People and Communities

There is a wide range of funding available for voluntary groups who work with people and communities. The broad categories detailed below are:

  • General funding for people and communities
  • Rural Areas
  • Disadvantaged People and Communities
  • Disabled and Sick People
  • Learning and Experience

GENERAL FUNDING FOR PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES

Awards for All, England  Awards for All is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and makes grants of  £300 - £10,000 for people to take part in community activities. You may find Awards for All is a helpful starting point in your quest for funding, particularly for small-scale, community based projects based around increasing participation and accessibility. You can find out more at:  http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/index.html  or phone 08454 102030.

Make a difference in Devon  Devon County Councillors have £40,000 each available to support capital and revenue projects which can make a significant difference to towns and villages in Devon. As news of this funding is spreading quickly, and funding may be allocated on a 'first come, first served' basis, interested organisations are advised to contact their County Councillor as soon as possible. To find out who your County Councillor is go to: www.devon.gov.uk/index/democracycommunities/county_councillors.htm

Support for those who want to make a difference  The Besom Foundation is a Christian charity that has grants of up to £4,000 available to help people who really want to make a difference.  It supports projects at grass roots level which permanently improve the quality of life of people by increasing their abilities to help themselves. The main activities are; employee clusters; positive recycling; and volunteering. For more information: www.besom.com or phone 02072 236522.

Funding for local charities  Waitrose supermarkets each have £1,000 a month to distribute amongst three local community projects.. To be considered for a donation, good causes and charities should contact their local store or can be nominated by customers of Waitrose staff. All Waitrose employees at the store will choose which three benefit and customers will decide how to share out the £1,000 between the three worthy causes.

Improving quality of life  The Links Foundation funds new or existing projects and can help meet costs such as salary, rent and stationery as well as capital costs. It does not, however, fund individuals or core costs. Its aim is to benefit communities by providing, or assisting in the provision of, facilities or services necessary to improve their conditions of life. For more information: www.linksfoundation.org or phone 01642 236486.

Improving quality of life  The Mohammad Ibrahim Foundation has funding available to improve the quality of life for people and communities in the UK, both now and in the future. It likes to consider work which others may find hard to fund, perhaps because it breaks new ground, appears too risky, requires core funding or needs a more unusual form of financial help such as a loan. For more information: www.ibrahimfoundation.com

Small grants  The Co-Operative Fund has grants available of between £100 and £2,000 to fulfil a need in the local community or provide long term benefit for a sector of the local community. Newly formed groups (less than 3 months) can only apply for up to £500. Community groups, self-help groups, voluntary groups and community charities (or local branches of national charities) can apply. For more information: http://www.co-operative.coop/corporate/ethicsinaction/communities/fundsandfoundations/communityfund/ or phone 0845 601 0160

Community Money  The Wakeham Trust has grants of between £75 and £750 available to help people improve their communities. They are very interested in funding neighbourhood projects, community arts projects, young people involved in community service and projects set up by those who are socially excluded. For more information: www.wakehamtrust.org or phone 01730 821748.

Grants for smaller charities  The Foyle Foundation has grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 available to support smaller charities. In particular they will fund those working at grass roots and local community level, and the grant must make a significant difference to their work. For more information: http://www.foylefoundation.org.uk/small-grants-scheme/ or phone 02074 309119.

Charitable Trust   The Peter De Haan Charitable Trust has funding available for social welfare, the environment and the arts. They have grants streams focusing on young people and innovative and cohesive projects. For more information: www.pdhct.org.uk

Building better futures  The Nationwide Foundation has grants of up to £5,000 available to registered charities with a yearly income of less than £500,000. This funding is to help support housing and/ or financial aims. For more information: www.nationwidefoundation.org.uk or phone 01793 655113

Help  Wilkinsons Hardware Stores Helping Hands Scheme have vouchers and financial support available to local groups, charities and organisations within the stores catchment area for community initiatives. They are particularly interested in supporting education, family, sports and arts projects. For more information phone: 01909 505 505

Britannia Customers  Britannia’s Community Fund has small one-off grants available for individuals and groups to projects that support numeracy and/ or financial literacy. Eligible applicants are voluntary organisations, schools, charities, and individual members who have been members of Britannia for over two years, wishing to carry out voluntary work within the UK. For more information: http://www.britannia.co.uk/_site/corporate/in-the-community/foundation.html or phone 01538 391734

All sorts of causes  The Garfield Weston Foundation has grants available of between £3,000 and £1million. They support a wide variety of good causes including: education, the arts, welfare, youth, community, environment, mental health, health, religion (especially church restoration) and others. For more information: www.garfieldweston.org or phone 02073 996565

Internet and laptops  BT’s Community Connections scheme is now open. Community groups and projects offering community benefit can apply for a laptop and a contribution towards a years Internet connection fees. The scheme is for groups that have little or no IT equipment and can show how it will benefit the community. For more information: www.btcommunityconnections.com or phone 08452 576792

B&Q Waste Donate Scheme Schools, charities and community groups can now apply for products and waste materials through the B&Q Waste Donate Scheme. Every store within the UK operates this scheme. B&Q donates products and waste materials they haven’t been able to sell for re-use such as slightly damaged tins of paint, off-cuts of timber, odd rolls of wallpaper and end-of-range materials. Donated products cannot be re-sold. Applications must be made directly to B&Q stores.

