This just in: Applications are sought for the Liverpool ONE Foundations Programme 2 fund. This is for strategic longer term projects of up to £60,000 over 3 years. Applicants need to apply online and submit a project plan to support their proposal. www.cfmerseyside.org.uk/index.php?p=145
NatWest’s Skills & Opportunities Fund offers £2.5m to fund projects in charities, social enterprises, community groups, state-funded schools and colleges across the UK and Ireland. Up to £35,000 of funding is available to projects that focus on a disadvantaged community within the UK or Ireland, helping people to learn new skills, get into work or start a business. When all applications have been received and reviewed, a shortlist of projects being considered for funding will be published. Voting will then be open to the public. The deadline for the first round of funding is noon on Friday 22nd May, going to a public vote on Monday 15th June. For more information, including guidelines and how to apply, please visit the website. http://skillsandopportunitiesfund.natwest.com
The Police Commissioner for Merseyside offers grants of up to £5,000 to charities, community groups or social enterprises based in Merseyside that deliver community projects that reduce crime, improve public safety or support victims. For this round the Commissioner is looking to support projects offering youth diversion activity over the summer. Closing date for applications is 5pm, 10th June. For more information and to apply, please visit the website. www.cfmerseyside.org.uk/Police-Property-Act-Fund
Tellonline’s Digital Development Fund is a scheme allowing not-for-profit organisations to build a strong digital presence, raise awareness of their causes and create impactful online campaigns. Once you have registered your details, the team will be in contact to find out a little more about the charity you work for and the project you have in mind. Should your organisation be selected, Tellonline will match your budget up to £5,000 and work closely with you to scope out your project, develop your ideas and create a solution built around you needs. The closing date for registering your interest is 6th June. To register your interest in the fund, please visit the website. http://tellonline.com/Digital-Development-Fund/Help
The Skipton Building Society’s Grassroots Giving community funding initiative provides financial and business support to community groups of all shapes and sizes across the UK. As they are looking to support smaller groups who struggle to find funding elsewhere, registered charities will not be considered. The deadline for applications is 31st July. From 1st September, successful applicants will be subjected to an online public vote. The winners of the online vote will then receive one of the 161 donations of £500 from the Grassroots Giving community funding initiative. For more information, including online resources and to apply, please visit the website. www.skiptongrg.co.uk
Your Housing Group are offering community grants for the Liverpool City Region, including Wirral and Halton. Community Grants can be applied for by any groups who wish to organise a community project or event. All projects must benefit Your Housing Group residents but can also benefit the wider community. Most grants will be for under £1000 but larger grant applications up to £2000 will be considered where they meet key priorities and benefit a large number of residents. For more information, including how to apply, please visit the SEN Together website. www.sentogether.net/2015/05/community-grant-fund
The Naturesave Trust aims to encourage the greater adoption of sustainable development, especially within the Small and Medium Sized business community. The Naturesave Trust also funds Environmental Performance Reviews for Naturesave Policies Commercial Combined clients, helping businesses and organisations to become greener. Applications will be considered for specific projects from Charities, Companies or Organisations whose activities are based within the UK. There are no deadlines for applications. For more information and to apply, please visit the website. www.naturesave.co.uk/the-naturesave-trust
Power to Change’s Initial Grants Programme is an initiative specifically designed to help new and existing community businesses move towards long term sustainability within six months. Between now and December, around 70 organisations will be provided with grants and a range of business support through this programme to help towards Capital costs and/or Revenue costs. For more information, including the application criteria, please visit the website. www.thepowertochange.org.uk/apply-igp
Carillion and Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Hospitals Trust’s Liverpool Community Fund aims to leave a legacy from the New Royal Liverpool Hospital project to both the City and the local community. The fund’s priorities are: Healthy living (5 ways to wellbeing); Building stronger communities; Cleaner, safer, greener communities; and Education. LCVS is administering the fund and applicants must be registered charities or have charitable aims as part of their governing document and must be able to demonstrate public benefit. The maximum amount available is £2,000. The closing date for application is 5pm, Monday 8th June. Decisions will be made in July 2015. For more information, including guidance notes and how to apply, please visit the LCVS website. www.lcvs.org.uk/help-with-money/default.phuse
