Friday 27 May 2016

Vital work of charities damaged by fundraising, says Charity Commission chair

Vital work of charities damaged by fundraising, says Charity Commission chair: The “vital work” of charities has been damaged by aggressive fundraisers at some charities which had lost their way, the chair of the Charity Commission has written today in an article for The Times.

Thursday 26 May 2016

Big Energy Saving Network

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has relaunched the Big Energy Saving Network and is open to applications from third sector organisations in Great Britain.
DECC has launched the 2016/17 Big Energy Saving Network, a £1.7 million programme jointly funded by DECC and National Energy Action (NEA) to support eligible third sector organisations and community groups, deliver help and advice to vulnerable consumers.
This programme of training, support and grant funding is for legally constituted third sector organisations and community groups to deliver an extensive programme of outreach to vulnerable consumers, focused on helping them reduce their energy costs through assisted action on tariffs, switching and the take up of energy efficiency offers.
The programme has two objectives, which are:
  • To provide assisted action for the maximum number of vulnerable consumers possible with the funding available, helping them save money on their energy costs through attendance at BESN Champion and/or Volunteer led outreach sessions.
  • To deliver a training programme to frontline workers who come into regular contact with vulnerable consumers, in order that they can give direct help and advice to clients to help them save money on their energy costs where practical.
Each grant award is for a total of £5,000 per 'Champion', which is made up of an initial £4,000 grant to be followed by a further payment of up to £1,000 if the agreed objectives of the grant are met in full.
The funding can be used for staff costs, venue hire, publicity, printing, IT, translation costs, travel and other associated expenses to run events and/or make home visits.
The outreach programme will run through autumn/winter 2016/17, with outreach activity concluding on 24 March 2017.
The deadline for print applications is 8 July 2016. The deadline for applications submitted by email is 10 July 2016 (midnight).

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/big-energy-saving-network-grant-offer-fund

(Source Grantfinder)

HILDEN CHARITABLE FUND

The Hilden Charitable Fund provides grants to charities in the UK and non-governmental organisations in the developing world.
The average grant award is £5,000 and can include capital and revenue costs.
During the year ending 5 April 2015 the Fund received 819 requests for grant aid and awarded 102 grants totalling £472,300(2013/14: 836 applications resulting in 97 awards totalling £430,920.)  Grants are directed largely at supporting work at a local community level. 
The scheme particularly aims to fund projects that are concerned with:
o Asylum seekers;
o Community initiatives for young people aged 16-25;
o Homelessness;
o Penal issues; and
o Overseas projects.
Grants are available in developing countries for the following types of project: 
o Community development;
o Education; and/or
o Health.
The Fund particularly welcomes projects that address the needs and potential of girls and women.
For applications to the overseas category, applications will only be considered from UK charities working overseas which have:
o A history of working overseas for at least five years;
o An income of over £100,000 in their last two financial years, but not more than £500,000; and
o If they are working with partners overseas they should show that their partners have been in existence for at least three years and have an income of over £10,000.
Charities that are based overseas must have:
o A history of working for at least five years; and
o An income of over £25,000 in their last two financial years, but no more than £100,000.
PLEASE NOTE: grants are not made to individuals and are rarely given to well-funded national charities. 
Application forms are available to complete on the Fund’s website. However, the application form should then be printed out and returned to the Fund by post. 
The next application deadline is Monday 27 June 2016.
Contact details for the Hilden Charitable Fund are:
Mr R Hedley
The Hilden Charitable Fund
34 North End Road
London W14 OSH
Tel: 0207 603 1525
Email:
 hildencharity@hotmail.com
(Source: GRIN)

Monday 23 May 2016

EDGE FUND - OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

A message from the Edge Fund:

Summer is nearly upon us, and we have just opened a new funding round! In Round 5 we awarded about £40,000 to 30 groups, and this summer we are looking forward to helping support even more groups fighting for social change.