RURAL AREAS
Please also see all other categories which will mostly fund rural areas as well, but the following are specifically relevant:

Rural Funds  The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust has funding of up to £235,000 available to community and voluntary groups. In particular work in the areas of agriculture, rural development and insurance in the UK will be considered. For more information write to NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, Tiddington Road, Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 7BJ.

Funding for rural areas  The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation has grants of up to £30,000 available with an average grant of £5,000 awarded. There are two over-arching themes to their grants of rural issues (settlements of less than 10,000 people) and urban deprivation but these cover many topics. For the smaller grants both capital and revenue costs are funded. For more information: http://www.trusthousecharitablefoundation.org.uk/  or phone 02072 644990.

Computers for rural people: The Arthur Rank Centre has set up their ‘Computers for Rural people’ scheme to provide computers at a very low cost. They provide a computer pre-loaded with Microsoft and delivered to your door with a 3 month warranty for as little as £109. For community projects where more than one computer is needed the prices are even lower. For more information: http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/communities-and-farming/computers-for-rural-people or phone 02476 853066

Community shops  The Plunkett Foundation supports the start up of community owned shops in rural areas in England. For more information: http://www.plunkett.co.uk/whatwedo/rcs/ruralcommunityshops.cfm or phone 01993 814377.

Small grants  The South West Foundation Small Grants Fund has grants of up to £1,000 available to support small community organsations operating in rural areas, market and coastal towns (not urban areas). The funding must be used for activities that enable people from diverse backgrounds to become engaged in their neighbourhoods and communities and/or to bring about real change to the lives of people in the community. For more information: http://www.the-foundation.org.uk/GRANTS.htm or phone 01275 333666

Community Transport  The Community Transport Association and the Plunkett Foundation have funding available to help Rural Community Transport. The fund will offer grant and loan packages to community transport organisations in England to enable them to build income and reduce their reliance on grant funding. The funding will be supported by a range of training, development and networking support. For further information: www.ctauk.org or phone 08451 306195.

PEOPLE IN NEED AND DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES

The David Gibbons Foundation has funding to organisations in Devon that work with people suffering from financial hardship, the elderly and people suffering with sickness. For more information: www.gibbonstrusts.org or phone 01395 445259

Comic Relief have grants available of over £10,000 for projects that help older people cope with the challenges of the harsh financial climate and resultant exclusion and hardship by educating them. Grants are being managed by the Devon Community Foundation. For more information: www.devoncf.com/apply-for-a-grant/ or phone 01884 235887.

The Npower Energy Trust has funding available to individuals, charities and money advice agencies to help people take control of their finances and reduce the burden of their debts. The process is managed by Charis Grants Ltd. For more information visit: http://www.npowerenergytrust.org.uk/ or phone 01733 421060

Charities  Impetus provides funding to support small to medium sized charities that work with and want to improve the lives of disadvantaged people. They provide funding, capacity building and hands-on management advice to charities that are at a critical stage in their development. For more information: www.impetus.org.uk or phone 020 3384 3940

Community Funding  The Lloyds TSB Foundation has grants available for small to medium-sized registered charities that help disadvantaged people engage in their community. Core costs are supported, including running costs and salaries, and grants are available for up to three years. Grant levels are determined by the size of the charity and the priority of the work. For more information: www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk or phone 0870 4111223

Consumer advice  The Money Saving Expert Charity Fund has grants of up to £5,000 available to charities, community groups and individuals who help to educate and inform people about consumer or debt issues. For more information: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/site/mse-charity-fund

The Volant Charitable Trust  The Volant Charitable Trust has funding available to support charities and projects, whether national or community-based, at home or abroad, that alleviate social deprivation, with a particular emphasis on women’s and children’s issues. All charities should be registered with the relevant national charity commission or equivalent body. For more information: www.volanttrust.com

Tackling Poverty and Misery  The John Paul Getty JR charitable trust has grants from £500 to £50,000 available to help projects that tackle poverty and misery in the UK, and unpopular causes in particular. For more information: www.jpgettytrust.org.uk

People in need  The Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation has grants from £1,000 to £250,000 available to support charities who aim to improve people’s quality of life, particularly of people in need. The funding can be used for capital projects, endowments, scholarship funds and research. For more information e-mail: office@sunleyfoundation.com or phone 02074082198

Funding to Promote Financial Inclusion  The Friends Provident Foundation makes grants of up to £200,000 to not-for profit organisations for projects that address financial exclusion within disadvantaged communities. Actions previously supported through the Foundation include making money management advice available to young people via mobile phones and interactive digital TV. For more information: http://www.friendsprovidentfoundation.org/

