Water Quality Improvement Strand of NI Environmental Challenge Fund Accepting Applications

Funding is available to community-focused organisations for projects to help people improve and to connect with Northern Ireland's aquatic environment.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency has launched the 2025/26 call for applications to the Water Quality Improvement Strand of its Environmental Challenge Fund Competition. The competition is open to applications from constituted not-for-profit organisations and local authorities, with projects beginning from Spring 2025.

In 2024/25, 15 projects received funding totalling £310,000.

All on the ground project activity must take place in Northern Ireland, with the three key themes for funding under this challenge competition as follows:

• Connecting people with the aquatic environment to achieve behavioural change.

• Conservation and restoration of our aquatic environments.

• Nature-based solutions, particularly for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Capital grants of between £5,000 and £30,000 are available to cover up to 85% of eligible project costs. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that sufficient match funding is available to complete their project, and projects must be completed by 28 February 2026.

The deadline for applications is 14 February 2025 (23:59).

For more information, please visit Environment Fund 2023 - 2028 | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Asda Foundation Launches New Outdoor Community Spaces Fund (UK)

The Foundation is inviting local grassroots community organisations with an income of less than £250,000 to apply to their new £500,000 fund which will support improving or transforming an outdoor space by August 2025.

Grants of £500, £1,000, £1,500, £2,000, £2,500, or £3,000 are available for projects within the UK which meet at least one of the following aims:

• Transform an outdoor area, creating greener and more engaging community spaces.

• Create or enhance community growing projects.

• Enable community clean ups. (The maximum grant is £500.)

Applications are encouraged that:

• Increase access to outdoor spaces, particularly for marginalised or vulnerable groups of people.

• Bring local communities together.

• Make a lasting and demonstrable difference to an outdoor space.

• Enable groups to undertake a project that truly enhances a local space.

The funding can support a range of costs including but not limited to:

• Materials to build and transform outdoor areas (eg, planters, raised beds, benches, paint).

• Equipment to be able to deliver a community clear up.

• Machinery hire/purchase.

• Permanent fixtures and features (eg, sheds, outdoor furniture, pathways, gates and fencing).

• Gardening tools and equipment.

• Plants, shrubs, trees, bulbs, etc.

Groups should not wait to apply as the scheme may close early if demand for funding is high.

The deadline for applications is noon on 11 February 2025.

For more information please visitOutdoor Community Spaces Fund | Asda Foundation

Tree Council Accepting Applications for Tree Planting Projects Across the UK

Tree Council, in partnership with Network Rail, is offering grants of between £2,500 and £15,000 for community groups, schools, charities, community interest companies (CICs), and other organisations across the UK to deliver sustainable community tree planting projects that benefit local people and communities.

The Community Tree Planting Fund will support:

• Projects with strong community involvement in their design and delivery.

• The involvement of community volunteers in planting.

• Projects located close to communities, ie villages, towns, cities, urban areas, close to public spaces, or public rights of way.

• Projects that demonstrate robust establishment and aftercare plans to give trees the best chance of successful establishment.

• Projects located in the North West, Central, Eastern, and Southern Network Rail Regions. 

• Projects that will achieve a biodiversity net gain on completion.

• Proposals from partnerships or consortiums.

• Projects involving the younger generation that demonstrate an element of training, skills development, or enterprise.

• River and riparian-themed projects, including flood prevention or SUDS in urban communities.

Funding can be used for bare-root, UK-sourced, and grown native trees of an appropriate size for the projects (preference will be given to younger trees), bare-root whips (saplings), and cell-grown (root trainer) stock for hedging projects (40 to 120cm in height), hedgerow trees, and orchards. Non-native varieties may be considered if appropriate to the setting or chosen to consider climate change adaption and resilience. Priority will be given to trees planted in the ground, however, trees planted in containers or raised beds may be considered.

Applications can be submitted at any time. 

For more information, please visit Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund - The Tree Council

EMPOWER Programme Offers Funding for Infrastructure Charities in NI

Funding is available to assist the operations of infrastructure charities, both regional or sub-regional, who work to support voluntary and community groups in Northern Ireland.

The EMPOWER programme is an initiative provided by the Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland as part of its 'Better Together' strategy for the 2024-2028 period. Grants of up to £20,000 are available to support infrastructure charities with the delivery of strategic and transformational projects that do not duplicate government-supported activities.