We support work run by and for communities facing discrimination and injustice. We fund work carried out by individuals and grass-roots groups in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England that find it difficult to get funding elsewhere. Specifically, we fund work that challenges abuses of power and aims to change society by bringing an end to the systems that cause injustice. While applicants may be working on short term reforms, we are looking for applicants that ultimately aim to end or replace these systems with a just alternative, rather than trying to improve or reform them. Check out our funding criteria and our values statement for more information. To give you a good idea of the kinds of groups we fund, you can also take a look at the ones we have previously funded.
How to apply
To apply for a grant of up to £3,000 you need to answer some questions about your group, and its activities – more details can be found here.  For this funding round, we have a new PDF application form that we hope will make the process a bit easier for applicants, but if you are having any difficulty at all, or if you have any questions about applying for funding, please get in touch.
The funding process is democratic and participatory, and involves people directly affected by the issues you are campaigning on. We hope this makes the process fair and accountable. Check out this page for more information about our funding process works.
The deadline for applications is midnight on the 3rd of July, and decisions about who gets funded will take place in the Autumn.

A recipe for the perfect funding application

Here's useful article from the Institute of Fundraising blog:

http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/blog/a-recipe-for-the-perfect-grant-application/

What do you think of the recipe?

Friday 20 May 2016

COMIC RELIEF REFRESHED GRANT STRATEGY NOW AVAILABLE

Comic Relief have refreshed their grant funding strategy and will be focusing on the following four areas:

(1) Building stronger communities to tackle deprivation and poverty
(2) Investing in children and young people to be ready for the future
(3) Empowering women and girls to be free to lead the lives they choose
(4) Improving the health and wellbeing of vulnerable and disadvantaged people

Please go to their updated website for more information.


(Source: Comic Relief)

Woodward Trust

The Woodward Trust provides grants to support smaller organisations with an annual turnover of less than £300,000 working to improve their local area.
The Trust offers the following types of funding:
o Small grants of £500-£5,000 (156 grants were made during the previous financial year, only 9 of which were for £3,000 or more);
o Large grants over £5,000 (only 4 grants were made in this category last year). Large grants are usually given to charities known to the Trustees; and
o Children's Summer Play Scheme grants, £200-£1,000 (76 grants were made last financial year). For the summer play scheme grants, the charities' annual income must be less than £100,000.
Funding is primarily for one-off projects, but the Trustees are willing to consider funding running costs, including core cost and salaries.
Applications must be in support of the following activities within the Trust's current funding priorities:
Children and young people who are isolated, at risk of exclusion or involved in anti-social behaviour;
Minority groups including refugees, gypsies and travellers. (projects that promote integration and community cohesion will be favoured):
Prisoners and ex-offenders (projects that help the rehabilitation and resettlement of prisoners and/or ex-offenders are supported as well as requests to help prisoners’ families);
Disability projectswhich can include rehabilitation and training for people who are either physically disabled or have a learning disability, as well as help to improve employment prospects;
Homelessness, especially affecting young people and women, and covering facilities such as women's refuges;
Arts outreach work by local groups for the benefit of disadvantaged people;
Environmental projects, especially with a strong educational element.
The Trust does not fund: 
o Charities whose annual turnover exceeds £300,000;
o Construction projects such as playgrounds, village halls, and disabled access;
o General school appeals including out of hours provision;
o Hospices;
o Medical research;
o Parish facilities;
o Playgroups and pre-school groups;
o Requests for vehicles;
o Individuals in any capacity; or
o Educational fees.
Application forms are available from the Trust's website
All applications must be supported by a detailed project budget. Applicants are asked not to send their annual report and accounts, unless these are unavailable on the Charity Commission website.
Applications are considered in January and July, with the exception of Play Scheme grants, which are considered in May.
The next deadline for small and large grants is Sunday 31 July 2016.
Contact details for The Woodward Charitable Trust are:
Mrs Karin Hooper
The Woodward Charitable Trust
The Peak
5 Wilton Road
London SW1V 1AP
Tel: 020 7410 0330
Email:
 contact@woodwardcharitabletrust.org.uk

(Source: GRIN)

Thursday 19 May 2016

HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND - FIRST WORLD WAR FUNDING SUPPORT WORKSHOP

     

