Tag Archive for: charity

Community Grants / Cambridge City Council / Deadline 14 January 2025

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The Cambridge City Council 2025-26 Community Grants

Next round starts 26 November 2024

 

What is available?

Voluntary and community groups can apply for up to £5,000 – this can be for a single activity or split between multiple activities with a combined maximum total of £5,000. Activities must reduce social and/or economic inequality for Cambridge residents with the greatest need. They can be open to anyone living within the city or alternatively be focused on a particular area or community within Cambridge.

Please note that if you have already applied to the earlier over £5,000 funding round which closed on 18 September then you are not eligible to apply for a £5,000 and under grant.

 

How to apply

You can choose to apply to either round one or round two but you cannot apply to both rounds.

 

Round one 

  • Launches on 26 November 2024. The deadline to apply is 14 January 2025.
  • Funding will be awarded from April 2025 and must be spent by 31 March 2026.

 

Round two 

Contact them if you are unsuccessful in the first round and would like to apply to the second round.

  • Launches on 23 April 2025. The deadline to apply is 3 June 2025.
  • Funding will be awarded from July 2025 and must be spent by 31 March 2026.

 

The application process is via an online application form, go to www.cambridge.gov.uk/community-grants-of-5000-and-under to view the guidelines and access the application form.

 

They will receive more requests than there is funding available; applications which focus on reducing inequality and can demonstrate clear evidence of need are likely to be more successful.  Please make sure your activity clearly fits their priorities and your group meets their eligibility criteria; if you are not sure, then give them a call to check.  If you are applying for the first time, or for a new activity it is important that you call to discuss your idea before applying.

 

Help and support

The Grants team and Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service (CCVS) are holding the following:

  • a webinar at 7pm, Tuesday 3 December covering the funding, application process and form. The webinar will be recorded and made available to view online afterwards.
  • face-to-face appointments on 4 December 2024 at the Cambridge Council for Voluntary Services offices in Arbury Court, Cambridge.

 

We strongly recommend that you attend one of the above sessions to ensure you are familiar with all the changes. Email grants@cambridge.gov.uk or phone 01223 457875 to book onto the webinar or make a face-to-face appointment or if you would like to check that your organisation or activity is eligible.

Your Station Your Community improvement fund (YSYC) / GTR / Deadline 18 Dec 2024

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Your Station Your Community improvement fund (YSYC)

GTR is glad to announce the 3rd round of Your Station Your Community improvement fund (YSYC) grant funding. – which opens for applications from 1st November 2024

The fund will support local groups, charities, customers, and the communities on their line of route.

The causes they support are those that are of key importance to local communities on their network and to them.

Building lasting social value; under the following themes: mental health; education and employability skills amongst marginalised groups; diversity and inclusion; Railway 200 and environmental sustainability.

Please make sure you read the guidance notes for the updated information for the bidding for 2025/26.

What is available?

The grant fund offers accepts bids of:

  • Up to £10,000 – open applications
  • £10,000 – £50,000 – please contact them to discuss your proposal before applying

Also new for 2025/26 there are two Station Partner Support Grants open for applications.

  • Arts/Creative projects – £25,000
  • Horticulture/Environment projects – £25,000

Previous applicants and grant recipients may also apply to the fund.

The Station Partner Support Grants will support Community Rail and Station Partners volunteering at stations on the GTR network and also develop at least three new projects in partnership with new groups or as an individual practitioner, with a focus on the additional activity during 2025 for Railway 200.

They welcome applications from registered charities, individuals (for the Station Partner Support Grants), Community of Interest Companies (CICs), Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs); community groups and other not-for-profit organisations such as community rail partnerships, schools & colleges, Business Improvement Districts, town councils and parish councils.

Find out more and apply: 

Thameslink – Your station Your community Improvement Fund

If you have any questions about the guidance or the suitability of your project, please do get in touch – they will attempt to get back to you as soon as possible.

Email:  rob.whitehead@gtrailway.com

Deadline: 18th December 2024.

East Cambridgeshire Community Fund/ East Cambridgeshire District Council/ Deadline 9 Dec 2024

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The East Cambridgeshire Community Fund will be open to applications between 28 October to 9 December 2024.

