Welcome to August’s funding update.
This update is split into two parts. Section A features funders with upcoming deadlines. You’ll find funders with a local or regional focus first, and national funders second. The funders are listed in order of deadline date, soonest first.
Section B features funders who welcome applications at any time. Again, you’ll find funders with a local or regional focus first, and national funders second.
This update can only provide a snapshot of these funders. We recommend visiting the funders’ websites for full details before you apply. Every funder in this list has a website, which you can access by clicking on the name of the funder.
A. Get in quick – deadlines are coming up!
1. Funders with a local / regional interest
The Field Family Charitable Trust
Deadline: Applications must be received at least 6 weeks before the next meeting, which is in October 2022 (no precise date given)
Types of organisation supported: Registered charities only
Size of grant available: £1,000-£10,000
Priorities: The funder is interested in the following:
- Older people
- Children and young people aged 13-25, especially projects that support young people not in education, employment or training or projects that work with (ex)offenders.
How to apply: The online application form is currently available on the funder’s website
Future deadlines: If you miss the deadline for the October meeting, the next meeting is in April 2023
Baron Davenport’s Charity (Children’s Organisations)
Deadline: 15th September 2022
Types of organisation supported: Not-for-profit organisations, public sector organisations. Beneficiaries must live in one of the West Midlands counties, within 60 miles of Birmingham Town Hall
Size of grant available: £200 – £1,000
Priorities: Children and young people under the age of 25
How to apply: Via the funder’s website
C B and H H Taylor 1984 Trust
Deadline: 15th September 2022
Types of organisation supported: Registered and exempt charities only
Size of grant available: Average grant £3,000
Priorities: Grants given to projects in the West Midlands which are intended to solve local problems and improve the quality of life within communities. Grants are made in the following categories:
- Social welfare – including children and young people, older people, disabled people, homelessness, women-led initiatives, counselling and mediation, hospice and bereavement services
- Education – including adult literacy schemes, employment training, youth work and mental health education
- Penal affairs – including word with offenders and ex-offenders to reduce re-offending and help reintegration, support for families of offenders, police-backed initiatives, youth projects
Types of costs funded: Project costs
How to apply: The application window opened on 4th July and is on the funder’s website. Find full guidance on the website too
Commonwealth Games Equipment Giveaway
Deadline: 19th September 2022
Types of organisation supported: Non-commercial, community-based organisations within the West Midlands, such as local voluntary and community groups, schools and educational establishments (for non-curricular activity), sports clubs, community interest companies (CICs) and social enterprises
Priorities: Community-based projects which seek to tackle inactivity and promote the physical and mental benefits of leading an active life
Size of grant available: A range of sporting equipment used during the Commonwealth Games is available. Additionally, groups can apply for sundries such as ice machines and vacuum cleaners
How to apply: Apply via the funder’s website or make a video/audio application. Full guidance on the website
Cole Charitable Trust
Deadline: 30th September 2022
Types of organisation supported: Small and local registered charities and local branches of national charities
Size of grant available: Grants in the region of £500-£1,200
Priorities: The funder is interested in the following themes:
- social welfare, all age groups
- housing/homelessness
- community and environmental development
- opportunities for young people
- promotion of improved quality of life
- personal or community empowerment
How to apply: Email applications are preferred, but postal applications will be accepted. See funder’s website for instructions
The Roger & Douglas Turner Charitable Trust
Deadline: 21st October 2022
Types of organisation supported: Registered charities based in Birmingham, the Black Country and Worcestershire
Size of grant available: £1,000 – £3,000
Priorities: There is a focus on providing support in the following key areas:
- Children and young people
- Disabled and health
- Environment and heritage
- The arts
- Work in the community
- Social support
- Hospices
Types of costs funded: Core costs, project costs and capital costs
How to apply: Via the funder’s website
Sport England (Places and Spaces)
Deadline: 22nd December 2022
Types of organisation supported: Not-for-profit organisations in the West Midlands
Size of grant available: £1 – £10,000 Note that these awards are ‘pledges’ rather than grants. You must set up a crowdfunding campaign before the funder will consider a pledge towards it
Priorities: The aim of the programme is to unite communities and create a legacy for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. All campaigns should be a celebration of the Games and provide information on how the place or space will unite the community and leave a legacy
How to apply: more information on how to apply and how to run a crowdfunding campaign can be found on the funder’s website
2. National funders
Green Hall Foundation
Deadline: Opens on 1st September 2022 and will close when 200 applications have been received
Types of organisation supported: Registered charities only with annual income under £250,000
Size of grant available: £1,000-£10,000
Priorities: Projects that benefit the sick, the elderly, the disabled and the disadvantaged particularly in the UK
Types of costs funded: Project and equipment costs only
How to apply: At the funder’s website
Santander Foundation Digital & Financial Empowerment Fund
Deadline: 23rd September 2022
Types of organisation supported: Registered charities and CICs with annual income above £75,000
Size of grant available: Three-year grants available, starting at a minimum of £25,000 per year up to a maximum of £150,000 in total
