Grants of up to £50,000 Available for Community Projects (UK)

Small charities, schools and community interest groups with innovative ideas that benefit their community can apply for funding of up to £50,000 for projects that build more connected, more resilient communities; and give people the tools to become more financially independent. The funding is being made available through the newly re-launched Aviva Community Fund. Every three months from January onwards, £250,000 will be split equally among Aviva’s UK employees to donate to the projects that matter to them most. Applications are open on a continuous basis and are reviewed every three months. The closing date for this round is the 26th January 2021. Aviva have teamed up with the fundraising platform Crowdfunder and applicants can add to any donations they get from the Aviva Community Fund with public donations. Click here

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DSC Event: Funds Online Live!

Funds Online Live! is a holistic look at fundraising and funding that all fundraisers should attend, whether you subscribe to Funds Online or not.

This new online event on Thursday 18 March will feature:

  • Keynote from Simon Scriver, Co-Founder & Director of Fundraising Everywhere, on his experiences in fundraising and the latest fundraising techniques to support your fundraising goals
  • Choice of “fundraising strategy and writing” or “emotional resilience in fundraising” training sessions
  • Funds Online demo on getting the most out of managing your account
  • DSC’s Research Team (the team who work on Funds Online!) will provide an overview of the latest trends and issues in funding, including how different grant-makers and other funders have responded to Covid-19, and what it may mean for the future
  • Guest funder speaking on current funding programmes and plans for the future

Find out more and book your space now (Funds Online subscribers can attend for free with a special discount code!).

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Tech for Good ‘Build’ Fund

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Comic Relief have announced they will open another round of funding for their Tech for Good programme in January 2021. Grants of up to £70,000 will be available to not-for-profit organisations that are defining, testing, or developing user-centred digital solutions to address social needs (see here for further details on social issues supported). ‘Applications that aim to adapt or re-purpose existing technology are also actively encouraged’. Further details will be made available here on 07 January 2021.

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Funding to Enable Disadvantaged Young People Reach their Potential (UK)

Registered charities (including Schools that are registered as charities for young people with disabilities) that work with disadvantaged children under the age of 25 can apply for funding of up to £10,000. Of particular interest are projects that provide opportunities for disadvantaged children and young people to fulfil their potential and educational activities that develop learning, motivation and skills. Projects could, for example, support special educational needs; address behavioural problems or promote citizenship; and parenting or life skills. Preference will be given to projects piloting new approaches where the outcomes will be disseminated to a wider audience. The funding is being made available through the Ironmongers Company’s grants programme. The next closing date for applications is the 31st July 2021. Click here

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Grants of up to £5,000 Available for Projects that Help the Homeless (UK)

Homeless charities can apply for capital grants of up to £5,000 for projects that aim to help homeless people return to the community and enabling them to resume a normal life.  Typically, such organisations may operate small or medium-sized residential or training facilities to assist homeless people. To be eligible to apply, the charity must have an annual turnover of under £1million and with ‘unrestricted reserves’ of under six months.  Previously funded projects include the Booth Centre, an advice and activity centre for homeless people in Manchester, which received a grant of £1,500 to transform the centre with new lighting, a new water heater and new decoration; and a grant of £3,000 to the Amber Foundation to enable the Foundation to buy new bedroom furniture for their residential centre in Devon, where every year over 60 unemployed, homeless young people are able to rebuild their lives and gain the motivation, confidence, self-esteem and skills for independent living.  The closing date for applications is the 15th March 2021. Click here

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New £4 Million Fund to Tackle Loneliness (England)

Small charities and community groups in England will be able to apply for grants of up to £2,500 for projects and activities that reduce loneliness by helping people feel more connected. The funding is being made available through the new £4 million Local Connections Fund which is made up of £2 million from the Government and £2 million from The National Lottery Community Fund. The Local Connections Fund will be split into two rounds of funding – each with its own application window, one in January 2021 and one in the summer 2021. The funding will be available to charities and community groups in England with an annual income of £50,000 or less. This first round will be open for applications on 5 January 2021 and close on 26 January 2021. Click here

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DSC: Five Tips for Successful Fundraising

Discover the best way to write applications to gain the attention of Grant-making Trusts & Foundations and other grant funders. Find out more.

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Funding for Projects that Address Severe Learning Disabilities (UK)

Schools, voluntary organisations and charities can apply for grants to help both children and adults suffering severe learning difficulties. The funding is being made available through the Baily Thomas General grants programme and can be used to purchase equipment, support capital works as well as covering project and core costs such as staff costs, general running and office costs. Previous grants have been used to support capital works for residential, nursing and respite care, and schools; employment schemes including woodwork, crafts, printing and horticulture; play schemes and play therapy schemes; day and social activities centres including building costs and running costs; support for families, including respite schemes; independent living schemes; support in the community schemes; and Snoezelen rooms. The next deadline for applications seeking funding in excess of £10,000 is the 1st March 2021. Applications for £10,000 and below can be submitted at any time. Click here

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Searching for a Grant?

As well as our regular newsletter containing up to date funding opportunities Sobus subscribes to Grantfinder.

Grantinder is one of the largest database of funders from across the UK. It is well maintained and up to date. However, in order to search the database well it needs some clear information:

  • type of organisation e.g. charity, CIC etc
  • your organisations’s aims
  • what you are intending to do with the funding and who will benefit
  • how much you require.

From this point onwards the database will produce a range of funding opportunities. And within that it will give clear criteria about what the funder expects and what you as an organisation might need in order to apply e.g. a certain level of income. Usually there will be about 20+ funders for each search but it can be a good place to start.

If you need Sobus to carry out a search then contact us by email at admin@sobus.org.uk

Alternatively if you are not too clear about how to describe your funding needs then please contact Nigel at nigel.jacques@sobus.org.uk

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BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme (UK)

The BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme which supports children and young people up to the age of 18 living with severe poverty as well as additional pressures such as domestic violence, disability or poor health in the family is currently open for applications. The fund will cover the purchase of critical items such as gas or electric cookers and other essential household items. Applications need to be submitted by a referrer organisation on behalf of the family. The Emergency Essentials Programme is currently operating as normal and we aim to process applications within 10 working days. Funding is also available to families affected by the recent severe flooding. Click here

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