Awards for All
The Awards for All (link opens in a new window) is
a Lottery grants scheme for local communities which funds projects
that can be completed within 12 months. Activities funded include
the arts, sport, heritage, education, environment, health and
others that benefit the local community.
Applications can be made at any time and application packs can
be downloaded from the website or obtained by calling 0845 600 20
40.
Arts Council
The Arts Council England (link opens in a new
window) is the national development agency for the arts. Grants are
for individuals, arts organisations and other people who use the
arts in their work. They are for arts-related activities that
benefit people in England or that help artists and arts
organisations in England to carry out their work.
Applications can be made at any time but the project should have
at least 10% of the total cost of the proposed activity from other
income sources. An application pack can be downloaded from the
website or obtained by calling 0845 300 6200.
Community Dividend Scheme
The Co-operative Group's
Community Dividend Scheme 'Help your
community' (link opens in a new window) does not require
your group to be a charity to apply but it must have a
charitable purpose. Funding ranges from £100 to £5,000, although
most range from £100 to £500. Newly formed groups can only apply
for up to £500 until a three month record of income and spending
can be provided. Following this, applications for up to £5,000
can be made.
There are three charitable purposes covered by the scheme:
- relieving poverty - projects that aim to improve conditions for
those less fortunate
- improving education - projects that aim to provide education in
the community, nurseries and youth centres
- other purposes benefiting the community - projects that benefit
the wider community, such as environmental, protecting heritage
sites or promoting racial harmony.
Applications need to show which of these purposes applies to the
project. Application forms can be downloaded from the website.
B&Q awards
The B&Q 'You Can Do It' awards (link opens in a
new window) are just one of the company's community programmes. The
awards are to help local communities create inclusive and
sustainable facilities. For 2007 they were particularly interested
in applications for projects looking to become more energy or water
efficient. The scheme is launched each January and runs through to
30th March, providing 20 awards worth £5,000 of B&Q
products.
An application form can be downloaded from the website or
obtained by calling 0845 300 1001.
Big Lottery Fund
The
Big Lottery Fund (link opens in a new window) are committed to
bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people
most in need.
Over the period 2006 to 2009 they are supporting three key
themes:
- supporting community learning and creating opportunity
- promoting community safety and cohesion
- promoting well-being
Through these themes it is hoped the funding will achieve:
- stronger communities, with more active citizens working
together to tackle their problems
- improved rural and urban environments which communities are
better able to access and enjoy
- healthier and more active people and communities
- people having better chances in life, with better access to
training and development to improve their life skills
Government grants
The Government website (link opens in a new window)
provides access to Government Grants for the voluntary and
Community Sector, with a specific topic search option. As you look
further into the funding sources you can approach for your scheme,
you will find there are specific criteria based categories,
including children, business and energy
funds. |