vinvolvedlr | OTHER FUNDING

OTHER FUNDING

Here is some information about some possile funding opportunities:

Children's Commissioner's Children and Young People Advisory Group

The Office Children’s Commissioner is setting up a Children and Young People's Advisory Group to advise on our projects, policies and practice. Members of the Group will be recruited from across England, representing a wide range of backgrounds to also act as champions for the Commissioner's work. The Diana Award has been commissioned to recruit members, facilitate team building, meetings and activities, and prepare and support them in their work on behalf of the Children’s Commissioner. Applications are open to all young people aged 8-18 years (21 for those in care or with learning disabilities). If you or a child or young person you know are interested in being part of the advisory group, contact Saima Tarapdar at: starapdar@diana-award.org.uk to find out more. Applications close at 5pm on the 31st August 2010.

BT’s Big Voice competition for 11-19 year olds

The BT Big Voice competition is asking young people from across the UK to come up with ideas for how to improve their communities, particularly focusing on diversity and inclusion. Teams of young people will have to develop a proposal for a short film on how to make their community a better place to live. Thirty six of the proposals will be given funding (a £1,000 budget) and support to make their film, and they will all be shown nationally on city centre screens in the build up to the 2012 Olympics. Find out more at: http://bit.ly/bWuuLf

Become the 12th Battlefront campaigner (deadline 10 September 2010)

Battlefront is an online and television project run by Channel 4. It supports young people aged 14 to 21 to get their voices heard on issues they really care about, with the help of mentors and the Battlefront team. Battlefront has selected 11 young people to become Battlefront campaigners and is now looking for number 12! To enter, you need to come up with a campaign idea. All of the ideas will be rated online and the top 10 campaign ideas will go to a judging panel. The winning campaign will join the rest of the Battlefront campaigners to try and make their campaign a reality! Find out more from: http://battlefront.co.uk/12th-campaigner

NCVYS Young Partners Award 2010 (deadline 17 September 2010)

Nominations are now open for the NCVYS Young Partners Award (YPA). The YPA is a chance to recognise and celebrate children and young people’s involvement in decision-making in voluntary and community youth organisations or projects. It provides an opportunity for organisations to showcase the best practice in how young people and adults can work together. Young people from NCVYS’s national forum ENVOY will select the winners and organise the award ceremony. Visit: www.ncvys.org.uk/Young_Partners_Award.html

Santander Foundation

Santander is offering £30,000 for good causes in Leicestershire. Charities can apply for grants from the Santander Foundation. Grants are available for running costs as well as equipment and training materials. For more information go to: communitypartnership@santander.co.uk.

Community Cash Awards (‘Prince’s Trust’):

Community Cash Awards are grants to help groups of young people set up a project that will benefit your community.

What you get: Grant to get you going on average £1000 per group (Differs from region to region); and support to help plan your project, research your budget, set goals and learn about your community.

Are you eligible? You must be either:

Aged 14-16, and achieving or at risk of achieving less than 5 GCSEs grades A* - C, or

Aged 16-25 and not in education, training or work (or working less than 16 hours a week)

Projects must: Be run and managed by people between the ages of 14 and 25; clearly benefit the local community

benefit the people running the project; and be a new or developing project.

It is not for formal groups or organisations; expeditions or overseas travel; fundraising activities for charity; trips and outings, unless they have educational value.

Further information at:

http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/need_help/grants/community_cash_awards.aspx

Contact for further information: Jonathan Dawson | Programme Manager – Volunteers & Awards (The Prince's Trust) The Prince's Trust, Unit 6, Faraday Court, Conduit Street, Leicester, LE2 0JN. Tel:0116 204 5584. Mobile:07956 996843

Does your community or voluntary group need some practical help or ‘people power’?

We have teams of employee volunteers who could help complete a one-day practical or strategic Team Challenge. Examples of Challenges include indoor projects such as giving a tired, well-used room a ‘makeover’ and lick of paint, and outdoor challenges such as helping create a garden area or clear woodland in a nature reserve. (Please note that Team Challenges do not include technical, structural or construction work).If you have a possible Team Challenge, please contact us to discuss what is required. Short profiles of all available Team Challenges are promoted to Leicestershire Cares member businesses for employee volunteers to choose which to take up. Are you looking for professional advice? Leicestershire and Rutland ProHelp is a network of professional firms offering free advice and strategic support for one-off projects for the voluntary and community sector. Member firms include solicitors, marketing and PR consultants, accountants, architects, IT and web consultants, and surveyors who commit to offering support free of charge each year on a range of projects. For further information about either ProHelp or Team Challenges, please contact Katharine Lightbown or Rosie Colls at Leicestershire Cares: 0116 275 6469 or email carrie@leicestershirecare.co.uk / rosie@leicestershirecares.co.uk

