Ulster-Scots Agency Opens Community Festivals

The 2024/2025 programme aims to support community festivals throughout Ulster from 1 June 2024 to 31 March 2025.

These events provide important opportunities for people to learn about Ulster-Scots culture, heritage, and language; as well as raising awareness of Ulster-Scots within the wider community.  

The inclusion of Ulster-Scots content in other community festivals is also supported through the programme.  

The maximum grant available for a major festival is £20,000 and £8,000 for a minor festival.

Groups interested in applying for funding should follow the link to register here.  

Following a successful registration, an application form and guidelines will be emailed to the group. A separate festival plan document will be emailed to groups who register. The festival plan is part of the application process, and groups are required to use the festival plan template provided.  

Groups are required to provide match funding of at least 25%.  

The Community Festivals programme is a traditionally a competitive programme, therefore groups are encouraged to read the detailed guidelines carefully, particularly:  

• the definition of a Community Festival; 

• the difference between a minor and major festival; and 

• details regarding the eligible costs before completing the application form. 

Support is available from the Ulster-Scots Community Network if groups require assistance with their submission.  

The Community Festival Grant programme will close to applications at 3pm on Monday 8th April 2024.  

Late or incomplete applications will be rejected.  

For further information, contact Derek Reaney on reaneyd@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk or 07843 279 912.

Planned Interventions Launch 2024

PIP is funded by the Executive Office (TEO) and administered by the Education Authority(EA). It is a wider commitment of the NI Executive’s Community Relations Strategy, Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC).

The Programme provides funding for community and voluntary groups of up to £6,000 to engage up 25 young people aged 9-25 in positive activities and divert them away from anti-social or risk-taking behaviour. Groups may submit up to three applications, though if successful will only be awarded funding for a maximum of three projects. All awards are dependent on the availability of funding from approved budgets.

Previously referred to as a ‘summer diversionary’ programme, the programme has evolved. Key points to note are:

• Activity is not confined to just the summer period. Groups can deliver projects from June until November, to support interventions covering the Halloween period of 2024.

• Whilst residential activities and trips can be funded, projects can be delivered locally.

• One aim is to improve attitudes of participants towards people in other communities, though cross community engagement is not required under this programme.

• Activities must be delivered at interfaces or engage young people who could potentially become involved in risk taking behaviour at or near interfaces. However ‘interfaces’ does not just mean physical peace walls and can be anywhere where there is potential for inter or intra community tensions as a result of this risk taking behaviour.

• EA registration is not required though encouraged. Groups will need to register a user account with EA online applications portal to apply.

Projects may include activity that:

• enables young people to become aware of their place within the community and look at how they interact with their wider community.

• brings young people into contact with others within their community such as older people, or people from different ethnic or religious backgrounds.

• enables young people to ‘give back’ to their community through social action such as organising events for others, or a community ‘clean up’.

• Raises awareness of the impact of anti-social and risk taking behaviour.

• includes and involves young people in developing positive activity around cultural or commemorative events.

• supports young people to become positive role models for other young people in their community.

Projects can also include additional activities/workshops to meet your own needs e.g.:

• Mental Health awareness

• First Aid

• OCN qualifications

• Leadership programmes

• And most importantly fun activities.

Delivery options can include elements such as team building, residentials, workshops, community events or educational visits. Funding can support transport, staffing, facilitation, equipment, materials, venue hire and more.

For further information on this programme:

https://eanifunding.org.uk/plannedintervention/

https://www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/articles/planned-interventions-programme

There will be applications workshops delivered both in person and online for further guidance on the applications process. Attendance at these workshops is encouraged. Further details will be posted on Education Authority and TEO websites as well as social media accounts for TEO, EA Youth Services and T:BUC Camps. Dates for the workshops are provided below. Please register your attendance here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/eayouthservice.

• Thursday14th March 4-6pm - Parkhall Youth Centre, Steeple Road, Antrim, BT411AF

• Tuesday19th March 3-5pm - Online Register attendance at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/eayouthservice

• Thursday 21st March 5-7pm - Finaghy YC, 59-73 Finaghy Rd, South Belfast, BT100BY

• Tuesday 26th March 10am-12pm - Online Register attendance at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/eayouthservice

• Thursday 28th March 3-5pm - Waterside Shared Village (Former Clondermott High School), Irish Street, Waterside, Co Londonderry, BT47 2DD

 For more information, please contact plannedinterventions@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk.

