Friday 28 January 2011

Tinkling the ivories

As a Development Officer, you never quite know what is going to be on the end of the phone, and no two enquiries are ever the same.

Back in August 2010, I received a phone call from Gwyneth Rowlands on behalf of the Victoria Hall in Llanwrtyd Wells. They were looking for funding for a new grand piano for the Hall. It’s fair to say that I thought this would be quite a challenge, and dutifully embarked on a funding search to see what would come up. I sifted through the results, leaving those most suitable, and contacted Gwyneth. It’s always a good idea to contact funders directly to see if your project /group meet the criteria / eligibility before going any further, and I passed this advice on to Gwyneth, offering further support as necessary.

Much of our work comes from groups looking for funding, so we are always hopeful that groups will keep in touch with us and let us know how they got on. So imagine my delight, when at an event in Llandrindod recently, I was approached by a lady from Llanwrtyd Wells. She told me that the funding search had been really useful, and that they had received £3000 from one of the trusts on the list! It was great to get some feedback. They are still looking for more money, but the award had made a tremendous difference to their ‘piano fund’.

At the very same event, I met up again with a group who had applied to a PAVO administered fund, and had been unsuccessful. Whilst disappointing, it still provided an opportunity to offer further support and think of other potential funds that they could apply to.

So, whether you are successful or not, PAVO Development Officers are here to support you, whatever the outcome.

Wednesday 26 January 2011

POWYS COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND

Stanley Bligh Memorial Fund - BRECKNOCKSHIRE

This fund aims to provide assistance to individuals or groups pursuing studies or activities in technical and vocational subjects in the arts or sciences (with a particular emphasis on forestry and agriculture).

Grants

Grants are available to fund 50% of costs up to a maximum of £500 for individuals and £1500 for groups.

Brecon Girls Grammar School Fund - BRECKNOCKSHIRE

This fund supports general education purposes for residents of the former County of Brecknockshire.

Grants

Grants are available to fund 50% of costs up to a maximum of £500 for individuals and £1500 for community and voluntary groups/organisations.

The Montgomeryshire District Trust Fund - MONTGOMERYSHIRE

This fund aims to provide facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation for the benefit of the inhabitants of Montgomeryshire with the object of improving the conditions of life for those inhabitants.

Grants

Grants of between £100-£1000 are available to fund a maximum of 50% of the costs of a project.


For more information about the Powys Community Endowment Fund and to obtain an application form please contact:

Tom Morris on 02920 536590 or email: tom@cfiw.org.uk

The extended closing date for applications is 1st March 2011.

NATIONAL LOTTERY AWARDS 2011

This annual awards scheme celebrates the UK's favourite Lottery funded projects. The awards recognise the dedication and commitment of people across the UK who use Lottery funding to improve the environment around them.

The winner in each category will receive a cash prize of £2000, which can be put towards their project.

Entries from each region and home nation will be shortlisted by a panel of judges. From these, the overall winners will be decided by a public vote. Only completed projects and those which can demonstrate public benefit can be considered.

ANY type of project that has been awarded and used Lottery funding may be considered.

CLOSING DATE: 18th FEBRUARY 2011

For more information go to:
http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
or phone: Matthew Mansfield on 020 7211 1855
or e-mail: matthew.mansfield@lotterygoodcauses.org.uk

CHILDREN IN NEED SMALL GRANTS PROGRAMME 2011

The Small Grant Programme awards grants of £10,000 or less per year and can be made for a maximum of three years.

Grants are made to not-for-profit organisations working to make a positive difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK. Examples can be seen at: bbc.co.uk/pudsey

Applications are encouraged from groups who haven't thought of applying previously, and from those who have already.

They are happy to talk ideas through if you are thinking of applying:
Call: 029 2032 2383 Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
Email: pudsey@bbc.co.ukl
Visit bbc.co.uk/pudsey

Tuesday 25 January 2011

SWIMATHON FOUNDATION GRANTS

The Swimathon Foundation offers grants to organisations which intend to encourage more people to enjoy swimming or and improve accessibility for people who want to swim in the UK.

Grants of between £300 and £2,500 are available to eligible organisations such as:

  • swimming pools;
  • community groups and organisations;
  • charities;
  • swimming clubs;
  • older people’s organisations;
  • youth groups;
  • sports clubs;
  • scout troops; and
  • healthy living groups.

Applicants must have the support of a pool participating in Swimathon.

Activities supported may include the following:

  • Fundraising events, galas or family fun days at a pool.
  • Community pool ‘open days’.
  • Extra floats for a swimming club to improve swimmers’ development.
  • Transport costs to take an elderly group to a pool.
  • Entrance fees for a scout group to a swimming pool.
  • Club scuba diving equipment to allow more people to try the sport.
  • Costs for an extra staff member to supervise a swimming trip so that more children can attend.

The first quarterly deadline for receipt of applications is 21 March 2011

For more information go to:

http://swimathon.org/page.php?page=tsf_Grants_Rules_Criteria

(Source: Grantfinder)

Friday 21 January 2011

ROSA CHALLENGE FUND

Rosa, the first UK fund to mobilise resources to advance women’s rights and equality, is inviting applications to its £100,000 challenge fund.

It is looking for "dynamic and exciting projects" that address its priorities of safety, leadership, economic justice, and heath and wellbeing, and that will "have a significant impact on the lives of women and girls in the UK".

Since it was established in 2008 the fund has made a number of smaller donations. Now though it plans to make larger grants, so expects to distribute the £100,000 among just two or three organisations.

The first stage in the application process is the submission of a two-page (A4) expression of interest. The deadline for submission is 17.00 on 10 February 2011. Shortlisted organisations will then be invited to submit a more detailed proposal.

www.rosauk.org

(Source: UK Fundraising)