Smart Energy GB in Communities Fund – Open for Large Grants

Smart Energy GB has set up a new five-year fund to support community based organisations that provide information about how to get and use smart meters, especially for those who may face barriers to getting a smart meter.

The fund, which has been accepting applications for small grants since the scheme launched last month, is now inviting organisations with a wider regional reach working with Smart Energy GB’s priority groups to apply for a large grant. These organisations should be not-for-profit, eg, charities, clubs, social enterprises, residents associations, and parish councils.

The funding is intended to support the costs of activities that deliver results against one or more of the following outcomes:

   - Raising awareness of smart meters and understanding their key benefits.
   - Increasing interest in getting a smart meter installed.
   - Motivating people to use their smart meter.
   - Educating people on how to get the most benefit from using their smart meter.

The following are priority groups for 2016 (this may change in 2017):

   - District heating customers (district heating is a system where a communal source of heat is shared with other properties).
   - Lack of proficiency in English (or Welsh in Wales).
   - Lacking basic digital skills.
   - Learning disability.
   - Low literacy.
   - Memory impairment.
   - No personal internet access.
   - Off-gas grid customers.
   - Prepay customers.
   - Private tenants.
   - Severe or profound deafness.
   - Social housing tenants.

The funding can be used for the full costs needed to run the project, for example a proportion of staff salaries, room hire, equipment hire, transport costs, publicity materials, volunteer expenses, costs to support the grant monitoring requirements and other appropriate overheads.

This year's grant must be used by 31 December 2016.

Large Grant Expressions of Interest will be accepted until 10 July 2016.

https://www.cafonline.org/about-us/our-grant-programmes/smart-energy-gb-grant

(Source: Grantfinder)

Gimme, Gimme, Gimme! - A Guide to fundraising for small organisations

nfp Synergy have produced a guide to fundirasising for small organisations.

Click here to get a copy of the report.

(Source: nfp Synergy)

Powys Volunteer of the Year - new deadline

It's not too late to get your nominations in for the Powys Volunteer of the Year 2016.

The deadline has been extended to the 17th June 2016.

For more information go to:

http://www.pavo.org.uk/volunteering/powys-volunteer-of-the-year.html

Small charities ‘too afraid’ to ask for core costs, says major funder

Small charities ‘too afraid’ to ask for core costs, says major funder: Small charities risk a crisis because they are too afraid to apply for core costs, the director of funder the Garfield Weston Foundation said today.

The Gerard Palmer Eling Trust

The Gerald Palmer Eling Trust Company offers grants to small, local charitable organisations working in the UK undertaking charitable projects, particularly in the following fields:

o The relief of sickness and/or poverty;
o The advancement the Christian religion, more particularly according to the teaching and usage of the Orthodox Church;
o The advancement of medical research and the study of medicine; and
o To further other general charitable purposes.

During the financial year ending 31 March 2015, the Company made charitable donations totalling £231,391 (2014: £252,500) against the following categories:

o Church/Religion (£30,000);
o Conservation / Heritage / Arts (£6,000):
o Youth / Education / Community (£44,000);
o Social & Welfare / Support (£80,000);
o Overseas (£8,000);
o Medical Research / Support (£54,000); and
o Small Donations (£9,391).

Grant Awards are not made to individuals.

PLEASE NOTE: the Company does not maintain a website. Further information is, however, available on the Charity Commission website.

The application process is ongoing and interested applicants may apply at any time in writing to:

Jevan Booth
The Gerald Palmer Eling Trust Company
The Eling Estate Office
Wellhouse Hermitage
Thatcham
Berkshire RG18 9UF
Tel: 01635 200268
Email: charities@elingestate.co.uk

(Source: GRIN)

Charity Commission publishes updated fundraising guidance for trustees

Charity Commission publishes updated fundraising guidance for trustees

Crowdfunding - Make It Rain guide

Here's a useful guide about crowdfunding:

http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/about-us/news/free-guide-for-charity-crowdfunding-success-launched/

(Source: Institute of Fundraising)