Help with Homelessness  Help the Homeless has grants of up to £3,000 available for registered charities to support homeless people in making their return to the community. Grants are made to assist in the purchase of equipment and other capital funds (for things you can see) and not usually for running costs e.g. salaries. There are four submission deadlines a year. For more information: www.help-the-homeless.org.uk

The Hilden Charitable Fund has grants of up to £5,000 available to small local UK charities that work with the homeless, minority groups and penal affairs. Project costs and core running costs are eligible. For more information: http://www.hildencharitablefund.org.uk/ or phone 0207 603 1525

Alcohol Related Issues  The Drinkaware Trust has both small and large scale funding available for organisations that are working to tackle alcohol misuse and raise awareness, particularly with younger and middle aged groups. Some funding could even be used to help develop ideas for projects. Registered charities, other voluntary organisations, stautory organisations and partnerships may apply. For more information: www.drinkawaretrust.org.uk or phone 02073 077450

Help in Devon  The Lord Clinton Charitable Trust may be able to offer grants to assist you. You should apply by sending a letter explaining your current circumstances including why you need funds and giving your contact details to Lord Clinton Charitable Trust, Devon Clinton Estates, Rolle Estate Office, Bicton Arena, East Budleigh EX9 7BL. All applications will be assessed on an individual basis.

Wide ranging funding  The Tudor Trust has grants available to help organisations to achieve lasting change in their communities. They aim to support work which addresses the social, emotional and financial needs of people on the margins of society. For more information: www.tudortrust.org.uk or phone 020 7727 8522

Money for charities  The Nationwide Foundation has grants of up to £5,000 available to registered charities with a yearly income of less than £500,000. This funding is to help support housing and/ or financial aims. For more information: www.nationwidefoundation.org.uk or phone 01793 655113.

Disadvanted people  The Santander Foundation has grants of up to £10,000 to support community and voluntary groups that work with disadvantaged people, focusing on the priorities of education, training and financial capability. For more information: www.santanderfoundation.org.uk

The Act Foundation has grants of any amount available to individuals in need and charities that work to enhance the quality of life for people in need, specifically the mentally and physically disabled. This can be for adaptations to buildings, specialist equipment and financial help for respite care. For more information visit: www.theactfoundation.co.uk or phone 01753 753900

The Greggs Foundation has grants of up to £2,000. Many charitable causes can be supported, most are to support an identifiable cause such as trips, activities and equipment. The Foundation prioritises carers, people with disabilities, homeless and older people. For more information: www.greggsfoundation.org.uk

DISABLED AND SICK PEOPLE

Grants for work with people with learning disabilities  The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund has grants from £250 for voluntary organisations that are actively engaged in the care of people with learning disabilities. To be eligible for an award, applicants must demonstrate that they belong to a voluntary organisation that is a registered charity or is associated with a registered charity. For more information: www.bailythomas.org.uk

Devonian Trust  The Devonian Trust has grants for children and adults with physical disabilities living in Devon. Organisations helping those with physical disabilities may also apply. For more information write to: Devonian Trust, 59 Wonford Road, Exeter EX2 4UF

Tesco Charity  The Tesco Charity Trust has grants of between £1,000 and £4,000 available. These grants are for practical benefits such as equipment and resources for projects that directly benefit children, the elderly and adults and children with disabilities living in communities near Tesco stores in the UK. Projects previously funded include playground equipment, sensory gardens, holiday play schemes, luncheon clubs and day trips. For more information visit: http://www.tescocharitytrustcommunityawards-applications.co.uk/ or phone 08456 123575

Health and social care  The Barchester Healthcare Foundation has grants of up to £10,000 available to organisations and individuals who are dedicated to imrpoving the non-statutory provision of health and social care services available to elderly or disabled adults. For more information: www.bhcfoundation.org.uk

Technology  Abilitynet adjusts and adapts the technology of voluntary organisations that provide ICT services to individuals or communities with disabilities. For more information: www.abilitynet.org.uk or phone 0800 269545

LEARNING AND EXPERIENCE

Funding to learn finance  The Money Saving Expert Charity (MSE) has grants of up to £5,000 available to support projects that will help educate people about money/ debt and consumer issues. Funding is available to groups/ charities looking to develop projects. Individuals can apply for grants of up to £500. For more information: www.msecharity.com

Lifelong Learning  The Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) is a European funding programme which supports education and training across Europe. The LLP provides funding for all stages of lifelong learning; for activities at school, at college, at university, in the workplace and in the community. The LLP is made up of several different programmes offering a variety of opportunities. For more information: http://www.lifelonglearningprogramme.org.uk/

FURTHER ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE
If you need further assistance or advice, please contact:  Jamie Buckley, Engagement and Funding Officer, East Devon District Council. Telephone number 01395 517569 email jbuckley@eastdevon.gov.uk

Page last updated on 6 January 2012