Funding Opportunities

Included in this section are summaries of available funding opportunities which community groups may wish to apply for. For more detailed information, community groups are advised to visit the individual website of the funder. Please take note of the timescales / deadlines for applying for funding and the funding criteria which you will need to meet in order to be eligible to apply.

The information contained in this section of the website was correct at the time of publication.

Grants to Promote Sustainable Fashion (UK)

Environmental charity, Naturesave Trust, has announced that the September – October 2023 funding round is now open for applications. The theme for this funding round will be sustainable fashion.

The Trust will be looking for community projects that are running initiatives to tackle this issue. Organisations eligible to apply include charities, social enterprises and grassroots community organisations.

Each year the Trust donates a percentage of their income generated from Naturesave Insurance and uses these funds to support environmental and conservation projects across the UK.

In previous funding rounds, the Trust has awarded grants of between £500 to £2,500.

No application deadline is given and potential applicants are advised to contact the Trust.

Useful Links:

Funding Guidelines

https://www.naturesave.co.uk/naturesave-trust/

Suicide Prevention Grant Fund 2023-2025

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has a £10m Suicide Prevention VCSE Grant Fund for 2023/24 and 2024/25, to support suicide prevention activities delivered in England by non-profit organisations.

The closing date for applications is 1 October 2023.

Applications must be made online via the Find a Grant portal Suicide Prevention Grant Fund 2023-2025 - GOV-UK Find a grant (find-government-grants.service.gov.uk) unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Guidance can be found using the link above, providing further details of the objectives of the fund, the eligibility criteria, and details on the application process itself.

DHSC will also be holding Meet the Funder webinars for potential applicants to answer any questions. To sign up, please contact the team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Social Prescription Small Grants Fund

The Social Prescription Small Grants Fund is to support the development of social prescription activity across County Durham, in response to identified need.

This flexible fund, managed by Durham Community Action (DCA), will welcome applications from Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations (VCSEs) across the county, where supported by a social prescriber. It will also link to activity being progressed by South Durham Health to improve access to physical health checks for adults with Severe Mental Illness.

VCSE organisations need to apply in conjunction with their local social prescriber link worker (SPLW). If anyone is interested in applying and they are unsure who to contact, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and she can provide a list of which SPLW is based in which locality,

MORE INFORMATION:

Whilst management of this fund will be closely aligned to ongoing development of data driven, proactive support of wellness via social prescribing, there is scope to invest in broader activity, where positive impact upon mental health can be demonstrated.

Gaps in provision of social prescription activity can be identified by SPLWs or VCSE organisations, with an aim to develop activity that supports the wellbeing of individuals.

Outcomes will include:

An increase in available social prescriptions based on clearly identified need.
Individuals being referred for social prescriptions report improved wellbeing.
Increased capacity of VCSE organisations to deliver activities that support wellbeing.
Strengthened links between Social Prescribers and VCSE organisations.

Applications should:

Be submitted by a VCSE organisations (with appropriate governance structure and capability to deliver the activity outlined in the application).
Supported by a PCN in the locality.
Clearly identify the gap or need the activity is trying to meet and identify suitable measures of success/impact illustrating positive impact on mental wellbeing of recipients.
Be within the range of £500-£4,000.
Be deliverable by March 2024 (with some scope for delivery past this date where appropriate, to be determined on a case-by-case basis).

Proposed process

Gaps in provision identified by social prescribers and/or local voluntary and community organisations.
Discussion with DCA to shape ideas for activity delivery, develop clear measurable plans and support appropriate applications.
Short application form completed, submitted by VCSE organisation and supported by social prescriber.
Due diligence documentation gathered (light touch: governing document and recent bank statement).
Partnership agreement drawn up to reflect terms of small grant.
Final appraisal for approval.
Grant processed.
Impact measurement and evidence of spend provided/gathered/collated .

Ongoing wrap around support from DCA:

Information and engagement activity encouraging leaders of VCSE Organisations and SPLWs to shape fundable activities.
Support SPLWs and VCSE organisations to connect where they do not already have established working relationships.
Provide touchpoints with grant recipients around activity/delivery.
Evidence of spend/wider engagement grant activities information collated.
Evidence of activity and outcomes collected and submitted via report.

Monitoring:

Quarterly progress report (tracking of engagement & grant allocation).
Final Impact report illustrating measures undertaken and outlining learning as a result of the programme (case studies as appropriate).

VCSE grant recipients will be expected to contribute to the monitoring process:

Provide evidence of spend and outcome information, including (but not limited to) activities delivered, numbers of participants and a case study.
Deliver activity by end of March 2024 unless otherwise agreed with DCA.
Abide by the terms of the Partnership Agreement.

NB: This programme will, where possible, align with the wider work of DCA’s Health and Wellbeing Coordinator and link with activity undertaken as part of a focus on ‘Healthy Communities’ through DCA’s membership of the County Durham Together Partnership.

Funding available for October 2023 Half Term Holiday

Funding is available from the Derwent Valley Area Action Partnership (DVP) for activities for children, young people and families during the October 2023 Half Term Holidays.

The scheme aims to support local community groups and organisations based in the DVP area to deliver enriching holiday activities during the October school holidays including healthy food.

Please note we cannot fund individuals or profit making organisations.

Applicants can apply for a minimum grant of £500 and a maximum amount of £1,000.

Applicants must provide a healthy snack, breakfast, lunch or tea as part of the activity that aims to meet Food Safety Requirements.

If you would like an application form and criteria, please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

All applications and supporting documents must be received by 12noon on Wednesday 20 September 2023.

If you require any assistance with the completion of the application or any support, then please do not hesitate to contact the DVP.

Funding from Northern Powergrid Foundation

The Northern Powergrid Foundation has funds available to support local communities affected by changes in the economy, environment and society because of the shifting energy landscape.

The closing date for applications is 31 August 2023.

The funding isn't just about solar panels and batteries as the criteria extend beyond that and can include:

Energy Resilience during emergency events – enhancing community facilities, services and communication, and providing support to households in Northern Powergrid's regions during prolonged periods without power.
Vulnerability – protecting the welfare of vulnerable people in the communities served by Northern Powergrid particularly during extended power cuts by enhancing their resilience and supporting them to prepare for emergency situations.
Fuel Poverty – helping to prevent and relieve those in fuel poverty through educational advice and support programmes.
Levelling the rural divide - supporting communities who are particularly remote or isolated and have experienced power cuts due to poor weather in the past.
Innovation - using innovative or transformational solutions to improve energy resilience for households in Northern Powergrid’s regions.
Social support - supplementing the services provided by the emergency services in response to periods of prolonged power loss.
Collaboration – supporting communities or groups who work together to tackle issues to improve energy resilience.
Charities - supporting existing charitable organisations or groups whose remit is to enhance energy resilience across Northern Powergrid’s region

All of the information and to check if eligible is on the Foundation's website. https://www.northernpowergridfoundation.com/