Programme Opens to Support Young Women and Girls in Criminal Justice System

The Triangle Trust 1949 Fund is an independent grant-making trust that operates across the UK. 

The Trust holds two grants rounds per year, Spring and Autumn. For the 2026 rounds, the funding priorities are:

• Spring - helping young women and girls (aged 11-18) involved in county lines and gangs; those who are care experienced; and those who are either outside of education or at risk of school exclusion.

• Autumn - supporting young women (aged 17-30) already in contact with the criminal justice system who need holistic support to help them move away from offending; pre-release and through the gate support for young women to meet their immediate needs; and support for mothers prior to and after serving a custodial sentence.

Grants of between £50,000 and £100,000 are available for a duration of 18 months to three years. A maximum of £50,000 per year can be requested, and the amount of funding must be proportional to the project being undertaken. 

Registered charities, not-for-profit social enterprises and community interest companies that are working within the UK and have a UK office can apply. Only organisations exclusively led by and for women and girls are eligible to apply, or be able to demonstrate that they are 'issue experts' working on one of the funding priorities.

The closing date for expressions of interest for the Spring 2026 application window ('Young Woman and Girls Aged 11-18') is 21 May 2026. For more information, please visit The Triangle Trust

Lidl Green Fund Accepting Applications (NI)

Applications are open for the Lidl Green Fund, which provides grant support for environmental and sustainability activity delivered by community-based organisations in Northern Ireland.

The funding is provided and administered by Lidl Northern Ireland and is intended to support projects that contribute to environmental protection, climate action and community wellbeing.

A total of £25,000 is available in this round, with individual awards of up to £4,200 expected to be made after shortlisting and a public voting process.

Eligible applicants include registered charities, voluntary and community organisations and primary and secondary schools based in Northern Ireland. Projects must take place within Northern Ireland and demonstrate a clear benefit to local communities.

The funding can be used for activities under several thematic areas. These include climate-focused projects, such as energy efficiency measures and renewable energy installations, as well as biodiversity activities, including community gardens, tree planting, and conservation work. Additionally, there are waste reduction projects that promote reuse, recycling, and circular economy approaches. Support is also available for health and well-being projects that focus on educating communities about healthy diets and food choices.

The deadline for applications is 18 May 2026. For more information, please visit Lidl Green Fund. Get a cash grant for your sustainability project!

NI Community Health Project Support Programme Invites 2026/27 Applications

Funding and a programme of mentoring are available for local community organisations in Northern Ireland to support the delivery of projects which use community development to tackle health inequalities.

Elevate is an integrated capacity building programme for community and voluntary sector organisations which incorporates training, mentoring and networking opportunities as well as access to resources. Programme participants take part in a six-month mentoring process (August to March) with an experienced mentor. Mentees are also able to access a grant of up to £5,000 (capped at £1,000 for unconstituted organisations).

Applications will be accepted from voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in Northern Ireland. Applications are particularly welcomed from groups that are volunteer led, have less than five staff or support people from LGBTQIA+ and Minority Ethnic communities and those living with a physical and/or learning disability.

The deadline for applications is 22 May 2026 (16:00).

For more information, please visit About Elevate - Elevate NI

Call 2 Financial Assistance 2026/2027

Please be advised that Call 2 Financial Assistance 2026/2027 is opening today Monday 27 April 2026 at 12.00 midday for the Themes below:

• Sports Facility Capital 

• Community Capital for Community Facilities

• Community Capital Minor Items

• Defibrillators for Sports Clubs

Opening date: Monday 27 April 2026 at 12noon

Closing date: Monday 22 June 2026 at 12noon

Information workshops can be  booked via TicketSource www.ticketsource.com/nmddc-call2-grantsandfunding-2026-2027 for the dates below:

• 29 April 2026 7pm, The Lodge Business and Cultural Centre, Castlewellan

• 06 May 2026 12:30pm, MS Teams (online)

Follow the Grant Manager link to create an account, access Guidance Notes and submit an application.