East Midlands Airport Community Fund:

Financial assistance, up to a maximum of £2,000, is available to community groups for projects having a long lasting community and/or environmental benefit in the areas most affected by the airport’s operations. Priority is given to applications that demonstrate that they will bring the community closer together through facilities for sport, recreation and other leisure activities together with projects that demonstrate environmental improvement, heritage conservation, environmental education or those that encourage and protect wildlife. Preference will be given to projects which benefit the local community (or a substantial section of it) and not to groups of an exclusive nature. 2010 deadlines are: 6th August, 8th October and 3rd December. For further information please contact the Community Fund Administrator, East Midlands Airport, Building 34, Castle Donington, Derby DE74 2SA. Telephone: 01332 818414

Big Lottery Fund launches a Community Wildlife programme.

Are you interested in learning more about wildlife around you? Do you think your community could help protect nature? Then Community Wildlife could be the programme for you. Big Lottery Fund has teamed up with BBC to launch the programme, which brings communities together to improve or protect the natural environment by raising awareness of threatened wildlife or places. Not for profit groups; Local councils; Schools; Health bodies etc. can apply. Grants of between £300 and £10,000 are available for projects that can be finished within one year. Application forms are on our website now. Deadlines: 22 September 2010; 24 November 2010. The programme will fund projects that improve rural or urban environments for people to enjoy. Download the application form at www.big.otteryfund.org.uk/communitywildlife or call 0845 367 0610 for more information.

Rutland County Council and Leicestershire and Rutland PCT:

A small grant scheme for voluntary sector organisations to apply for funding. In previous years this scheme has not spent its budget. Voluntary organisations who would be interested in applying for funding. Contact: joanne.evans@lcr.nhs.uk Tel 0116-295-7527.

vinspired national awards:

Know a great 16-25 year old volunteer?

Based on input from young people v have updated their awards and now have 8 awards categories for 2010:

•The Fresh Award for best new volunteer

•The Spirit Award for the all round commitment to volunteering; embodying the spirit of volunteering

•The Connect Award to recognize innovative and effective efforts to bring communities together

•The Legend Award for outstanding leadership

•The Shout Award for campaigning

•The Triumph Award for overcoming personal adversity or enabling a community to rise above a challenging circumstance

•The Unite Award for team activity

•The Energy Award for outstanding contribution to youth volunteering.

Who can nominate? And who can be nominated?

Anyone can nominate although you cannot nominate yourself. These awards are all about saying THANK YOU for the amazing things that young volunteers are doing to change the world.

•Anyone aged 16 – 25 and living in England can be nominated.

•Volunteer in England (not including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)

•They must have made a difference to a community by volunteering between August 2009 and July 2010

Remember, nominations close on 30th September 2010. By nominating someone for a vinspired National Award, you will be giving a special someone the chance to become a regional or national winner and attend this year's national awards ceremony. For full details, visit the following link: http://vinspired.com/rewards/nationalawards

The Hilden Charitable Fund

Grants to projects both in the UK and in developing countries, with the aim of addressing disadvantage, particularly in support of causes less likely to attract public funding. The Fund’s current funding priorities in the UK are as follows: • Homelessness. • Asylum seekers and refugees. • Community-based initiatives for young people aged 16-25. • Penal affairs. Applications are invited from registered charities and other charitable organisations in the UK, although preference is given to charities with an income of less than £200,000 per year. Grants are rarely given to well-funded national charities, as funding is directed largely at supporting work at a community level within the Fund’s categories of interest. The Overseas Countries funding programme is designed to help small and medium-sized community development, education and health initiatives. Trustees will particularly welcome projects that address the needs and potential of girls and women. The Fund will be pleased to hear from UK nongovernmental organisations/charities and hopes that UK NGOs/charities will encourage their local partners, if appropriate, to apply directly to Hilden for grant aid. For further information visit: http://www.hildencharitablefund.org.uk/ The deadline for applications is the first week in September 2010.

