Funding for Financial Literacy Projects (UK)

The MSE Charity has announced that its grants programme will re-open for applications on the 1st May 2013.  The MSE Charity provides grants to constituted community based groups (including schools) to help fight financial and consumer illiteracy and to educate and inform adults and children about consumer and debt issues. Under the programme, grants of up to £5,000 are available for group projects such as self-help groups, schools, workshops and other innovative schemes that seek to educate people about money, debt and consumer issues. Individuals over the age of 18 can apply for a grant of up to £500 to help pay towards a recognised and approved course that will help improve their ability to budget and manage their finances. The grant can be used to pay for financial education course fees and other associated expenses. Groups that have been supported in the past include  The Nottingham Women’s Centre which received a grant of £3,850 to provide financial education training to  at least 45 female ex-offenders to improve their financial well-being and build an independent life free of crime and debt; and Warm Hut UK, which received a grant of £4,582 to deliver financial education and advice  for not less than 100 individuals recently given Refugees status or leave to remain in the country. The programme usually closes when 40 applications have been received….

Comic Relief Local Communities Programme (UK)

Grants of up to £10,000 are available through the Comic Relief “Local Communities” programme.  The programme, which is being managed locally by Community Foundations, support projects that benefit people who are excluded or disadvantaged through low income, rural or social isolation, age, disabilities, race, sexuality or gender.  Priority is given to small, locally-based groups or organisations in areas of disadvantage that have a clear understanding of the needs of their community and are undertaking actions as a means of addressing these needs.  The programme is currently open for applications (please check with your community foundation to find out when their deadline date is - there may be periods when the grant round temporarily closes.)….

New Funding for Rural Communities (UK)

Rural communities across the UK are set to benefit from a fund to help them revive their villages through community enterprise.  The Plunkett Foundation has been awarded over £450,000 from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to create a new comprehensive support service for rural communities considering setting up or diversifying community-owned services like shops and pubs.  The support service will provide a combination of adviser support, training, feasibility grants, and opportunities for networking with other community enterprises. The support is specifically focused at the early stage of a community’s ideas, and will help them progress to the next stage. Eligibility for support will depend on communities aiming to raise at least £10,000 themselves through community shares and support will be given to ensure communities are creating viable and sustainable businesses that engage the whole community.  This new service is now open for applications and Plunkett encourages rural communities who need support for their enterprises to contact them directly for more information via 01993 810730 or by emailing info@plunkett.co.uk....

The David and Elaine Potter Foundation (UK & International)

The David and Elaine Potter Foundation is a charitable family foundation established in 1999 to encourage a stronger, fairer civil society. It has granted more than £12 million to registered charities in the UK and abroad.  The Foundation's funding is divided into five categories: Education, Civil society, Research, Human rights and Arts. The trustees are interested in lasting social change, and in forming long-term partnerships with the organisations the Foundation supports.  Grants in the past have ranged from several hundred pounds to grants of up to £2 million. The grant application process is divided into two stages.  A letter of enquiry and an application. An applicant is invited to submit a full proposal only if their letter of enquiry has been accepted.  Applications can be submitted at any time….

New BIG Assist Programme - Now Open To Suppliers
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) is delivering the new £6 million BIG Assist programme under contract to the Big Lottery Fund.

Heritage Lottery Fund Announces New Funding Programmes (UK)

The Heritage Lottery Fund has announced that the “Your Heritage” grants programme will be replaced by two new funding programmes.  The new Sharing Heritage programme will make grants of up to £10,000 to not-for-profit group wanting to explore, share and celebrate their community’s heritage. This can include events, exhibitions, festivals and celebrations, or producing local history publications, conservation of individual heritage items, volunteer training and support.  The new Our Heritage programme will make grants of up to £100,000 to all types of heritage projects. For example, smaller parks and green spaces, community buildings, museum collections and archives as well as activity projects exploring languages, cultures and memories.  Both new programmes will open for applications in February 2013….

New Fund to Develop Location Based Apps (UK)

A new small grants programme called RAPTOR is launching this week to support UK entrepreneurs develop their own location-based apps.   The grant packages will include cash (Up to £7,500), mentoring, and access to both state-of-the-art technology and an exclusive test and development space, as well as significant marketing opportunities. Three groups of five grants will be awarded to entrepreneurs with an idea which is based on a network-based or cloud-based technology solution for either retail, transport or the urban environment, over the next 12 months. There are three Calls planned during 2012 and 2013 - Call 1 will close on the 30th  September 2012, Call 2 in early 2013 and Call 3 in mid 2013.  For further information on how to apply, please click on the link below….