Applications will be accepted from community organisations registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland or other charity regulator within the UK or Ireland. Applications must support people residing in Northern Ireland.

Grants may be used for costs and activities including the following:

• Research/publication costs.

• Capacity building.

• Materials and equipment.

• Salary contributions.

• Overheads/core costs.

• Transport costs.

• Volunteer expenses.

• Training/tutor costs.

• Activity costs.

• Minor refurbishment.

Applicants are required to have a pre-application call with a member of the Halifax Foundation's Grants Team prior to submitting an application. 

Applications can be made at any time and will close when the funding pot has been exhausted.

For more information, please visit Empower - Halifax Foundation NI

Funding for NI Charities to Collaborate on Social Issues

Grants are available for collaborations between two or more registered charities in Northern Ireland coming together to tackle a social issue at a local level.

The COLLABORATE programme is provided and administered by the Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland as part of its 'Better Together' strategy for the 2024-2028 period. The Fund will prioritise collaborations between charities that assist people in greatest need, such as those living in poverty, the unemployed, and individuals with disabilities or mental health challenges.

Grants of up to £20,000 are available. The programme is likely to support between 5 to 10 grants.

Funding is intended to support work focused on social and community welfare and education and training.

Applicants are required to have a pre-application call with a member of the Halifax Foundation's Grants Team prior to submitting an application. 

Applications can be made at any time and will close when the funding pot has been exhausted.

For more information, please visit Collaborate - Halifax Foundation NI

Hospital Saturday Fund Opens for 2025 Applications

Registered charities with medical/health objectives, hospices and medical organisations based and operating within the UK can apply once per calendar for funding to assist with medical capital projects, medical care or research or support of medical training taking place in the UK.

There are two levels of awards:

• Standard Grants of £2,000

• Larger Grants of up to £10,000 to be used towards specific projects, research or equipment rather than running costs.

The 2025 deadlines for:

• Standard grant applications are 9 April 2025, 9 July 2025, 14 October 2025, and 5 January 2026.

• Large grant applications are 12 March 2025, 11 June 2025, 16 September 2025, and 2 December 2025.

For more information, please visit Hospital Saturday Fund – Making Medical Grants to Improve the Health of Communities

HRUK Announces 2025 Application Rounds 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 application windows for 2025 are:

• Wales - 26 March to 23 April

• England North - 7 May to 4 June

• Scotland - 11 June to 9 July

• England South - 16 July to 13 August

• Northern Ireland - 20 August to 17 September.

Applications open at 9am and close at 5pm for all regions.

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

Belfast City Council’s Ending Violence Against Women & Girls Change Fund is now open for applications

Open to not-for-profit community, voluntary or social enterprise organisations, the purpose of the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Change Fund is to support the community voluntary sector in Belfast to deliver events, projects or programmes of activity aimed at ending violence against women and girls.

There are 3 grants available:

Grant

Awards

Submission deadline

Tier 1

Maximum award £5,000.00 - Deadline 12 noon on Friday 28 February 2025

Tier 2

Minimum award £5,001.00 Maximum award £15,000.00 - Deadline 12 noon on Monday 17 February 2025

Tier 3

Minimum award £15,001.00 Maximum award £25,000.00) - Deadline 12 noon on Monday 17 February 2025

For further details, guidance notes and to apply online please visit our website https://grants.belfastcity.gov.uk or contact the Central Grants Unit Belfast City Council at cgugrants@belfastcity.gov.uk

Each organisation can only make one application to the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Change Fund 2025-26 across Tiers 1, 2 and 3.

In other words, an organisation cannot submit more than one application and must only apply to either Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3.  

BCC will be hosting online information sessions about the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls grants on:

• Thursday 23 January 6.30-7pm

• Tuesday 28 January 2-2.30pm

To attend the sessions please email cgugrants@belfastcity.gov.uk  and tell us which session you would like to attend.

If you need any help or support accessing or completing the form, please reply to this email or email us at cgugrants@belfastcity.gov.uk 

Reach and Reconnect Grant Programme

LFT Charitable Trust is a family foundation based in Belfast. Our priority is to fund partner organisations which make a lasting difference to people’s lives; focus on reducing isolation, inequality and stigma; and inspire and empower individuals to realise their potential and share in the life of the whole community.

