Funding For Credit Unions etc._Imminent Deadline

As part of it's work to try to re-balance the financial services market, the Friends Provident Foundation wishes to create conditions throughout the UK under which access to appropriate financial services might be permanently improved for those who are currently excluded, particularly those on low incomes or otherwise vulnerable to market failure.
Judgements will be made on the scope of the proposed work, rather than on the amounts required, but the Foundation does not expect to make financial commitments over £200,000 in cash terms.  The Foundation is willing to consider requests for loans, part-loans, underwriting, or other forms of financial support, in addition to grant funding.
Applications from any type of legally independent organisation within the UK, provided its work is legally charitable, will be considered.
Projects must contribute towards the achievement of the following specified outcomes:

• Shared vision.
• Universal banking access.
• Sustainable approaches to funding debt advice.
• Increasing savings.
• Clarification of the role of affordable credit.
• Sustaining the progress.

The next deadline for application is 13 November 2009.
See:  http://www.friendsprovidentfoundation.org

Wallace & Gromit

The Wallace & Gromit's Children's Foundation raises money to improve the quality of life for children in hospitals and hospices throughout the UK.
Grants are available for projects which are not directly funded by the NHS and enrich and enhance the lives of patients in hospitals and hospices in regional centres throughout the country.
Applications are welcomed from registered charities in the UK and preference will be given to projects conceived by and in children's hospitals and hospices.
The deadline for applications is 7 December 2009.

Procurement Made Easy...

I doubt that it is quite that. But this new guide produced by NCVO and NAVCA  looks like it should be essential reading for anyone considering tendering for contract-and there were quite a few at the PAVO's Grants Fit For Funding training session the other week so click here

Climate Change Grant Fund - Open to Applications

The third sector in Wales is being encouraged to lead the way in tackling climate change through this new scheme.  The Climate Change Grant Fund aims to help educate, inform and enable those wishing to lower the contribution of their community, organisation or group to climate change.


Grants of between £200 and £2,000, covering up to 100% of project costs are available to notfor-profit organisations that have not yet worked to combat climate change.  Examples of the types of projects and activities that could be funded include:

•    climate change awareness raising initiatives;
•    encouraging positive behaviour change amongst individuals and communities;
•    exploring and planning for the future impacts of climate change on the applicant organisation's activities and those it represents;
•    establishing links with other organisations/groups that have an established climate change remit;
•    learning from good practice/training; and
•    testing the feasibility of new ideas or new ways of working.

No website yet, but I guess it will be WAG-watch this space...


The deadline for receipt of applications is 1 March 2010.

Test Post

Yes, you who are among us...you can subscribe to updates via traditionla 'email' updates and this is a test to see how it looks and works....it's only  a test

Community Asset Transfer Fund

Launch of the Community Asset Transfer Fund for Public and Third Sector Organisations in Wales


From 27th October the Big Lottery Fund and the Welsh Assembly Government have opened to applications a new funding programme, providing capital and revenue grants to support the transfer of assets from public sector organisations to community ownership.


Through Community Asset Transfer Fund (CAT), up to £13 million will be invested in communities, helping them transfer, develop, manage, and sustain assets, such as land or buildings, thereby improving neighbourhoods and people's livelihoods.  The primary aim of the programme is to help communities become stronger and more sustainable.


Grants will be awarded up to the value of £800,000, including a combination of both capital and revenue costs.  Revenue grants range from £50,000 to £300,000 and capital grants range from £250,000 to £500,000.


Assets transferred from public sector bodies will be passed to enterprising organisations that actively involve and benefit the communities they serve, for example, those working towards improving the services and/or facilities.  Applications must be from cross-sector partnerships containing third sector organisations.  They must include at least one third sector organisation and one public sector organisation.


The CAT programme will be delivered via three competitive funding rounds.  Round 1 will comprise a Fast-track round, which has been introduced to enable early investment in projects that are fully developed and ready to start work immediately.  It is anticipated that rounds 2 and 3 will be launched during 2010.


The deadline for receipt of Round 1 applications, by Expression of Interest, is 4 December 2009.

Another short notice deadline but....

Learning Promotion Grants

Closing Date Friday 6^th November (for an event planned for the December /January Your, Your Choice, Your Action Campaign).

The closing date for the next round of Learning Promotion Grants is fast approaching, so if you have an idea for an event or a free taster course get your application in now!

You can apply for a grant of up to £1,000 to help:

·         Promote participation in learning.

·         Increase access to information, advice and guidance.

·         Facilitate the organisation of bite-size taster sessions

As a condition of the grant, all successful applicants must attend at least one of their county's Learning Festival Planning Group meetings (details will be supplied). Failure to do so may result in loss of the grant. Attendance at these meetings will facilitate even better support for you event.

If your organisation is already part of a Learning Festival Planning group you may still apply but, as direct funding to these groups is being increased this year, your application will be labeled as a lower priority than one from an organisation new to NIACE Dysgu Cymru's campaigns.

All applications are considered by our independent selection panel.

Apply for a grant here

and download the simple application form.