Grants and funding opportunities

Here are links to possible funding streams available.

Grants and funding opportunities come along often. The links will be published here as they become available, but you will need to check the criteria to see if you are eligible. For many you need to be a charity, not for profit or Community Interest Company etc.

If you are interested in more information regarding becoming or setting up one of the above you can contact Community Southwark who are the local Council for Voluntary Services. 

The Fore's Autumn Funding

The Fore has returned to offering unrestricted grants of up to £30,000 that can be spread over 1-3 years. The grants can be used for whatever grantees think will help transform their scale, sustainability, efficiency or impact.

Any UK-registered charities, CICs or CBSs with annual incomes under £500,000 are welcome to apply.

The Fore is particularly keen to fund organisations run by, and/or working with, marginalised groups, and ‘micro’ organisations (with incomes under £100,000). The Fore Trust encourages applicants to make a carefully considered ‘ask’ commensurate with the scale of their organisation and impact of the grant, for instance smaller charities might wish to apply for less than the maximum available.

For more details visit The Fore

Persimmon Community Champions (England, Scotland and Wales)
This grant is open to applications. Applications can be submitted at any time.
https://www.persimmonhomes.com/community-champions
Persimmon Homes Charity Foundation is providing grant funding of up to £1000 to registered charities, clubs, schools and other organisations which have already raised vital funds themselves towards projects to enhance their local community. The total available each month to support local good causes is £60,000. The type of projects supported to date have included support for foodbanks; projects within schools; and sports projects; etc. 

Variety Charity – Sunshine Coaches (UK)
This grant is open to applications. Applications can be submitted at any time.
https://www.variety.org.uk/what-we-do/sunshine-coaches
Variety is a children's charity that aims to improve the lives of children and young people throughout the UK who are sick, disabled or disadvantaged. The Variety Sunshine Coach Programme exists to enable schools and non-profit making groups and organisations catering for sick, disabled and/or disadvantaged children to obtain a Sunshine Coach. The Sunshine Coach should be used to take the children out on educational and recreational activities which would otherwise be unavailable to them. The vehicle should be in use at least 4 to 5 times per week by the applicant organisation. Four different types of coaches are available: 14-seater minibus; 17-seater minibus; 13-seater with tail lift; 17-seater with tail lift. Applicants will be required to make a donation to the Sunshine Coach Programme as part of the application.

BlueSpark Foundation (England)
This grant is open to applications. Applications can be submitted at any time.
http://bluesparkfoundation.org.uk/
BlueSpark Foundation is a registered charity which supports the education and development of children and young people by providing grants for educational, cultural, sporting and other projects. Community groups, colleges and schools in England can apply for grants for relatively small-scale projects which are for the public benefit and which otherwise might not happen or would only happen on a lesser scale. In schools, the projects which are supported may relate to intra or extra-curricular activities. The foundation is particularly keen to support projects which the Trustees consider will help enhance the self-confidence, team working skills and future employability of children and young people.

Newcomen Collett Foundation (Southwark)
This grant is open to applications. Applications can be submitted at any time.
http://www.newcomencollett.org.uk/organisations.html
The Newcomen Collett Foundation makes the majority of funding towards the education of young people under 25 in Southwark and the Foundation often donates grants to schools. Grant making priorities include assisting schools and other groups to purchase equipment for the benefit of children; supporting extra-curricular activities for children and young people - eg school trips, after-school clubs, holiday clubs, uniformed organisations; assisting organisations which provide educational opportunities to schools and colleges in the Borough of Southwark - eg visiting theatre companies and musicians

Ironmongers Company Grant (UK with preference to inner London)
This grant is open to applications. The closing date for applications is 15 December  2023.
http://www.ironmongers.org/charity_organisations.htm
The Ironmongers' Company aims to help people who are disadvantaged to improve their ability to make the most of life. Projects funded must focus on children and young people up to the age of 25, consist of educational opportunities that develop learning, motivation and skills and have clear objectives to be met within a planned timetable. The Company is particularly interested in enabling primary age children to develop a strong foundation for the future. Examples of activities might include supporting special educational needs, addressing emotional/behavioural problems, promoting citizenship and life skills and family support, such as parenting skills.
Preference will be given to projects piloting new approaches where the outcomes will be disseminated to a wider audience. Grants are in the region of a few hundred pounds to £10,000. The appeals committee meets twice a year at the end of March and October. The deadlines for receipt of applications are 15 December and 31 July respectively.

