Funding News June 2020

With thanks to Berkshire CVS’s – Wokingham & Bracknell Involve, West Berkshire Volunteer Centre, Slough CVS and Reading Voluntary Action for information. Please check this article regularly as it will be updated with information throughout the month of June.

Variety, the Childrens Charity – Youth Club Grants
Grants of £250 to £600 are available to youth organisations that are affiliated to either Ambition, UK Youth or the or National Association of Boys and Girls Clubs. The grants can be used to buy equipment to provide challenging activities that engage young people aged 8-18 and help keep them off the streets. Apply anytime. For details see https://www.variety.org.uk/what-we-do/youth-clubs-grants.

Community Tree Planting funds
Schools and community groups proposing to undertake well-planned tree and hedge planting projects this winter (November 2020 – March 2021), and ideally in National Tree Week, can apply for funds from £300 to £1500. Apply from now onward. See https://treecouncil.org.uk/take-action/grants-for-trees/

Co-op Foundation latest round of its #iwill Fund
They are offering grants of up to £10,000 to help young people support each other during bereavement. They expect to make about five grants to successful applicants from across the UK. Funding is for one year and successful organisations will be able to apply for additional grants in year two and three of this fund.  Deadline:  31 July 2020. For details and to apply see https://www.coopfoundation.org.uk/funding_support/iwill-fund-bereavement/

Lush Charity Pot
Grants up to £10,000 (average grant £4,000) are available for: small, grassroots charities and campaign groups working in animal protection, the environment, and human rights. Priority is given to causes that are less popular with funders, and projects that push for long-term change, including those that use non-violent direct action as a campaigning tactic. For details, and the application form see https://uk.lush.com/article/charity-pot-funding-guidelines

Woodward Charitable Trust  
Small grants up to £3000 for core costs for small UK registered charities working with isolated or at risk children and youth, disadvantaged women, families, prisoners and ex-offenders or community cohesion. Deadline for current round 31 July 2020. See http://woodwardcharitabletrust.org.uk/general_applications/

Yapp Foundation
Small grants for for running costs for small established registered charities working with the elderly, the young people, those with disabilities or educationally disadvantaged.  Applications reviewed 3 times per year. See https://yappcharitabletrust.org.uk/what-we-fund/

Tesco community grant
Bags of Help is Tesco’s on-going local community grant scheme where Three community projects in each local area will be voted on by customers in Tesco stores throughout the UK, with projects changing every other month. The projects must meet the criteria of bringing benefits to the community. Grants of up to £2,000 are available. See https://www.groundwork.org.uk/national-grants/grants_tesco-community-grants/
 
DM Thomas Foundation for Young People
Registered charities and CICs working in education or health to transform the lives of, or make a real difference to: Children and young people with disabilities Children and young people who are sick in hospital Children and young people who are life limited (requiring palliative care) Mental health of children and young people Can apply for funding from £1000 to £30,000k per year for activities and projects. Quarterly awards, next deadline 22 July 2020.  See https://dmthomasfoundation.org/what-we-do/grants/ for eligibility, pervious awards.

Government Grants for Front-Line Food Aid Charities 
Front-line food aid charities can apply for a grant of up to £100,000 to help provide food to the vulnerable.You can apply for funding as a group of charities to meet the criteria for applications. Deadline 6th July.  To register on the eSourcing portal and for details https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-apply-for-the-food-charities-grant-fund

Government £200 million Coronavirus Community Support Fund 
The Government’s new £200 million Coronavirus Community Support Fund has opened for applications. The fund which is being administered through the National Lottery Community Fund has two key objectives. To increase community support to vulnerable people affected by the COVID-19 crisis; and to reduce temporary closures of essential charities and social enterprises, ensuring services for vulnerable people impacted by COVID-19 have the financial resources to operate, and so reduce the burden on public services. Charities and not for profit organisations will be able to apply for grants of between £300 and £10,000 or for grants above £10,000. Decisions on funding will be made within weeks. Applications can be submitted at any time. See   https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/covid-19/learn-about-applying-for-emergency-funding-in-ai


Berkshire Community Fund – Vital for Berkshire – Coronavirus Fund 
Grants of up to £10,000 available to help organisations: 
Respond to immediate needs, for instance, as a result of restrictions to normal activity.
With stabilisation i.e. short term core cost funds to keep organisations supporting those in need afloat. Charities and Nor for Profit organisations can apply.as well as organisations who have applied in the last 6 months can re-apply for funding    see https://www.berkshirecf.org/available-funding/coronavirus-fund/

