Rural Affairs

Funding sources: other funding sources and resources

Community hall used for election days

1. Abbey Charitable Trust

Abbey Charitable Trust was established in 1990 and to date has donated £18 million to charities. They are committed to supporting disadvantaged people through the Trust’s three charitable priorities, particularly in those areas where it has a significant presence.

  • Grant type: One-off funding to charities only. Prefer to fund the whole project rather than contribute to a larger project.
  • Grant size: £250 - £20,000 within the Abbey’s 7 priority areas (Bradford, Camden, Glasgow, Milton Keynes, Northern Ireland, Sheffield and Teeside).
    A maximum donation of £2,500 outside the 7 priority areas.
  • Criteria: To help disadvantaged people through: education and training; financial advice which helps them manage their money; cross community regeneration projects.
  • Application window: Applications may be made at any time.

The Trust cannot make donations which fund core costs, salaries or holiday; replace statutory funding; projects which are for more than one year; support a specific individual; benefit any single religious or single ethnic group; help causes outside UK; sponsor events, conferences or fundraising.

Funding guidelines and more details are available on the Abbey’s website at www.aboutabbey.com >CSR >Charitable Trust. If you have any further queries call their helpline on 0870 608 0104.

2. The Arthur Rank Centre

The Arthur Rank Centre is a partner with the Government Disposal Services Agency in making high quality, fully-refurbished, ex-government computer equipment available at very competitive prices to anybody working in, with or for rural communities. The price includes VAT, warranty and software and delivery is free. The ARC asks for a donation of £30 per sale to support this not-for-profit scheme. Details and an order form can be found on the ARC website or by telephoning them on 024 7685 3067.

3. Arts Council England

Arts Council England is the national development agency for the arts in England. The Arts Council’s main funding programme is Grants for the Arts. It is open to individuals, organisations and other people who use the arts in their work. They are for activities that benefit people in England or that help artists and arts organisations from England carry out their work.

The Arts Council’s ambitions are: supporting the artist, enabling organisations to thrive, not just survive, championing cultural diversity, offering opportunities for young people and encouraging growth.

  • Grant type: Grants for the arts are for individuals and organisations. Grants are for arts-based, time-limited activities.
  • Grant size: Grants for organisations normally range from £200-£100,000. The average grant given in 2004/05 was around £18,000.
  • Application window: Applications may be made at any time.

Arts Council England has nine regional offices and one national office. There is a single contact for general enquiries.

Telephone: 0845 300 6200
Textphone: 0207 973 6564
Arts Council England
14 Great Peter Street
London
SW1P 3NQ

More information and the current information pack is also available from the website at: www.artscouncil.org.uk

4. Charity Bank

The Charity Bank is a fully authorised bank that is also a registered charity. They offer affordable loans for charity purposes such as social enterprises, short term bridging loans, working capital loans and more. Loans are generally for periods from 6 months to 10 years, with loans for the purchase of property for periods up to 25 years. They also provide deposit facilities for surplus funds. The Charity Bank has worked with village halls for a number of years. They also offer financial advice and support.

  • Loan type: Affordable loans. Current interest rate is 6%. A one off charge of 1%.
  • Loan size: Any size. Usually between £5,000 - £500,000
  • Criteria: Loans are made to any organisation that is either a registered or exempt charity or where the loan is for a charitable purpose.
  • Application window: Applications may be made at any time.

Call the Charity Bank to get advice or discuss your needs on 01732 774050 or visit the website on http://www.charitybank.org

5. Charles Hayward Foundation

The Charles Hayward Foundation is a grant-making charitable trust. Grant are available to village halls for capital build or extension projects providing community facilities which provide services that meet basic needs, and will accommodate new programmes for social inclusion and participation.

Community hall
  • Grant type: Part funding of capital projects.
  • Grant size: £1,000 - £10,000
  • Criteria: Approximately ten grants per year are available to village halls and community centres for capital build or extension projects providing community facilities which provide services that meet basic needs, and will accommodate new programmes of social inclusion and participation.

The Foundation part funds a very limited number of capital projects to accommodate community activities, where the project is a capital build or extension costing less than £250,000. The new facilities must accommodate new activities, which are at a demonstrably advanced stage in their planning. The activities must be designed to meet basic needs of new clients and users.

    • Capital costs of community centres and village halls.
    • Capital costs of community facilities provided by churches and faith groups.
    • Capital costs for CABx
    • Capital costs for rescue organisations

The following areas are excluded:-

    • Existing parks, playgrounds and recreation grounds
    • Sports clubs and sports facilities
    • Community transport
    • Refugee and asylum seekers
  • Application window: Applications may be made at any time (by letter). Applications take up to 4 months to assess.