Help the Homeless

The principal objective of Help the Homeless is to support the care and treatment of the single homeless. The charity acknowledges that the reasons for homelessness are varied and often complex, involving ill health, addiction or adverse circumstances. The charity considers homelessness to be not just about the people that the public sees and thinks about —principally "rough sleepers" living on the streets — but the whole range of people who lack a home.
Help the Homeless grants are aimed at projects to find practical ways to help disadvantaged individuals return to the community through training or residential facility provision, rather than merely providing short term shelter.
Grants up to £5,000 are available for small and medium sized charities with a turnover of under £1 million per annum. Very occasionally grants of over £5,000 are awarded.
Help the Homeless distributed grants totalling £99,810 during the financial year ending 31 March 2015.
30 organisation were supported during the year, including:
Freedom Social Projects, Barnstaple (£3,000);
Hope Housing, Bournemouth (£3,000);
The Seaview Project, St. Leonards-on-Sea (£3,000); and
Progressive Lifestyles, Liverpool (£2,000).
The Fund will only consider supporting capital costs.
Applicants requiring funding for building work and refurbishment are asked to contact CRASH - the construction industry's charity for homeless people - for advice.
Funding is not available to individuals or for computers and IT equipment.
The remaining 2016 application deadlines are:
o Wednesday 15 June;
o Thursday 15 September; and
o Thursday 15 December.
Application forms can be downloaded from the Help the Homeless website.
Completed forms should be returned with a copy of the organisation's most recent audited annual accounts.
Contact details for Help the Homeless are:
Terry Kenny
Help the Homeless
6th Floor
248 Tottenham Court Road
London W1T 7QZ
Email:
 HTH@help-the-homeless.org.uk

(Source: GRIN)

Tuesday 17 May 2016

ADINT CHARITABLE TRUST

The Adint Charitable Trust makes grants of between £250 and £15,000 to registered charities for general charitable purposes, but has a preference for charities working in the fields of education, training, disability, sport and/or recreation.
During the financial year ending 5 April 2015 the Trust made 42 awards totalling £301,500 (2014: 38 awards totalling £301,000). The average grant award was just over £7,000.
Previous awards indicate that charities with a regional or national remit or significance are more likely to receive funding. Recent grant awards have included:
Action on Hearing Loss (£5,000);
Bag Books (£5,000);
Blind in Business (£10,000);
Blind Veterans UK (£10,000);
Fareshare (£20,000);
Lupus UK (£5,000);
St. Loyes Foundation (£10,000) and
St. Mary-le-Bow Young Homeless Project (£10,000).
PLEASE NOTE: the Trust does not maintain a website. Further information is however available on the Charity Commission website.
Applications should be in writing to the address below and include full details of the charity for which funding is requested.
Requests are considered throughout the year at regular Trustees’ meetings. No acknowledgements are sent out to unsuccessful applicants.
Contact details for the Trust are:
Mr. Douglas Oram FIH MCIPS
The Adint Charitable Trust
Suite 512
517 Finchley Road
London NW3 7BN
Email:
 adintct@gmail.com

(Source: GRIN)

Welsh Government Launches Rural Community Development Fund (RCDF) for 2014-2020

The Rural Community Development Fund has been set up to enable for small-scale infrastructure projects to improve community cohesion in rural areas of Wales.
The fund is intended to support:

  • Improvement or expansion of local basic services.
  • Community transport and connectivity.
  • Renewable energy projects.
  • Village renewal and public amenities.
For support for drawing up development plans and protection and management plans, the maximum grant contribution will be no more than: 50% of eligible costs. A minimum limit of grant of £400 will apply.
For support for studies and investments for maintenance, restoration and upgrading of cultural and natural heritage, the maximum grant contribution from the grant level will be no more than: 50% of eligible costs. A minimum limit of grant of £400 will apply.
For facilitating the supply and use of renewable sources of energy, of by-products, wastes and residues and of other non-food raw material, for the purposes of the bio-economy, fostering local development in rural areas and enhancing accessibility to, use and quality of information and communication technologies (ICT) in rural areas, the maximum grant contribution will be no more than 80% of the total eligible project costs.
A minimum limit of grant of £2,400 will apply.
For small-scale infrastructure investments the maximum grant per project is £128,000 towards a total project cost of £160,000.
Examples of the kinds of activities that would be eligible under RCDF include the following:

  • Support for drawing up development plans and protection and management plans.
  • Support for investments in the creation, improvement or expansion of all types of small scale infrastructure, including investments in renewable energy and energy saving.
  • Support for broadband infrastructure, including its creation, improvement and expansion, passive broadband infrastructure and provision of access to broadband and public e-government.
  • Support for investments in the setting-up, improvement or expansion of local basic services for the rural population including leisure and culture, and the related infrastructure.
  • Support for investments for public use in recreational infrastructure, tourist information and small scale tourism infrastructure.
  • Support for studies and investments for maintenance, restoration and upgrading of cultural and natural heritage.
Businesses, public and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations in rural areas of Wales may be eligible to apply.

The second EOI round is open until the 30th June 2016.
 
For further information, guidance notes and the expression of interest form visit -http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/cap/ruraldevelopment/wales-rural-development-programme-2014-2020/rural-community-development-fund/?lang=en
For all enquiries contact RCDF@wales.gsi.gov.uk


(Source: Arwain)

Commission to hold public meeting in Llandrindod Wells - 7th June 2016

http://www.pavo.org.uk/home/latest-news/latest-news-article/article/commission-to-hold-public-meeting-in-llandrindod-wells.html

Monday 16 May 2016

Volunteering in Powys



Please help us by completing this short 7 question survey

PAVO, working with the multi agency Volunteering Project Board aims to survey organisations who work with volunteers with a view to ascertain information about current and future volunteering projects. 
Together we can show the huge range of volunteers in Powys!

Please click HERE to answer this short 7 question survey in English or for the Welsh version click HERE

Thursday 12 May 2016

Reserves - How much should you hold?

Here's an interesting article about how much money a charity should hold in its reserves when applying for grant funding.

http://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2016/may/11/charity-reserves-how-much-too-much?CMP=ema-1695&CMP=

(Source: Guardian Voluntary Sector Network)

Money Saving Expert (MSE) Charity Launches Special Innovation Round

The MSE Charity is running a special Innovation Round whilst it is in a period of strategic review during which its normal grant giving is on hold.
Not-for-profit constituted groups/organisations within the UK that are previous applicants, existing grant holders as well as those that have never applied for an MSE Charity grant before are eligible to apply for this unique grant round.
The Innovation funding is available for applications that deliver financial capability. This means improving people's ability to manage their financial situation and developing their financial skills and knowledge. Applications must be innovative, testing out ideas that are genuinely new; that as far as possible do not overlap with projects funded by other funders.
Grants of between £2,000 and £15,000 are available for projects that are likely to be completed in one year; however, applications for up to three years will be considered.
The Charity's normal grants programme is expected to resume later in 2016. According to the MSE Charity, details will be posted well in advance online.
The deadline for applications is 10 June 2016 (5pm).

Wednesday 11 May 2016

Tuesday 10 May 2016

There's still time to nominate for Powys Volunteer of the Year!

The 2016 Powys Volunteer of the Year Awards is now open for nominations!

Do you know someone who gives the time willingly and goes above and beyond the call of duty?


Last year's awards gave just a snapshot of the voluntary work that is undertaken by volunteers all over the county.

Tessa Bradley won the Community Champion category last year

Tessa has been volunteering for the past two and half years.  Tessa helped to establish the Llandrindod Wells Foodbank in partnership with the New Life Church, after researching and identifying that there was a need for a foodbank in Llandrindod.
She now:
  •         manages the foodbank voluntarily,
  •         looks after volunteers, which she has helped recruit
  •       raises awareness,
  •        liaises with local businesses and referral agencies
  •        and assesses needs  and finds solutions in relation to the Foodbank

The foodbank also now serves the areas of Rhayader, Builth, Wells, Llanwrtyd Wells and Llanidloes.
She volunteers for up to 20 hours a week.
Her nominator said:
“She has established a facility that many hundreds of people have already benefitted from and who and very thankful for her vision, dedication and hard work”.

Tessa receiving her award form the High Sheriff of Powys 

So don't delay nominate today.  Nomination papers can be found here, and you can nominate an individual or an organisation.