Should you experience difficulties registering on the new system, please email the email address for Grants and Funding or contact the number below:

Grants & Funding Unit

T: 0330 137 4040

E: grantsandfunding@nmandd.org

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

Northern Ireland Office Engagement for Change Fund Open for Applications

The Engagement for Change Fund awards £100,000 over the course of 3 years for the provision of support for the community and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland, focusing on the development and enhancement of the leadership and advocacy skills necessary to promote and advocate for the critical work delivered, and the communities supported by these organisations.

The Engagement for Change Fund will promote stronger, more inclusive democracy and bolster the ability of community and voluntary sector organisations to effectively inform policy-makers. The Fund will have a particular focus on supporting more women into the forums of public debate, empowering and supporting women to feel confident and effective in engagement with strategic Government policy-making processes.

The Engagement for Change Fund is designed to complement existing provision, not duplicate programming already delivered in Northern Ireland. Applicants are welcome to propose a new programme which does not currently reflect programming available, or to propose programming which will enhance or add to current programming delivered in Northern Ireland.

Applications must detail proposals which will deliver on six key areas of support:

• Supporting Women into the Public Forum

• Understanding the Policy Landscape

• Effective Communication and Advocacy

• Networking and Coalition Building

• Media and Digital Engagement

• Evidence and Data Collection
  For more information on the Engagement for Change Fund, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nio-launches-engagement-for-change-fund-to-empower-community-and-voluntary-sector
  

Applications should be submitted to community.projects@nio.gov.uk by 5pm Friday 22 May 2026.

CFI Innovate funding

Safefood is inviting applications for funding under its Community Food Initiatives (CFI) Innovate programme.

The Community Food Initiatives programme aims to empower people in low-income communities to make healthier food choices. It funds local projects that improve access to healthy and safe food using a community development approach. Since 2010, over 65,000 people have taken part in a Community Food Initiative activity.

The Community Food Initiatives Programme 2025-28 is funded by Safefood and administered by SECAD Partnership CLG.

Safefood is an all-island implementation body set up under the British-Irish Agreement (1999) to promote awareness and knowledge of food safety and healthy eating on the island of Ireland.

CFI Innovate will fund organisations to deliver one off projects that take a programme approach where participants are supported over a period of time.  Funding can also be used to deliver other innovative projects or initiatives that use food as a vehicle to address key health and social concerns for the local community.

There are 2 options for the delivery of a CFI Innovate project:

1.   CFI Innovate small project

2.   CFI Innovate food environment project

An overview of CFI Innovate can be viewed through clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/0lXpOQiPxYI.

Funding

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

Online information session

We will be holding an information session for organisations who would like to hear more about the CFI Innovate funding and what delivering a project will entail.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the CFI Innovate funding.

Information session

Date: Wednesday, 29th April 2026

Time: 11.00 am – 12.00 pm

Click on the link to register to attend on the online information session:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ejvkorQXRPGhD9SCFhmeTg

Applicant Organisation Criteria

Organisations must:

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

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

•    Currently employ and manage professionals with community development experience

•    Have experience of working with the target group identified

•    Be supporting other broader community initiatives through their work

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

Closing date for application

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis but it is important that applications are submitted as soon as possible.  All activities should be completed by Sunday, 15th November 2026.

How to apply

Please contact Sinéad Conroy in SECAD Partnership for details on the programme and how to apply for the funding at:

E: sconroy@secad.ie

M: +353 (0)87 354 3606

UK Youth and Pears Foundation open new fund

UK Youth and Pears Foundation have launched a new £10 million fund to champion an approach that works: providing multi-year, unrestricted funding alongside targeted capacity-building support to small youth organisations.

The aim of the Fund is to strengthen the financial resilience and capacity of small youth and outdoor learning organisations across the UK.

