12 January 2012 - Community Sustainable Energy Programme Opens for a Final Round

After being closed for a year, the Community Sustainable Energy Programme (CSEP) has opened for one more round of capital funding.

The Big Lottery funded scheme is accepting applications for heat generating technologies and energy efficiency measures only.

Not-for-profit organisations in England can apply for capital grants of up to 50% of the project cost to a maximum grant of £50,000.

Organisations that may apply include voluntary groups, charities, schools, parish councils and faith groups meeting certain conditions.

The capital grants can be used to buy and install any combination of the following heat generating microgeneration technologies: 

• Solar thermal hot water.
• Heat pumps.
• Automated wood pellet stoves.
• Wood fuelled boiler systems.

Grants are also available for energy efficiency measures (such as cavity wall and loft insulation) in combination with the heat generating microgeneration technology. Where these are not already in place, applicants will have to install them in order to qualify for a microgeneration capital grant.

An application form and guidelines can be found on the BRE website (opens in new window). BRE, an awards partner of the BIG Lottery Fund, is administering the CSEP scheme. BRE carries out research, consultancy, training and testing to help create better buildings and communities.

The deadline for applications is 29 February 2012 (5pm). The scheme ends with this closing date.

The overarching aim of the Social Action Fund is to support models that encourage social action: enabling people to come together to support each other and improve the quality of life in their community, now and into the future.

Proposals must be able to demonstrate that they fit within one of the following themes:

• Local focus: this theme focuses on scaling-up models that encourage people to come together in their locality to support each other. This could be through reciprocal help, or time-banking for example. The aim is to scale these models to regional or national levels, or to replicate them in other localities. Activity could enable co-production of public services, but must deliver a clear public benefit which complements (rather than replaces or duplicates) local public services. Priority will be given to models that encourage those who do not traditionally become involved as volunteers.
• Life stages of giving: this theme focuses on increasing social action within a specific group of people. Applications are sought for proposals which focus on increasing social action opportunities. Programmes that target school children and university graduates, professionals and newly retired professionals, and young people having completed National Citizen Service will be favoured.

Grants of over £100,000, with no maximum limit, will be awarded primarily to fund revenue costs.

Properly constituted Civil Society Organisations, Public sector bodies and businesses with a social mission in England are eligible to apply.

The deadline for applications is 3 February 2012 (noon).

For more information please click here (opens in new window).
 

Grants are available for UK charities to develop their IT capacities
Grants of up to £10,000 are available. Funding must be spent within one year.
Funding is available for developing a project, expanding an existing group or improving efficiency and communication.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Registered charities and community groups in the UK may apply. Grants can be used for capital expenditure, training and website development.

Application forms can be obtained by emailing NetSolutions Wales.

Decisions will be rendered within six weeks.

Organisations may only submit one application annually.

NetSolutions Wales
For more information please click on link below.
http://www.netsolutionswales.co.uk/e-nsw-2/Voluntary_IT_Grants_Press_Release[1].doc

• Derbyshire - Monday 6th February 2012 (9.30am – 12:30pm) Fairplay, Chesterfield.
• Lincolnshire – Wednesday 8th February 2012 (9.30am – 12:30pm) Healthy Hub, Lincoln.
• Leicestershire – Friday 10th February 2012 (9.30am – 12:30pm) Orange Rooms, Leicester.
• Northamptonshire – Wednesday 15th February 2012 (9.30am – 12:30pm) West Glebe Pavilion, Corby.
• Nottinghamshire – Thursday 16th February 2012 (1:30pm – 4:30pm) New Mechanics, Nottingham.

Form

The Communities Living Sustainably Fund is designed to support partnerships of public, private and voluntary sector bodies which are helping communities address the economic, social and environmental effects of climate change.

http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_communities_living_sustainably.htm?regioncode=-uk

It is expected that up to 10 communities will be supported with a mixture of expert support and advice, up to £10,000 development funding to support the applications and grant funding of up to £1 million.
Partnerships must be able to meet the overall aim of the scheme, which is to learn how best to empower communities to live in a sustainable way and cope with the impact of climate change and achieve all of the following outcomes:

• Communities are better prepared for environmental challenges and longer term environmental change and understand the improvements they can make to live more sustainably.
• Vulnerable people affected by the impacts of climate change are able to make greener choices to help improve their quality of life.
• Communities maximise the use of their assets and resources to create new economic opportunities and live more sustainably by, for example, using the skills and knowledge of individuals within their community to create green social enterprises and jobs.
• Communities have a greater understanding of and more opportunities to use natural resources more efficiently.