Leicestershire Aggregates Grants

Forward with Leicestershire Aggregates Grants (FLAG) 2010/11 grants are now available. The grants are available to projects in Leicestershire and are intended to help to compensate communities in areas affected by aggregate extraction. Community groups, charities, Parish and District Councils, Parish Meetings, religious organisations, schools and private landowners are eligible. Funding can be used to improve public open spaces, village and town centres; for new play areas and equipment; to create or enhance wildlife habitats; to promote a better understanding of aggregate extraction; refurbish community buildings, including energy efficiency projects; for consultancy, surveys, training courses, community events and tasks; purchase of land or building (when linked to an eligible practical project). Funding of up to £30,000 may be available for eligible projects. For more information, contact Kate Nightingale, Grants Administrator, Leicestershire County Council, 0116 305 7971 or kate.nightingale@leics.gov.uk

Live UnLtd (Youth Grants)

Live UnLtd is currently delivering an exciting new national youth programme. This will be a national 5 year Programme funded by the Big Lottery Fund (5 million pounds). The programme will give young people the opportunity to help themselves by helping others through their own entrepreneurial projects, by acting in a socially entrepreneurial way. Young people will be able to transform the way they are seen within their communities.

The programme will fund and support young people’s ideas (Community Impact project/Social Enterprise); with an average of £1500 support for each project. Each Month a Youth panel of 10 volunteers living across the Midland (aged 16-25), will decide which youth lead project will be funded and how much money the project will be awarded.

The basic criteria for the scheme are that applicants:

· Must be 16 – 18 year old (as of July 2010 the age group will expand to 11-18 and 19-25, but the latter group will be those who are classed as vulnerable adults)

· Must be living in England

· Must be applying as an individual or an informal group

· Must demonstrate their scheme will have a positive social impact on the community

· Must demonstrate commitment to engage at least 20 young people in their project (must benefit or help out as volunteer)

Those who meet the basic criteria will be asked to attend an informal interview. Applicants will then be contacted regarding the outcome of their application in a 4-8 week turn over. For up-to-date information visit: www.liveunltd.com/apply/

25th Hour campaign launched to inspire London 2012 legacy

A nationwide campaign which aims to use the inspirational power of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to motivate the British public to give time in their communities has been unveiled. The 25th Hour campaign, which has received the London 2012 Inspire Mark, will build over the next 28 months to create a lasting legacy that will touch all parts of the UK. The 25th Hour, which is separate to the official London 2012 Volunteer programme, is based on the idea that we can all find the extra hour, and more, to make a difference.

Find out more about the 25th Hour campaign at: http://the25thhour.org/

Drinkaware Grants:

The Drinkaware grants scheme aims to change the UK’s drinking culture for the better. It works to positively influence public behaviour and find innovative ways to raise awareness about the effects of alcohol, to help reduce alcohol misuse and minimise alcohol-related harm. Grants are available to groups in any part of the UK, working with any population group, through 3 schemes: Awareness Projects - up to £25,000 Big Impact Awards - up to £100,000 Projects include peer-led education schemes, alcohol education work, awareness raising among disadvantaged people who are at risk of harm from alcohol misuse, pilot projects and innovative work. It is a rolling grants programme with no application deadlines. However, you should apply at least two months before your project is due to start, longer if you are planning to apply for a larger grant or a Big Impact Award. For more information: Tel: 020 7766 9908 or email Andy Law: alaw@drinkaware.co.uk Application Forms are available to download from their Website: www.drinkaware.co.uk/grants

‘Get Set’ – London 2012 education programme:

‘Get Set’, London 2012’s education programme, has re-launched its website making it even easier for teachers and students to find out about all the exciting information on offer.

Over 150 Leicester and Leicestershire schools and colleges have signed up to Get Set, which offers children and young people aged 3-19 years the opportunity to learn more about the Olympic and Paralympic values and to play their part in the 2012 Games; Countesthorpe Community College, Loughborough College, Longslade Community College, Kegworth Primary School, Rushey Mead School and Robert Smyth School have also signed up to be part of the Get Set Network, a special community of schools and colleges which are demonstrating a commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Values and are using the London 2012 Games to inspire learners of all ages to get involved in Values-based projects and activities.

Visit the new look site at www.london2012.com/getset and register your school or college today!

MOTO in the Community Grants:

Financial assistance (max £10,000) is available to community and voluntary groups within a 25 mile radius of a Moto site. Grants scheme is provided and administered by the Moto in the Community Trust, a grant making body from the UK's largest provider of Motorway Service Areas. The programme is intended to support voluntary and community groups wishing to conduct community projects within a 25 mile radius of a Moto site or employee catchment area. The scheme is particularly keen to fund projects or activities that provide opportunities for Moto employees to get involved. The following Moto values are at the core of their grant-making activities:

· Corporate Citizenship: making a difference to a community.

· Adding value where it is most needed.

· Building relationships with communities.

· Engaging Moto employees.

· Setting an example in the industry.

In order to be eligible organisations must:

· Be active in a Moto area.

· Be proposing an activity or project that will benefit the whole community.