We aim to achieve this through two key outcomes:

Outcome 1: Improved Financial Sustainability, supporting grantees to invest time and resource in strategic, organisational development through our multi-year unrestricted funding grant programme

Outcome 2: Increased Capability and Organisational Resilience through our capacity building programme

Organisations can apply for multi-year unrestricted funding of up to 10% of annual turnover. This approach ensures that funding is proportional to the size and capacity of your organisation to help ensure sustainability and resilience.

This fund is open to organisations with an annual turnover of less than £500,000 that are delivering services to young people based within our eligibility areas in Northern Ireland 

Deadline to submit an Expression of Interest: 11:59 pm on Wednesday, 6th May.

Further information available here

Shared Island Civic Society Fund

The Shared Island Civic Society Fund encourages and supports civic society and community organisations to develop new cross-border links, to further strengthen existing partnerships, or to create or broaden cross-border connectivity on issues of concern for the island of Ireland.

We look for applications that:

• foster sustained engagement between civic society at a regional, national or sectoral level as distinct from stand-alone events or engagements;

• are from business or trade union representative groups, civic society organisations, community/voluntary groups, NGOs or other regional or national representative bodies (funding is not awarded to applications from individuals);

• are representative of different groups of people on the island including persons with a disability, women, young people, older people, migrants, ethnic minorities, and the LGBTQI+ community;

• Address a sector that has cross border impact in areas such as the community/voluntary sector, environment, sport and youth engagement.

Applications must demonstrate a clear partnership between at least one organisation based in the South and at least one organisation based in the North, or must be from an all island body.

The Shared Island Civic Society Fund closes for applications: 11:59pm 2 June.

Further information available here

The Noah Donohoe Music and Sports Bursaries

About the Fund:

Noah Donohoe (14) went missing from his home in South Belfast on Sunday 21st June 2020. He was a boy with many academic, sporting and artistic talents, alongside a huge generosity of spirit. His Mum Fiona has set up the Noah Foundation in his memory; a foundation to support children from all communities across Northern Ireland in as many diverse ways as possible. There is no limit to what any child can achieve given the right opportunity. Noah’s passion for life and learning will live on through this foundation.

The Noah Donohoe Music and Sports Fund will provide an annual bursary scheme to support the development of applicants with a particular talent in music or sports to financially assist their skills and help them develop their talent.

The aim of the Fund’s bursary scheme is to support young people aged from 11 to 18 who may find it difficult to afford costs associated with developing their interest in music or sports.

The Fund will support: 

• Equipment costs

• Formal tuition fees

• Any other costs associated with having the opportunity to play music, sports and develop talent

How much is available:

Bursaries of up to £2,000 are available to support eligible costs

Who is eligible:

• Young people aged between 11 and 18 who are interested in, or are currently playing a musical instrument or involved in sports

• Young people who have limited access to opportunities – we will ask the applicant to outline their challenges in life and outline why they should be granted a bursary

The application form should be completed by both yourself and your teacher/tutor/youth or support worker and submitted online by the closing date:  Thursday 14 May at 1:00pm.

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

If you require any help with this application, please email applications@communityfoundationni.org or phone 02890245927

Please visit The Noah Donohoe Music and Sports Bursaries - Community Foundation Northern Ireland

The Noah Donohoe Youth Sports Fund

About the Fund:

Noah Donohoe (14) went missing from his home in South Belfast on Sunday 21st June 2020. He was a boy with many academic, sporting and artistic talents, alongside a huge generosity of spirit. His Mum Fiona has set up the Noah Foundation in his memory; a foundation to support children from all communities across Northern Ireland in as many diverse ways as possible. There is no limit to what any child can achieve given the right opportunity. Noah’s passion for life and learning will live on through this foundation.

The Noah Donohoe Youth Sports Fund aims to support young people, aged 11-18, in developing their sporting abilities and opportunities.