The total fund value is £10 million. Grants of £500,000 and £1 million are available for up to five years. Additionally, grants of up to £10,000 are available to develop a project delivery plan.

The deadline for submissions of Expressions of Interest is noon on 31 January 2012.
 

Travel bursaries are available for groups of people in the UK involved in regenerating allotments to enable them to visit other allotment sites to learn good practice. Advice and support is also available at a local level from mentors. Maximum Value:£ 300. To be eligible, applicants must be an allotment association, community organisation, councillor or council officer in the UK, engaged in allotment regeneration.

ARI offers funding through the Travel Bursary Scheme and support through the Mentor Network and Fact Sheets.

Travel Bursaries - for individuals and groups engaged in allotment regeneration, who wish to visit other allotment sites for the purpose of learning good practice.

A 'Good Sites Guide' has been published on the website, to help identify which site will be of most use for individuals and groups planning their own visit.

Mentor Network - A team of volunteer mentors are available to provide advice and support on allotment regeneration at a more local level.

They can provide help with:

• Where to go for funding.
• How to set up an association.
• Becoming self-managed.
• Disability access.
• Different ways to promote plots.
• Working with community groups.
• What to do about security concerns.
• Setting up an allotment project.
• Fact Sheets - providing advice, costings, case studies and resource lists are available from ARI's website

Application Procedure
There is a rolling deadline for applications to the Travel Bursary Scheme subject to funding availability; therefore it is advised that applicants submit an application as soon as possible.

A decision will be made by the ARI within one month of receiving the application.

Applicants are encouraged to plan a trip incorporating 2-3 nearby examples of good practice, rather than travelling to visit just one site.

Addresses and contacts
For further information on how to obtain this funding opportunity locally, please contact the following:

Contact details:
Enquiries
Allotments Regeneration Initiative
The GreenHouse
Hereford Street
Bristol
BS3 4NA

Telephone: 0117 963 1551

http://www.farmgarden.org.uk/ari/grants/travel-bursaries-mainmenu-84
 

• Putting in place a new generation of modern football facilities in parks, local leagues and schools.
• Providing capital and revenue support for the running of grass roots football.
• Strengthening the links between football and the community and to harness the game's potential as a force for good in society.
• Facilities funding primarily supports organisations that wish to build, develop and/or refurbish facilities in order to sustain and increase participation in the community.

Before submitting an application, applicants are advised to complete an Expression of Interest form and discuss the project with their County FA Development Manager and FA Regional Facilities Manager

For further information on how to obtain this funding opportunity locally, please contact the following:

Contact details:
Facilities Grant Scheme Enquiries
The Football Foundation
Whittington House
19-30 Alfred Place
London
WC1E 7EA

Telephone: 0845 345 4555

http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/welcome/

Small grants (up to £250) scheme supporting local community- based initiatives or activities in the Midlands region in the areas of community-cohesion, reducing crime and antisocial behaviour, education and training, improving the environment, reducing poverty and isolation

Grants are provided for projects that contribute to one of the six themes laid out in Spirita's Mission Statement, as follows:

• Making Communities Work - Community Cohesion.
• Making Communities Safer - Reducing Crime and Anti-social Behaviour.
• Developing People - Education and Training.
• Getting Cleaner and Greener - Improving the Environment.
• Making Ends Meet - Reducing Poverty.
• Getting People Together - Reducing Isolation

For further information on how to obtain this funding opportunity locally, please contact the following:
Contact details:

Registered Head Office
Spirita
68-84 Alfreton Road
Nottingham
NG7 3NN

Telephone: 0845 601 5042

Community Business Loan Fund (CBLF)

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has launched the Community Business Loan Fund (CBLF) to help potential and existing social entrepreneurs who are unable to access finance through normal mainstream channels.

The £5 million Fund offers financial support for the purpose of starting or expanding a community-based business. RBS expects to support in the region of 1,000 businesses through the scheme.

http://www.rbs.co.uk/business/banking/g3/community-business-loan-fund.ashx

Eligible businesses can apply for loans of between £30,000 and £500,000. Community Development Finance Institutions, which allocate funds to other firms, may apply for loans of between £200,000 and £1 million.

The loans can be tailored to the applicant's individual requirements and are offered on flexible terms.

Charities, social enterprises, co-operatives and community interest companies operating in the United Kingdom may apply. To be eligible for funding, the organisation must have clear social or environmental objectives and reinvest profits for a social purpose.

Applications may be submitted at any time.

• property renovations and refurbishments
• land or property purchases (and some related fees like architects and surveyors)
• purchase of vehicles, IT equipment and fixtures and fittings.