More information and guidelines for application is available from the website at www.charleshaywardfoundation.org.uk or telephone 020 7370 7067.

6. The Clothworkers' Foundation

The Clothworkers’ Foundation is a charitable organisation which provides grants for a wide-ranging number of worthy causes.

  • Grant type: Cash. Grants are generally only made for capital purposes, which can include equipment and training directly related to the project.
  • Grant size: £7,500 - £15,000
  • Criteria: Grant is available to self-help organisations and charities looking for a grant which, if made, would establish momentum for the campaign.
    The Foundation does not make grants to non-UK registered charities, charities with ample resources or fund-making capability, churches, schools, colleges or universities, not does it replace state or public funds.
  • Application window: Applications may be made at any time.

For more information on the Foundation's grant programmes and making an application visit their website at www.clothworkers.co.uk or telephone 020 7623 7041.

7. Community Foundation Network

Community Foundation Network is the national association connecting about 60 UK community foundations. Community Foundations are charitable trusts that support local community causes in England. They make grants to charities and community groups and link local donors with local needs. The Foundations also manage donor funds and build endowment.

  • Grant type: Available for local causes and community-based activities.
  • Grant size: Varies
  • Grant criteria: Some foundations have criteria with a focus on social need and opportunity while others have more specific themes, generally reviewed every three years. They do not fund major capital appeals, religious or party political projects.
  • Application window: Check with the Community Foundation closest to you.

For more details of types of grants available, grant size and range and application windows, contact your local Community Foundation. Details of all Community Foundations can be found at: www.communityfoundations.org.uk

8. Community RePaint

Community RePaint is a network of 65 community-based organisations across the UK who collect leftover "half-tins" of paint from members of the public (plus end-of-line paint from manufacturers and retailers). The scheme is operated by environmental consultants, SWAP and is sponsored by ICI Paints and Lottery funding (CRED). The paint is then redistributed to local charities, community and voluntary groups and individuals in social need.

Types of Paint - Emulsion, Gloss, Eggshell, Satin, Undercoat, Primer, Floor, Masonry, Exterior, Tile, Varnishes and woodstains.

Criteria - For 'social need' projects such as village halls, youth clubs, community centres, elderly people's homes and charity offices for 'social need'.

Available to NGOs and charities who cannot otherwise afford it for a small donation towards operating costs.

Application window: Applications may be made at any time.

To find out where you can get paint for your local community project or donate unwanted useable paint, visit the Community Repaint website or telephone them on 0113 200 3951.

9. The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation

The Foundation has four funding programmes for charitable purposes:

  • Arts and Heritage
  • Education
  • Environment and Social Change
  • Enterprise and Independence

Village halls may be able to get grants for activities under the Social Change Programme. Applications could also be made for fund to preserve and provide public access to village halls of historical or architectural significance.

The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation is also piloting a three-year loans programme worth £3 million for charitable purpose in line with their priorities. For more information visit the Foundation's website or phone for a loans leaflet.

Children playing games

  • Grant type: Grants are available for core and project costs, including running costs such as staff salaries and overheads.
  • Grant size: There is no maximum size. Apply for the amount you need. Usually grants are for a maximum period of three years.
  • Criteria: The purpose for which you are applying must be legally charitable. The Foundation will need to see the constitution of organisations that are not registered charities. There are general as well as grant specific criteria. Foundation do not fund some school clubs, festivals, sports and leisure, religious and a few others.
  • Application window: Applications may be made at any time.

More information for the various funding programmes, criteria and application process visit the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation's website at www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk or telephone 020 7297 4700.

10. Foundation for Sports and the Arts

The Foundation for Sports and the Arts is an independent grant making trust established in 1991. It receives its funding from Littlewoods Gaming. The Foundation provides grants for sports and arts with the United Kingdom, with the intention of benefiting the population at large ("the grass roots").

  • Grant type: Grants are available for premises, equipment and facilities.
  • Grant size: Maximum of £40,000
  • Criteria: Supports a wide range of activities that would benefit the community. Projects should show evidence of active fund raising and community involvement and commitment.

Football, horse racing, film production and some other schemes are not included. More information could be obtained from the Foundation's website.

  • Application window: Applications may be made at any time.

Get more details on the criteria and application process from the website at www.thefsa.net or telephone 0151 259 5505.

11. Lankellychase Foundation

The LankellyChase Foundation was formed by an amalgamation of the Chase Charity and the Lankelly Foundation.  The Foundation supports work done by recognisable charities, especially small, local and regional charities and groups who feel isolated by their locations.  The LankellyChase Foundation will provide grants for a wide variety of cultural, community based and social projects including arts, tackling domestic violence and abuse.