Identifying the right network of dedicated and ambitious partners enables us to deliver on our charitable purposes.

The aim of the Reach and Reconnect Grant Programme is to reduce social isolation and loneliness for older people who are not currently being reached by existing initiatives.

We believe there is a gap in research at a local level to identify how best to reach and engage those most at risk of social isolation and hope this programme can offer some insight into this.

This grantmaking programme will support organisations to offer programmes or initiatives that will engage new participants, who may otherwise be vulnerable to social isolation, to participate in existing, or new, community-based activities. 

The Programme is structured into stage 1-Research and stage 2-Project:

Stage 1- conduct community research on why some older people, who may be at risk of social isolation, do not participate in community activities.

Stage 2-deliver an engagement programme using your research that will reach out and reconnect older people in their area with new and existing community-based activities.

Please visit Reach & Reconnect Grantmaking Programme – LFT Charitable Trust, Belfast

for more information and to learn how you can apply for a grant of up £6,000. (£500 for Stage 1-Research and £5,500 for Stage 2-Project delivery)

Please check assessment criteria and eligibility carefully before applying.

Submissions for stage 1 -Research Project must be made by 12 noon Tuesday 11th February 2025.

Please consult the Timeline for the Grant Programme provided for all programme deadlines.

Call 1 for Financial Assistance 2025-26

Newry Mourne and Down District Council Call 1 2025-26 Financial Assistance will be:

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 (Halloween and Christmas)

•Community Summer Schemes

•Good Relations

•Let’s Grow

•Local Biodiversity

•Suicide Prevention & Emotional Wellbeing

•Irish Language

•Minority Communities Fund

•Sports Programmes

•PCSP Community Safety Support

•Tourism Events

•Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG)

Opening date: 13 January 2025 at 12 noon

Closing: 24 February 2025 at 12 noon

Application and guidance notes can be reviewed online via: https://www.newrymournedown.org/residents-grants-and-funding

Information workshops, booked via TicketSource (http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/newry-mourne-down-district-council ), will take place as follows:

•21 January 2025, 7pm – Bagenal’s Castle Newry

•23 January 2025, 7pm – Down County Museum

•28 January 2024 11:30am – Teams

Groups wishing to be notified of future funding opportunities should request their details be added to the Council’s database by contacting:

Grants & Funding Unit

T: 0330 137 4040

E: programmesunit@nmandd.org

Reconciliation Fund Outreach Workshops & Attendance at Funding Fairs 2025

The Department of Foreign Affairs’ Reconciliation Fund invites you to attend our series of Outreach Workshops, or visit our stand at a range of funding fairs, over the course of January and February 2025.

This year we will host sessions in Belfast, Derry, Enniskillen, Armagh & Monaghan which will outline the application process for the Reconciliation Fund step-by-step in advance of the Annual Funding Round opening in February 2025 and answer any questions that you may have.

The Reconciliation Fund will also be in attendance at a number of funding fairs, details as follows:

Fermanagh-Omagh District Council Funding Fair, St Macartin’s Cathedral Hall, Enniskillen, Thursday 6th February 2025, 4pm – 8pm

NICVA Funding Fair, Belfast, 26th February 2025, 10am-1pm

You are most welcome to attend the location and time that suits you best.

If you would like to attend one of our outreach sessions, please register your attendance using the following Eventbrite links:

Belfast- Thursday, 23 January 2025 - Morning - Reconciliation Fund Outreach Workshop Belfast 23 January 2025 at 10:00 |Eventbrite

Belfast – Thursday, 23 January 2025 - Afternoon - Reconciliation Fund Outreach Workshop Belfast 23 January 2025 at 14:00 | Eventbrite

Armagh – Thursday, 30 January 2025 – Morning - Reconciliation Fund Outreach Workshop Armagh 30 January 2025 at 10:30 | Eventbrite

Monaghan – Thursday, 30 January 2025 – Afternoon - Reconciliation Fund Outreach Workshop Monaghan 30 January 2025 at 14:30 | Eventbrite

Derry – Wednesday, 5 February 2025 - Afternoon - Reconciliation Fund Outreach Workshop Derry 5 February 2025 at 14:00 | Eventbrite

Enniskillen  - Thursday, 6 February 2025 – Afternoon - Reconciliation Fund Outreach Workshop Enniskillen 6 February 2025 at 14:30 | Eventbrite

If you have any questions regarding these outreach workshops, please contact the Reconciliation Fund team at reconciliation@dfa.ie

The James Kane Foundation

The James Kane Foundation is an independent Charity. In 2025 the Foundation will be moving to an online grant application process. Expressions of Interest will open on Monday 6th January 2025 and close on Friday 28th March 2025 at 4pm.