The minimum that can be applied for is £250,000 and the maximum is £750,000. The ACF is looking to be a co-funder, with Communitybuilders awards making up between 20-50% of any individual project’s total costs, and is willing to act as both a first brick or a last brick in a funding package.

Find out if you are eligible

Enquiry line:
0191 269 2276

Email: mailto:info@socialinvestmentbusiness.org

Status: Open to applications

Application Deadline: 19 December 2011

Description
Financial assistance is available for organisations to develop and enhance community sports facilities.

Details
Fund Value: £ 30,000,000

Value Notes
£30,000,000 will be invested over three years.

There is no minimum or maximum grant amount set.

£10 million is available in round two for grants from £250,000 to £3,000,000.

Extended Description
Sport England is investing National Lottery funding to support the delivery of a mass participation legacy for sport from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Iconic Facilities Fund will provide capital investment for community sports facilities across England to encourage greater participation in sport.

Successful projects will provide:

• Strategic facilities for a minimum of two National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs).
• Capital developments significant at a regional and local level.
• Multi sport facilities but with an ability to drive participation.
• Mix of facility provision encouraging regular use.
• Indoor and outdoor facilities.
• Modernisations of existing projects.
• Evidence of ability to deliver proposed projects.
• A strong project management team led by a Local Authority.
• A sustainable business plan with both public and private sector investment.
• Operating models, which may include a focus on community ownership.

Latest Information
Deadline for round two: 5pm 19 December 2011

Key Criteria
Projects must bring together strong partnerships from both the public and private sectors and National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) which will continue after the initial project.

All applications will be assessed against two sets of criteria:

General Project Eligibility:

• Applications must be from organisations eligible for public funding, e.g. sports clubs, voluntary organisations, local authorities and schools.
• Projects must benefit all groups of the local community and be regionally significant.
• Be based on a site where the applicant holds ownership or long term leasehold.
• Partnership funding from at least one third party.
• Include recognised sporting activity of at least two NGBs.
• Involvement both the private and public sectors and NGBs.
• Projects must be seeking funding for the development of capital infrastructure.
• Project must include revenue funding for long term sustainability in their application.
• Projects must not seek funding for capital works which have not started on-site.

Key Principles - Impact, Sustainability, Deliverability, Additionality:

• Impact - Applications must show how they participate in at least one of Sport England's strategic objectives to grow, sustain and excel. Priority will be given to projects with collaborative approaches, including the support from at least two NGBs.
• Sustainability - Applications must demonstrate the need for the proposed facility and how it will be funded for the next 21 years ensuring Sport England's objectives are achieved. Priority will be shown to applications with evidence of need at regional and local level, working with other organisations to ensure financial stability.
• Ability to Deliver - Applications must show how they are able to undertake capital works and draw down funding in specified time periods. Priority will be shown to detailed applications with evidence of the necessary frameworks in place.
• Additionality - Applications must evidence funding sought from other sources and demonstrate how Sport England's fund will make a difference. Priority will be shown to applications that increase the participation of local people in sporting and recreational activities.

Match Funding Restrictions
Applicants are required to source other funding for their project and must include this information in their application.

Restrictions
Ineligible costs include:

• Projects intended primarily for private or commercial gain.
• Funds to build up a reserve or surplus.
• Retrospective costs (funding for costs that have already been incurred).
• Loan repayments.
• Purchase of leaseholds of less than 21 years.
• Minor works, repairs or maintenance (e.g. replacing a leaking roof on an existing facility).
• Floodlighting for natural turf pitches.
• Personal equipment or other equipment not part of a wider capital build.
• Maintenance equipment, office equipment, and other equipment not essential to the equipping of the facility.

Application Procedure
Applicants must initially complete an online form providing supporting documentation. Successful applications will be those deemed to be the 'best fit' against the programme criteria by the Sport England Project Committee.

Applicants will receive a decision by the end of March 2012.

Contact Sport England for further information.

Addresses and contacts
For further information on how to obtain this funding opportunity locally, please contact the following:

Contact details:

Enquiries
Sport England
3rd Floor Victoria House
Bloomsbury Square
London
WC1B 4SE
 

Grant funding of up to £1,000 per applicant is available to constituted community and voluntary groups, Parish Councils, statutory organisations and local businesses operating in Bolsover district.

Projects should:

• clearly demonstrate health benefits to residents of Bolsover district.
• link directly to the priorities within A Healthy Bolsover.
• fill a gap in service provision or add value to existing provision.
• seek to continue the activity after the funded period, if appropriate.

Application forms and guidance notes can be downloaded from the links below, or hard copies can be requested from Christa Belshaw who can also provide assistance with the completion of application forms.