Monday 9 May 2016

PAVO OUTREACH 2016

PAVO OUTREACH SURGERIES - We are coming to a town near you! 
Does your organisation need funding support or a Funding Health Check?  Have you got an issue around governance? Would your trustees like support to understand what their role is?  Would you like to discuss potential project ideas? 
Come along for a chat with a PAVO development officer to find out how PAVO can support you.
We hope to see you there:


MONTH
LOCATION
MAY 2016
Wednesday 11th May
Crickhowell
Friday 20th May
Llanfair Caerinion  (Welsh speaking staff available)
JUNE 2016
Tuesday 7th June
Rhayader
Thursday 16th June
Hay on Wye
Tuesday 28th June
Ystradgynlais
JULY 2016
Thursday 7th July
Llanrhaeadr (Welsh speaking staff available)
Wednesday 13th July
Welshpool
Friday 22nd July
Brecon
SEPTEMBER 2016
Wednesday 7th September
Presteigne
Thursday 15th September
Machynlleth (Welsh speaking staff available)
Wednesday 28th September
Rhayader
OCTOBER 2016
Thursday 13th October
Llanwrtyd Wells
Tuesday 18th October
Talgarth
Friday 28th October
Knighton
NOVEMBER 2016
Wednesday 16th November
Llanfyllin
Thursday 24th November
Llanidloes


JANUARY 2017

Tuesday 10th January
Newtown
Thursday 19th January
Llandrindod Wells
FEBRUARY 2017

Tuesday 7th February
Montgomery
Friday 10th February
Llandrinio (Welsh speaking staff available)
MARCH 2017

Wednesday 8th March
Brecon
Friday 17th March
Builth Wells

To avoid disappointment and make an appointment please contact PAVO on 01597 822191 to book a place.    If you would like us to visit your area to hold an outreach in your community please contact john.davies@pavo.org.uk
Can you offer us a venue to hold our outreach sessions?  Contact us on 01597 822191 if you can help!

Ministry of Defence Launches Aged Veterans Fund (UK)

The Government has opened the Aged Veterans Fund to Expressions of Interest from across the UK.
In August 2015, HM Treasury allocated £25 million (£5 million a year, for five years) to the Aged Veterans Fund.
The funding is aimed at projects that support non-core health, wellbeing and social care needs for UK veterans born before 1 January 1950 and who live permanently in the UK. This includes veterans who have survived World War Two, those who undertook National Service and other voluntary enlisted veterans who may need some focused support in relation to their health and social care needs. Projects should have a real and lasting impact on the quality of life of lives of older veterans and directly benefit them and support them. Although families and carers may also benefit from the projects indirectly, no individual may receive any cash benefit.
Priority will be given to projects which directly benefit older veterans in the following ways:
  • Practical support and companionship to improve older veteran's wellbeing.
  • Providing services to assist individuals in the completion of personal paperwork.
  • Projects to build or enhance access to centres where elderly veterans can meet and avoid isolation.
The funding is for projects which are broadly accessible, as well as those that are targeted at the oldest and most infirm, who have clear support physical and emotional needs to live independently and avoid isolation.
The Government is 'particularly keen' to see portfolio applications from not-for-profit organisations that have a good track record of managing similar strategic partnership projects across regions and nationally. In this case, 'portfolio' refers to a 'linked collection of projects coordinated by the lead organisation and provided by suitable partner organisations'.
The lead organisation must be a registered charity with a track record of managing large strategic projects and the capacity to manage and coordinate the provision of the proposed portfolio. Both the lead partner and the portfolio partners must have expertise in the subject area and engage with the beneficiaries.
The deadline for Expressions of Interest is 1 July 2016 (noon).

(Source: Grantfinder)

M&S Energy - Community Energy Fund Competition Open to Applications (GB)

Funding is available to enable communities in Great Britain to generate renewable energy and become environmentally and financially sustainable.
The Community Energy Fund Competition is open to applications for 2016.
Funding for this competition is provided by M&S Energy which is owned by the retailer Marks & Spencer.
The Fund aims to enable more communities to generate renewable energy and become environmentally and financially sustainable.
Not-for-profit organisations in Great Britain can apply for funding for renewable energy projects that can demonstrate they have the support of their local community. Grants can be used for all capital costs relating to the installation of the specified technology.
Funding is available for community groups that require a maximum of £12,500 for the installation of a specified technology. The amount o f £12,500 will be available to one community group within each M&S region.
There is also a minimum allocated funding of £20,000 which will be split between the most inspiring and innovative projects.
Shortlisted applicants will need to organise support from their community to vote for their campaign on the competition website.
The deadline for applications is 31 May 2016.


