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Surrey Community Action have introduced Funding Alerts to ensure that the Voluntary and Community Sector in Surrey has up to date information about new grants and is aware of changes to the criteria for existing grant funds.

Immediately below is our latest Funding Alert and at the bottom of the page are links to previous Alerts.

If you would like to be notified by Email whenever a new Funding Alert is posted on this page, please send your request to Jackie Hetherington at

Funding Alert No 26: June 2008

Playground Partnerships 2008

Available to mainstream primary and special schools, this scheme provides financial support to turn ideas for improving playgrounds into a reality.

Different sized awards are available - £1,000, £2,000, £5,000 or £10,000 - and schools that have already embarked on playground improvements can also still apply.

All schools that are short-listed will receive at least £250. Schools wishing to apply will need to order the free Playground Partnerships resource pack. To be considered for an award, schools need to submit a folder of work ('portfolio of evidence') and completed application form (mainstream or special school) by post. Applicants are encouraged to:
- develop a pupil-led approach;
- involve the whole school;
- encourage input from the wider school community, and
- include pupils with special educational needs.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 18 July 2008.

Further information: http://www.playgroundpartnerships.org/staff-room.php.

myplace – new Youth Facilities Programme

myplace is the name of the new three year £190m scheme managed by the Big Lottery Fund but funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). £160m will be available in year one of which up to £50m is dedicated through the fast-track application route.

Funded projects must deliver all the following outcomes:

• more young people, parents and communities feel that young people have exciting and safe places to go in their leisure time where they can get involved in an attractive range of activities;
• more young people, particularly the most disadvantaged, participate in positive leisure time activities that support their personal and social development;
• more young people have access to information, advice and support services from within places they feel comfortable;
• stronger partnership working between local authorities, third, private and public sector partners to plan, deliver and operate financially sustainable youth facilities with and for young people.
myplace will only fund projects that will deliver on all four of these outcomes and demonstrate evidence of the real participation of young people, particularly disadvantaged young people, in the development, design and future of running of the project.

All projects will need to demonstrate genuine cross-sector partnership between public sector bodies and third and/or private sector organisations. All bids will be expected to have the full endorsement of the top-tier local authority.

The fast-track will enable early investment in projects that are already well developed and therefore able to submit robust business and capital plans with their application. This will enable final investment decisions to be made on the basis of the single application.

The deadline for fast track applications is 29 July 2008 and the deadline for the standard route is 30 September 2008.

Further information: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_myplace.htm

Vcashpoint - Funding for Young Volunteers

Vcashpoint is giving away £1 million to 16-25 year olds in England who want to set up their own volunteering project in their community. Vcashpoint funds new projects that are led by young people and really make a difference to the community.

Projects should create at least three new opportunities for young people to volunteer and you can apply for up to £2,500. Some ideas that are suggested are: 'running activities for children, transforming a community space, supporting victims of bullying, running workshops for young people, setting up a campaign, clearing up a beach, running music, art or sports events for disadvantaged people, organising a festival to bring different cultures or communities together… or something totally different…'. Vcashpoint must be the only source
of funding for the project.

The Deadline for applications is 18 July 2008. Projects must start: 26 September – 26 December 2008. Projects must finish within 6 months after the project start date.

Further information: http://www.vinspired.com


2008 Guardian Charity Awards

Small and medium-sized charities that have made outstanding and valuable contributions to social welfare in the community are invited to apply to this annual award scheme. Charities of this size are seen to have the flexibility, creativity and direct contact with the community to enable fresh thinking to flourish.

Five winning charities will each be awarded the following:

• £6,000.
• A brand new PC.
• A half-day consultancy session and follow-up support for six months.
• A tailored package of media services.

To be eligible, charities must have been registered in the UK for more than two years and have an annual income of between £5,000 and £1 million.

The winning charities will be announced at a prestigious award ceremony in December 2008.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 1 August (5pm).

Further information: http://society.guardian.co.uk/voluntarysectorawards


Veolia Environmental Trust

This Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) distributor can provide grants of up to £150,000 towards environmentally focused projects. Projects range from reclaiming land that has been disused or used as a landfill site, installing and refurbishing play facilities, improving the natural habitat and encouraging biodiversity through the creation of nature reserves and preserving or restoring buildings of historical or religious importance.

To qualify projects must be located within 5 miles of a Veolia Environmental Services facility. Due to a recent increase in demand for funding, organisations interested in applying for funding must now submit an outline proposal.

The next closing date for projects in the London and Southern regions is 11 August.

Further information: http://www.veoliatrust.org.


Community Sustainable Energy

This £8m scheme provides funding to community-based organisations for the installation of microgeneration technologies (i.e. solar panels, wind turbines) and energy efficiency measures (i.e. loft and cavity wall insulation). There are two types of grant available:

Project Development Grants – Up to £5,000 for studies investigating the feasibility of installing any combination of the microgeneration technologies

Capital Grants – Up to £50,000 for the purchase and installation of microgeneration technologies and energy efficiency measures.

The 2008 deadlines for applications are 15 August and 7 November.

Further information: Tel: 0845 3 671 671;
Email: info@communitysustainable.org.uk
Internet: http://www.communitysustainable.org.uk


Mediabox: Re-opens

Mediabox has re-launched the Mid and Big Mediabox grants which support and distribute youth-led media projects expressing young people’s ideas and views in a creative way. There are two levels of grant

• Mid Mediabox – up to £20,000.
• Big Mediabox –up to £40,000.

Both Mid and Big Mediabox are open to youth and/or media focused organisations.

The final deadline for applications for 2008 is 19 August.