Expressions of Interest will be reviewed on a fortnightly basis during this application period and we will let you know asap once a decision is made whether to proceed to application or reject.  

 The Foundation will focus on two themes:

• Enabling STEM related education and career opportunities.
• Enabling students to make the correct choices between employment/career and higher-level education pathways.

Only projects within Northern Ireland meeting one or both these themes will be eligible. The James Kane Foundation will not fund initiatives which it believes schools, colleges or councils have a statutory obligation to provide.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Foundation will support applications that are aligned to its mission that is “To progress and facilitate education and career opportunities” and the themes as stated above.

• The Foundation can fund Individuals and the wider community with a focus on:

– Education bodies including schools, colleges and third level institutions (but will not fund activity which these have a statutory duty to provide.)

 – Employers including private sector companies.

 – Charities and Social Enterprises

• The Foundation can fund on a multi-year basis.

• Priority may be given to projects that benefit those living in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council area.

• Grants can be used in conjunction with other funding sources you may have already secured.

• The Foundation can fund the same organisation more than once. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• The Foundation seeks additionality in all projects that it funds. 

Grant Budget

The Foundation intends to allocate in the region of £400,000 per year for large scale projects and will consider multi-year funding. 75% of the budget will be allocated to large grants and 25% to small grants – under £25,000.

How to apply
All potential applicants are asked to submit an Expression of Interest form. This is an opportunity to summarise your project and explain how it meets the theme/themes of the James Kane Foundation. This information will be used to decide whether you’ll be invited to submit a full application or not.

The James Kane Foundation recognise the time and amount of work that is involved in planning a project and applying for funding. The Expression of Interest acts as a filter regarding any projects which are unlikely to receive funding and saves the time involved on working on a full application.

 More information available here : https://jameskanefoundation.org/our-approach/

Charles Hayward Foundation

UK registered charities with an annual income of less than £350,000 can apply for a grant of up to £7,000. The funding will support programmes in the following areas:

• Aiming to alleviate isolation and depression in older people, including informal day care or social, physical and recreational activities which give practical help, assistance and support for older people living in their own homes.

• Addressing the emotional and practical needs of older carers.

• Designed to meet the specific needs of people with dementia.

The Charles Hayward Foundation, who offers these grants, wish to fund preventative and early intervention programmes being delivered at the community level which allow older people to stay in their own homes and remain independent. Programmes need to demonstrate their effectiveness in improving the quality of life of older people. The Foundation favours projects that offer a consistent and sustained benefit rather than one-off events or short-lived activities. Please note this is a very popular fund and is usually oversubscribed. Applications are currently being accepted. There are no deadlines.

For more information, please visit the website- www.charleshaywardfoundation.org.uk

ABC Funding Opportunities

Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council is offering financial assistance to eligible groups in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector for Capital projects 2025/2026.

Large Capital Project Fund 2025/2026

Opens for applications at 9.00am on Monday 13 January and closes at 12noon on Friday 17 October 2025, or when the budget is fully committed, whichever comes first.

Small Capital Project Fund 2025/2026

Opens for applications at 9.00am on Monday 13 January and closes at 12noon on Friday 7 February 2025. Projects must not commence before 1 April 2025.

Groups wishing to be notified of future funding opportunities and other relevant information should request their details be added to the Council database by emailing fap@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

Further information including details of how to apply can be found at Funding Hub | Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

First point of contact is Valerie Armstrong 07515 607 480

Funding for Sustainable and Active Travel in the UK

Naturesave Trust is currently accepting applications to its Spring 2025 round.

This small, registered charity is the charitable arm of Naturesave Insurance, an ethical insurance provider, and provides funding three times a year to support specific UK-based environmental, conservation and community renewable energy projects.

The Trust offers funding for a different theme each year.

This year, grants of up to £5,000 are for projects that actively promote sustainable and eco-friendly approaches to travel and transport.