Andy Fanshawe Memorial Trust Grant (UK)
This grant is open to applications. Applications can be submitted at any time.
http://www.andyfanshawe.org/
Charitable organisations, schools and youth groups that offer outdoor recreation opportunities can apply for funding for projects that allow young people to experience outdoor recreation. The Trust is likely to support groups representing those who are disadvantaged or who face particular challenges. The grant aims to support specific projects that encourage young people to further their existing skills and gain new experiences. Eligible expenditure includes equipment, course fees and trips. Expeditions abroad are not supported. Applications can be submitted at any time.

Dickie Bird Foundation Grants (UK)
This grant is open to applications. Applications can be submitted at any time.
http://www.thedickiebirdfoundation.co.uk/
The Dickie Bird Foundation was founded by former Test Cricket umpire Harold "Dickie" Bird MBE in March 2004, and provides grants, to assist financially disadvantaged young people under 16 years of age to participate in the sport of their choice irrespective of their social circumstances, culture or ethnicity. The aim of the grant is to help young people, who, through no fault of their own, are disadvantaged or underprivileged due to the financial situation of their family/guardians or carers and therefore are unable to follow or continue in the sport of their choice. The grants are to help with the cost of essential sports equipment.

Sport England - Small Grants Programme (England)
This grant is open to applications. Applications can be submitted at any time.
https://www.sportengland.org/funding/small-grants/
The Sport England Small Grants Programme has been set up to support local community sport projects which seek to increase participation, sustain participation or develop opportunities for people to excel at their chosen sport. For example, Sport England might provide a grant to a sports club to expand its age range by helping it to buy extra team kit or pay additional coaching fees. Or Sport England may help youth clubs work together with local sports clubs to get more young people playing sport. Not-for-profit clubs or associations, statutory bodies or educational establishments can apply for grants of between £300 and £10,000.

The National Lottery Community Fund - Awards for All (England)
This grant is open to applications. Applications can be submitted at any time.
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/national-lottery-awards-for-all-england
Awards for All, England offers grants of between £300 and £10,000 for projects that improve communities, and the lives of people within them. It is for voluntary and community groups, schools and health organisations, parish and town councils. To do this Awards for All fund projects that meet one or more of the following outcomes: People have better chances in life - with better access to training and development to improve their life skills; Stronger communities - with more active citizens working together to tackle their problems; Improved rural and urban environments - which communities are better able to access and enjoy; and Healthier and more active people and communities.

Amicable Society: 

Fr Mark Nichols, The Amicable Society, 72A St Marychurch Street, London, SE16 4HZ
T: 020 7394 3394 / 07909 546 659
E: theamicablesocietyrotherhithe@ yahoo.com

Grants to schools, individuals or organisations that assist the education of children in financial need that study, or are resident in, the Ancient Parish of Rotherhithe.
Applicants should address the criteria, the purpose of the grant requested and the amount sought in their application.

Aylesbury Community Grant

Aylesbury Regeneration Team, Notting Hill Genesis, 2nd Floor, Taplow, Thurlow Street, London, SE17 2UQ
T: 07584 218137
E: aylesbury@nhg.org.uk

Small grants of £500 or larger grants up to £2,000 for inclusive projects and activities that benefit residents from the Aylesbury Estate and surrounding area.
Applications are encouraged that promote community cohesion, such as those that aim to bring together residents from a range of tenures, parts of the estate and/or ages.

St Mary Newington Charities

c/o Southwark Charities, 39 Edward Edwards’ House, Nicholson Street, SE1 0XL
T: 020 7593 2000
E: clerk@southwarkcharities.org.uk
Grants for educational purposes to four named schools, other schools and individuals resident in the ancient parish of St Mary Newington.

Southwark Council Black History Month

E: BlackHistoryMonth@southwark.gov.uk

Small grants (up to £500) or large grants (up to £2,000) for organisations or individuals organising Black History Month events in Southwark that celebrate the talent, achievements and contributions of Southwark’s new and established black and ethnic minority communities and that promote social cohesion by sharing histories and culture. The fund is usually open for applications in May to June each
year for events to be held in October.