Application Form
Guidance Notes

Contact Christa on 01246 242495 or email her at Christa.belshaw@derbyshirecountypct.nhs.uk

The Big Lottery Fund www.biglotteryfund.org.uk is inviting rural organisations across the UK to bid for a share of £5m of funding. The 'Village SOS' programme will offer grants worth between £10,000 and £30,000 for rural projects that, according to a BLF statement, will support "the brightest ideas for new community enterprises that will make a lasting difference in rural communities with a population of less than 3,000".

The BLF will be staging a series of events across the UK providing advice on setting up community businesses.

If your group is considering an application and would like to chat through your ideas or need any help contact Brian Morris, Diane Sheppard or John Chell at Links

You can find out more about this fund from the Big Lottery Fund website

http://news.biglotteryfund.org.uk/pr_100811_uk_vsos_from_rural_communities?regioncode=-uk

Please follow this link for more information.

Places People Play - Inspired Facilities

Inspired Facilities is part of The Places People Play programme is to deliver a London 2012 legacy of increased mass participation in sport, and is investing £50 million of National Lottery funding in up to 1000 community sports projects between 2011 and 2014.

The scheme is designed to support voluntary and public sector groups to refurbish and improve existing facilities, or develop an existing building for sports use in the community.

SEE

http://inspiredfacilities.sportengland.org/

Eligible improvements must fall under the following headings:

Building modernisation.
Outdoor sports lighting.
Outdoor sports surfaces and AdiZones.
Modular buildings.
Sports equipment.
Community organisations and parish and town councils are eligible for grants ranging from £20,000 to £50,000, and 70% of the overall funding will be allocated to this category.

Local authorities, statutory bodies and educational institutions are eligible for grants ranging from £20,000 to £150,000.

There will are five funding rounds, the first three being:

1 August to 28 September 2011.
1 February 2012 to 2 April 2012.
23 July 2012 to 17 September 2012.
Rounds four and five will take place in 2013 and 2014 and will be announced after the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Limestone Journeys has been successful in obtaining a Heritage Lottery Fund Grant, part of this funding is being used as a Grants Programme for community groups. Grants will be given for projects that will conserve, enhance, celebrate or extend understanding of the Limestone Journeys landscape and are within the boundaries set by the Limestone Journeys Partnership.

Guidance for Applicants

Application Form

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) has launched a new programme of support for non-profit organisations in England restoring listed buildings.

The Challenge Fund for Historic Buildings at Risk is provided jointly by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and English Heritage, who are each contributing £1million over five years from 2011– 2016.

The £2 million Challenge Fund will be managed by the AHF who will disburse it in grants of up to £200,000 each over the next five years to voluntary sector groups such as Building Preservation Trusts, Civic Societies, Development and Groundwork Trusts who take on historic building rescues.

It will specifically support rescues of Grade I and II* listed buildings at risk, some of the country’s most important historic treasures which are on the Heritage at Risk register.

Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage said:" As well as providing a financial kick-start, the Challenge Fund will also help to spread skills and experience to more people at local level. We’re asking grant recipients to bring in an experienced project manager to work alongside existing trustees and also to involve and tutor a less experienced group of volunteers who can then go on to undertake another rescue.

“The result should be more historic buildings at risk finding a new use and once more lending character and dignity to their neighbourhoods –indeed to the country as a whole.”

For more information or to apply please follow the link http://www.ahfund.org.uk/news.html

Community Development Foundation to deliver government's £80m Community First programme

Following a competitive bid process, the Community Development Foundation (CDF) has been chosen by the government to deliver the Community First programme.

Community First is an £80m government funded programme that will help communities come together through new and existing community groups, to identify their strengths and local priorities, plan for their future and become more resilient. Community First includes a £30m small grant programme for some of the most deprived areas in the country and a national £50m endowment match challenge. 

The small grants programme will use the £30m fund to encourage people in deprived communities to give their time and expertise to local projects, to raise money and help make their local area a better place to live.  The endowment match challenge will mobilise both national and local giving and philanthropy that will raise £100m to be matched with £50m of government investment.  This money will continue to grow over the life of the programme ensuring a sustainable source of funding for communities in years to come

For more information visit:

http://www.cdf.org.uk/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=b6411e0a-c370-49dc-94ea-1805af91d7b7&groupId=10128

Hydrotherapy pools.
Multi sensory rooms.
Mini buses.
Young carers projects.
Sibling projects.
Bereavement support.
For more information visit the True Colours Trust website or call 0207 410 0330.