The Fund will support:

• Equipment & kit costs

• Coaching costs

• Venue hire

• Travel costs

How much is available:

Grants of up to £2,000 are available to support eligible costs.

Grants must be spent within 12 months of award.

Who is eligible to apply?

Constituted sports clubs, with charitable purposes, who cater for young people aged 11-18

NB: In the event that the fund is heavily oversubscribed, clubs with limited income levels will be prioritised.

The fund will close on Thursday 14th May 2026 at 1:00pm.

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

For further information, please contact the grants team on 028 9024 5927 or email applications@communityfoundationni.org or visit The Noah Donohoe Youth Sports Fund - Community Foundation Northern Ireland

Help the Homeless Grant Scheme Available for UK Charities

Help the Homeless is a small grant-making organisation with limited funding available to charities across the UK. It supports people experiencing homelessness in reintegrating into the community and rebuilding their lives.

Applicant organisations must be registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales or Northern Ireland, or with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. Small and medium-sized registered charities with an annual turnover below £500,000 and who are working wholly or mostly with homeless people may apply for funding.

Grants up to £5,000 are available to support capital projects, such as refurbishment costs and furniture.

An online application form is available at the Help the Homeless website.

The next quarterly deadline for applications is 20 June 2026. For more information, please visit Applying for Funding — Help the Homeless

Grocers' Charity Grants Scheme Now Open

The Grocers' Charity was established in 1968 by the Grocer's Company, and supports a wide range of charitable causes in the UK.

The Charity provides one-off grants for UK registered charities to support the following areas:

• Relief of hardship: provide training courses, better facilities, or parenting support; support and empower those who experience or are at risk of homelessness, including domestic violence/abuse; work in areas of high deprivation.

• Children and young people: build children and young people's strengths and potential to empower them to participate and take action to realise their goals; support children and young people's wellbeing through peer support or group activities. 

• Elderly: provide services that end social exclusion; befriending or other programmes to end loneliness; and services that enhance daily activities or home life. 

• Disability and inclusion: identify and tackle the barriers to inclusion and participation; and provide front-line support for disabled people.

• Health: undertake ethical research into specific medical conditions; support people with medical conditions by purchasing a piece of equipment or other tangible project; support people with wellbeing concerns or mental health illnesses. 

• Military: provide innovative programmes, education or employment for ex-service people; and support the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of current and ex-service people and their families. 

• Arts: provide opportunities, education and skills development of creative talent for artists with financing challenges or disability support requirements; engage with marginalised audiences (eg disabled, BAME, and people living below the minimum poverty threshold for the appreciation of arts, performances or exhibitions). 

• Heritage: conservation and restoration of historic buildings (excluding places of worship); conservation of historical objects and paintings. 

• Environment and conservation: support of the protection and survival of plants and animals by maintaining and restoring habitats, enhancing ecosystems, and protecting biological diversity; educating of behavioural changes addressing environmental issues (eg littering and waste); countering the effects of pollution and climate change (eg ideas and projects which tackle the issue of plastic waste and those to reduce carbon emissions). 

Registered charities in the UK with a turnover below £500,000 (or medical charities with an income below £15 million) are eligible to apply.

Funding is at the discretion of the trustees but the one-off grants are usually for up to £5,000.

The closing date for applications is 1 September 2026. For more information, please visit The Grocers’ Charity provides one off grants for charities

Biffa Award's Annual Partnership Grants Scheme Accepting Applications (England and NI)

Biffa Awards is offering grants of between £250,000 and £1 million to support capital projects that address either of the following themes (the project must not cross over the two themes):

• Built Environment projects should restore, modernise and improve facilities such as cultural, heritage or visitor centres. Applicants should be able to demonstrate regional or national significance and how the facility will be inclusive and how it will inspire creativity and participation amongst tourists and day visitors. The facilities must be open to the general public for a published period of at least 104 days each year.