The Stop Loan Sharks Community Fund
The fund is open for bids up to £5,000 from charities, voluntary organisations and community groups involved in activities that have a positive impact on their communities. Each group will have to demonstrate how their project contributes to delivering the fund’s priorities which include raising awareness of the dangers of loan sharks; promoting the work of the organisation in communities, and encourage reporting of loan sharks.
Read more

Children in Need: COVID-19 Next Steps Grant
Grants between £5,000 – £80,000 to deliver support for children and young people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
These grants are designed to fund sustained responses to the COVID-19 situation. The projects can last up to 18 months, beginning September 2020. The fund will help organisations with more complex service adaption, including additional staffing requirements. It is designed to be as flexible as possible, covering a wide range of activities. Deadline: 1 July 2020
Read more

Edge Foundation – Edge Post COVID-19 Revival Fund
One-off grants of £10,000 – £50,000 for institutions and not-for-profit organisations working in the educational sector for projects that address the educational challenges arising from the aftermath of the coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis. A total of £250,000 is available.
Deadline: 9 July 2020
Read more 

Co-op Local Community Fund
Grants are available for small, locally based voluntary and community groups to support projects which benefit local communities around Co-op food stores and funeral homes across the UK. Grants are typically around £2,000.
Deadline: 28 June 2020 
Read more 

20-20-20 Slough – Artist brief
Slough Museum wish to contract up to five emerging Slough based artists to deliver participatory activity with residents as part of our Arts Council England and Slough Borough Council supported project.
Deadline for applications: 5pm Friday 3 July
Interviews via Zoom: Monday 13 July
Read more

Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund
The deadline to apply for Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund (LADGF) to assist businesses facing financial hardship due to COVID-19 pandemic, has been extended to 21 June.
Read more 

Historic England – COVID-19 Emergency Heritage at Risk Response Fund
Deadline: 28th June, 2020
Emergency grants to help fund urgent maintenance, repairs and investigations at historic sites and buildings across England due to the impact of the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak.

#BeInclusive EU Sport Awards
Deadline: 30th June, 2020
Awards to recognise organisations that have successfully increased social inclusion for disadvantaged groups through sport.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
Deadline: 30th June, 2020
This scheme will provide a grant to all UK employers across all sectors (private, public, charitable and non-profit) to keep their workers on, rather than making them redundant during the coronavirus outbreak.

Resourcing Racial Justice Fund
Deadline: 30th June, 2020
Grants are available for frontline organisations, grassroots groups and community groups across the UK that are working to redress the impact of the coronavirus/COVID-19 and systemic racism on communities of colour.

Forces Communities Together Programme
Deadline: 30th June, 2020
Grants to support creative and engaging projects, that can be delivered under social restrictions, for people from Armed Forces communities in the UK who are isolated as a result of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.

National Lottery Heritage Fund – Heritage Emergency Fund
Deadline: 30th June, 2020
Grants for heritage organisations that have received NLHF funding in the past and are either a current grantee or still under contract following a previous grant and are most in need during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

Ouseley Church Music Trust
Deadline: 30th June, 2020
Emergency grants to help fund urgent maintenance, repairs and investigations at historic sites and buildings across England due to the impact of the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak.

Patagonia International Environmental Grants
Deadline: 30th June, 2020
Grants are available to small grassroots activist environmental organisations in the UK and Ireland that are working to protect local habitats and frontline communities through bold, original actions.

Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF)
Deadline: 30th June, 2020
Funding for public bodies, non-government organisations, community groups, charities, individuals and private companies, to support the planting and establishment of large and small trees in urban and peri-urban areas of England.




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BBC Children in Need – COVID-19 Next Step Grants Programme
Deadline: 1st July, 2020
Grants to help not-for-profit organisations with more complex service adaption in their work with disadvantaged children and young people in the UK who are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.

Independent Age Grants Fund
Deadline: 2nd July, 2020
Grants are available for smaller registered charities across the UK that are working with some of the older people hardest hit by the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP)
Deadline: 3rd July, 2020
Capital funding through grants and loans for public, private and third sector organisations undertaking activities to boost the uptake of low carbon heating network projects for domestic and public buildings in England and Wales.

Ragdoll Foundation
Deadline: 3rd July, 2020
Funding is available to support not-for-profit organisations, especially arts organisations, in the UK that are working with children and young people using the arts and creative media.

Resource Action Fund (Including COVID-19 Emergency Surplus Food Grant)
Deadline: 3rd July, 2020
Grants are available for businesses and not-for-profit organisations in England to support resource efficiency projects, with the goal of diverting, reducing and better managing waste, in the areas of food, plastics, textiles, recycling infrastructure and litter.

The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust
Deadline: 3rd July, 2020
Grants are available to help disabled people in the UK to play tennis through the purchase of wheelchairs, tennis equipment and grants for coaching.