NatureSave is looking to support the following types of projects:

• Vehicles – clean fuel, batteries or both. This can include electric vehicles, hybrid power systems and fuel cells.

• Infrastructure – such as public transportation systems.

• Energy source – using renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels like coal.

• Activity – walking, cycling or using a scooter instead of driving. 

Applications are accepted from a range of UK based organisations, including charities, social enterprises, voluntary organisations, small grassroots community groups and businesses.

To be eligible, the organisation and/or project must be entirely based in the UK and have a website or social media presence.

There are three funding windows per year: January to February; May to June; and September to October.

The application deadline for the current round is 27 February 2025 (12 noon).

For more information, please visit The Naturesave Trust - Naturesave Insurance

Royal Countryside Fund’s New UK-Wide Grant Programme to Open 10 January

Not-for-profit community organisations with an income of less than £500,000 a year can apply for grants of up to £25,000 over a period of 24 months to deliver activities that fall under four key themes:

• Keeping young people in the countryside: support for projects which increase access to skills training and employment opportunities in rural communities.

• Powering up rural communities: support for projects which aim to provide financial benefits to the locality, addressing local needs.

• Environmental sustainability: support for community-driven projects which aim to increase the environmental sustainability of their community through reducing emissions/environmental impact, creating positive benefits for the community and improving the quality of the local environment.

• Building emergency resilience in rural areas: support for communities to develop preventative measures and plans to respond to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events, helping them to be better prepared to cope with and recover from emergencies. Communities are invited to bid for money that will create tangible change. 

The grants can be used for direct costs, organisational development, core or fixed costs.

Projects must start within six months of the agreement start date and all projects must be completed by June 2027.

Organisations in Cumbria and Northumberland may not apply to this round (2025) as the Trust's recent joint programme focused on these counties.

Expressions of interest will be accepted from 10 January 2025 to 21 February 2025 (midday).

For more information, please visit Supporting Rural Communities - The Royal Countryside Fund

Funding for Charities Working with Ex-Offenders, Young Offenders or Young People at Risk of Offending

UK registered charities and charitable incorporated organisations based and working in the UK that can demonstrate impact with ex-offenders, young offenders or young people at risk of offending, either within a local area or nationally may apply for small grants of up to £5,000 or larger grants with no set limit.

The funding is intended for registered charities working to:

• Support offenders and ex-offenders into work, specifically for those looking to build skills and capability to get into sustainable work.

• Help specific groups within the criminal justice sector that are less popular with funders than others.

• Support young people (up to 25 years) from disadvantaged and socio-economically challenged groups, such as immigrants, to ensure they are given every possible chance to realise their full potential and to participate fully in society.

Grants are normally awarded for one year only, though exceptions can be made.

Whilst the size of organisation is not relevant when making an application, it may be easier for smaller organisations to demonstrate impact.

The grants can be used for pump priming, project funding, associated project costs, core costs for new projects and innovative or pioneering work.

There are usually three funding rounds per year.

The next deadline for applications is midday on 13 March 2025.

For more information, please visit The Weavers' Company – Weaving, charity, and fellowship

2025/26 Central Good Relations Fund

The 2025/26 Central Good Relations Fund (CGRF) opened for applications on Tuesday 17th December 2024, for groups who wish to apply online for a project funding grant (for projects over £1,500).

Applications must be submitted online by:

Monday 27 January 2025 at 4:00pm

To access the online application portal, you must first register your organisation. However, if you have previously registered, you do not need to register again. If you are unsure if your organisation has previously been registered, please contact a member of the team who will be able to advise. Please follow the link below and enter your username and password in the ‘Local Account Login’ section to log in to the application portal.

Already Registered? Login to apply for a 2025/26 CGRF grant

If you have not already registered, please use the link below to register your organisation. Please note, you must correctly register your organisation by 12 noon on Friday 24th January 2025 to enable access to the online application portal. Any registrations submitted after this time will not be accepted and you will be unable to submit an application for the 2025/26 funding year.

Register to be able to apply for a 2025/26 CGRF grant

It is advised that all applicants read the 2025/26 CGRF Guidance notes (attached) which include a step-by-step guide to the registration process and application form before you start.

Register

To register (if you have not already done so), you will need:

• Your contact information;

• Details of your organisation, including address and organisation type; and

• A copy of your organisation’s constitution (WORD or PDF).