What is available?

The aim of this small community grants scheme is to support local community groups to provide new or develop existing community services and initiatives that improve the quality of life for residents living in East Cambridgeshire.

There must be evidence of how the project meets local need, involves and empowers local people, ensures equality of access and an indication of how the project will be sustained. This grant scheme cannot give capital funding for buildings but can be used to buy equipment for the project.

Who can apply?  

Applicants must:

  • Have a written constitution
  • Have a management committee of at least three people: a Chair, a Treasurer and a Secretary
  • Have their own bank account with a requirement for two signatories for any payments made
  • Be able to provide an up to date copy of their accounts
  • Provide an Equal Opportunity and Child Protection Policy where applicable

If your organisation does not have a written constitution, mission statement and/or relevant protection policies, please contact Voluntary and Community Action East Cambridgeshire for advice in meeting these requirements. Please call 01353 666166 or email Voluntary and Community Action East Cambridgeshire.

How much money can you apply for? 

Up to 75% of the project costs can be sought, with a minimum grant of £250 and a maximum grant of £1000 payable.

We require 25% of the total project cost as cash or in-kind match funding. Only one grant per group/organisation may be awarded in any financial year (April – March).

For further information contact 01353 665555.

Application Forms 

Application forms are available below, you may either complete a paper version and send as a hard copy to the address on the application form, or apply online using our Self-Service Portal.  In order to complete the form online you must be registered as an Individual, registration is quick and easy and will only take a couple of minutes:

East Cambridgeshire Community Fund | East Cambridgeshire District Council (eastcambs.gov.uk)

Deadline: 9 December 2024

Social Value Investment / CPCA/ on-going

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The Social Impact Investment Fund (SIIF) is a £2.375 million fund dedicated to supporting charities and social enterprises in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough region. Funded by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) and managed by Allia, this innovative programme provides capital grants and loans to social and third sector organisations.

The SIIF was created to bridge the gap between what social ventures need and what traditional finance offers. We understand that many impactful organisations struggle to access patient and flexible capital that prioritises their mission to deliver social value over financial returns.

The SIIF is here to change that. By offering grants and social loans, the SIIF provides tailored support that empowers social ventures to achieve both their social and financial objectives, while fostering community development and economic growth.

Social Impact: To support organisations that create significant positive social outcomes

Financial Sustainability: To create a model for sustainable future social investment, particularly for those who cannot access traditional financial solutions

Good Growth: To stimulate economic and social development in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area.

The SIIF offers three key funding instruments:

  1. Grants: Non-repayable funds of £10,000 – £25,000; Best suited for charities or early-stage social enterprises with high social impact potential.
  2. Social Loans: Affordable loans of £10,000 – £75,000; Best suited for growing social ventures who want to transition to more commercial forms of capital.
  3. Revenue Participation Agreements (RPAs): An innovative funding model where capital of £10,000 – £75,000 is provided in exchange for a share of future revenues over a period; Best suited for revenue-generating organisations looking to grow without the pressure of traditional debt.

Grants are well-suited for non-profits or early-stage social ventures, while loans and RPAs are designed to drive growth and instil financial discipline in early to mid-stage companies, positioning them for larger, more traditional forms of capital, such as debt and equity.

To apply for any of the funding options under the Social Impact Investment Fund (SIIF), your organisation must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Location: Your organisation must be based in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) region, including Peterborough, Fenland, Huntingdonshire, East Cambridgeshire, South Cambridgeshire, and Cambridge.

Social Impact Mission: Your organisation should have a clear social impact mission and a commitment to creating positive social outcomes in the local community, especially in line with CPCA’s aims to reduce inequality, create jobs, boost the economy, affordable housing, and build environmental resilience.

Capital Use: The grant and loan funding must be used for capital projects that contribute to growth, development, or expansion of the organisation, such as new product development, entering new markets, or increasing operational capacity to serve more customers and beneficiaries.

Financial Viability: Applicants must demonstrate financial stability and a realistic plan for sustainability.