Grant type: Capital and revenue grants.  UK wide, excluding London and Northern Ireland
Grant size:  Varies according to the Foundation's interests
Criteria: The Foundation has a widely drawn set of policies about what it will and will not fund.  In general, grants are available for charitable purposes.  Detailed information is available on their website.
Application window: Applications may be made at anytime.

For more details of the Foundation’s grant programmes and making applications for funding visit the Lankellychase Foundation website or telephone: 01235 820044.

12. Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales

Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales give grants to under-funded charities, including village halls, that work to improve the lives of people in local communities, especially those who are disadvantaged in England and Wales.

  • Grant type: Grants available for:
    • Advice services for people in any kind of need
    • Activities which encourage people to participate in and make a positive contribution to life in their community
    • Community centres and activities for disadvantaged or disabled people of any age
    • Services and support for people with disabilities and carers
    • Pre-school education
    • Reading and writing skills
    • Lifelong learning
  • Grant size: The average regional grant is £5,770 and the average grant for charities working across England and Wales is £15,140.
  • Criteria: Funds charities, especially those providing services for the disadvantaged and the disabled.

The Foundation do not fund a number of projects including animal welfare, environment, promoting religion.

More details on the funding criteria and making application for grants could be found on the Foundation's website at www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk or telephone 020 7398 1725.

13. Northern Rock Foundation

The Northern Rock Foundation is a charitable grant-making organisation. The Foundation's primary objective is to tackle disadvantage and improve quality of life in the North East (Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Tees Valley) and Cumbria. The Foundation has six funding programmes. The Prevention programme offers support to improve community facilities, including community centres and village halls.

  • Grant type: The Foundation offers core, project and capital grants.
  • Grant size: Minimum £1,000 . No maximum. The average grant size for 2004 was £54,000.
  • Criteria: Applications for funding must be for projects in the North East or Cumbria. It must fit the priorities of the grant programme.
  • Application window: There is no deadline for applications. Applications for grants over £15,000 are dealt with five times a year at the main Trustees' meetings. Decisions on application for grants less than £15,000 are made more regularly.

The Foundation is currently reviewing its programmes and plans to announce changes in autumn 2006.

For more information on the Foundation's grant programmes and making an application visit their website at www.nr-foundation.org.uk or telephone 0191 284 8412.

14. Tesco Charity Trust

Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards supports local and national charities. Majority of the Trust's grant are targeted towards local communities where Tesco has stores. Awards benefit local organisations whose core work supports and deliver practical benefits to children's education and welfare, children and adults with disabilities, and elderly people.

  • Grant type: One-off donations
  • Grant size: £1,500 - £5,000
  • Criteria: Application must be for projects that support children, elderly people and disabled people in areas where Tesco has stores.

Tesco Charity Trust does not fund a number of projects or activities such as fundraising activities, purchase of land or buildings, refurbishment to fabric of buildings.

  • Application window: Closing date for:
    • Children's welfare and education is 31 January each year.
    • Elderly and disabilities is 30 June each year

To get an application form you must write to the Trust with brief details about your project.

Visit the Tesco Charity Trust website for more details at www.tesco.com/everyLittleHelps/csrcharities.htm or telephone 01992 646768.

15. Waste Recycling Environmental Limited

WREN is an Environmental Body registered to fund projects which are eligible under the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme and WREN funding policy. WREN funds environmental and community-based projects by not-for-profit organisations. WREN receives the majority of its funding from the landfill tax levied by the Waste Recycling Group (WRG) This may include the provision or improvement of a public amenity such as a village halls, children’s play equipment and community gardens.

WREN also operates competitions for grants and currently is running the 'WRG Village Hall and Community Centre Challenge 2005' whereby entrants compete for three prizes of £250,000 and two prizes of £125,000. The competition closed in July 2005 and winners will be announced in spring 2006.

  • Grant type: Funding for provision, maintenance and improvement of public amenities.
  • Grant size: £2,000 - £50,000
  • Criteria: Projects must be within WRG operating areas as well as meet important public access and overall seek to improve the quality of life for local people. Projects need to show that they are founded on self-help, are excellent value for money, meet genuine and pressing needs of local people and are sustainable in the long term.

All applicants will have to find a "Third Party Funder" to reimburse the landfill tax operator since it only receives a 90% credit from HM Revenue and Customs for the funds donated to the grant scheme.

  • Application window: Applications could be made throughout the year and quarterly deadlines are posted on their website.

Find out more from the WREN website at www.wren.org.uk or telephone 01953 717165

 

Page last modified: 5 June, 2006
Page published: 6 November, 2005

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs