Northern Ireland Office Opens Community Partnership Fund for Voluntary Sector

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The Northern Ireland Office has opened its Community Partnership Fund, offering a single grant of £1 million to support work with local community organisations, with a particular focus on rural areas.

The award will be made to one delivery organisation acting as Head Recipient for a forum of organisations. The Head Recipient will be responsible for financial accountability and must be based in Northern Ireland. Other participating organisations may be based in Great Britain.

The grant is available for activity delivered between 2026 and 2029. Applications are open to the voluntary and community sector, civic society and national representative bodies in Northern Ireland. Applicants must be formally established for public benefit and be not-for-profit organisations.

Proposals must address key areas of support, including identifying and assisting smaller grassroots community groups that are below the radar of traditional support, creating networking opportunities to help organisations form new contacts, supporting groups to develop ambitious ideas and pursue larger-scale projects and helping groups navigate financial support from initial idea development through to project delivery while building resilience for long-term sustainability.

Programme management and direct delivery costs are eligible for funding.

The deadline for applications is 19 June 2026. For more information, please visit £1 million Community Partnership Fund to boost community and voluntary groups in Northern Ireland - GOV.UK

Applications Invited for Cash for Kids' Impact Grants Programme

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The Cash for Kids Impact Grants scheme supports children and young people up to and including 18 years old living in the UK who are affected by poverty, abuse, neglect or those with additional support needs.

Registered charities with an annual turnover less than £1 million, schools, community organisations and other grassroots groups based across the UK are eligible to apply.

The programme addresses the following themes:

  • Poverty.

  • Mental health and wellbeing.

  • Sport and physical wellbeing.

  • Disability or life-limiting illness.

  • Education and essential skills.

  • Diversity and inclusion.

Grants are usually between £1,000 and £3,000, although more or less can be requested.

For the current call, applications are accepted from all areas in the United Kingdom except for East Yorkshire, Yorkshire Coast and Lincolnshire. Applicants are advised to check the Cash for Kids website for updates as different regions have varying opening and closing dates.

Grants are usually between £1,000 and £3,000. For more information, please visit Grant Application - Cash for Kids

Cash for Kids' Holiday Hunger Grants Programme Open for Applications

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The Cash for Kids Holiday Hunger Grants scheme supports children and young people (up to 18 years old) facing food insecurity during the school holidays.

Registered charities with an annual turnover less than £1 million, schools, and community, voluntary, youth group or sports groups with a formal governance document (eg constitution, articles of association, club rules and regulations) can apply.

Projects must focus on outcomes that encourage children to eat more healthily and be more active during the school holidays. 

For the current call, applications are accepted from all areas except for East Yorkshire, Yorkshire Coast and Lincolnshire. Applicants are advised to check the Cash for Kids website for updates as different regions have varying opening and closing dates.

Grants are usually between £1,000 and £3,000. For more information, please visit Grants | Cash for Kids

National Lottery Project Grants Open for Northern Ireland Arts Projects

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Arts Council of Northern Ireland has opened its National Lottery Project Funding round for 2026/27 to support organisations delivering arts projects that contribute to community arts activity and engage new and existing audiences.

The support is intended for work that benefits people in Northern Ireland or helps arts organisations meet their aims, while reflecting Northern Ireland's social and cultural diversity. The Arts Council has indicated it wishes to support work involving children and young people, older people or people with disabilities, alongside proposals delivering high quality programming in rural areas. It also encourages work focusing on Minority Ethnic artists, D/deaf, neurodiverse and disabled artists, emerging artists, working-class artists and LGBTQIA artists, as well as innovative and original work across art forms.

Grants of between £10,001 and £75,000 are available. Awards can cover salary costs directly related to the project, including recruitment, employer national insurance contributions, pension and expenses. Applicants may also claim overheads attributable to the supported work and include accessibility costs within the budget.

Applications are invited from legally constituted organisations including registered charities and other non-profit-distributing bodies, partnerships of organisations, public sector agencies operating outside their statutory remit and commercial organisations where the activity is primarily for public benefit. Local authorities can apply but are considered a low priority.

Projects must take place between 1 August 2026 and 31 July 2027 and can last up to one year.

The deadline for applications is 1 June 2026 (noon). For more information, please visit National Lottery Project Funding 2026-2027 | Arts Council NI

Small Grants to Support People with all Disabilities Play Tennis

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The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, a charity, provides small grants for people with disabilities to play tennis, including help with purchasing wheelchairs, tennis equipment and coaching.

Groups, clubs or projects can apply for grants of up to £1,600, while individuals can apply for up to £600.

Eligible applicants include disability groups and programmes, clubs, schools and associations in the UK, as well as individuals. Applications for the same purpose must wait for two years to reapply.

Support for wheelchairs is available through separate routes for organisations and individuals. For group, club or project applications, applicants may request one or more tennis wheelchairs designed for general use at grass roots level. A contribution towards the chair is required, with the Trust offering a grant towards the remaining cost, based on eligible models listed on the Trust's website.

For individuals who play wheelchair tennis, four types of wheelchair are available, with the applicant expected to raise a contribution, which varies by chair type. Where an alternative wheelchair is requested, a grant may be awarded and the applicant is responsible for ordering and paying the supplier directly.

The Trust can also provide a package of equipment, ordered and paid for by the Trust and delivered to a specified address. Packages include rackets, balls, mini nets and coaching aids such as cones and throw down marker lines, with sound balls available for visually impaired groups.

Further support is available for starting or maintaining a disability group, club activity or project, including court hire, coaching fees and equipment. Individuals may apply for items such as rackets, strings, tape and gloves, as well as coaching lessons with an LTA Licensed coach and course fees for official LTA Development or Coaching courses.

There are four applications rounds per year.

The next deadline for applications is 3 August 2026 (for a decision at the end of August). For more information, please visit Welcome - Dan Maskell Tennis Trust

Material Focus’s Electrical Recycling Fund – 31 May Deadline Reminder

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Material Focus, an independent not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to stop electricals from being hoarded and thrown away and ensure they are reused and recycled instead, is offering a total of £1 million for this year's funding round.

Established community sector organisations based in the UK such as registered charities and local authorities, can apply for grants of up to £100,000 for pilot projects taking place for one year.

The funding should be used for the expansion or introduction of a new project that could not have happened without the funding, rather than core operational costs.   

The 2026-27 round is for the following proposed pilots:

  • Bring banks

  • Bring bank refurbishments

  • Community drop off points

  • Drop off events if part of a bigger, longer term pilot

  • Reuse if part of a larger recycling pilot

The funding can be used for the following:

  • Buying new bins or collection points 

  • Renting vehicles for electricals collections

  • Installing bins

  • Communication and marketing activity, including printed materials and digital campaigns

  • Staffing costs for time spent planning and delivering the pilot. Funding can be used on salaries where the individual is working on the agreed, funded pilot.

  • Collection costs, but only to a Designated Collection Facility (DCF) or nominated transfer station. 

Applications will not be accepted from individuals, profiting businesses, small community groups such as Parish councils, community stores, youth clubs nor can it support major capital purchases such as vehicles or property.

The deadline for applications is 31 May 2026. For more information, please visit Electricals Recycling Fund - Material Focus

Young Women's Mental Health Programme Invites Applications

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The Pilgrim Trust's Young Women in Mind programme focuses on supporting young women's mental health. The 2026-2028 Young Women in Mind fund is delivered in partnership with the Prudence Trust and the Julia Rausing Trust, pooling resources to enable more young women to access support.

Young Women in Mind 2026-2028 supports registered charities delivering high quality services specifically designed to respond to the needs of young women (aged 14 to 25 years) experiencing mental health difficulties. It is anticipated that the support will enable the young woman to thrive and fulfil her potential. Funding is available to:

  • Scale or expand an existing, high-quality, targeted mental health service for young women and girls.

  • Strengthen or adapt current provision to better meet young women's mental health needs.

Grants of between £200,000 and £500,000, spread over a period of three years, are available.

To be eligible, applicants must be either a mental health charity or a women and girls' charity. The organisation must have been in operation for at least three years.

For the current round, the work must be located in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humber, the Midlands, Northern Ireland or Scotland. However, organisations working UK-wide or England-wide are also welcome to apply for work across their remit.

The closing date for Stage One applications is 22 June 2026. For more information, please visit Young women’s mental health grants 2026-2028 - Pilgrim Trust

Rosa’s ‘Stand With Us Fund’ Reopens for UK Applications

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Rosa has launched the third round of the Stand With Us Fund which aims to achieve the following outcomes:

  • Women and girls will be supported by organisations delivering frontline services to end male violence against women and girls, ensuring women and girls can be safe, healthy and equal.

  • Women and girls organisations will be empowered and strengthened, meaning that they will be in a stronger position to survive, thrive and grow into the future.

The funding is intended to enable organisations to be in a stronger position to survive, thrive and grow by investing in organisational development work such as developing strategy, strengthening governance and leadership, a stronger voice in the women's movement, creating stronger alliances and partnerships, increasing fundraising, volunteering and activism, demonstrating impact and more effective systems and processes.

Not-for-profit frontline women's and/or girls' organisations with an income of between £100,000 and £500,000 can apply now for a one-year grant of up to £28,000. Grants will be paid in January 2027 and last one year (until December 2027). It is expected at least 18 organisations from across the four UK nations will be funded.

Priority will be given to applications from women's and girls' organisations which are:

  • Operating in the top 10% of the most disadvantaged areas in the UK-based on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD).

  • Based in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

  • Led by and for Black and minoritised women and girls.

  • Led by and for disabled women and girls.

  • Led by and for LGBTQ+ women and girls.

In addition, organisations that have not received funding from the second round of this fund will be prioritised.

Rosa will be hosting the following 'How to Apply' webinars (registration is required):

The deadline for applications is 22 June 2026. For more information, please visit Rosa's Stand With Us Fund - Rosa

Radcliffe Trust Accepting Applications for Second 2026 Funding Round

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Radcliffe Trust is offering grants for charities, not-for-profit groups, and exempt organisations across the UK to support projects in the areas of music, heritage, and crafts.

For music projects, the Trust will consider projects in the following categories:

  • 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.

For heritage and crafts projects, the Trust will support 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 promote and develop high-level skills among early career practitioners and disadvantaged groups.

Heritage and Crafts Grants are generally in the region of £2,500 to £7,500. Music Grants are generally in the region of £2,500 to £5,000.

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

The next deadline for applications is 31 July 2026. For more information please visit The Radcliffe Trust

Climate Action Fund - Food Systems

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Project location: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales

  • Amount: £2,500,000 to £7,000,000

  • A decision in: 39 weeks

  • Programme status: Open to applications

We want to fund projects that strengthen our food system and reduce food insecurity for people and communities.

We want to support ways of producing enough healthy, affordable food without harming the planet. 

We will do this by supporting work that: 

  • works with nature to create resilient, sustainable and equitable food systems (this is called agroecology) 

  • addresses the root cause of long-term problems, not just the symptoms (this is called systems change) 

You must meet one or more of our aims 

  • Your project must work towards systems change in the way that:  

  • community organisations grow and produce food – using agroecological methods 

  • food gets distributed – aiming for equitable access to healthy, affordable food for all 

  • offers people and communities different food options – especially those experiencing poverty, disadvantage or discrimination  

For more detail, see our funding aims. 

You must meet all of these criteria

You must show us that you’ll: 

  • work in a partnership 

  • make a lasting impact on climate change, the environment and nature  

  • significantly increase access to healthy, affordable food – especially for those experiencing poverty, disadvantage or discrimination  

  • have firm plans to measure the impact of your work  

  • have firm plans to tell the story of your project to inspire others 

  • show how you’ll meaningfully involve communities and organisations representing communities in your project 

For more detail, see criteria your project must meet. 

How much can you apply for

You can apply for a minimum of £2.5 million over 3 years. 