· Be a registered charity or a voluntary organisation which is formally constituted.

· Be proposing an activity or project that is in line with the objectives and values of the Moto in the Community Trust.

· Be conducting projects and activities that are UK based.

· The Trust is unable to fund applications for projects that are for the promotion of religion or politics.

Applications will be favoured if they can demonstrate an already existing relationship between a community group and a Moto service area, especially if they receive support from the site's General Manager. Application Deadline: 1st October 2010

Contact: Trust Administrator, Moto in the Community Trust, 37 Beaumont Road, Flitwick, Bedfordshire, MK45 1AL

Telephone:01525 714467. Website: http://www.motointhecommunity.co.uk

’Children in Need’ – New Grants Scheme:

Small grants of up to £10,000 are available to Third-Sector Organisations supporting children and young people under 18 years of age. The new scheme marks the first time ‘Children in Need’ have run a UK-wide small grants programme and is aimed predominantly at organisations which have not previously considered applying. There will be four funding rounds with deadlines on: 15 January 2010; 15 April 2010;

15 July 2010; 15 October 2010. It is expected the total funding for both the small and large grants schemes will be in excess of £38 million in 2010 and will be administered through seven regional bases and will seek to fund well-organised projects which can demonstrate commitment and enthusiasm; benefit for children and young people; and are clear about what improvements it wants to bring about and how it can be done.

’Big Lottery Fund – ‘Lighter-touch’ Reaching Communities:

The Big Lottery Fund is introducing a “lighter-touch” Reaching Communities application process for organisations seeking grants of up to £40,000 a year. In response to its major public BIG Thinking consultation last year on the future of BIG programmes, the lottery distributor has made some changes to its flagship Reaching Communities programme.

All applicants will learn at an earlier stage whether their project has a decent chance of being funded, so that those that are invited to the second stage will have a much higher chance of success. More than three-quarters of people that responded to the consultation said they wanted earlier decisions on applications, based on a few key questions at the enquiry stage - even if that meant rejection; and those applicants seeking up to £40,000 will face a simpler application and assessment process.

In the pipeline to be launched in the autumn is a dedicated capital funding stream that BIG hopes will help to fill the “large, unmet demand” for funding for community buildings. This is anticipated to fund medium-sized refurbishment, new builds or extensions to community centres, village halls or other community-use buildings. In total the various parts of the Reaching Communities programme will be funded to the tune of at least £100m a year for each of the next five years. Grants will range from £10,000 to £500,000.

Community Awards for Charnwood - Groups & schools invited to apply for £9,000 award cash pot

Community groups and schools across Charnwood could win a slice of £9,000 as the Loughborough Echo and 3M Health Care join forces to launch this year’s Community Awards. The prestigious awards ceremony, now in its 16th year, is looking for charitable and non profit making groups across Charnwood who can tell us how a £3,000 donation would benefit the group and the lives of its members. Health groups, youth groups, groups working with elderly, disabled and vulnerable people and groups helping to cut down on anti-social behaviour are just some of the many applications the awards are hoping to receive.

The awards are broken down into three categories – ‘Improvements to healthy, well being and quality of life of people’, ‘Improvements to the social and physical environment’ and the Educational Award. This year’s Educational Award is now open to primary and secondary schools in Charnwood as well as colleges who are looking to create or adapt projects in their school. For further information call Jo Swift at the Echo on 01509 635827 or email jo_swift@mrn.co.uk

’The Concertina Charitable Trust’:

Grants to charitable bodies which provide musical entertainment and related activities for the elderly. This not only brightens up the lives of elderly people but also provides a therapeutic benefit to their health and well-being. Concertina is keen to support smaller organisations which might otherwise find it difficult to gain funding. Charities are invited to make an application to the Trustees via the Administrator. They need to provide details of their charity’s objects, its financial position, the sector of the elderly community which it benefits, amount sought and proposed cultural activities or related facilities it intends to provide. The trustees review applications after the deadlines of: April 30th, June 30th and October 31st. Visit http://www.concertinamusic.org.uk/ for more information.

Faiths in Action:

Faith in Action Round 2 is open. The fund is for local projects and activities that have a clear focus on faith or inter-faith issues. It is open to faith; inter-faith, voluntary and community sector organisations at national, regional and local levels in England. The maximum size of a grant in Round 2 is £6,000. Round 2 is a rolling programme with no formal deadline for applications. Applications will be accepted in the order that they are received, until the fund is allocated. The fund is sponsored by Communities and Local Government and administered by the Community Development Foundation (CDF). See the CDF website for more information http://www.cdf.org.uk/web/guest/faiths-in-action

Community Foundation Fund - Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

Various financial assistance schemes are available to voluntary and community organisations for projects that improve the local economy and way of life, including:

The Community Foundation Fund

In partnership with EMDA, we give out grants for larger projects that can improve and sustain the economic climate of an area and its way of life: for example, setting up a rural service, or a vital local facility like childcare provision. Grants of up to £20,000 are available but must be spent by 31 March 2011.
Application deadlines: 17 June 2010 for the July Grants Panel meeting; 19 August 2010 for the September Grants Panel meeting.