• Natural Environment projects should support a variety of living things including all species of plants and animals, along with the habitats and natural processes that support them. Projects should support the delivering of commitments within their country’s Environmental Improvement Plan, legally-binding targets from the Environment Act 2021 or priorities identified within Local Nature Recovery Strategies. 

Projects must:

• Be located within 25 miles of a significant Biffa Operation or active Biffa Landfill site.

• Be located within 10 miles of any licensed landfill site (not necessarily owned by Biffa Group Limited) in England and Northern Ireland.

• Start in February/May 2027 and be completed by February/May 2028.

Applications can be made for 100% of the project costs; however, only 90% of the grant can be paid by Biffa Award using Landfill Tax Credits. The remaining 10% needs to be provided by another source.

Grants should be used for site-based improvement work, with the majority of costs expected to be direct capital delivery work.

Organisations in England and Northern Ireland can apply as long as they are fully constituted, charitable or not-for-profit organisation with no share capital and enrol with ENTRUST as an Environmental Body to access funding.

The scheme remains highly competitive and receives a far higher number of applications than can be funded.

There is a two-stage application.

The deadline for Expressions of Interest is 29 May 2026. For more information, please visit Home Page - Biffa Award

Grants for Arts and Heritage Work Across the UK

The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust has opened applications for grants supporting charitable activity across the UK. The funding is intended for projects in the performing arts, creative health and heritage crafts that align with the Trust's objectives.

Grants typically range from £500 to £8,000. Unrestricted support is available for charities with an annual income below £250,000. Eligible applicants must be UK registered or regulated exempt charities working for the benefit of UK residents.

The Trust prioritises work that improves access for communities facing identifiable barriers to opportunity. Applications are assessed against several criteria, including alignment with funding themes, identification of beneficiaries, delivery capability, financial management, inclusive practice and safeguarding arrangements.

Projects must begin at least two months after a decision is issued, unless organisations have secured at least 75% of the required funding. There are separate application routes for small charities, defined as those with an income of £5 million or less, and large charities with income above this threshold.

Funding can be used to support activities that contribute to improved access and participation in the Trust's focus areas.

The deadline for applications is 8 May 2026 for large charities and 1 June 2026 for small charities. For more information, please visit The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust – The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust

Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme Opens for 2026-27 Applications

The Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme (NIRFP) 2026-27 offers financial support to projects that advance the Northern Ireland Food Strategy Framework and Food Action Plan. Funding is available through two application tranches, allowing organisations time to prepare projects aligned with the programme's objectives.

A maximum of £70,000 per project is available, covering up to 40% of total project costs.

The programme funds three activity categories.

• Regional fairs and exhibitions may receive support for publicity, venue hire, participation fees, demonstrations, hospitality and travel.

• Seminars and workshops can be funded for venue hire, organising costs, audio-visuals, presenter fees, promotion and distribution of factual materials.

• Information programmes may receive support for producing and distributing factual content through print, digital, radio or television, including scientific or nutritional information.

Projects should contribute to raising awareness of locally produced food, improving the sustainability of local supply chains, supporting a sustainable and innovative agri-food sector or promoting Northern Ireland food and drink.

Eligible applicants include formally constituted not-for-profit groups, registered charities and regional development agencies with a Northern Ireland membership or remit. Collaborative applications involving any combination of these organisations are also accepted.

Tranche 1 is now accepting applications for projects scheduled between 1 May 2026 and 30 September 2026, with a submission deadline of 29 April 2026. For more information, please visit Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Small Grants to Support Community Projects Across the UK

The Better Community Business Network Grant Initiative is offering small grants to support charities and community-led projects across the United Kingdom. The initiative provides one-off awards of up to £3,000, with a total annual allocation of £36,000 distributed through 12 grants each year.

The funding is intended to improve quality of life and opportunities for individuals and communities, particularly those experiencing social or economic disadvantage. Eligible applicants include community groups, voluntary organisations, charities and local branches of national charities, as well as organisations with charitable aims.

