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...

This is the second in our 4-part series, in which 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. (If you missed the first 6 opportunities, click here to find out more...)

7. Think Big with O2 (UK)
In partnership with the National Youth Agency and UK Youth, O2 has launched its Think Big social action programme to support young people in the UK. It’s designed to empower young people (aged between 13 and 25) who want to make positive changes to their communities. Initially funding of £300 is available to get the project off the ground. If your £300 project is completed successfully O2 may invite you to apply for the second level of the programme --Think Bigger where O2 could give you up to £2500.

The programme is open to individuals and groups of young people and the money can be used to cover project related costs such as materials & equipment, cost of renting space, transportation, advertising, etc.

In addition, O2 offers young people involved in Think Big the opportunity to apply for an O2 apprenticeship at http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/about/about-us/seuk-partners/o2.
Applications can be submitted at any time. Read more at: http://www.o2thinkbig.co.uk/

8. Greggs Foundation Breakfast Club Grants (England, Scotland & Wales)
The Greggs Foundation breakfast club programme supports young people of primary school age who live in disadvantaged areas of the UK. The Greggs Foundation currently supports 180 breakfast clubs throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Schools that are interested in opening a breakfast club at your school must be able to show that at least 40% of your pupils qualify for free school meals and that the school serves a disadvantaged community. School should able to attract adult volunteers to help run the scheme and attendance at the club must be free for all pupils. The grant can even be used for games and sports equipment to help children play together. Greggs also provides bread donations from the nearest shop.
Recently set up breakfast clubs include:
o    clubs at Hillside Community Primary School, in Skelmersdale which received funding of £600 for its breakfast club which around 45 young people attend each day.
o    Swalwell Primary School, in Gateshead where nearly 50% of school children are entitle to free meals received a grant of £1,100.

Although applications can be made at any time, there is currently a waiting list for funding whilst new sponsorship partners are being identified. Read more at: http://www.greggsfoundation.org.uk/grants/grant-programs/breakfast-clubguidelines-and-application

9. Funding for IT Projects Supporting Disadvantaged Groups (UK)
Funding is available to organisations with innovative IT related project ideas that can make a positive difference to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups - in the UK, developing countries and around the world. The funding is available through the Nominet Trust. The aim of the Trust is to fund innovative Internet projects that make a positive difference to the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people, primarily in terms of education, safety and inclusion. The Trust is particularly interested in funding projects that can be scaled up and replicated. There is no minimum grant application and applications for over £100,000 require an interview. Organisations wishing to apply need initially to complete and online eligibility questionnaire. Those organisations deemed successful will be provided with a link to a more detailed application form.

Previously projects supported through the Trust include:
o    Pottery Primary School, Belper, which received funding towards the costs of printed material to raise awareness to parents, children and the community of internet risks and safety measures.
o    Age UK, a new charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people which received funding from the Trust to promote digital inclusion of older people in nursing homes.

The next closing date for submitting initial Advisory Eligibility Forms is the 1st August 2012.Stage 2 applications to be submitted by the 5th September 2012. Read more at: http://www.nominettrust.org.uk/

10. Funding to Regenerate Town Centres (England)
The Government has announced a £1million Future High Street X-Fund, which will be awarded to areas with the most creative and effective schemes to rejuvenate their town centres; a National Markets Day, launching a National Markets Fortnight, to celebrate the role markets can play and offer budding entrepreneurs the chance to test their business ideas; and a £500,000 fund for Business Improvement Districts, to help town centres access loans for their set-up costs. Read more at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/regeneration/economicgrowth/highstreetsportas/townteams/

11. Music Grants for Older People (England & Wales)
The registered charity, Concertina which makes grants to charitable bodies which provide musical entertainment and related activities for the elderly has announced that the next deadline for applications is the 31st October 2012. The charity is particular keen to support smaller organisations which might otherwise find it difficult to gain funding. Since its inception in 2004, Concertina has made grants to a wide range of charitable organisations nationwide in England and Wales. These include funds to many care homes for the elderly to provide musical entertainment for their residents.

Some of the charities that have received grants from Concertina include:
o    Age Concern, Exmouth which received a grant for entertainments for the elderly in Exmouth and surrounding areas.
o    Sue Ryder Care, Lancashire to fund access to music therapy workshops at Birchley Hall near Wigan and St Helen's.

Read more at: http://www.concertinamusic.org.uk/Grants.php