The Leicestershire Fund

This new fund is aimed at small groups and projects, where a grant can make a real difference to improve the quality of life and life chances in Leicestershire (including Leicester). Grants of £500 to £5,000 are available for projects that provide services or activities, involving or set up by people in the local community.
Application Deadlines: 17 June 2010 for the July Grants Panel meeting; 19 August 2010 for the September Grants Panel meeting.

Comic Relief

We can fund sport or community projects that make a sustained beneficial impact on the lives of people who are excluded or disadvantaged. Grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 are available for projects focusing on low income, rural or social isolation, age, disabilities, race, sexuality or gender.
Application deadlines: 19 August 2010 for the September Grants Panel meeting.

Mars in the Community

In partnership with Mars – the global company with bases in Leicestershire and Waltham - we give out small grants for environmental, pet welfare and healthy living projects. Grants of £500 upwards are now available – or Mars can donate chocolates for raffles and prizes to help you raise money yourself. Applications will be reviewed by a committee at the end of March, June, September and November each year.

For further information, visit: http://www.llrcommunityfoundation.org.uk/current_funds.html

Jane Avery, Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Community Foundation. Tel: 0116 258 7326.

The Sir Andrew Martin Trust for Young People:

Grants to individuals: Individual young people may apply to the trust for modest grants usually between £100 and £250. Successful applicants will normally be aged between 12 and 21 years and reside in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland. Grants to organisations: The trust may make grants to the voluntary youth organisations with which Sir Andrew was so closely involved. Organisations may normally apply for grants of up to £1,000 maximum, but may exceed this where exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated. Successful Applicants will be from voluntary or charitable organisations working with young people aged 12 to 21 years and be operating in Leicester, Leicestershire and/or Rutland. Applications should be received by the last day of December, March and August. Application forms and further details are available from: Trust Administrator, SAMT, Walkers Charnwood Bakery, 200 Madeline Road, Beaumont Leys. Leicester. LE4 1EX Tel: 0116 234 0033.

’Communities Together’ Grants:

Grants of up to £500 are available now for organisations and projects which are working to bring different groups of people together in Leicestershire. The new ‘Communities Together’ grant is intended to support community and voluntary organisations who are involved in local projects which: play an active role in getting different communities and groups of individuals together to increase understanding and communication promote inter-cultural education and relations introduce and engage new audiences, organisations and community groups to each other. Eligible projects will be able to demonstrate their success in increasing cohesion and understanding between people from different age, faith and belief groups or of different abilities, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and gender. The grant could be used to fund the promotion or development of local projects, workshops or training sessions for different community groups, consultation events, sporting events and much more. The ‘Communities Together’ Grant Fund is open to projects operating in Leicestershire and applications will be assessed on a monthly basis. For further information e-mail: noel.singh@leics.gov.uk / Tel: 0116 305 7020 or tom.fisher@leics.gov.uk / 0116 3058098

Comic Relief:

Comic Relief has opened its programme “Sport for Change”. The aim of the programme is to understand more about how sport can play a part in delivering positive change within the lives of individuals and communities. Applications are welcome from community groups and organisations using sport as part of a broader programme of work to bring about change at an individual and/or community level. Applicants will need to show how the work is based in community development principles and have monitoring and evaluation systems in place to track the impact of the work. The maximum grant size in this programme is £100,000 in total. Visit: http://www.comicrelief.com/apply_for_a_grant/uk/sport

’Awards for All’:

Awards for All should now be easier to apply for. From November 2009, the Big Lottery has introduced some important changes to Awards for All. For details visit: http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/

Trusthouse Charitable Foundation:

The Foundation currently makes over 300 grants a year and one of their policies is to accept applications from local and national charities or not for- profit organisations which are addressing issues in needy rural areas. ‘Rural’ in this context means cities, towns, villages and areas with 10,000 or less inhabitants. They are interested in, for example, projects providing transport for the elderly, disabled or disadvantaged; contact networks for young disabled people; projects which encourage a sense of community, such as community centres and village halls; employment training schemes especially those promoting local, traditional crafts; projects addressing issues such as drug/alcohol misuse or homelessness. For more details visit their web site at www.trusthousecharitablefoundation.org.uk or telephone 020 7264 4990.

The Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards Scheme:

One-off donations of between £500 and £4,000 to local projects that support children and their education and welfare, elderly people and adults and children with disabilities. There are four rounds of funding each year: Grants for Children’s Education and Children’s Welfare Applications should be made between 1st December & 31st January with an expected decision date of end of April OR between 1st May & 30th June for decisions by the end of September. Grants for Elderly People and Adults and Children with Disabilities Applications should be made between 1st February& 31st March for decisions by end of June OR between 1st August & 30th September for decisions by end of December. Please note: charities can only make one application each year. If you require any support whilst completing your application, please contact the helpline or visit the website to download a copy of the criteria or view the application form. Tel: 0845 612 3575 Website: www.tescoplc.com/tescocharitytrust

Mercury Action Trust Fund:

Small Grants up to £500 are available to bona fide voluntary groups providing services and activities for the benefit of communities in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The Mercury Action Trust Fund has been set up by the Leicester Mercury. Funding, in the form of one-off grants, is intended to support local voluntary groups for projects and activities that benefit local communities in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Currently, funding is available for projects that provide benefits to people with health problems. For further information please contact Melissa Harris at the Leicester Mercury: 0116 2224202.

Arts and Culture Projects Funding

Grants of between £500 and £5,000 are available to third-sector organisations undertaking art and culture projects that benefit children and disadvantaged people in the UK. The scheme aims to increase the understanding and enjoyment of: history, art, architecture, literature, music and the theatre. The application process is ongoing and interested applicants may apply at any time. Visit: www.old-possums-practical-trust.org.uk

EON Sustainable Energy Fund:Financial assistance up to £20,000 is available to voluntary and community groups in England, Scotland and Wales for energy saving projects on non-residential facilities. The EON Sustainable Energy Fund is provided by energy company E.ON UK to support community energy projects leading to the production of energy from a sustainable source or a reduction in the amount of energy used by community organisations. Examples of possible projects include: The installation of one or more renewable energy technologies, for example, wind, solar thermal, PV, wood. The renovation of existing facilities to incorporate micro-generation technology, for example, the reinstatement of a watermill and the purchase of a turbine to produce hydro-electricity. An energy-efficiency makeover for the group’s building that could demonstrate significant energy savings and also behavioural change amongst users. The use of new or innovative technology to deliver either energy savings or micro-generation capacity. A project that can demonstrate the intelligent use of waste energy. 2010 deadlines are 2nd April and 8th October. For further information please visit: http://eon-uk.com/about/sustainableenergyfund.aspx

vawards (v50 and vimpact) for 16-25 year olds to recognise & celebrate their Volunteering:vawards (v50 to recognise/celebrate 50 hours of volunteering & vimpact recognising a further 100 hours and impact/benefit of volunteering) are available for all young volunteers by contacting a vinvolved ‘Youth Volunteer Advisor’ for their area who can sign them up and provide an easy-to-complete logbook. Registration, if wanted, can also be done online with further information at: http://vinspired.com/rewards/awards and all vinvolved ‘Youth Volunteer Advisors’:

Market Harborough District, Blaby District, Oadby & Wigston and Rutland: Lauren Wild by phone or text: 07868129753 or email: lwild@vasl.org.uk

Lutterworth, Hinckley & Bosworth District, and North-West Leicestershire: Tanya Sanders by phone or text: 07868251063 or email: tsanders@vasl.org.uk

Charnwood and Melton: Liam Rodgers by phone or text: 07868394259 or email: lrodgers@vasl.org.uk

The Skinners’ Company Lady Neville Charity:Formally set up in 1978, it aims to provide grants that will make a clear and significant contribution to grassroots charitable organisations working in designated priority areas. One-off grants of up to £1,000 are made to small registered charities and not-for-profit organisations. The priority areas are Disability, Local Heritage, Local Community and Performing & Visual Arts. You are welcome to discuss a potential approach with the Charities Administrator. Please call on 020 7213 0562 or email charitiesadmin@skinners.org.uk. Applications should be submitted by mid-March or mid-September for Committee meetings which take place in May and November. Visit: http://www.skinnershall.co.uk/charities/lady-neville-charity.htm to download an application form.

