June 2017 | Newsletter

With only a few days to go until the general election, it’s probably one of the most talked-about topics of the past few weeks. But what impact will each party’s policies have on the charity sector? NCVO have outlined their thoughts on each party’s manifesto in a succinct blog post – check it out here.

 

Great Opportunity!
Persimmon Homes have launched a new funding pot which aims to support young people in sports. Through their Healthy Communities programme, you, your team or club can win cash prizes – with a top prize of £200,000.Between now and December this year, each Persimmon regional office will choose one entry per month to win a prize of up to £750. In January 2018, each office will choose 3 nominees (from all the entries – so you don’t have to be a winner to be in it!) to go forwards into the national prize category. If you’re interested, apply online here.

If your charity isn’t sporty, don’t worry. Persimmon are still running their Community Champions funding scheme, with each regional office making two grants of up to £1,000 each every month. It’s really quick and easy to apply – check out the Community Champions website.

 

Want Some Free Advice?
As part of Small Charity Week’s Big Advice Day, three of York’s leading social enterprises have joined forces to provide an informal drop in advice session.Outsource, Beware of the Bull and Social Vision will be offering free fundraising and financial advice at the Hiscox Building, Peasholme Green, York on Tuesday 20 June between 9:30am – 1pm. Participants are invited to drop in, grab a coffee and chat to specialists offering information on a range of topics, including:

  • Grant Opportunities
  • Building Relationships with Donors
  • Online and Crowd Fundraising
  • Financial Planning and Accountancy
  • Generating Sustainable Income
  • Demonstrating Need to Funders

There’s no need to book in advance, just turn up on the day. More information about Small Charity Week Big Advice Day is available on the Small Charity Week website.

 

The Donald Forrester Trust
This charitable trust makes grants to a wide range of charitable causes, including overseas projects, children & young people, disability charities and older people. To be eligible for a grant, your organisation must be a UK registered charity.There is no application form – the Trust asks charities to apply in writing, including a brief indication of the organisation’s financial position (full accounts are not required). Grants tend to be in the range of £5,000 – £30,000.

The next deadline for applications is 15th July. Details of how to apply can be found on the Trust’s website.

 

Charles Hayward Foundation
The Charles Hayward Foundation offers two levels of grant – Main Grants and Small Grants – which have slightly differing priority areas:

  • Main grant programme – social and criminal justice, heritage and conservation (for charities with an income of more than £350,000) and overseas aid (for charities with an income between £150,000 and £5 million)
  • Small grant programme – social and criminal justice, heritage and conservation and older people (for charities with an income of less than £350,000)

The Main Grants programme is a 2-stage process, the Small Grants programme accepts applications on a rolling basis and makes decisions every 2-3 months. The Foundation preferences projects that:

  • develop, expand and replicate a tried and tested approach (although they state that they “are also interested in supporting creative solutions to problems which seem to be entrenched and elude resolution”)
  • are preventative, especially those that provide early intervention
  • respond to a clear and well-researched need
  • are developed in response to evidence of what works
  • can demonstrate value for money
  • have a clear understanding of their project’s short-term effects and long-term impact

Full guidelines and application forms can be found on the Foundation’s website.

 

Creating Space for Collaborative Leadership
This new programme from AE Portz Associates and Creating Space for You is designed to enable your organisation to strengthen its strategic leadership. Your Chair and Chief Executive will be partnered with a consultant whose skills and experience in coaching, mentoring, mediation and leadership are best fitted to your organisation, developing strategies that enable them to work collaboratively and enhance the leadership of your organisation.For more information and to enquire about the programme for your organisation, visit the AE Portz Associates website.

 

Keep Your Charity Safe
The recent ransomware attack, that hit the NHS among other organisations, has brought cyber security to the forefront of many people’s minds. But what steps should you take to keep your charity safe? Charity Digital News has collated advice from the Technology Trust and other relevant bodies to keep you up to date and your charity safe – read their article here.

 

People’s Health Trust
The People’s Health Trust’s Active Communities programme runs a series of geographically-limited funding rounds each year. To be eligible for funding, your organisation must be located in an area which is currently open for funding, and:

  • support people to create or shape local projects that will help their community or neighbourhood to become even better
  • be non-profit
  • have an income of less than £350,000 a year, or an average of £350,000 or less over the last two years
  • have less than six months’ annual running costs in savings (with no restrictions on the money) after you have deducted the grant you wish to request from us
  • be constituted and more than three months old

The next programmes that will be opening are:

  • HealthWish – East and West Sussex, Brighton and Hove
  • HealthExpect – Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Bridgend, Ceredigion
  • HealthForm – Manchester
  • HealthGift – Perth and Kinross, City of Dundee, Angus, Stirling, Fife, Clackmannanshire, Argyll and Bute
  • HealthShine – Glasgow, Renfrewshire, East and West Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde

If your area is listed above, you can find out more about the programme, how to apply and any deadlines on the People’s Health Trust website.

 

Make Funders Want You!
Evidencing need and demand for your service is an essential part of any funding application – but knowing what evidence you should include in your application can be a minefield. Big Lottery Scotland have summarised key points you need to know when using evidence in your funding bids, as well as including a link to a handy guide written by the Knowledge Translation Network. You can find all this information on the Big Lottery Scotland blog.

 

Don’t Forget…
If you’re planning on applying to the Lloyds Bank Foundation’s Invest programme, you’ve got less than 2 weeks to get your application in. This programme funds projects which:

  • work with adults (aged 17+) facing multiple disadvantage at a point of transition in their lives
  • need core or direct delivery costs for 2-3 years
  • are looking for £10,000 – £25,000 per year

This funding stream isn’t often open for applications – so if your project fits the bill, now’s your chance. Visit the Lloyds Bank Foundation website for more details.

 

Percy Bilton Charity
Applications for grants to pay for small items of furniture and equipment are welcomed from charities working with:

  • Disadvantaged/underprivileged young people (persons under 25) – for supported housing schemes and educational and training projects to encourage disadvantaged young people who may be homeless and/or unemployed away from crime, substance/alcohol misuse and homelessness; or facilities for recreational activities and outdoor pursuits specifically for young people who are educationally or socially underprivileged or disadvantaged.
  • People with disabilities (physical or learning disabilities or mental health problems) – to residential, respite care, occupational and recreational establishments for children, young people and adults with physical or learning disabilities or enduring mental health problems.
  • Older people (aged over 60) – to day centres, nursing and residential homes, sheltered accommodation and respite care for the frail or sufferers from dementia or age related disorders; or projects to encourage older people to maintain their independence.

They offer two types of grant:

  • Large grants – of £2,000 or above (usually between £2,000 – £5,000)
  • Small grants – of up to £500

Small grant applications are considered monthly, with Large grants considered less often. For more information on how to apply, visit the Percy Bilton Charity website.

 

Is Your Charity Registered With The Fundraising Regulator?
The independent voluntary regulator of charitable fundraising in England and Wales is encouraging charities of all sizes to register with them to show support for best practice in fundraising. The Regulator was set up following the Etherington review of fundraising self-regulation (2015) to strengthen the system of charity regulation and restore public trust in fundraising. Their aim is to ensure that all charities operating in the UK follow best practice around fundraising.If your charity’s fundraising relies on donations from the public, being registered with the Regulator may give your donors peace of mind. Registering with the Regulator costs £50 per year. All registrants will gain access to the ‘Registered With’ badge and will be added to the Public Register that will feature on the Fundraising Regulator’s website in the coming months. For more information, visit the Fundraising Regulator’s website.

 

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