Priorities: The funder wants to support organisation to give people the digital confidence, knowledge, and skills to enable then to make better, more informed decisions about money and have access to financial services. In particular, the funder wants to support organisations that will reach those most disadvantaged, including:
- Lone parents
- Single pensioners
- Migrants and refugees
- People with long term conditions and the disabled
- People struggling to find sustained employment
- Households headed by students or part-time workers
How to apply: At the funder’s website
Co-Operative Bank Customer Donation Fund
Deadline: 30th September 2022
Types of organisation supported: Registered charities, community interest companies, co-operatives and credit unions that have a Community Directplus account with Co-op Bank
Size of grant available: £1,000
Priorities: The fund will support varied projects throughout the UK. Preference will be given to projects that fit into one or more of its priorities, which are:
- Ethics – projects which reflect The Co-operative Bank’s Ethical Policy including Animal Welfare, Fair Trade and Social Involvement
- Ecology – ecological projects which contribute to a sustainable society
- Projects in the communities in which The Co-operative Bank operates
- Projects where The Co-operative Bank’s contribution will make a significant impact
- Projects which support The Co-operative Bank’s community themes. These are currently:
- Crime, reoffending and victims of crime
- Financial capability and education
- Diversity and inclusion
How to apply: Download the application form from the funder’s website
Further deadlines: 31st March 2022
A & N Daniell Charitable Trust
Deadline: 30th September 2022
Types of organisation supported: Registered charities only
Size of grant available: Undefined, likely to be small amounts
Priorities: The care and education of children or others with severe learning difficulties as well as environmental conservation and local community engagement with wildlife
How to apply: Download the application form from the funder’s website
Jeans for Genes Grant Programmes
Deadline: 16th October 2022 (opens on 1st September 2022)
Types of organisation supported: For the core costs grant registered charities that focus on genetic conditions and have annual income between £20,000 and £250,000. Applicants must have received a Jeans for Genes project grant within the last three years. For the project grant registered charities or constituted patient groups
Size of grant available: £3,000 for the core costs grant and £5,000 for the project grant
Priorities: The 2022 Jeans for Genes Grant Programme will have two funding strands:
- Core costs – single year grants of up to £3,000 for front line, genetic condition charities towards their organisation’s core costs to enable them to be in a stronger, more resilient position to continue to provide vital support to their communities, in the long term
- Project funding – single year project grants of up to £5,000 to a wide range of organisations working within the genetic condition community so that individuals living with a genetic condition and their families can access the right support at the time they need it.
How to apply: The application packs for each funding strand will be available on the Jeans for Genes website from 1st September
LGBT+ Futures: Equity Fund
Deadline: 30th October 2022
Types of organisation supported: Not-for-profit organisations run by and for one or more of 5 LGBT+ groups:
- D/deaf, disabled, neurodivergent LGBT+ people
- LGBT+ people of colour and people from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnicities
- LGBTQI+ women
- Older LGBT+ people
- Trans and non-binary people
Size of grant available: £100-£25,000
Priorities: To build the capacity of LGBTQ+ not-for-profit organisations that work with at least one of the five communities of focus listed above. Grants can cover running costs, projects and organisational / leadership development
Additional help: Potential applicants can access a weekly funding drop-in virtual event via Zoom every Wednesday 2-3pm by sending an email to events@consortium.lgbt
How to apply: At the funder’s website
Vodafone charities.connected scheme (free SIM cards for charities)
Deadline: 1st November 2022 or until supplies last
Types of organisation supported: Registered charities only
What’s on offer: Free SIM cards loaded with 20GB of data per month and unlimited calls and texts for charities to support digital inclusion for their beneficiaries
How to apply: At the funder’s website
Church Urban Fund Refugee Support Small Grants Programme
Deadline: 9th December 2022
Types or organisation supported: Churches and registered Christian charities
Size of grant available: £500-£5,000
Priorities: This programme provides small grants for projects or activities that support refugees who have arrived in England from Ukraine or Afghanistan. This can include:
- Providing basic needs, such as safe accommodation, clothing, food, mobile phones, baby care items, and hygiene items
- Supporting refugees as they settled into life in England: UK life courses, befriending, English language classes, baby and toddler groups, welcome parties and drop-in sessions
- Providing safe spaces and networks of support: volunteer expenses, renting church halls, training and essential DBS checks
How to apply: Full guidance and the application form can be found on the Church Urban Fund website
B. No deadlines
1. Funders with a local / regional interest
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council Community Forum Grants
Types of organisation supported: Voluntary or community groups, registered charities, constituted groups or clubs, not-for-profits or community interest companies, and social enterprises, based in the borough, or serving the people of the borough
Size of grant available: up to £5,000
Priorities: Ideas that support local people and organisations to work together to improve the local community or area and encourage local people to be active citizens
Types of costs funded: Not specified
How to apply: Application form and additional information can be found on the council’s website
Heart of England Community Foundation (Positive Futures Fund)
Types of organisation supported: community and voluntary organisations and registered charities working with disadvantaged young people aged 13 to 25, within Birmingham and the Black Country. Applicants must have an annual income of less than £500,000
Size of grant available: up to £5,000
