! - Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk)

Community Funding for Christian Charities and Organisations Across the UK and Ireland

Benefact Trust is offering grants for Christian organisations across the UK and Ireland to deliver a range of projects and activities that will make a positive and transformative impact in lives and communities.  

Through the Community Impact Grants Programme, funding is available for projects that fall under the following programme areas:

• Growing congregations and Christian communities.

• Addressing social challenges facing communities.

• Enabling wider community use of church buildings. 

• Empowering Christian Education.

Multi-year grants covering up to three years are available. 

Funding can be used to cover direct capital and revenue costs that are directly related to the proposed project.

Applications can be submitted at any time. For more information, please visit New - Community Impact Grants | Benefact Trust

Forestry Commission Launches £2.5m Tree Production Capital Grant

The Tree Production Capital Grant provides funding to help tree nurseries and suppliers invest in projects which improve, expand, automate or mechanise their operations. This will help improve the quantity, quality, diversity, and biosecurity of domestic tree supply.

The scheme is looking to support projects with outputs that will better equip nurseries to supply the trees required for new woodlands and urban planting projects.

Up to £2.5 million of funding is available, subject to sufficient high-quality bids being received. Successful projects will be awarded up to £175,000 in grant funding to cover up to 50% of costs. Projects must have a minimum total cost of £10,000 to be eligible.

Funding is available for the 2024-2025 financial year only.

The grant is open to tree seed and sapling suppliers of all sizes, as well as new entrants looking to diversify into the sector. Eligible organisations include private sector nurseries and seed suppliers, public sector organisations, environmental NGOs, and community tree nurseries. Applicants must be UK-based and will need to demonstrate how the grant will be used to increase English tree seed or sapling supply.

The deadline for applications is 30 January 2024 (23:55).

For more information, please visit Tree Production Capital Grant - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Crighshane and Churchill Community Benefit Fund

This local community benefit fund was originally set up by Energia Renewables, and has now been taken over by Greencoat Capital.

The fund has been established to ensure that the Crighshane and Church Hill wind farms, whilst having obvious environmental benefits, also provide significant social and economic benefits to the local community.

Funding is available to local community projects that are planned and run for the benefit of the local population and are within 6km of the Wind Farms.

 Crighshane-Church Hill  Map

The fund will support projects addressing issues within the following theme areas:

• Energy efficiency and sustainability

• Social, cultural or sporting benefit for the local community

• Educational issues with a sustainability angle

• Environmental benefit or economic benefit

Examples of who can apply:

• Constituted voluntary organisations and community groups

• Local youth groups

Funding available:

• Grants from £1,000 to £5,000

Closing date for applications is 12th January 2024 at 1pm. For more information and to apply, please visit Crighshane and Churchill Community Benefit Fund - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.org)

The Telecommunity Fund

Priority will be given to applications from small groups, typically with an annual income of less than £200,000, as evidenced in most recent set of accounts

• Projects must aim to directly support one of the following specific groups:

  • Young people

  • Older people

  • People with disabilities

• The Fund will not support projects targeting all ages.

• Priority will be given to projects that will benefit groups dealing with disadvantage (e.g. rural isolation, low income, social exclusion, reduced access to services), and projects that involve the beneficiaries in their development and delivery.

• In the event of oversubscription, priority will be given to lower income organisations

Examples of types of projects that may be supported within Fund themes:

• Community education and training opportunities

• Communication and leadership skills

• Local initiatives to improve resources and community facilities

• Creativity and self-expression through drama, music or a range of arts activities

• Inclusion and involvement of disadvantaged communities

• Out of school projects for young people

The Foundation will not fund organisations or activities which promote causes that are contrary to our purposes. Causes and activities that are contrary to our purposes include, but may not be limited to, those outlined in our investment policy. We will not therefore fund organisations or activities which we determine are linked to the promotion of armaments, alcohol, human rights abuses, tobacco or pornography.

The fund will also not support organisations who advance religion, including those who have purposes within their governance to advance religion, or who seek financial support for any projects aimed at advancing a particular religion.

Telecommunity Fund Application Guidance Top tips 

Pre application: 

• Read the guidance notes and ensure you are eligible to apply and your project meets the funding criteria 

• Talk to the Grants Team – to confirm eligibility and iron out any queries you may have 

• Think about the long term value of your project. The fund does not prioritise one off trips, or very short term projects. Ensure what you are applying for you would like to apply for is eligible 

• Have your supporting documentation ready to upload (in one file rather than separate pages, per document) as part of your application, before the final closing date 

During application: 

• Check your budgets and ensure you can deliver on spend and project targets 

• Keep answers concise and accurate, there is no need to go above 300 – 500 words 

• Tell us about the project you are requesting funding for and clearly show the need, and link the identified need with the fund criteria 

• Complete all questions on the application form accurately, e.g. committee details 

• Submit the required documents as per the guidance notes, e.g. governing document 

Post application: 

• Keep a record of your application 

• If you are unsuccessful, ask for feedback to help improve your chances of success for future projects 

• If successful, ensure that you spend the money as agreed in your letter of offer and keep any receipts that you may have, and evidence of the numbers attending, and evaluations for events. This will help you complete your end of grant form when your project is complete 

• Ensure you complete your end of grant monitoring form on time. If you are having any problems with your project, in particular spend, please contact the Grants Team as soon as you can to discuss 

• Take photographs and ask those who participated in your project for quotations. This will help show the real value and impact that your project has had 

• And finally, use the learning to think about how you might be able to develop the project further. Think about what other funds you might apply for, to further develop the project. 

Talk to the Grants Team for advice! 

Examples of previously funded projects: 

• A 6 week programme of music therapy for children with autism. 

• A creative arts and crafts programme for older people. 

• The provision of an afterschool homework club in conjunction with a youth club. 

• A 12 month drama therapy programme for adults with learning disabilities. 

• A six week youth programme to design and produce outside art in the playground. 

This round of the Telecommunity Fund will close for applications at 1:00pm on Tuesday 30 January 2024 .

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.

For more information, please visit The Telecommunity Fund - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.org)