Online Application

To apply online you will need:

• Your online sign in details (username and password);

• Details of your proposed project including proposed activities and costings; and

• Copies of job descriptions, if applicable (for any salary(s) being claimed).

Got questions?

Contact our team using the e-mail below:

• GoodRelationsFund@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk

Online Information Sessions  

2025/26 Central Good Relations Fund

To help groups apply for funding, the Executive Office will be hosting three ‘CGRF Online Information Sessions’ via MS Teams.

The sessions will take place on: -

• Session 1 – Tuesday 7 January 2025 @ 10.30am

• Session 2 – Monday 13 January 2025 @ 2.30pm

• Session 3 - Thursday 23 January 2025 @ 10.30am

The online forums will be a great way to find out more about the CGRF fund, and advice and guidance will be offered in relation to projects that could be delivered, the application form, and how to apply etc.

The online forums will last approximately 1hr and will also include a Q&A session where attendees can submit questions to the panel.

Register to attend an online session:

Please click the link under the session you wish to attend in order to register. You will then be provided with joining instructions for your chosen session.

In advance of the session, you may wish to ensure that the device you will be logging on with is compatible with MS Teams.

• Session 1 – Tuesday 7 January 2025 @ 10.30am

https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/76ba490e-5df7-4907-b3a7-0c8a6e76061f@e7a13aea-9437-4db7-a22b-cfaa4ce33b6e

• Session 2 – Monday 13 January 2025 @ 2.30pm

https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/2f240502-6d47-4867-ae2d-9626e74db98a@e7a13aea-9437-4db7-a22b-cfaa4ce33b6e

• Session 3 - Thursday 23 January 2025 @ 10.30am

https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/127d8713-3b16-4f43-b38b-952ff1dceab9@e7a13aea-9437-4db7-a22b-cfaa4ce33b6e

Should you have any queries in advance of the information session (or at any time), or have anything in particular you would like us to cover within the session please email GoodRelationsFund@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk

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

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

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

• Security and refuge - projects that support emergency accommodation.

• Quality and suitability of housing.

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

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

• Strength-based practice

• Trauma-informed care

• Psychologically informed environments.

Depending on their annual turnover, UK registered charities can apply for:

• Small Grants of between £250 and £1,000 to charities anywhere in the UK that have a turnover of less than £1 million. The funding is to be used for projects that support those in need of a safe and secure home. Grants are only for capital expenditure (that is, to purchase items used to directly help those in need).

• Large Grants of between £25,000 and £100,000 for charities with a turnover of £5 million or less who are based in or delivering work in Yorkshire and/or the North East of England. The grant can be a one year grant, or split across two or three years and can support new work or existing work and fund core, project and/or capital costs.

The Foundation has introduced a two-stage application for large grants in 2025. The first step is to submit a short expression of interest.

There are three large grant and four small grant application rounds per year.

The first deadline for both small grants and large grants is 10 February 2025 for consideration in late March.

For more information, please visit About Charitable Foundation | Leeds Building Society

JRCT's Power and Accountability Programme Reopens to Applications

The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) is once again accepting applications from not-for-profit organisations working at the national level to ensure a more equal share of power in society.

This programme aims to support people to create a world in which power is more equally shared, and in which powerful institutions are responsive and accountable to wider society and aligned with the long-term public interest.  

The priorities are:

• Strengthening corporate accountability 

• Strengthening democratic accountability 

• Encouraging responsible media 

JRCT will consider applications for national work in the UK, or elsewhere in the EU for work at a pan-European level.

Organisations that are a registered, excepted or exempt charity based within the UK and all of their work fits within the published programme are encouraged to apply for unrestricted or core support, although they may apply for programme or project funding if they prefer. There is no set grant limit.

Applications will be accepted from a range of organisations. It is not necessary to be a registered charity to apply to the Trust, however, the Trust can only support work which is legally charitable as defined in UK law.

Organisations should be undertaking work at a national level. This means work that seeks to make positive change across the UK as a whole, or across one or more of its member countries - England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Groups who have not registered on the JRCT grants management system need to do so by 18 February 2025 in order to submit an application for the current round.

The deadline for applications is 4 March 2025 (10am).

For more information, please visit Power and Accountability