Funding News

The Concertina Charitable Trust

Concertina makes grants to charitable bodies which provide musical entertainment and related activities for the elderly. This not only brightens up their lives, but also provides a therapeutic benefit to their health and well-being. They are keen to support smaller organisations which might otherwise find it difficult to gain funding. Since its inception in 2004, it has made grants to a wide range of charitable organisations nationwide in England and Wales. These include funds to many care homes for the elderly to provide musical entertainment for their residents.

Grassroots Grants

This is a three-year scheme to March 2011, aimed at very small local community groups, offering between £250 to £5,000. There are two schemes being managed in this area by Sussex Community Foundation. There are rolling applications for up to £900, and timed deadlines for above that amount, with a decision within 10 working days of closing date. Applications are available to download from Sussex Community Foundation.

Community Matters For Supermarket Giant

Supermarket chain Waitrose is to donate more than £2.2 million to around 7,000 deserving charities over the next year, from their Community Matters initiative, which will allocate £1,000 a month to each branch across the country, who will then split the cash between three local projects. Staff and customers will all be involved in deciding which are the successful charities.

Foundation for Sport and the Arts - Closing

The Foundation for Sport and the Arts was established in 1991 with money originally donated by Littlewoods and other football pools companies to a wide range of sporting and artistic causes. Since 1991 they have awarded grants worth over £350 million. Following a review of the current level of reserves and in light of the fact that their only source of income is now the interest generated by those reserves, the Trustees have decided to cease the activities of the Foundation at the end of March 2012. This will enable them to continue to make awards at the current annual levels, and to bring matters to a close in the same year as the London Olympics - a fitting climax. To assist a smooth closure programme no new applications for funding will be considered after the end of March 2009. For more information call 0151 259 5505.

Independent Funding (pdf 4.80 mb)

This is an online directory of 158 grant giving organisations who are members of the European Foundation Centre. The directory also includes advice on seeking funding and several themed indices.

Grants for the Arts

Arts Council England has issued new guidance for future applications. Individuals and organisations in England are eligible to apply for funding for arts-related activities lasting up to three years. Grants range from £1,000 to £30,000 for individuals and up to £100,000 for organisations which include local authorities. Applications may be made at any time.

Caudwell Children

The 'Enable Sport' progamme has been announced by Caudwell Children in partnership with Barclays Wealth to launch a three month initial programme to fund individually adapted sports equipment, ie sports wheelchairs for disabled children to participate in competitive sports. This new inniative will enable more disabled sports people to complete in a wide range of sports. To receive an application pack families can contact the charity on 0845 300 1348 or email

Young People's Fund to Local Grants

The Big Lottery YPF 2 Local grants is now open for applications for grants of between £10,000 and £500,000. An outline proposal is required in the first instance. Receipts of YPF 1 Grants can apply with either a new project or for continuation of existing projects. Projects should meet both individual and local priorities. For more information call 0845 603 6725

Community Cash Awards

Community Cash Awards are grants of up to £5,000 to help young people set up a project that will benefit their community

Changing Spaces - Lottery Funding (pdf)

Grant to help local people improve and create play areas, community gardens, parks, wildlife areas, ponds, courts and village greens, offering grants of between £10,000 and £49,999, with some grants up to £450,000. For more information visit the community spaces website.

East Sussex Downs & Weald Primary Care Trust

The Health Improvement small grants programme offers voluntary groups in Wealden District access to grants of up £500. The focus is supporting health and social inclusion projects, especially activities and projects that promote good health and well-being. For more information email Karl Parks@btconnect.com.

Awards for all

Lottery grant scheme that funds small community projects with grants from £300 to £10,000. Open to non-profit making groups, charities, schools, parish and town councils and health bodies.

Family Learning

Grants from £10,000 to £500,000 to encourage adults and children to learn as a family. Projects must meet all delivery targets and application is open to registered charities; voluntary or community groups; statutory bodies, including schools and children’s centres; charitable or not-for-profit company; social enterprise or private sector organisation. Visit The Big Lottery website.

Sussex Community Foundation - Resource Action Fund

The Veolia South Downs Resource Action Fund has been set up by Veolia to help fund projects which aim to encourage the reduction, reuse or recycling of waste. The fund will support both practical activities and educational projects to inform local people how they can play their part in saving natural resources. Visit Sussex Community Foundation.

The Foyle Foundation

The Foyle Foundation will support registered charities in the United Kingdom, the dominant purpose of which is to benefit Learning, the Arts or Health. The Foundation will consider both revenue and capital projects. Applications accepted on a rolling basis, but decisions can take 4 months. Visit The Foyle Foundation.

Charity Technology Exchange - Donated Technology Products

The CTX Programme enables eligible charities to gain access to donated technology products. Organisations must register, identify what products they are seeking and there is an Admin Fee. Visit CTX.

The Hilden Charitable Trust

Grants to projects in the UK and developing countries, dealing with homelessness, minorities, and penal affairs. Funds are mainly to support work at community level and priority given to small poorly funded charities and rarely exceed £5,000. Hilden also has a summer play scheme funding programme. Applications from organisations working with refugees and minority ethnic groups are given priority. Grants for the scheme rarely exceed £1,000. Visit The Hilden Charitable Trust.

Happy Days Children Charity

Funds holidays and outings for children and young people from three to 17 with special needs, victims of abuse, neglect or domestic violence, bereavement, or who have a caring role for other family members. Rolling application programme. Visit Happy Days Children’s Charity.

Allen Lane Foundation

Grants from £500 to £15,000 for projects that benefit marginalized individuals. Rolling applications programme and open to registered charities and community groups. Visit Allen Lane Foundation.

Esmee Fairbairn Foundation

Grants for projects to improve the quality of life for people and communities in the following four categories – Social Change; Enterprise and Independence; Environment and Education; and Arts and Heritage. Rolling application programme, open to registered charities and not for profit organizations. Visit Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.