To qualify, applicants must be based in the UK and registered with a recognised governing body such as the Charity Commission or Companies House for at least 18 months. They must also have submitted annual accounts.

Grants may be used to support a range of activities, including education projects such as schools and extra-curricular clubs, health initiatives covering mental wellbeing and healthy eating, and services for ex-offenders including mentoring and rehabilitation.

Support is also available for homelessness and poverty work, arts and cultural activities, environmental projects, services for older people, disability inclusion and social cohesion efforts.

In 2026, applications must be submitted by the deadlines of 17 April 2026; 7 September 2026; and 9 November 2026. For more information, please visit GRANT INITIATIVE | BCBN

Openreach Community Fund

The Openreach Community Fund was established with capital from BT, management and unions.  It exists to support small, locally based grassroots community projects.

Who can apply

Constituted grass roots community and voluntary groups.

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

The following examples illustrate the types of projects that the Openreach Community Fund has supported. This list is not exhaustive.

• Creative arts and wellbeing programmes for young people, including workshops in music, drama, pottery or other arts activities.

• Programmes supporting the mental health, confidence and resilience of children and young people through group learning or personal development activities.

• Social activities and community clubs for older people aimed at reducing loneliness and isolation.

• Inclusive activities and programmes for people with disabilities that support participation, creativity and social interaction.

• Educational or skills-based activities for young people, including STEM learning opportunities and workshops.

• Creative or recreational programmes for children in rural or disadvantaged communities that provide opportunities for social interaction and personal development.

• Nature-based wellbeing or gardening projects that bring people together and promote community engagement.

• Small community initiatives that improve access to activities or facilities for older people or people with disabilities.

We will not fund

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.

In addition, The Openreach Community Fund will not support:

• Individuals;

• Salary costs and ongoing running costs;

• Capital projects and large equipment (generally over £1,000);

• Trips outside Northern Ireland, holidays away and one-off residentials are ineligible, however, trips may be eligible within Northern Ireland at the panel’s discretion as long as they are essential to a longer term project;

• Community Interest Companies (CICs) Limited by Shares, or CICs without an asset lock clause. Eligible CICs must have at least three unrelated committee members, and/or the majority of the committee must be unrelated;

• Sports activities;

• Promotion of religion or party politics;

• Funding for projects that are already taking place and looking for retrospective funding;

• Replacement for statutory funding;

• Portable IT equipment (except in exceptional circumstances and at panel’s discretion, for example IT equipment for disabled beneficiaries which is specialised and necessary for their development).

Guidance for Applicants

Openreach is interested in supporting groups that are funded by the Openreach Community Fund by offering potential volunteering help from their staff.  Please respond to the application form question if you are interested in availing of the volunteering support and confirm that you are happy for us to share your contact details with Openreach.

Please read the following text before beginning your application. 

• You are a locally based not-for-profit, voluntary or community group working in Northern Ireland to improve the quality of life for local people.

• You have an active management committee, with no two related cheque signatories.

• You have a governing document, i.e. Constitution in the name of the applicant organisation.

• You have a current bank account in the name of your organisation.

• You have up to date annual accounts.

• You have complied with the conditions of previous grants including submission of monitoring returns.

Application process 

Applications must be submitted online www.communityfoundationni.org

The fund will open on 14th April 2026 and will close at 1pm on 14th May 2026.

In 2025 the success rate for applications to this fund was 55%. 

Please note: The Community Foundation now uses a new Fundseeker Portal for all applications and monitoring. If this is your first time applying, or your first time accessing the portal, we recommend reading the ‘How to Apply’ guide before starting your application.

For further information and to find out if your group or project is eligible, please contact the grants team on 028 9024 5927 or email applications@communityfoundationni.org

Power NI - Brighter Communities Fund

Applications may be made at any time and will be considered on a monthly basis.