Compliance: Organisations must comply with relevant legal, regulatory, and governance requirements, including subsidy control rules, as applicable.

https://futurebusinesscentre.co.uk/programmes/cpca-social-impact-investment-fund/

Core costs / Foyle Foundation/ 31 Jan 2025

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The Foyle Foundation is an independent grant-making trust that distributes grants to UK charities. Since it became operational in November 2001, the Foundation has disbursed more than £91.5 million in grants.

Small Grants Scheme, supporting charities in all fields with a turnover of less than £150,000 per annum.

The Small Grants Scheme is provided by the Foyle Foundation to support smaller, grass-roots and local charities in the UK with projects that have the potential to make a significant difference to their work.

Grants of between £2,000 and £10,000 are available for 12 months.

Grants can be used for core costs or essential equipment.

Who Can Apply

UK charities that have an annual turnover of less than £150,000 are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to charities that are working at grass roots and local community level.

Charities must be able to demonstrate ongoing financial viability over the next 12 months.

One-year grants are available for core costs, projects, essential equipment, or building projects.

The Foundation’s priority will be to support local charities still active in their communities that are currently delivering services to the young, vulnerable, elderly, disadvantaged or the general community.

If applying for funding towards a capital project, applicants should apply towards the end of their fundraising campaign, when the majority of funding has been raised and they have an estimated start date for the works. The Foundation is unlikely to consider a request if the lease is less than 10 years. If the application is successful, the pledged grant offer is only valid for 12 months.

Applicants must show how any grant will make a significant difference to their current work and must be able to demonstrate ongoing financial viability over the next 12 months.

The Foyle Foundation will complete its grant giving programme in 2025. Due to unprecedented demand it will now stop accepting new applications to the Small Grants Scheme on 31 January 2025.

Applications can continue to be submitted at any time up to the final cut off date. Please also note that the foundation can only consider applications for projects (and funding periods) which will be completed before the end of 2025.  

https://foylefoundation.org.uk/how-to-apply/small-grants-scheme-guidelines/

Local community/ One Stop Shop/ 25 October 24 and 24 January 2025

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Local Community Groups are able to apply for funding to support the group and to develop a new or ongoing project in partnership with their local store. Successful applicants will receive an initial grant of up to £1,000 and begin a partnership with their local One Stop store.
This programme is designed to support community groups or organisations operating within two miles of a One Stop store and which are;
• Tackling food poverty
• Supporting the vulnerable
• Supporting the elderly
• Supporting low-income families
• Supporting local sports teams
• Improving the local environment
• Reducing Waste in the community

Taking a partnership approach

The programme provides partnership as well as financial assistance. Alongside a grant of up to £1,000, and the opportunity to create a long-term tailored programme of support for successful applicants with their local One Stop Store Team. Grant recipients then work in partnership with the One Stop Store Team at their local shop to deliver support to the community.

The tailored support from the store teams will help community causes to increase or improve their service by assisting in areas such as but not limited to; volunteering support, fundraising and awareness-raising.

Apply today

To be eligible to apply, your organisation or project location address must be within two miles of a One Stop store. Before you start your application, please use the below Store Locator to check the distance from your local store and whether funding is currently available there.

If your local store is one of our Working With stores you will need to speak to the store manager directly to request support for your community group.

https://www.onestop.co.uk/community-partnership-page/

Neighbourhood Planning Grant / Locality/ Deadline tbc

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The Neighbourhood Planning Support Programme

MHCLG have extended the support for a seventh year (2024/2025). The Neighbourhood Planning Support Programme will continue to offer grants and Technical Support packages.

What is available?

The programme provides grant and Technical Support to eligible groups.

Grant support

All groups undertaking a neighbourhood plan or neighbourhood development order (NDO) are eligible to apply for up to £10,000 in Basic Grant. Grants can be used for a range of activities to support the plan or order-making process.

Additional Grant
If your group is facing more complex issues, you may be eligible for an Additional Grant of £8,000 (in addition to the £10,000 Basic Grant). This Additional Grant is available to
groups if any one of the following is met:

• Allocating sites for housing in your neighbourhood plan
• Proposing to include design codes in your neighbourhood plan
• All groups writing a business led neighbourhood plan
• All groups preparing a plan for a cluster of three or more parish councils
• Neighbourhood plans for areas which have a population of over 25,000 people
• Designated neighbourhood forums
• Groups based in areas which have a high level of deprivation (where 30% or
more of the neighbourhood area or population is in the 20% most deprived areas
in England according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation).