Further information:
Tel: 0121 753 4866
Email: guidelines@media-box.co.uk
Internet: http://www.media-box.co.uk

Preventing Violent Extremism: Community Leadership Fund

The purpose of this grants programme is to build the capacity of Muslim communities to take practical steps to reject violent extremism and feel a welcome part of wider British society.
The Fund focuses on the following five strands:

• Capacity of organisations and communities.
• Supporting Muslim young people.
• Supporting Muslim women.
• Capacity of Muslim faith leaders.
• Local forums against extremism and Islamophobia.

Funding for the first four strands of work will be limited to projects which have national reach/significance. Funding for the fifth strand of work will go to projects which are delivered locally.

Eligible applicants are voluntary, not-for-profit organisations with charitable, philanthropic or benevolent purposes, which are based and working in England. Applications are not limited to organisations that define their purposes in terms of the Muslim faith; organisations of any faith or none may apply provided that they can show that their proposal meets the relevant criteria.

Grant funding may be spent on start-up costs, staff costs, running costs and training costs. Capital expenditure can only be funded if it is linked directly to the project and totals less than 50% of the grant requested.

The next deadline for applications is 30 September 2008.

Further information:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/communityleadershipfund

Jephcott Charitable Trust

JCT makes grants for charitable purposes in four main areas:

• population control,
• the natural environment,
• education, and
• health.

The Trust gives priority to one-off payments to projects that are experiencing difficulty in getting started or obtaining funding elsewhere. Grants are typically between £2,000-10,000.

The Trustees normally meet in April and October each year.

Further information:
http://www.jephcottcharitabletrust.org.uk

Futurebuilders: Relaunched

Futurebuilders will be seeking applications from third sector groups working across all public service areas who are looking to win contracts with statutory bodies such as local authorities, primary care trusts and learning/skills councils.

When it was established in 2004, the fund was only open to organisations working within the areas of crime, community cohesion, children and young people, education and learning, and health and social care. With an additional £65m to invest million – the eligibility criteria has been widened.

Applicants can now be organisations working across all areas of public service delivery including sport, recreation and leisure, environmental projects, waste and recycling, legal aid and the arts, it is expected that there will be a significant increase in applications.

Further information:
Tel: 0191 261 5200;
Internet: http://www.futurebuilders-england.org.uk


Goal Post Safety Scheme

The scheme provides grants of up to £3,000 for schools to replace unsafe goalposts. The grant can cover up to 50% of the costs of replacing goals which fail to meet the appropriate British Standards, as well as providing funding for New goals.

The goals targeted for replacement include those that are/have:
• pre-1996
• metal cup hooks on posts and crossbars
• wooden
• freestanding
• mini-Soccer goals which are now incomplete
• corroded or rusted

To be eligible for funding the goals need to be purchased through Football Foundation approved suppliers.

Further information: http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk

Kellogg's Active Living Fund

The Kellogg's Active Living Fund gives small grants to fund projects and activities that directly lead to people taking part in sustained physical activity.

Applications can be considered for projects engaging with young people up to 25 years of age. However, priority will be given to applications requesting support for family units – children and adults undertaking physical activity together. The fund is particularly interested in projects that are innovative in their approach to involve children or young people and their families.
Further information: http://www.kelloggs.co.uk/company/corporateresponsibility/activelivingfund

Money Saving Expert Charity

This is a new organisation which provides grants to groups/charities looking to develop projects aimed at providing better financial education.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available to constituted groups. Examples of projects include self-help groups and other innovative projects that will help educate people about money/debt/consumer issues.

There is a separate grant scheme for individuals who can get help towards the costs of attending a recognised and approved course aimed at improving their ability to budget and manage their own finances.

Further information: http:// www.msecharity.com

Arts Council England

Changes to the Grants for the Arts programme came into effect on 20 May 2008.

Key differences are:
• three new additions to the eligibility criteria;
• changes to the application form;
• changes to how applications will be assessed.

The main focus of Grants for the Arts remains individuals and smaller arts organisations, although larger organisations and regularly funded organisations can still apply. Existing requirements for RFO applications still pertain.

Further information: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding

Gift Aid

For donations made by donors on or after 6 April 2008, charities will claim Gift Aid repayments at the new basic tax rate of 20 per cent but they will also be entitled to transitional relief worth 3p for every £1 donation they receive as Gift Aid. This transitional relief has been provided to allow charities to adjust to the fall in basic rate tax from 22 per cent to 20 per cent, and will be paid in respect of all qualifying Gift Aid donations made between 6 April 2008 and 5 April 2011. This means that for every pound donated under the Gift Aid scheme the charity will continue to receive 28p. Charities don’t have to do anything extra to benefit from this transitional relief; HMRC will pay it automatically along with Gift Aid tax repayments.

Further information:
Tel: 0845 302 0203;
Internet: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/budget08-announcements.htm

NCVO: Social Enterprises

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations has produced useful introductory guides for groups interested in social enterprises.

Further information:
Tel: 0800 2 798 798;
Internet: http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk

Volunteering: Good practice handbook

Goldstar, the organisation dedicated to promoting good practice in managing volunteers from socially excluded groups, has developed a useful FREE handbook to guide voluntary and community groups.

There are eight sections covering:
• Targeting
• Recruitment
• Matching Volunteers
• Progression Pathways
• Training and Induction
• Support and Supervision
• Involvement and Recognition
• Effective Management

Further information:
Email: info@grantsadmin.co.uk
Internet: http://www.goldstar.org.uk

Previous Funding Alerts - please click on links below to view

Funding Advice

Please contact Pauline, Surrey Community Action's Funding & Resource Adviser through the following link if you would like information on sources of funding or resources for your community or voluntary group click here