Do you run a local community group or organisation? Are you interested in finding out more about what funding might be available for you to apply for?
Yes?
Then read on...
In this 4-part series, we bring you news of over 20 different funds to which you can apply for pots of money to help with a whole range of projects. Here are the first 6 of those opportunities
1. Community Learning Innovation Fund open for applications (England)
Deadline: Projects of £50,000 or more is 28 June 2012, noon. Projects less than £50,000 is 5 July 2012, noon.
The Community Learning Innovation Fund, a new fund designed to support new and imaginative community learning opportunities that encourage adults to take up, succeed and progress in learning, is now open for applications.
Organisations from across England can bid for their share of £4 million from the Community Learning Innovation Fund for projects to develop and offer creative learning opportunities that engage and motivate, in particular, disadvantaged adults. Projects will be funded to run from September 2012 to 31 July 2013. The maximum amount for any bid is £65,000 and the minimum is £10,000. Read more at: http://tinyurl.com/chv4spp
2. BT Community Connections – now open
Deadline: 7 September 2012, 5.30pm
If you know of a community group which helps, or wants to help, people access the internet and improve their ICT skills, they could be eligible to receive 12 months free broadband from BT. Silver surfers, after school and youth clubs, even 'IT for the Terrified' groups have benefited from an award in the past and are now encouraging even more people to get online. Read more at: http://www.btcommunityconnections.com/
3. IdeasTap – Ideas Fund Innovators
Deadline: 22 June 2012
IdeasTap is an arts charity established to help young, creative people at the start of their careers and is responsible for providing Ideas Fund Innovators. The scheme aims to provide assistance to projects that are inspiring, original, innovative and that can be delivered in all creative disciplines. In the past everything from dance and film projects to music videos and photography collectives have been funded. Read more at: http://tinyurl.com/7469mr3.
4. Nominet Trust Launches New £2 Million Digital Edge Programme (UK)
The Nominet Trust has announced that it is inviting applications for funding through its new £2 million Digital Edge programme. Through the programme organisation can apply for grants to fund projects that address key challenges faced by young people through the innovative uses of digital technologies. Challenges such as high unemployment, social exclusion and low political engagement; etc. Through this programme, the Trust are specifically looking for ideas and projects that demonstrate an ambition to create substantial social value for young people and the communities in which they live.
As such, we place high value on applications that:
o Present strong arguments for how they respond to the specific areas set out in this call
o have been co-designed with young people and the ‘users’ of any digital product or service
o will be delivered by teams that include young people as key workers
o have an identified path to sustainability, scalability or growth.
Organisations that can apply for funding include not-for-profits organisation; schools, PTAs, universities or other educational establishments; statutory bodies e.g. local authorities; social enterprises; and other grant-making bodies to make awards on behalf of the Nominet Trust. There is no upper or lower funding limit as the Trust like to encourage applicants to be realistic about what they need to achieve their project objectives.
The closing date for applications is the 5th September 2012. Read more at: http://www.nominettrust.org.uk/how-to-apply/areas-investment/digital-edge
5. Educational Endowment Fund (England)
The Education Endowment Fund (EEF) has announced that it is seeking applications from schools and other not for profit organisations such as local authorities, universities, colleges, academy chains, mutuals and co-operatives for projects that address educational disadvantage. In particular, the Foundation is seeking to support projects that focus on innovations and on scaling up projects successful projects. As part of the EEF's grant funding agreement with the Department for Education they are required to target their funds for the first two years at children entitled to free school meals attending those schools which are not meeting the Government's floor targets for attainment and progression. The Foundations would typically expect their smallest grant to be in the order of £50,000 a year and to reach at least 100 students.
The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 5th October 2012. Read more at: http://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/apply-for-funding/timeline-and-process/
6. Government Announces Second Funding Round for Ultrafast Broadband (UK)
The Government has published the bidding guidance for the second funding round to help roll out superfast Broadband within the UK. Under this funding round, 27 cities can bid for a share of a £50 million pot to help them roll out ultrafast broadband. The aim of the fund is to promote economic growth and attracting new investment. Super-Connected City Plans are invited from the City Authorities of Chartered UK cities with 45,000 core urban dwellings or more (35,000 in Northern Ireland).
City authorities must lead proposals but should work closely with any other relevant local bodies, for example, Counties, LEPs and lower tier authorities, where appropriate. BDUK will hold a workshop in mid-June 2012, aimed at officers leading Super-Connected City Plans. Two workshop / surgery events for cities preparing bids will be held in Leeds and London at the beginning of July.
The closing date for applications is the 17th September 2012. Read more at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/telecommunications_and_online/8830.aspx
