Latest Funding News

Bank of Scotland

Bank of Scotland has now launched its Small Grants Programme accepting applications up to £20,000 for charities registered in Scotland. They are for 1 year only and there are no maximum limits on the size of the organization. 
 
There are 2 themes:
 
·         Developing and Improving Local Communities
·         Financial Literacy, Financial Inclusion and Social Housing
 
There are other details on their web site and all the info you need to apply.  Closing dates are Friday 15th April, Tuesday 19th July and Friday 14th October.  Outcomes from applications will be announced within 8 weeks of the closing date.
 
Go to :  www.bankofscotlandfoundation.org and follow the links.
 
 
Voluntary Action Fund
 
The VAF has 2 funds for community and voluntary groups.
 
Community Chest small grants programme:  this is aimed at Scotland’s smaller community groups and voluntary organisations providing grants of up to £1,000 for groups with an annual income of under £25,000.  There is funding for a wide range of community activity and operating costs and they are particularly keen to fund activities that will help build and develop strong organizations, suich as training for committee members and volunteers, visits to other organizations and conferences or professional support and consultancy.
 
The groups they want to work with are:
 

Disability or health related issues
People who are excluded
Families and young people
Older people
 
The deadlines for 2011 are April 15th, and September 15th and the third round is January 15th 2012.
 
Celebrating Volunteering:  this is the European Year of Volunteering and to help celebrate, VAF has had funding from the Government to provide small grants to promote and celebrate the work of volunteers in Scotland.  The grants will be awarded for activities that clearly contribute to:
 
Increasing the number of people engaged in volunteering
Increasing the diversity of volunteers, especially throse from disadvantaged groups Volunteers feeling valued and supported
 
This is open to groups with an annual income below £250,000 and those with an income below £100,000 will be considered a priority.  The majority of grants will be £500 although grants of up to £1,000 may be awarded for exceptional projects.
 
Go to:  www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk or contact Patricia on 01383 620780 or Patricia.McKibben@voluntaryactionfund.org.uk 
 
Scottish Community Foundation
 
Red Nose Day Community Cash Scheme
 
www.scottishcf.org.
 
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS MARCH 10TH 2011 so get your skates on! The Foundation has recirculated the information so it might indicate lower response than expected…but it might not. However, the application is straightforward and the assessment process is quick.  So it is worth an hour or so of your time.
 
This scheme is available to community groups based in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee (Angus, Fife and Perth and Kinross) which have an income of less than £50,000 to apply for grants between £500 and £1,000.
 
Priority will be given to applications to benefit the most disadvantaged either because of where they live of because they come from a group that is considered vulnerable. There are additional priorities for Dundee around Mental Health issues and projects that promote sexual health and wellbeing amongst young people.  I have checked with the Foundation that these additional priorities do not exclude other projects, but bear in mind that if there is fierce competition then these additional priorities will give some applications more weight.
 
Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland
 
I am repeating this update as Lloyds have been in the press again saying that they are undersubscribed.  So, think about it if you have an income of under £500,000 a year. Visit the web site for fuller information:  www.ltsbfoundationforscotland.org.uk
 
Henry Duncan Awards
 
DEADLINE FOR NEXT ROUND MARCH 14TH
 
This is for grass roots charities operating in Scotland which are clearly focused on improving the quality of life for people who are disadvantaged or at risk of becoming disadvantaged.
 
Capacity Building Award
 
This is designed to help your organization run as effectively as it can by working with you to identify strengths and set out opportunities for development.  A panel of independent advisers can help you develop your organization in areas such as governance, planning, marketing and others.  You can apply at any time as there are no deadlines and there is a 2-stage process.
 
Partnership Drugs Initiative
 
DEADLINE 24TH MARCH 2011
 
This is a big programme and the key criteria are that groups must work in partnership with their local Alcohol and Drug Partnership and must also have 50% match funding. 
 
Surgery Dates
 
Remember also that there are Surgery dates from Lloyds and if you can manage one of them it is well worth it in terms of submitting a good application.
 
Contact
 
As ever, we are here to help you:  francessimpson@number10.org; 01382 305724.  My post is due to end sometime before the end of April so if you want me to help you please get in touch.