Art Fund Respond and Reimagine Grants
Deadline: 6th July, 2020
Grants are available to help UK museums, galleries and cultural organisations respond to immediate challenges connected to the COVID-19 crisis.

National Churches Trust – Cornerstone Grants Programme 2019-2023
Deadline: 6th July, 2020
Grants are available to support the conservation and sustainable use of church buildings in the UK, focusing on larger and more complex projects with priority given to urgent structural repairs or the introduction of kitchens and accessible toilets.

National Churches Trust/ChurchCare – Wolfson Fabric Repair Grants
Deadline: 6th July, 2020
Grants are available to support essential fabric repairs in architecturally or historically significant Christian church buildings in the UK.

Edge Foundation – Edge Post COVID-19 Revival Fund
Deadline: 9th July, 2020
One-off grants for institutions and not-for-profit organisations working in the educational sector for projects that address the educational challenges arising from the aftermath of the coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis.


Co-op introduces gift card scheme for vulnerable customers


The Co-op supermarket group has launched a gift card scheme for those shielding or self-isolating and reliant on others to do their shopping or who are volunteering to help someone they know, including as part of a local support group.  

By calling a dedicated Co-op phone line on 0800 029 4592, they can purchase a gift card which can be shared with friends, neighbours or volunteers to pay for shopping in their local Co-op store. If a volunteer group wishes to buy multiple cards to support vulnerable people, they can do this by emailing their requirements to giftvouchers@coop.co.uk

Please do promote the gift card to vulnerable people in your community that it would benefit. Additionally the Co-op Health app connects people in England securely to their GP so they can automatically view and order the medications


Vital Signs Survey- which good causes would you chose to support in Berkshire?

Berkshire is home to just over 911,000 people. Access to safe, healthy environments in which we live, learn, work and play can powerfully affect lifelong wellbeing. But we know that in Berkshire not everyone can participate equally and Vital Signs has reported growing concern about child poverty, pressure on carers, mental health and homelessness. In 2020 we have the additional challenge of Covid-19.

Vital Signs 2020 will explore how people are affected by and can influence environments in Berkshire communities, particularly for those who are vulnerable and at a disadvantage.

Berkshire Community Foundation makes grants to local voluntary groups and charities throughout the county.

This Vital Signs survey is designed to help us understand the priorities of local people towards support for wellbeing and environments throughout Berkshire, to help BCF direct its grant making.

Imagine that within each of the five themes, listed below, you have £100 to donate to good causes, which means you can imagine giving up to £500.

Three lucky winners will each win a £1,000 grant made by BCF to a cause of their choice; to enter this prize draw you must complete at least three out of the five themes.

All the causes are based on actual community organisations active in Berkshire supported through the Community Foundation.

Please click here to complete the survey.


Useful Advice for Village Halls & Community Buildings when re-opening next month

Information courtesy of Wessex Water

The lockdown restrictions in place over the last couple of months has meant several business premises have been forced to close which means water within the building plumbing systems will have been left stagnant. This can cause the water quality to deteriorate within the plumbing system in a number of ways:

Warming of water

Growth of micro-organisms (e.g. bacteria, legionella)

Increased leaching of metals found in plumbing (could cause discolouration)

Taste and odour from prolonged contact with some plumbing materials

We would like to bring to your attention the steps that should be taken to remove any stagnant water and renew your water supply before your workforce return to work and use the water.

Identify all items that use water within the building (taps, showers, appliances, toilets, urinals, drinks machines, bathrooms, etc) and any water storage (tanks and cisterns). Anything storing water should be emptied and refilled first.

Then gently flush all cold-water outlets individually starting with the tap nearest to where the water enters the building and move systematically to the most distant outlet including flushing toilets. Flush until the water is cool to the touch or the same temperature as the water closest to where it enters the building.

Minimise the potential of creating aerosols by flushing gently, removing aerators, shower heads and any other tap inserts or attachments. Close toilet seat lids before flushing.

If there are any outlets that require servicing or cleaning by an external contractor (e.g. coffee machines, soft drinks machines) switch off the supply to them and do not use until a contractor can visit.

Ensure appliances are flushed and internal filters and softeners are checked to ensure they are flushed and working correctly as outlined in manufacturer’s instructions.

Once the cold water has flushed through, repeat the process with the hot water outlets.

If you have a water safety plan for the premises, this should include how to return the building water system to normal following prolonged low/no use.

Complex systems involving chemical dosing systems (eg swimming pools and spa pools) please enlist the services of a professional to service the system and return to normal operation.

For more information please see the link below:

Water UK – Recovering drinking water supplies in buildings and networks after prolonged inactivity guidance document

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease

https://www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/index.htm