The ‘It’s Your Community’ Awards Scheme:The ‘It’s Your Community’ Awards Scheme is provided by the ‘Conservation Foundation’ in partnership with O2 to help support projects designed to improve local environments. The programme has four main project groups, but other ideas from outside these areas will be considered. The project areas are: Community Places (reinvigorating community, amenity and recreation areas); Community People (helping bring people together); Community Pride (restoring a sense of pride); and Community Landscape (improving the natural environment, for example, planting trees). Funding is limited to applications wishing to receive a minimum of £100 and a maximum of £1,000, but is not designed to provide top-up funding for larger projects. Applications for match funding will be assessed on a case by case basis. Local amenity groups, parish and village councils, schools, youth clubs, heritage groups, environmental and conservation groups and Individuals are all eligible to apply. Applications can be made online at www.itsyourcommunity.co.uk Decisions on applications made within 28 days.

Blaby District Outstanding Achievement Awards 2010

Blaby District Council is running these awards for the 7th consecutive year with the invaluable support of sponsorship from local businesses. The awards provide the opportunity to recognise and reward individuals and groups either for outstanding personal achievements or for their efforts to make a difference to the lives of people in the district or to the environment. There are five award categories as detailed below and the closing date for entries is Monday 16th August 2010.

•Category A - Outstanding achievement by a young person

•Category B - Selfless service to a voluntary body or the community which is of a social or environmental nature

•Category C - Sporting achievement

•Category D - Community or voluntary group that improves the quality of life for residents in the district

•Category E - Individual or group that makes the district a safer place to live

For further details and a nomination brochure please call Lucy Wheeler, Events Officer on 0116 272 7512/7577 or email public.relations@blaby.gov.uk or you can download a copy from www.blaby.gov.uk/awards

‘Funding 4 Sport’:The Funding 4 Sport website was set up to provide a One Stop shop for Sports Clubs, Local Authorities, Governing Bodies of Sport, University students and all those interested in sport, play and physical activity development. The site has over 2,000 documents related to sport, play and physical activity that include; templates, forms, toolkits, policies, research, strategies and whole range of support materials that will help you develop your organisation. The documents have been gathered from the UK and across the World including the main leaders in sport, play and physical activity of New Zealand, Canada, Australia and the USA. The site also contains a whole range of documents that organisations require that cannot be found on the internet, and have therefore been developed to fill these voids. There is a yearly subscription needed to access it for £12.99. www.funding4sport.co.uk

Does your community or voluntary group need some practical help or ‘people power’?

East Midlands Airport Community Fund:

Big Lottery Fund launches a Community Wildlife programme.

Are you interested in learning more about wildlife around you? Do you think your community could help protect nature? Then Community Wildlife could be the programme for you. Big Lottery Fund has teamed up with BBC to launch the programme, which brings communities together to improve or protect the natural environment by raising awareness of threatened wildlife or places. Not for profit groups; Local councils; Schools; Health bodies etc. can apply. Grants of between £300 and £10,000 are available for projects that can be finished within one year. Application forms are on our website now. There are three deadlines: 21 July 2010; 22 September 2010; 24 November 2010. The programme will fund projects that improve rural or urban environments for people to enjoy. Download the application form at www.big.otteryfund.org.uk/communitywildlife or call 0845 367 0610 for more information.

Rutland County Council and Leicestershire and Rutland PCT:

The Hilden Charitable Fund

The Kerrygold Community Awards

To recognise and reward community projects in the UK, where groups of individuals have worked together to achieve something in their community. Maybe you are trying to improve your town by creating a clean park area where families can meet and kids can play, or perhaps you are trying to help the environment by setting up a weekly litter pick. Kerrygold want to hear about all your projects. Throughout May, June and July, they will be looking for entrants to The Kerrygold Community Awards. From the beginning of June you will be able to print off your free marketing pack from the website, to help you raise awareness of your project in the local area. Competition will be tough, so make sure you give your project the best chance of winning by using the marketing materials to drum up as much support as you can. If you have a project that you wish to enter then visit the web site at www.kerrygoldcommunityawards.co.uk

Leicestershire Aggregates Grants

’Children in Need’ – New Grants Scheme:

Grassroots Grants up to £5000 available

If you are a small group working in Leicester and have an average turnover of less than £20,000 over the last three years you may be eligible to apply to the Grassroots Grants programme available in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Voluntary Action LeicesterShire in partnership with Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation has small grant funding of £1,244,738.20 available until September 2011. This funding is available to a wide range of community projects and can be used for:

• Putting on a local event or workshop
• Venue Hire or Rental Costs
• Training for Volunteers
• Attending a conference or event

The deadline for applications are: City Groups: Friday 7th May 2010; County Groups: Friday 21th May 2010; Rutland Groups: Tuesday 1st June 2010. Email: http://www.valonline.org.uk/grassroots-grants

