2011 EPIC AWARDS

Provided by Voluntary Arts Network, the development agency for arts participation, the Epic Awards are designed to draw attention to work taking place within the voluntary and amateur arts sector. The awards aim to provide these groups with the opportunity to raise their profile and to win a package of prizes including training, equipment and publicity.

Following the success of the first Epic Awards in 2010, which ran across England only, the sponsor has decided to extend the 2011 scheme to groups across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The awards will be made under the following four categories:

• Engagement
• Partnerships
• Innovation
• Creativity

Successful groups receive an electronic Epic Award winner pack including logo and branding that can be used on all communication, if desired. The winner of each of the four categories will receive £250 worth of gift vouchers and runners-up will receive £100 worth of gift vouchers. These can be redeemed at GreatArt. Each winning group will also receive annual membership of Arts Development UK, worth £165.

Voluntary or amateur art and craft groups/organisations in the United Kingdom and Ireland are eligible to apply ie:

• those arts and crafts that people undertake for self-improvement, social networking and leisure, but not primarily for payment;
• groups that are self-organised;
• not-for-profit groups.

The deadline for receipt of entries is 11 November 2011 (5pm).

(Source: Grant Finder)

LLOYDS TSB - FUNDING STILL AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS IN WALES

This year, Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales celebrates its 25^th anniversary, and has £25m to give to charities that help disadvantaged people to play a fuller role in the community.

In Wales, the Foundation have already funded a wide range of charitable causes, including debt advice services, support for the deaf and hearing impaired, citizen advice bureaus and drug addiction support services. So far this year we have awarded £676,400 to charities in Wales, but we still have money available. Unlike many other grant makers, 70% of our funding goes towards core costs such as salaries, overheads, rent and project costs.

If your charity is registered with the charity commission, is helping disadvantaged people and you have 12 months of reserves or less, then the Foundation wants to hear from you. Visit the website www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk, have a look at the funding guidelines and complete the eligibility questionnaire. It only takes ten minutes and it will tell you instantly if your charity would be eligible for funding.

“We were recently awarded a grant for the salary of an Employment Officer to help our beneficiaries find job opportunities, write CVs and hone their interview skills. This position is key to the future of the charity’s employment programme and would not be possible without the willingness of Lloyds TSB Foundation to fund this core cost. Their understanding of our needs and flexibility towards our grant has been so refreshing.”

Mike Spence, the Fundraising Officer at the North Wales Deaf Association

(Source: Lloyds TSB Foundation)

ONE POWYS - MANY VOICES - DEADLINE APPROACHING

The Big Lottery Community Voice programme is a wonderful opportunity for groups to influence the way services are provided. It will be of interest to groups of individuals or established group interested in influencing decisions in your community and working together with local agencies to develop solutions and improve services.

The £12 million Community Voice Programme will fund and develop projects which will strengthen the influence of local communities on public services.

As your local County Voluntary Council, PAVO has been invited to submit a portfolio for consideration under the Community Voice programme. The portfolio for our county will be called One Powys - Many Voices. This links with Powys' new multi-agency draft plan for delivering public services, which is called "One Powys". We are now looking for up to 10 different projects, which can demonstrate how they help to deliver the outcomes of this plan.

If you would like further information you can:

• Discuss your ideas with PAVO officers by contacting Michele Muireasgha on telephone 01686 626220 or email michele.muireasgha@pavo.org.uk

• Request an information and application pack from Mandy Philips on telphone: 01597 822191 or email: mandy.phillips@pavo.org.uk

• Read this document about the "One Powys" Plan outcomes

• Check the Big Lottery website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/communityvoice

All Expressions of Interest need to be submitted to PAVO no later than 22^ndAugust 2011.

RUSHLIGHT AWARDS 2011

The Rushlight Awards recognise and reward leading public, private and voluntary sector organisations that have produced environmentally beneficial innovative and technological developments.

The scheme is open to organisations throughout the UK and Ireland that have developed a specific technology, process or initiative that has, or will have, a significant beneficial impact on the environment.

Organisations of all types and sizes are eligible to enter the awards, including public sector organisations, voluntary and community sector organisations, research institutions and private companies. Innovations or technologies entered into the awards must have taken place between 1 January 2008 and 31 July 2011.

There are 22 categories for application, which are spread over five groups:

• Natural Energy.
• Clean Energy.
• Energy Environmental.
• Resources Innovation.
• Environmental Management.

The 2011 Rushlight Awards have a prize fund worth £500,000 consisting of services donated by the programme's sponsors. Prizes are given for each category winner and for the overall winner for each category group. Each overall category group winner will also be forwarded for the main Rushlight Award.

The deadline for entries to the 2011 Rushlight Awards is 31 October.

http://www.rushlightawards.co.uk/

(Source: Grant finder)

BARING FOUNDATION - ARTS PROJECT PROGRAMME RE-OPENS

The Baring Foundation's Arts Project Programme has reopened for 2012.

The programme seeks to fund arts organisations in the United Kingdom that are currently working with older people that can demonstrate the impact their work is making on the quality of life and artistic practice of individuals or communities, and that need help with their core costs to help them to sustain or develop this work.

The programme aims to support arts organisations which are developing the wider community’s understanding and enjoyment of the contributions that older people make to society and the cultural life of the United Kingdom, as well as striving for a wider understanding of the diverse creative and cultural needs of older people.

Grants of up to £30,000 are available to voluntary arts organisations in the UK.

The deadline for applications is 30 September 2011.

Go to:
http://www.baringfoundation.org.uk/

(Source: Grant Finder)

Children in Need Surgery a great success

Last Thursday saw Andrea Powell, Children in Need National Officer for Wales, come to Llandrindod Wells, to meet with groups enquiring about the Children in Need Fund. All appointments were snapped up quickly. The day flew by with a wide variety of projects on the table.

Andrea is keen to come back to Powys again, so watch this space for more details.

Thanks to Andrea for coming and those groups that attended for making it such a success.

POWYS COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND - FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

PLEASE NOTE DEADLINE IS 26TH AUGUST 2011!!

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 go to: http://www.cfiw.org.uk/grants.html#powys

To obtain an application form please phone 02920 536590 or email: tom@cfiw.org.uk

The closing date for applications is 26th August 2011.