Ireland's Toy Show Appeal Impact Grants Fund Open for Applications

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal has opened applications for two funding rounds that will take place during the first quarter of 2024.

In the Impact Grants round, applications are invited from children's charities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland who are undertaking larger scale projects, up to a maximum grant of £50,000. The Community Grants round, meanwhile, invites applications from smaller, community-level groups for funding up to £10,000.

Impact Grant applications will be accepted from regional or national registered children's charities with an annual income of £500,000 or more. Collaboration between organisations is encouraged where impact is substantially increased and where collaboration enables shared learning across the sector.

Project proposals must focus on children between the ages of 0-18 and must align with at least one of the three thematic areas of need:

• Addressing Essential Needs - providing grants to ensure children's basic needs are met, like warmth, security, safety, food and housing.

• Improving Health and Wellbeing - giving opportunities to improve the physical and mental health of children who are disadvantaged or have additional needs.

• Creativity and Play - giving opportunities for children to engage with creative and cultural activities that enhance their personal development.

Impact Grants of £25,000 to £50,000 are available. Projects must start in June 2024 and run for 12 months.

The deadline for applications is 22 March 2024 (1pm).

For more information, please visit Available Grants - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.org)

Kellogg’s School Breakfast Clubs Grants Programme Reopens for 2024

Kellogg’s, in partnership with Forever Manchester, is offering grants of up to £1,000 to schools across the UK to help fund breakfast clubs aimed at pupils between reception class and year 13 to ensure that those who need it most receive a morning meal.

Priority will be given to schools that either:

• Have 35% and above of children eligible for pupil premium funding (for England) and eligible for free school meals (Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales); or

• Are based in an area which is classified as falling in the 10% of most deprived areas according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation.

Only one grant per school in each academic year is available. A limited number of grants are available, and the fund may close at short notice if oversubscribed. 

Applications can be submitted at any time.

For more information, please visit Grants For Schools | Kellogg's (kelloggs.co.uk)

Grow Wild Invites Young People to Apply for £500 for a Nature Project

Grow Wild is once again offering grants of up to £500 to young people in the UK aged 14-25 to bring their nature project to life this summer.

Individuals or groups of up to six people can apply for a grant to support an innovative project idea to celebrate why UK native plants and/or fungi are so special.

Organisations supporting young people with their project must be established, relevant and charitable in purpose or not for profit. This includes voluntary, youth or community groups, education bodies, arts or environmental charities, local authorities, other council bodies or health authorities.

Grant recipients will receive:

• £500 grant for the project which can be used for anything needed such as materials, equipment, resources or helpful training.

• Support and online training from Grow Wild.

• Opportunities to connect with a community of young nature enthusiasts completing projects across the UK. 

• The chance to complete Kew's Young Environmental Leader Award designed to work alongside their Grow Wild project and recognise their achievements.

There is particular interest in applications from people who don’t know much about UK native species. 

Successful projects can be started in May 2024 and must be completed by the end of October 2024.

The deadline for applications is 19 March 2024 (15:00).

For more information, please visit Youth Grants | Grow Wild | Kew

Funding for Projects to Improve Financial Wellbeing for Low to Middle Income Individuals Across the UK

Abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, makes around 15 to 20 awards each year, and intends to award around £3 million annually to organisations undertaking charitable activities in the UK for projects focused on financial wellbeing. This includes voluntary organisations, think tanks, campaigning groups, research bodies and universities. Most funded projects will benefit residents from across the UK. However, the Trust is keen to support work in Scotland, including UK-wide work with a Scottish element.

There is no minimum or maximum size of grant. Grants typically range between £10,000 and £200,000, with most being between £50,000 and £120,000 in total. The funding may be spread over one, two or three years, and sometimes shorter periods, for example six months.

The funding is intended for strategic work, including policy work, campaigning and research that has the potential to improve financial wellbeing for those on low to middle incomes and on a national scale.

