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.
Funding to Tackle Fuel Poverty
The Scottish Power Energy People Trust has announced that its grants programme is open for applications.
The Trust provides grants to registered charities for projects that address fuel poverty. Registered charities can apply for grants of up to £50,000 for projects that:
- Provide energy efficiency advice
- Improve home energy efficiency through draught proofing, insulating and or other practical measures
- Carry out benefits advice to households missing out on financial help that they are entitled to through welfare benefits and tax credits and provide assistance to reduce or cancel debts for household electricity or gas supply.
Applications are particularly welcome from charities who work with children, young people and families.
Previous projects supported include:
Telford & The Wrekin CAB which received a grant of £49,887 to employ a part time energy efficiency/income maximisation adviser. The adviser would provide one-to-one advice and support for individuals and families referred by any of the agencies within the network.
The deadline for applications is the 17th May 2016.
http://www.energypeopletrust.com/content/default.asp?page=s4
Small Grants from the Premier League Fans Fund
The Premier League is seeking applications from smaller fans' groups who want to strengthen a relationship with their professional football club.
The funding is being made available through the Fans Fund Small Grants Scheme. This is a three-year £3.5m commitment from the Premier League to fund projects and organisations which improve the relationship between fans and their clubs, the way football supporters engage with each other and the way fans' experience the game. Any supporter’s groups thinking of applying must be able to show that the project has been discussed with, and endorsed by, their club. A good example is the Telford United Supporters Trust (TUST) who were awarded a grant of £20,000 to help grow its number of trustees and active supporters.
Applications to the Fans Fund Small Grants Scheme can be submitted at any time. Projects can take up to 12 weeks in assessment.
http://www.fsif.co.uk/funding/fans-fund-small-grants-scheme/
Healthy Hearts Grants 2016
The Heart Research UK will re-open its Healthy Hearts Grants Programme on the 1st February 2016.
Healthy Heart Grants support innovative projects designed to promote heart health and to prevent or reduce the risks of heart disease in specific groups or communities. Grants of up to £5,000 and £10,000 are available to community groups, voluntary organisations and researchers who are spreading the healthy heart message.
Projects supported in the past have included:
Wanderers Pulse of the Community to educate pupils in Bolton about the heart and heart disease, the importance of exercise for heart health, the dangers of smoking and heart-friendly foods.
Empowering Families, London - ‘Babies and Toddlers' to promote good eating habits and playing as exercise at an early age through two Parent Toddlers and Babies groups in Brent's most deprived wards.
The closing date for applications will be the 30th March 2016.
http://heartresearch.org.uk/community-grants/apply-hruk-healthy-heart-grants
Prince's Countryside Fund 2016
The Prince's Countryside Fund has announced that it will re-open for applications in early March 2016.
Organisations and charities that are helping to protect and sustain Britain's farming and rural communities will be able to apply for funding of up to £50,000. To be considered for funding projects need to contribute to one of three countryside issues, these are:
- Thriving Rural Communities
- Rural Livelihoods
- Farmers of the Future.
Funding will be available for both capital and revenue costs. Applicants can be social enterprises, not-for profit organisations, charities and Community Interest Companies; etc.
Previous projects supported include:
Oathall Community College Farm which received funding towards a new farm shop and providing work experience for over 200 students.
Crossgates Community Primary School a small primary school that is introducing pupils to the principles of growing food.
http://www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/apply-for-fund/welcome-screen
Funding for Projects that Support Vulnerable Families and Individuals
The First Utility Foundation, which is a charitable trust funded and created by First Utility, the UK's largest independent energy supplier, has announced that its grant making programme is open for applications.
The Trustees are looking to support projects run by UK-registered charities that:
- Make a genuine difference to the lives of vulnerable families and children
- Improve the quality of life for older people
- Make life better for people with disabilities.
The Foundation has a particular focus on supporting initiatives that can demonstrate a track record in reaching marginalised communities and/or deliver innovative solutions to alleviate suffering.
There are two categories of financial grants available:
- General Support grants of between £3,000 and £10,000 to cover an organisation's core costs
- Flagship grants of up to £20,000 contribute to a specific initiative or project. Applicants will need to have at least 30% of the project funding secured from other sources.
Projects supported in the past include:
AbilityNet which delivers free in-home IT support and training for elderly or disabled people across the UK. It is receiving a grant to expand its reach and enhance its network of volunteers as it works to combat the isolation and loneliness of many disabled and elderly people.
The closing date for initial applications is the 29th February 2016.