Community Awards for Charnwood - Groups & schools invited to apply for £9,000 award cash pot

’The Concertina Charitable Trust’:

Grants to charitable bodies which provide musical entertainment and related activities for the elderly. This not only brightens up the lives of elderly people but also provides a therapeutic benefit to their health and well-being. Concertina is keen to support smaller organisations which might otherwise find it difficult to gain funding. Charities are invited to make an application to the Trustees via the Administrator. They need to provide details of their charity’s objects, its financial position, the sector of the elderly community which it benefits, amount sought and proposed cultural activities or related facilities it intends to provide. The trustees review applications after the deadlines of: April 30th, June 30th and October 31st. Visit http://www.concertinamusic.org.uk/ for more information.

The Sir Andrew Martin Trust for Young People:

’Communities Together’ Grants:

Comic Relief:

’Awards for All’:

Awards for All should now be easier to apply for. From November 2009, the Big Lottery has introduced some important changes to Awards for All. For details visit: http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/

Faiths in Action:

Trusthouse Charitable Foundation:

The Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards Scheme:

Mercury Action Trust Fund:

EON Sustainable Energy Fund:

Financial assistance up to £20,000 is available to voluntary and community groups in England, Scotland and Wales for energy saving projects on non-residential facilities. The EON Sustainable Energy Fund is provided by energy company E.ON UK to support community energy projects leading to the production of energy from a sustainable source or a reduction in the amount of energy used by community organisations. Examples of possible projects include: The installation of one or more renewable energy technologies, for example, wind, solar thermal, PV, wood. The renovation of existing facilities to incorporate micro-generation technology, for example, the reinstatement of a watermill and the purchase of a turbine to produce hydro-electricity. An energy-efficiency makeover for the group’s building that could demonstrate significant energy savings and also behavioural change amongst users. The use of new or innovative technology to deliver either energy savings or micro-generation capacity. A project that can demonstrate the intelligent use of waste energy. 2010 deadlines are 2nd April and 8th October. For further information please visit: http://eon-uk.com/about/sustainableenergyfund.aspx

vawards (v50 and vimpact) for 16-25 year olds to recognise and celebrate their Volunteering.

vawards (v50 to recognise/celebrate 50 hours of volunteering & vimpact recognising a further 100 hours and impact/benefit of volunteering) are available for all young volunteers by contacting a vinvolved ‘Youth Volunteer Advisor’ for their area who can sign them up and provide an easy-to-complete logbook. Registration, if wanted, can also be done online with further information at: http://vinspired.com/rewards/awards

vinvolved ‘Youth Volunteer Advisors’:

Market Harborough District, Blaby District, Oadby & Wigston and Rutland: Gary Brown by phone or text: 07868129753 or email: gbrown@vasl.org.uk

Lutterworth, Hinckley & Bosworth District, and North-West Leicestershire: Tanya Sanders by phone or text: 07868251063 or email: tsanders@vasl.org.uk

Charnwood and Melton: Abby Heath by phone or text: 07868394259 or email: aheath@vasl.org.uk

The Skinners’ Company Lady Neville Charity:

Formally set up in 1978, it aims to provide grants that will make a clear and significant contribution to grassroots charitable organisations working in designated priority areas. One-off grants of up to £1,000 are made to small registered charities and not-for-profit organisations. The priority areas are Disability, Local Heritage, Local Community and Performing & Visual Arts. You are welcome to discuss a potential approach with the Charities Administrator. Please call on 020 7213 0562 or email charitiesadmin@skinners.org.uk. Applications should be submitted by mid-March or mid-September for Committee meetings which take place in May and November. Visit: http://www.skinnershall.co.uk/charities/lady-neville-charity.htm to download an application form.

The ‘It’s Your Community’ Awards Scheme

The ‘It’s Your Community’ Awards Scheme is provided by the ‘Conservation Foundation’ in partnership with O2 to help support projects designed to improve local environments. The programme has four main project groups, but other ideas from outside these areas will be considered. The project areas are: Community Places (reinvigorating community, amenity and recreation areas); Community People (helping bring people together); Community Pride (restoring a sense of pride); and Community Landscape (improving the natural environment, for example, planting trees). Funding is limited to applications wishing to receive a minimum of £100 and a maximum of £1,000, but is not designed to provide top-up funding for larger projects. Applications for match funding will be assessed on a case by case basis. Local amenity groups, parish and village councils, schools, youth clubs, heritage groups, environmental and conservation groups and Individuals are all eligible to apply. Applications can be made online at www.itsyourcommunity.co.uk Decisions on applications will be made within 28 days.

Arts and Culture Projects Funding

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