(Source: Grantfinder)

Ministry of Defence Covenant Fund Opens for UK Applications

The Ministry of Defence’s Covenant Fund 2016/17 is now open for applications for three of the four new priorities.
The Covenant Fund, an enduring fund established in August 2015, provides £10 million each year to support the armed forces community across the UK.
The Fund is currently accepting applications for the following priorities:
Veterans' Gateway
A single grant of up to £2 million for a two-year pilot project to set up a single 24/7 multi-media point of contact for veterans seeking assistance. It will refer callers to existing service providers across the UK, and then follow up with the caller to ensure that they got the advice they needed. It will not compete, replicate or in any way undermine existing charities’ or government departments’ helplines. It will not provide any services but it will filter the right person to the right charity and increase the demand on their services and expertise. The Veterans’ Gateway will be funded as a two year project, with the aim that it became self-financing within those two years.
Families in Stress
Local charities or community interest companies that provide specialist services, working in close partnership with military bases can apply for grants of between £20,001 and £300,000.
Eligible projects should support families of serving personnel who are experiencing a significant stressful life event and would benefit from an intervention from a provider who can offer specialised, localised (or easily accessible) and immediate support. These life events could include: life-changing injury, bereavement, domestic abuse, relationship break-up, those subject to the civil or service justice system or mental health issues. Beneficiaries should be the families of serving personnel based both in the UK and overseas. Projects must either be new or enhance the support that is already available with an emphasis on long-term self-sufficiency. Projects should fill gaps in provision and not replicate or replace services already provided, nor create dependency. This priority will not fund capital schemes such as play parks or projects that extend to families of veterans.
Community Integration/Delivery of Local Services
Charities (including community interest companies); schools; local authorities and Armed Forces units with a UIN can apply for grants of up to £20,000. Applicants are expected to have experience and a track record of working with the Armed Forces Community, as well as a real understanding of the issues facing the Armed Forces Community.
Eligible projects should respond to the local needs of the Armed Forces Community and improve recognition of the Armed Forces Covenant, and:
  • Help integrate Armed Forces and civilian communities across the UK, and/or
  • Deliver valuable local services to the armed forces community.
The deadline for applications to the Veterans' Gateway is 1 July 2016.
The deadline for applications to Families in Stress and the Community Integration/Delivery of Local Services is 22 June 2016.

People's Postcode Trust - Small Grants Programme Opens for Round 1

The People's Postcode Trust’s Small Grants Programme is now open to applications from England, Scotland and Wales for the first of two funding rounds this year.
The Trust wants to make the world a better place through short-term funding for projects that help to prevent poverty, support healthy living initiatives and uphold human rights for some of society's most vulnerable groups. It will also consider projects which help different communities come together for better understanding and community relations.
The Trust offers funding to help organisations find real solutions to tackling the root causes of poverty and its long-term consequences by, for example, helping people gain the skills, knowledge and resources they need to lift themselves out of poverty. Poverty prevention can focus on relieving other needs, such as those associated with ethnicity, geography, gender and lack of educational and skills development.
Examples of projects which may fit within the Trusts criteria are:
  • Training programmes to boost skills and opportunities for disadvantaged groups.
  • Homelessness support.
  • Prevention of anti-social behaviour in young people.
  • Support for at-risk families (parenting support).
  • Improvements to physical and mental health.
  • Promotion of human rights.
  • Services around domestic violence.
  • Integrating refugees.
Grassroots organisations, local charities and non-profit community businesses that are seeking to effect positive change within their local area in England, Scotland and Wales are eligible to apply.
Grants range from £500 to £20,000 for those in Scotland and England and up to £10,000 for those in Wales.
The first deadline for applications is 31 May 2016.