Merseyside Funding Information Portal, an online resource that will give you all you need to know about funding your charitable or community work, whether you are an individual, community group, voluntary organisation, registered charity or social enterprise. In addition, information and support in tendering and procurement related opportunities for voluntary bodies are now offered through this portal. www.mfip.org.uk/
Funding alerts from Funding Central www.fundingcentral.org.uk
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Other interesting news…
Community Action Wirral’s community venues are now open for hire. Thank you to everyone who attended the Open Days at the new Community Action Wirral venues. We received valuable feedback on the day regarding how organisations would like to use the space and what they would like available to them. We have now purchased equipment and furniture based on your needs. So whether you want to raise funds with a pop-up shop, create a meeting space with Wi-Fi, tables, chairs, projector and smart board or provide training, these venues provide the perfect affordable space. Please note that the first 5 completed bookings are available for just £100 including deposit. To enquire or to book a venue, please call Thahera Begum or Karen Marie Crampton on: 0151 353 9700. Alternatively, email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Wirral Council has produced a document called ‘Life is Local’ Partnership Working with the Social Sector Wirral’s Blueprint. This document outlines the way in which they want to work with the Sector in the future. Comments can either be sent directly to [email protected] or, if you would like to keep them anonymous, please send your comments to [email protected] and Community Action Wirral will pull together a collective response. No deadline for comment has been given. However, it is recommended that the sector should inform this document as soon as possible to allow for any changes to be made before it goes through the appropriate channels for adoption. For the briefing document, please see the news article on this website: https://communityactionwirral.org.uk/wirral-councils-social-sector-blueprint-document-for-comment
IBM has a commitment to enabling and empowering local communities by using technology and business skills innovatively to make a difference. In this regard, IBM has brought back their ever popular skills workshops for small charities. The workshops are targeted at staff, volunteers and trustees of small charities that are looking to improve knowledge and understanding, develop skills or build confidence on a variety of topics. The workshops are delivered by teams of IBM volunteers – all of whom are committed to ensuring that you get the most out of your day. The workshops deliberately have a high level of volunteers to enable you to have personal and intensive coaching and support. For more information, including the full list of workshops, please visit the Small Charities Coalition website. www.smallcharities.org.uk/ibm-skills-workshops
Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce, LCVS and Institute of Fundraising NW are pleased to announce their next networking event: Fundraising Forum. The event will take place on Wednesday 3rd June, 17:30-19.30, at the Wildflower Centre. This is an absolute must for charitable organisations, particularly fundraisers and marketers, as well as businesses wanting to work with charities. Network with your peers, develop business contacts and discover more about fundraising with our Fundraising Panel. This event is provided for FREE! However, places fill up very quickly so make sure you book your place. To book, please visit: www.mychamber.co.uk/liverpool/event/view/id/3788#book or email: [email protected] . For more information about Charity Networking, please email: [email protected] .
A new book, Beyond the Collection Plate, by Steve Pierce, Director of Learning and Stewardship in the Diocese of Liverpool, has been published. It offers clear accessible advice which will be of value to everybody involved in the leadership and financial management of churches, as well as to community groups engaged in church fundraising activities. The book stresses the importance of stewarding existing resources and of cultivating generosity in church congregations; while considering how new income streams can be developed. Topics covered include planned giving, the role of Friends groups, trading, events and appeals, Gift Aid, digital giving and legacies. The book aims to open up ideas for generating new income streams and help users develop a strategy for funding the fabric, ministry and mission of their church. www.spmfundessentials.org/titles/beyond-the-collection-plate-developing-church-income-from-different-sources
Training provider Inspire, Motivate & Engage is donating 100 places on its online course range to charity staff. Each year the company commits to giving 5% of its turnover to charity. The course places will be given out on a first come, first served basis until 8th June. Charities can choose from the following online courses: Management & Leadership (Nationally accredited to Level 4 Award); Mini MBA Peak Performance & Productivity (Pass & Merit Award). The course prices usually range at £540-£648 per person, so if all places are taken up, this would mean IME’s gift-in-kind donation would be worth over £59,000. If you work for a charity and would like to secure one or more of the 100 free places, please visit the IME website: http://inspiremotivateandengage.com/contact and select ‘supporting charities with gift in kind training’ and then include your charity number or volunteer status (Source: UK Fundraising)
For more information on funding or to be added to the circulation list please contact Zel Rodgers – Funding Development Officer. Email [email protected] or call 0151 353 9700 ext 205