Eligible projects must focus on one or more of the following areas:

• Income

• Wages

• Social Security

• Pensions

• Taxation

• Spending

• Cost of living

• Consumer spending

• Gambling harms

• Borrowing

• Payment problems

• Net zero

• Assets

• Taxation

• Retirement saving

• General saving

• Housing

Funding can be used for project costs and ongoing costs, including staff salaries and overheads. 

There are typically two application deadlines per year.  

The next deadline for outline applications is 3 June 2024 (13:00).

For more information, please visit Home | abrdn Financial Fairness Trust

HRUK Announces Application Windows for Healthy Heart Grants

Heart Research UK (HRUK) will be offering grants of up to £15,000 again this year to registered charities and community interest companies (CICs) in the UK with an annual income of less than £1 million.

The funding is for new projects that work with communities to prevent heart disease, particularly for vulnerable and isolated groups of individuals (adults) who are at an increased risk of developing heart problems in the future. Projects that are likely to have a big impact and have considered novel ways to encourage people to look after their hearts and promote positive lifestyle changes are also sought.

Activities must have a primary focus on one or more of the following four risk factors for heart disease:

• Nutrition and Healthy Eating.

• Physical Activity.

• Smoking.

• Alcohol.

The funding can support salaries, overhead expenses/on costs and equipment that is necessary for the successful delivery of the project which should be for at least three months but no more than 12 months. 

The funding rotates around the UK at different times of the year.

The 2024 application windows are:

• Wales (27 March to 24 April).

• England North (8 May to 5 June).

• England South (12 June to 10 July).

• Scotland (17 July to 14 August).

• Northern Ireland (21 August to 18 September)

This is a competitive grant scheme as there is a funding pot of £15,000 for each region.

For more information, please visit Healthy Heart Grants - Heart Research UK

Baring Foundation’s New Funding Round Focuses on Creativity for Men with Mental Health Problems

Through its Arts and Mental Health Programme, the Baring Foundation is making available grants of between £20,000 and £50,000 for work seeking to achieve improved or equal representation of men joining mixed-gender creative activities, or for men-only creative projects.

The Baring Foundation has recently published a new report, Creatively Minded Men, which has helped inform their current funding round.

The purpose of the 2024 call is to fund activity to redress the under-representation of male participants in participatory creative activities in the UK for people with mental health problems and to learn what works in this regard.

There is particular interest in intersectionality, meaning that men are not a homogenous group but differ in a large variety of ways including through age, racial background, sexual orientation, disability status, and class and the way in which multiple discrimination and disadvantage impacts participation. Some men will define as Trans. Priority will be given to work that encourages men who are least likely otherwise to attend.

A total of £1 million is available for this round with grants of between £20,000 and £50,000. Projects should take place over at least one year, and preferably two or more years.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be an established arts organisation of any kind (including museums) operating in the UK. This could be a charity or a regulated social enterprise, such as a Community Interest Company. 

• Have delivered creative opportunities to people with mental health problems for at least two years.

• Have had an annual income of over £75,000 for the last two years.

There will be two Zoom meetings to answer any questions about this funding round:

• 4 March (14:00 to 15:15)

• 19 March (14:00 to 15:15)

Registration is required and can be done via the Baring Foundation website.

Applications are currently being accepted with a deadline of 23 April 2024 (noon).

For more information, please visit Current funding opportunities - The Baring Foundation

Funding to Support Disabled Children and Children with Life-Limiting Conditions Across the UK

The True Colours Trust is offering grants of up to £10,000 for registered charitable organisations with an annual income of less than £350,000 across the United Kingdom. to deliver projects that work to improve the lives of disabled children and young people up to the age of 25, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families.

The Small Grants Programme will provide funding for projects such as: 

• Activities for disabled children, children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

• Activities which support siblings of disabled children or siblings of children with life-limiting conditions.

• Bereavement support for children and young people and families bereaved of a child.

• Family support/parent-led peer support for parents of disabled children.

• Respite which supports the whole family.

Eligible costs include renovation work, upgrading, and additional equipment for hydrotherapy pools and multi-sensory rooms, minibuses, and specialised play equipment or access to play for disabled children, children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

Priority will be given to organisations that operate in areas of high deprivation.

Applications can be submitted at any time. 