Priorities: The fund prioritises and focuses on:
- Projects that work in innovative ways to inspire young people and prevent them from entering the criminal justice system
- Projects that create lasting change for young people
Grants can be awarded for projects that meet one or more of the following aims:
- Practically helping young people to develop skills so they are prepared for work e.g. opportunities to gain work experience and mock interviews with employers
- Supporting young people who are in the process of leaving care so that they develop skills to live independently
- Raising aspirations of young people by offering organised mentoring opportunities – these opportunities should have an individualised plan which shows growth and clear outcomes for each individual
- Projects supporting mental health of young people on the periphery of crime
Types of costs funded: The following can be supported:
- Start-up costs for a new project or organisation
- To extend or develop an existing project
- For a pilot project (to gather research or evidence)
- To purchase equipment or resources
How to apply: Via the funder’s website
2. National funders
Henry Smith Charity Strengthening Communities
Types of organisation supported: Charities and not-for-profit organisations, working within or next to the top 10% most deprived areas in England and that have annual income between £20,000 and £500,000
Size of grant available: £20,000-£60,000 per year for up to three years
Priorities: The Strengthening Communities grant programme aims to support small, grass roots organisations who are embedded in the community, working within the most deprived areas of the UK. Through this grant programme Henry Smith Charity wants to make sure that its funding reaches organisations that provide services which are widely accessible to the whole community and respond to, and address the needs of the people living in it. The charity will fund established organisations with a track record of delivering services directly to beneficiaries and want to fund work that enables:
- People from across the community to participate in activities which improve connectedness, opportunities and wellbeing
- People who are excluded, vulnerable or facing other forms of hardship to have access to community-based services that support positive lasting change
- A stronger, active, more engaged community
Types of costs funded: Running costs
How to apply: At the funder’s website
Henry Smith Charity Improving Lives
Types of organisation supported: Charities and not-for-profit organisations, including social enterprises with annual income between £50,000 and £3,000,000
Size of grant available: £20,000-£60,000 per year for up to three years
Priorities: The Improving Lives grant programme provides grants to charitable organisations that help people when other sources of support have failed, are inappropriate, or are simply not available. Applications must meet at least one of the six funding priorities, which are:
- Help at a critical moment – Helping people to rebuild their lives following a crisis, critical moment, trauma or abuse
- Positive choices – Helping people, whose actions or behaviours have led to negative consequences for themselves and others, to make positive choices
- Accommodation / housing support – Enabling people to work towards or maintain accommodation
- Employment and training – Supporting people to move towards or gain employment
- Financial inclusion, rights and entitlements – Supporting people to overcome their financial problems and ensure that they are able to claim their rights and entitlements
- Support networks and family – Working with people to develop improved support networks and family relationships
Types of costs funded: Running costs, salaries and project costs
How to apply: At the funder’s website
Groundwork / One Stop Community Partnership
Types of organisation supported: Any constituted not-for-profit organisation including charities, voluntary organisations, community groups and CICs (but not CICs limited by shares) near to a local One Stop store
Size of grant available: £1,000 initially with further support available if successful with a first grant
Priorities: This programme is designed to create a partnership of support to groups in the community who are working to:
- Tackle food poverty
- Support the vulnerable
- Support the elderly
- Support low income families
- Run youth sports teams
How to apply: Check for your nearest One Stop store, access guidelines and apply at the funder’s website
Delamere Dairy Foundation Community Fund
Types of organisation supported: Any constituted not-for-profit organisation set up to benefit the community
Size of grant available: £250-£5,000
Priorities: The purpose of the grant application must fit with the objects of the Delamere Dairy Foundation which are:
- The advancement of agriculture and of environmental protection
- The advancement in life of young people by developing their capabilities so that they may mature as contributory members of society
- The relief of financial hardship
- The advancement of education
- The relief of sickness
How to apply: At the funder’s website
The Laing Family Trusts
Four linked charitable trusts administered under the umbrella of the Laing Family Trusts. The individual trusts (Beatrice Laing Trust, the Kirby Laing Foundation, the Martin Laing Foundation and the Maurice & Hilda Laing Charitable Trust) have overlapping themes, but some of their own priorities. An application to one will be assessed by the most appropriate trust
Types of organisation supported: Registered charities and exempt churches only
Size of grant available: Beatrice Laing Trust – £2,000-£10,000 / Kirby Laing Foundation – £2,000-£20,000 / Martin Laing Foundation – £500-£10,000 / Maurice & Hilda Laing Charitable Trust – £5,000-£25,000
Priorities: Each trust has its own priorities. Overall the trusts will support charities that:
- promote Christian faith and values
- care for those in need
- encourage young people to realise their potential (especially, but not exclusively, in the field of science and engineering and through Christian youth activities)
How to apply: At the funder’s website
Persimmon Homes Community Champions
Types of organisation supported: Charities, voluntary groups and good causes
Size of grant available: Up to £1,000
Priorities: This is a general funder that wants to support local good causes across the UK
How to apply: At the funder’s website