Pathways/support for young disadvantaged or disaffected people into education,
training or employment.
Crime diversion schemes.
Work experience/skills projects for young people.

For further information visit the Peter Cruddas Foundation website or call 0203 0038360.

The funding aims:
To tackle financial exclusion affecting disadvantaged groups across the UK.
To address housing issues and homelessness among vulnerable groups across the UK.

For more information visit the Nationwide Foundation website or call 01793 655113.

Bring disused playing fields back into use.
Improve the condition of pitches.
Buy new playing field land.
Buy existing playing field land where there is a known threat.

Applications for round one of Protecting Playing Fields has closed. For further information on applying visit the Sport England website or call 08458 508508.

Max. Value: £ 500

Funding is available to help young people to run a project in their local area anywhere in the UK that involves local volunteers

The Alec Dickson Trust supports individuals and groups of young people who are able to demonstrate that through volunteering or community service they can enhance the lives of others, particularly those most marginalised by society

Applications are invited from individuals aged 30 and under and from small groups of young people in the UK. Grants are available for projects in the applicant's local area that involve local people and can demonstrate that through volunteering or community service they can enhance the lives of others, particularly those most marginalised by society. Preference is given to supporting innovative projects.

For further information on how to obtain this funding opportunity locally, please contact the following:

The Secretary
Alec Dickson Trust
237 Pentonville Road
London
N1 9NJ
Telephone:
020 7278 6601

• Cultural traditions and memories relating to life in the UK
• Archives and records, including old photographs
• Histories of people, places, communities and events
• Historic buildings and streets
• Natural heritage and environment
• Biodiversity and wildlife habitats
• Historic landscapes and parks

Historic boats, trains, planes and other forms of transport

Projects must be for activities to help people learn about heritage or, in certain circumstances, for conservation of objects or buildings.

The current priority areas for funding are Wellingborough, Ashfield and South Holland, however applications from all parts of the region are welcome.

For more information about HLF's grant programmes, including useful case studies and to submit a pre-application enquiry form, visit www.hlf.org.uk

Big Lottery Fund Announces Details of a 'Lighter Touch' Version of the Reaching Communities Programme for England

The main aim of Reaching Communities is to help bring real improvements to communities and to the lives of people most in need.  The new funding, which will be introduced this spring, comes with two distinct improvements.

Firstly, applicants seeking smaller sums of money - up to £40,000 a year - will be able to access this funding more easily, with a simplified application and assessment procedure.  Secondly, a two-stage decision making process for larger bids will ensure that all applicants learn sooner whether their project is likely to receive funding.  For those invited to the second stage, the likelihood of success will be higher.

Additionally, a third element, due to be launched in the autumn, will comprise a dedicated capital stream, responding to the high, unmet demand for funding for community buildings.  This element will fund medium-sized refurbishments, new builds or extensions to community centres and village halls, meeting local community needs and aspirations.

These changes are a response to the Big Lottery Fund's Big Thinking consultation, which took place November 2008 to February 2009.

Applications to the current Reaching Communities Programme, for grants of between £10,000 and £500,000, may be submitted at any time

The new scheme marks the first time Children in Need have run a UK-wide a  small grants programme, offering up to £10,000 per year for up to 3 years  and is aimed predominantly at organisations which have not previously considered applying.

The programme is open to any third sector organisation working with children and young people under the age of 18.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/grants/smallgrants.shtml

The next funding round deadlines are:

• 15th of January

The Secret Millionaire Fund will support projects that give people better chances in life, build stronger communities, improve rural and urban environments or promote healthier and more active people and communities.

Lottery funding worth £1 million has been set aside, to be allocated as grants of between £300 and £10,000 to organisations across the UK.

please visit www.channel4.com/secretmillionaire for more details.

Kellog's Active Living Fund

The Kellog's Active Living Fund gives small grants to fund projects and activities that directly lead to people taking part in sustained physical activity.

Local Food Grants

Grants from £2,000 up to £500,000 are available for not-for-profit groups and organisations in England delivering such projects as growing, processing, marketing and distributing local food; composting and raising awareness of the benefits of such activities.

Sustainable Funding Project - ncvo The Only Connect Visit Scheme

Community Bank Social Enterprise Fund

Derbyshire Community Foundation

Leaflet

Links

www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

www.princes-trust.org.uk

Derbyshire Community Foundation

European Regional Development Fund

Coalfields Regeneration Trust

Children in Need

Lloyds TSB Foundation

Sport England

Biffa Award

Community Development Foundation

Association of Charitable Foundation ~ List of Trusts

Derbyshire4Funding  

www.governmentfunding.org.uk