For more information, please visit The True Colours Trust | UK small grants

KFC Youth Foundation Accepting Applications for First 2024 Funding Round

The KFC Youth Foundation is offering grants of up to £2,500 to not-for-profit groups with a turnover of less than £300,000 and that have existed for at least 12 months to deliver a variety of projects that help young people create firm foundations through early intervention in communities near KFC restaurants across the UK. 

Applications will be considered from registered charities, registered community interest companies, unincorporated clubs or associations or unregistered charities that:

• Benefit young people aged 11-25 years old.

• Support those in a position of economic disadvantage (including one of the following: care leavers, those experiencing homelessness, young carers, young parents, refugees, young people at risk of or with experience of the criminal justice system).

• Empower young people to fulfil their potential and build a positive future by providing spaces that allow young people to feel safe and secure, helping them to unlock talent, build life skills, provide mentoring, and improve their chances to gain meaningful employment.

• Demonstrate positive results from their project within 12 months of KFC funding being received.

There is a two-stage application process. Groups must first submit an online Expression of Interest, including a two-minute video about their organisation, before being invited to submit a full application. 

The deadline for application is 17 March 2024 (23:59).

For more information and to apply, please visit The KFC Foundation Community Grants

UK Schools with STEM Partners Can Apply Now for Grants to Support Autumn Projects

The Royal Society’s annual Partnership Grant scheme is open for 2024 applications.

Grants of up to £3,000 are available for partnership projects between a school partner from the UK and a STEM partner from academia or industry for a specific investigative project that increases the appeal of science and engineering to children aged 5 to 18 years across the UK. (STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.)

The funding, which is predominantly to be used to buy equipment, is for projects that meet the following criteria:

• Students involved in the project must be between 5 and 18. Reception years are eligible if the project is run in conjunction with other age groups. Sixth form and further education colleges are also eligible.

• The title of the project must be a scientific question that the students are attempting to answer by completing their research.

• The project must be specific to the school and cannot be part of a third-party scheme or competition.

• There must be at least one term between the date the application is submitted and the project starting to allow time for judging and administration to transfer funds.

• The project must run for a minimum of one term. Please note the longer the project lasts, the stronger the application will be.

To help lead teachers and STEM partners with the application, free online introduction sessions and drop-in applicant support sessions are being run. Full details can be found on the Royal Society website.

Applications will be accepted throughout the year with three deadlines.

The first deadline is the end of April with notification in July for term projects to start from October 2024.

For more information and to apply, please visit Partnership Grants | Royal Society

Funding to Support Music and Heritage Projects Across the UK

Radcliffe Trust is offering grants averaging between £2,500 and £7,500 for charities, not-for-profit groups, and exempt organisations for projects that fall under the following categories:

Music

Funding for classical music performance and training especially chamber music, composition, and music education. This includes:

• Composition and contemporary music - in the case of commission applications the lead composer must be named.

• Bursaries for courses and summer schools; limited to UK-based students.

• Music therapy and special needs.

• Academic research.

• Youth orchestras.

• Performance projects.

• Educational projects - excluding applications from individual mainstream primary and secondary schools.

• Miscellaneous.

Heritage & Crafts

Funding for the development of the skills, knowledge and experience that underpin the UK’s traditional cultural heritage and crafts sectors. This includes support for:

• Emerging craftspeople.

• Craft and conservation projects and training.

• Projects demonstrating creative outcomes by designer-makers.

• Projects with potential for capacity building within the sector.

• Special needs projects focusing on the therapeutic benefits of skills development.

Other areas of cultural creativity related to heritage and crafts may also be considered, including theatre, performance, and literature, especially where projects can be shown to contribute to the promotion and development of high-level skills among early career practitioners and disadvantaged groups.

There are typically rounds per year, with trustee meetings held in June and December. Groups can apply for both a Music grant and a Heritage & Crafts grant in the same funding round.

The next deadline for applications is 31 July 2024

For more information and to apply, please visit The Radcliffe Trust

Climate Action Fund - New funding

We want to involve more people in climate action. And we want to inspire bold and exciting change.

From Wednesday 27 March 2024 you can apply for funding from the Climate Action Fund to help do this.