Grants are available to charitable, sports and community organisations in Northern Ireland for equipment purchases or projects and activities that enhance their offering within their local community.

The funding is intended to enable community organisations in Northern Ireland to 'shine a little brighter', whether that is through acquiring equipment, a revamp of their space, or providing resources for their service users.

There is £1,000 available in funding awards each month.

Grants must be spent within eight weeks of award.

Applications will be accepted from charitable, sports and community organisations based in Northern Ireland.

Applicants must:

• Not have any political links.

• Use the funds within 6-8 weeks of receiving them.

• Agree to all PR and marketing activity following the journey of spending their Brighter Community grant.

Grants are to be used for a tangible cause such as equipment purchase or providing an activity.

Eligible costs include:

• Purchase of sports kit.

• A revamp of a space.

• Providing resources for service users.

• A special project that makes a significant impact.

Applications may be made at any time and will be considered on a monthly basis.

The online application form can be found on the Power NI website

Brighter Communities | Community Funding | Power NI

Comic Relief - A Place to Belong: Every Step of the Way

Closing Date 30/04/2026

Grants are available to support UK based not-for-profit organisations that work to empower young people who are at immediate risk of, or experiencing homelessness to access the right support at the right time or advocate for challenging structural racism in housing and homelessness.

This programme aims to ensure that funding not only addresses the immediate needs of young people but also helps dismantle the longstanding barriers that drive and sustain housing inequity.

Systemic Change Pathway – a £1 million programme offering core-flexible funding of up to £450,000 over three to seven years for organisations advancing policy change and challenging structural racism in housing and homelessness across the UK

UK organisations with annual income between £200,000 and £10 million can apply.

Organisations that are eligible include:

• UK registered charity in England & Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland

• Community interest company limited by shares or guarantees (CIC)

• UK Charitable incorporated organisation (CIO)

• Other type of registered non-profit organisation that uses its assets for a defined social purpose

• Company limited by guarantee or share using its assets for a defined social purpose

• Limited liability partnership using assets for a defined social purpose

• Co-operative society/friendly society

• UK constituted organisation or trust

Flexible, core funding is designed to support the good work of organisations, not just projects.

Application guidance notes, frequently asked questions and the eligibility questionnaire can be found on the Comic Relief website.

The application process is as follows:

• The first stage is to submit the online eligibility questionnaire.

• Those who are eligible may submit a full application by the deadline of 30 April 2026 (23:59). 

• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a proposal assessment and asked to submit additional information and supporting documentation.

Contact Comic Relief for further information.

A Place To Belong | Comic Relief

The Sports Development Capital Grant Programme

Closing date 01/06/26

The Sports Development Capital Grant Programme provides financial assistance to eligible Sports Clubs for the delivery of capital projects before Monday 1 March 2027.

Ards and North Down Borough Council has £90,000 for 2026/27 and can award up to 60% of eligible capital costs with a maximum award of £6,000 in respect of any one project.

The closing date for applications is 12noon on Monday 1 June 2026.

Programme Guidance and Criteria, and Programme Application Form will be available at Sports Development | AND Leisure

Contact Sports Development:

Telephone 0300 013 3333 extension 40327 or email sportsdevelopment@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Note: Capital Expenditure' is defined as expenditure for purchase, improvement, restoration and construction of an asset directly related to the applicant organisation. It should have 'physical substance' i.e. be a tangible asset that can be listed on an asset register or a company's balance sheet (e.g. equipment, buildings) for use in the delivery of an organisation's activities; and it should have a useful life of more than one year. 

Grants and Funding | AND Leisure           

Sports Forum Grants

These grants are available to eligible Sports Clubs and individual athletes in Ards and North Down.

£90,000 has been allocated for the financial year 2026/2027. These are annual grants with various funding streams available.

IN 2026/27 funding, 8 grant categories aim to support the development of sports clubs and individual athletes from across the Borough. 

Grants and Funding | AND Leisure