Most projects we fund will: 

  • receive between £3 million and £5 million 

  • run for between 5 and 7 years 

We expect to fund up to 10 projects in the first year. For more information, please visit Climate Action Fund - Food Systems | The National Lottery Community Fund

Dormant Assets for All

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Project location: Northern Ireland

  • Amount: £300 to £20,000

  • A decision in: 12 weeks

  • Programme status: Open to applications

This funding is for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in Northern Ireland.

It helps organisations to:

  • build skills and capacity

  • be more resilient

  • prepare for future challenges

Make sure you check that your organisation is based in Northern Ireland. Only organisations with a registered office base in Northern Ireland are eligible for funding. 

We fund projects that strengthen your organisation

This might include improving:

  • confidence and skills in digital technology

  • how you track and measure your impact

  • financial management

  • governance and leadership

  • volunteer recruitment and management

We’ll only fund work that makes your organisation stronger

We do not fund the delivery of activities in your community. For example, we cannot fund expanding an existing service into new areas.

How much funding you can apply for

You can apply for between £300 and £20,000 to run projects that last up to 2 years.

Where this funding comes from

This funding comes from the Dormant Assets Scheme. It is money from financial accounts that have not been used in over 15 years. It does not come from The National Lottery.

For more information, please visit Dormant Assets for All | The National Lottery Community Fund

Funding for Christian Charities and Organisations Across the UK and Ireland

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

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

  • Growing congregations and Christian communities.

  • Addressing social challenges facing communities.

  • Enabling wider community use of church buildings. 

  • Empowering Christian Education.

Funding can be used to cover direct capital and revenue costs that are directly related to the proposed project. Funding can be used for new projects or to expand preexisting work.

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

Applications can be submitted at any time. For more information please visit Community Impact Grants | Community Grants & Funding

New Funding for Young People Facing Homelessness in the UK

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The Young Futures Fund is offering grant support to organisations assisting young people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The funding is intended to improve access to safe, secure and affordable housing, alongside providing support to help sustain tenancies and enable progression towards independent living.

One-year grants ranging from £5,000 to £40,000 are available. The funding can be used for projects that support individuals aged 16 to 25, including those that provide accommodation, skills development and employment opportunities.

Applications are open to UK-based charities and not-for-profit organisations working directly with young people in this age group. The fund prioritises organisations delivering frontline services, particularly those with strong local links and an established understanding of the needs and experiences of young people within their communities.

Projects supported through this funding may include those that increase housing provision, develop life skills or improve access to employment. The focus is on practical interventions that help young people secure stable living arrangements and build pathways towards independence.

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) can be submitted between 27 April 2026 and 22 May 2026. For more information, please visit LandAid Young Futures Fund - LandAid

NI's Community Relations and Cultural Diversity Funding Programme Accepting Applications

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Northern Ireland's Community Relations/Cultural Diversity Grant Scheme is inviting applications from locally based voluntary and community organisations to develop their capacity to engage in community relations work and to enhance the community relations potential of projects they undertake.

The scheme is aimed at community development groups, cultural organisations, women's and men's groups, faith-based groups, tenants' associations, youth groups and rural groups involved in community relations, reconciliation projects and cultural engagement for projects primarily involving adults.

The funding is for projects which address at least one of the Community Relations Council's objectives:

  • Develop opportunities for groups to explore their own cultures, beliefs and traditions increasing their capacities to develop relations with those from other cultures.

  • Develop opportunities for groups to extend their knowledge and understanding of others' cultures, beliefs and traditions.

  • To enable groups to challenge stereotypes of their own and other communities to acknowledge and address differences.

  • To increase the ability and confidence of groups and organisations to identify issues which divide them.

  • To develop networks of communication, trust and cooperation between divided communities.

  • To promote models of good practice for community relations work in Northern Ireland.

Groups can apply for grants of up to £10,000, but most grants awarded will be between £2,000 and £5,000.

The deadline for applications is 15 January 2027. For more information, please visit Community Relations / Cultural Diversity | Community Relations Council

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

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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:

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

CFI Innovate funding

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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