We’ll fund projects that reach more people by either:

• linking climate action to the everyday lives and interests of local communities. And inspiring them to take action.

• influencing communities at a regional or national level. Like linking up groups across locations. Or a campaign that inspires change across one country, or the whole UK.

You should be in a partnership with

• a mix of organisations and sectors

• smaller groups that represent the people you’re working with.

You do not have to be a climate or environment-focused organisation to apply

We want to reach people who are new to climate action by funding other types of organisations too. And by using people's everyday activities and interests as a starting point for climate action.

For example, your project might:

• involve people who have not had a say. For example because they are new to climate action. Or because they come from communities that experience poverty, disadvantage and discrimination

• introduce a climate perspective to a group who came together around another interest or activity

• test the best ways to engage different audiences in climate action

• spread an exciting local approach to climate action by sharing it nationally.

The minimum you can ask for is £500,000. We expect to fund most projects for between £1 million and £1.5 million over 3 to 5 years. We may fund some exceptional projects up to £3 million, and for up to 7 years. We aim to fund up to 25 projects.

For more information, you can attend one of our webinars:

• Wednesday 27 March 2024 - register for webinar (English, including British Sign Language)

• Thursday 16 May 2024 – register for webinar (English and Welsh)

• Tuesday 21 May 2024 - register for webinar (English)

Please visit the National Lottery Community Fund page for more information - Awards from the UK Portfolio | The National Lottery Community Fund (tnlcommunityfund.org.uk)

The Thomas Devlin Fund

Purpose of the Fund:

The Thomas Devlin Fund has now re-opened for 2024 for applications from gifted young people, aged 15 to 19 years, who would like to study, or pursue a career, in creative arts, performing arts or music. The fund was set up in memory of Thomas Devlin who, at the age of 15, was murdered in an unprovoked attack in 2005.

The Fund provides an annual bursary scheme to support the development of applicants with a particular talent in their chosen career path of either music, performing arts or creative arts (including fine arts and literary art), to financially assist them to develop their skills and knowledge and help them move up to the next level in their journey.

Over the last seventeen years the bursaries have supported 110 young people in a range of diverse activities, including:

• Assisting an aspiring young artist to attend Arts College in London to pursue a career in Art & Design as well as Photography;

• Funding a young girl to attend a Prosthetics and Special Effects Makeup summer school for a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with a top Hollywood makeup artist;

• Assisting a local dancer hoping to work with the Birmingham Royal Ballet;

• Funding living costs in London so a recipient could take part in a summer National Youth Theatre production;

• Attending a 2-week residential cello course in Minnesota;

• Assisting a young girl to attend The Amy Geddis fiddle course in Scotland

2024 Round of applications

In 2024, the Fund will offer grants of up to £1,750 to young people, aged between 15-19, who would like to study or pursue a career in any one of the three categories of creative arts, performing arts, and music.

The Fund would particularly welcome innovative creative arts projects (including fine arts and literary art).

Fund Aims:

The aim of the Fund’s bursary scheme is to fund unique opportunities and activities above and beyond the ordinary, that will stimulate, encourage and inspire the young beneficiaries to enhance their prospects for their future and succeed in their particular field. We are particularly interested in supporting young people who may not have access to such opportunities.

The Fund will not support:

• Equipment costs

• Formal tuition fees

• Mobile app design/development or games design/development

If this is you, you will need to demonstrate the following, within the application form:

• Prospect for development of your potential

• Your need for financial assistance – *please note that all personal information provided around your specific need will remain confidential and will require to be evidenced by way of a reference from your teacher/tutor/youth or support worker. We strongly encourage your referee to support your application and clearly articulate why you should receive a bursary.

• How the award will make a difference to your own life and to others in your community.

The application form should be completed by both yourself and your teacher/tutor/youth or support worker and returned to the Community Foundation by the closing date:  Monday 25th March 2024 at 1:00pm.

Please note that incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

For more information ad to apply, please visit The Thomas Devlin Fund - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.org)

Hope for Youth NI

General Information

The trustees award grants on an annual basis. Currently: 

• They will provide grants up to a maximum of £5000, although they reserve the discretion to award a larger sum in exceptional circumstances.

•  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. 