If you meet the eligibility criteria above, you can apply for this additional £8,000, giving a total amount that can be applied for of £18,000.

 

Technical Support

Groups facing more complex issues may be eligible for packages of Technical Support.

Technical Support is awarded as a technical work package and is in addition and separate to the grant. It has no relation to how much grant you are eligible for and can be awarded to you at the same time. It is delivered free of charge to groups who qualify by meeting the eligibility criteria listed below.

Technical Support is available to groups in any of the following circumstances:

• Allocating sites for housing in your neighbourhood plan
• Proposing to include design codes in your neighbourhood plan
• Preparing a neighbourhood development order
• An undesignated forum needing help to get designated (this unlocks the ‘Setting up a Neighbourhood Planning Group (in unparished areas)’ package of support only. To be eligible for the other packages of support your forum will need to be designated).
• Designated neighbourhood forums Groups based in areas which have a high level of deprivation (where 30% or more of the neighbourhood area or population is in the 20% most deprived areas in England according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation).
• The programme also offers ‘Forum Development’ support specifically for groups who are setting up a neighbourhood planning group in an unparished area.

How to apply

To find out more and apply please visit: Home – Locality Neighbourhood Planning

Government/ Training for Adult Social Care/ Deadline 21st March 2025

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Training Funding for Adult Social Care Staff in England

Eligible adult social care employers in England can now claim funding for staff training costs through the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS). The scheme is open to non-regulated care staff, including deputy and Care Quality Commission (CQC)-registered managers, as well as agency staff.

The funding is available for qualifying training courses and qualifications that have been both paid for and started between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025. The reimbursement amount will vary according to the eligible qualifications, and it represents the maximum, not a default, amount.

The LDSS covers various adult social care services, such as residential care homes, day care services, domiciliary care, and community care services. These services include nursing and non-nursing care homes, sheltered housing, supported living, live-in care, and other similar services.

Employers can claim this funding on behalf of eligible staff to help them develop new skills, gain recognition for existing expertise, and specialise in new areas. This initiative aims to support the development of the non-regulated adult social care workforce in England, enhancing their capability and quality of care.

The overall funding pot is limited and once it has been exhausted, claims submitted will not receive reimbursement.

A deadline of 21 March 2025 applies for claims submitted this financial year. Late claims submitted between 22 March 2025 and 31 March 2025 (inclusive) may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-social-care-learning-and-development-support-scheme

IT Grants/ Net Solutions Wales/ Ongoing

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Funding for charity’s ICT development.

 

What is available?

Net Solutions Wales can assist with IT Grants of £10,000 to £20,000 for community / charity groups ICT development.

The funds cover PC’s, laptops, smartboards, projectors (most main stream I.T) software and support.

Restriction of one application per year.

Typical projects that have been awarded include community re-generation/enrichment, community activities and those groups which involve their community in learning new skills.

They will assist in providing knowledge of the IT available and guide you in how best to maximise the Grant with IT that suits its purpose.

This does not affect any Core funding and applications are on a first come first served basis with a decision time of around one month.

 

Who can apply?

Charities and community groups.

 

How to apply

To find out more and to apply please visit: NET Solutions Wales: web design, e-commerce, web hosting: Charities and community grants

Brunel University / Innovation / Rolling

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Brunel Innovation Voucher Scheme Supports UK Organisations in Innovation

Brunel University London is offering the Brunel Innovation Voucher Scheme to support collaborative projects aimed at developing new products, processes, or services that foster innovation and growth within organisations.

The scheme provides vouchers valued at between £1,000 and £5,000, which cover specific academic project costs at the university. Participating organisations are required to contribute an equivalent value, either in cash or in kind, such as staff time, materials, or equipment.

The scheme is open to SMEs, social enterprises, and third sector organisations based in the UK, offering them an opportunity to collaborate with academic experts to drive innovation within their operations.

Applications are open on a rolling basis.

https://www.brunel.ac.uk/business/Help-for-SMEs/Innovation-Voucher-Scheme