• Each application is considered on its merits. Therefore, successful applicants can apply for a grant in future years and applicants who have been unsuccessful can apply again immediately.  

The Criteria for a Grant

 The Hope for Youth criteria for awarding grants are listed below: 

Hope for Youth supports organisations demonstrating the following:

• Projects that engage with young people in Northern Ireland normally aged 11 to 18.

• Projects that foster community integration.

• Projects that focus on outdoor activities, sport, music, dance, drama and the arts.

• Projects that promote personal or team development.

• Hope for Youth will give priority 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 i.e. held over a number of months, where ongoing community development and improved community relationships can be realised.

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

• Projects that can match fund from other sources.

• Hope for Youth regrets that it cannot support:  

• Funding to cover the core salaries of an organization, but it will consider funding the staff costs associated with the delivery of a project. 

• Funding to cover transport, kit and equipment unless it is an essential part of a wider sustainable project.

• Applications from individuals.

• Grants to cover capital building costs

• Grants to cover the provision of utilities and running costs.

• Grants for 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 United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland (e.g. foreign travel or expeditions or the preparation for a trip).

• The core work of statutory organisations.

• Other established fund raising charities.

The Requirement to Provide Publicity Material

Hope for Youth’s ability to award grants is wholly dependent on its ability to generate funds.  One of the best ways to encourage potential donors to provide funds for the charity is to demonstrate the positive impact that grants have made previously.  Therefore, a stipulation that Hope for Youth will make when offering a grant is the requirement for the applicant to be agreeable to provide suitable material that can be used to publicise the activities that the grant supports.

The Timetable for Applications

 The closing date for an application for a grant is 31st July and successful bids will be allocated funding in the following calendar year. Applications can be made at any time during the year and early applications are encouraged as this allows time for the trustees to seek additional information from the organisation, should this be necessary.  There are five stages and the timetable runs as follows:

• Stage 1 – By 31st July.  Applications for grants in the following calendar year must be received by 31st July at the latest.  Early applications are encouraged.  

• Stage 2 – Between August to January (the following year). Once the application has been screened to confirm that it meets the charity’s criteria for a grant, the applicant will be visited by a Hope for Youth Northern Ireland trustee or adviser.

•  Stage 3 – January to February (the following year).  Applicants will normally be advised by the end of February if they have been selected to receive a grant.  Grants will be made in two tranches and the first tranche will usually be handed over in March/April. More details surrounding the payment of grants is covered below.   

•  Stage 4 – March/April onwards. When a project has started, a Hope for Youth Northern Ireland trustee or adviser will visit the organisation to assess how the project is progressing. The second tranche of the award will be made following this visit.

•  Stage 5 – At the conclusion of the project.  When the project is completed, the applicant will be requested to provide a short report covering the project’s results and expenditure.

For more information and to apply, please visit Grant Applications — Hope For Youth NI

Strengthening Communities

The Strengthening Communities grant programme aims to support small, grass roots organisations who are embedded in the community, working within the most deprived areas of the UK. Through this grant programme we want to make sure that our funding reaches organisations that provide services which are widely accessible to the whole community and respond to, and address the needs of the people living in it.

We fund established organisations with a track record of delivering services directly to beneficiaries and want to fund work that enables:

• People from across the community to participate in activities which improve connectedness, opportunities and wellbeing

• People who are excluded, vulnerable or facing other forms of hardship to have access to community-based services that support positive lasting change

• A stronger, active, more engaged community

Key grant details

Grant size:£20k – £70k per year

Length: 1-3 years (most grants are for 3 years)

Decision timescale:Within 6 months

Deadlines:none

Qualifying criteria

Please only apply for this grant if you meet the following criteria:

Organisation size:£20k – £500k

Location of work:UK only, both physically based and working within or immediately next to an area within the 10% most deprived areas in England and Scotland and within or immediately next to an area within the 15% most deprived areas in Northern Ireland and Wales

Funding covers:Running costs

Organisation type:Community-led charities and not for profit organisations

For more information, please visit Strengthening Communities Grants from The Henry Smith Charity

Barclays Community Football Fund

Barclays believe in creating opportunities for all through access to football. That’s why, in partnership with us here at Sported, the Barclays Community Football Fund is providing grants, training, and exclusive ticketing offers to make football more accessible in communities across the UK.

The Barclays Community Football Fund is helping to reduce inequalities in football by supporting community sports groups who need it most. The programme focuses on groups operating in areas of high deprivation and supporting young people from the following underrepresented groups: women and girls, racially diverse communities, young people with disabilities, from the LGBTQ+ community, and from lower socio-economic areas.

Community sports groups can apply to receive:

• £1000 Access Grants to spend on increasing underrepresented young people’s access to play

• Up to £5000 Deep Impact grants available for existing fund recipients

• Coaching grants to get more women qualified to coach girls’ football at a grassroots level

• Access to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training and resources

• Exclusive opportunities to apply for Premier League and Barclays FA Women’s Super League tickets, mascot opportunities and exclusive promotional experiences

Click here to find out more and apply (you will need to register an account to access some of these page).

Community Spirit Grants

Applications for Apex’s Community Spirit Grants are now being accepted from individual tenants, community groups and non-profit organisations. Individual Apex tenants can apply for up to £250 to deliver a programme that will bring their community together or address an issue that has been highlighted by tenants.

Community groups and non-profit organisations can apply for grants of up to £500 towards providing assistance and support to communities in which Apex tenants live.

All applicants will be provided with guidance notes for making an application and the criteria that will be used to assess applications.

If you’re interested in applying, please contact our Tenant Engagement Officers Mieke Hegarty (for the North West) or Donna Richmond (for Greater Belfast, Enniskillen, Dungannon and Newry areas) on 028 7130 4800 or email Engage@apex.org.uk to request a form.

Closing date for completed applications: Saturday 17 February 2024

All Ages April Small Grants 2024

This funding aims to create connections across generations and links between groups, settings and organisations that wouldn’t normally work together. LGNI’s vision is that these connections and relationships will continue into the future.

Activities can be a one-off event or a project delivered over a number of sessions promoting the value of incorporating Intergenerational and Age-friendly values into everyday practice.

40 small grants of £125 are available and open to a range of groups across Northern Ireland including: older people's groups, care homes, schools, community groups, youth groups etc.

Opening 1st February 2024 for applications with closing date for submission 29th February 12 noon.

Download the application form further down on this page or HERE complete and return to joyce.savage@bjf.org.uk

An information video can also be viewed at the bottom of this page as well as last year's All Ages April 2023 report!

This years All Ages April grants scheme will form part of LGNI's Global Intergenerational Week 2024 celebrations and we hope all our grantees will share their inspiring activities on social media to highlight the benefits of intergenerational work!

For more info on Global Intergenerational Week visit - Global Intergenerational Week – Linking Generations NI and our partners site -

Intergenerational Week (generationsworkingtogether.org)

For further information contact joyce.savage@bjf.org.uk

Big thanks to the Public Health Agency NI for their continued support of this initiative!

National Lottery Heritage Grants: Information session (Northern Ireland)

Do you have an idea for a heritage project that could benefit your community and want to find out more about our grants programme?

National Lottery Heritage Grants is our open programme for all types of heritage projects in the UK. Under our new strategy, Heritage 2033, grants fall under two categories: £10,000 to £250,000, and £250,000 to £10 million. Whether you apply for £10,000 or £10 million, we want the projects we support to value, care for and sustain our heritage for everyone, now and in the future.

If you want to learn about our funding, then our free online information sessions are for you. Hosted by the Engagement team in Northern Ireland, each session will cover:

• What heritage is and our definition

• The types of organisations we can fund

• What makes a fundable heritage project

• The four investment principles which will guide our funding decisions

• Our new application process under Heritage 2033 and deadlines for each grant programme.

There will also be time for a Q&A at the end of each session. 

Sessions which will take place on the following dates:

• 12 February 2024, 3.00 – 4.30pm: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/t-pqgkdem ***please note that the session on 12 February has reached capacity***

• 11 March 2024, 7.00 – 8.30pm: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/t-rpgrova

• 8 April 2024, 6.00 –7.30pm: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/t-dvxprzp

If you would like to attend, it is essential that you sign up in advance via Ticketsource to secure your place. Each session is limited to 25 people. To sign up, please use the above links for your chosen date.