Voluntary Action North Somerset

The Concertina Charitable Trust aims to support organisations in England and Wales, to improve the quality of life of elderly members of society, through musical entertainment and related activities, in order to improve their quality of life. There is no specific upper or lower limit on grants are specified by the Trust. However, grants are usually for £500.

For further information visit: http://www.concertinamusic.org.uk
or E-mail: info@concertinamusic.org.uk

Community Spaces is a £50 million grants programme managed by Groundwork UK and funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

Community groups in England can apply for grants from £10,000 to create or improve play areas, ponds, community gardens or village greens.

To find out if you are eligible to apply, visit the Community Spaces website at www.community-spaces.org.uk or phone the Advice Line on 0845 3671671.

On 3 July Quartet received the fantastic news that it had won a two-part government funding bid. The first part gives Quartet the chance to distribute £1.3 million in public sector grants. And the second is an offer of up to £1 million match from government, if individuals and companies across the West of England can raise £2 million by March 2011.

In line with their ethos of giving small grants which make a big difference to local people in need, the Grassroots Grants funding scheme will support low income groups at the very heart of local communities. Groups that are volunteer-led and have an annual turnover of less than £20,000 per annum will be asked to apply and, due to their size, cash injections of up to £5,000 stand to boost radically their work.

But it is not just about giving money away - The Grassroots Endowment Challenge is a one-off opportunity for every donation to be increased by 50% of its value. For every two pounds you give during the challenge, gift aid plus an extra pound will be added by government into endowment, helping even more local people - £1 becomes £1.92, as if by magic.

Applications for Grassroots Grants can be made for between £250 - £5000 from September 1st 2008.
For further information visit www.quartetcf.org.uk

Grants from the Express Programme are awarded to small, local voluntary and community organisations where a small amount of funding can make a difference in disadvantaged areas. The work of your organisation must benefit people who are disadvantaged or isolated. People may be isolated due to poverty, disability, age, location or culture. Priority is also given to groups that:

• Enable people to take opportunities that would otherwise not be available to them.
• Involve local people in improving their community.
• Reflect the concerns and priorities of people living and working in the area.

The maximum grant is £2000.

Applications to the Express Programme are accepted at any time and there are no closing dates. Applications are considered as and when they are received and applicants should be notified of the outcome within six weeks.

To apply, download and read the guidelines then apply online or download an application form, complete it and return it to Quartet Community Foundation by post or email.

Quartet Community Foundation supports small, community-based charities and voluntary groups in the West of England whose work benefits local people. Grants are given to a broad range of causes and Quartet welcome applications from both new and established groups.

For more details of all the funding streams available from Quartet Community Foundation or for an application form visit www.quartetcf.org.uk/apply or call Ronnie Brown at Quartet Community Foundation on 0117 989 7705. You can also register to receive their monthly bulletin by clicking on the E-newsletter link in their home page  www.quartetcf.org.uk

The Wakeham Trust provides grants of between £75 and £750 to help people rebuild their communities. They are particularly interested in neighbourhood projects, community arts projects, projects involving community service by young people, or projects set up by those who are socially excluded.

Visit www.wakehamtrust.org to apply online. Phone 01730 821748 or email wakehamtrust@mac.com
The Wakeham Trust, Wakeham House, Rogate, Petersfield, Hants GU31 5EJ

Make Space offers a range of support services to out of school clubs for young people, including a FREE membership scheme, information, events and good practice advice, plus a fantastic range of exclusive activity programmes.

Make space aims to transform opportunities for young people in England with the development of a new network of contemporary out of school clubs for 11 to 16 year olds, providing exciting places to go and things to do. Building on existing good practice, the campaign aspires to raise standards still further in meeting the needs of young people. Through lobbying, campaigning and development, Make Space seeks to revolutionise the youth offer in this country. Make Space is a £3million campaign that was launched in 2002 by national charity 4Children, with the support of Nestlé.

Each Make Space club is unique - there is a wide range of places and environments that can form the basis for this kind of provision. Some clubs are small and others large-scale operations. They may be based in rural, urban or suburban areas and housed in various settings including schools, community centres or purpose built accommodation. Clubs may be run in different ways, for example as charities, by local authorities or, in some cases, as small businesses.

City Reach, 5 Greenwich View Place, London, E14 9NN    www.makespace.org.uk

020 7522 6960. Fax: 020 7512 2010; E-mail: information@makespace.org.uk

The Tesco Charity Trust has announced that the next funding round for projects supporting the elderly and/or people with disabilities will begin on 1st August 2008. Through the Trust, Community and Voluntary groups can apply for grants of between £1000 and £4,000 through the Tesco Charity’s Community Awards.

The type of projects supported include: befriending schemes, luncheon clubs, specialist equipment for disabled people and day trips/social trips for elderly/disabled people etc.

The closing date for applications is the 30th September 2008.
http://www.tescocorporate.com

The Sutton Trust funds projects that provide educational opportunities for young people from non-privileged backgrounds. The trust is particularly interested in innovative projects and pilot schemes that have the potential to benefit large numbers, and in new research. The Sutton Trust will fund projects across the UK, in any area where there is need, including rural and inner city areas.

The Sutton Trust tends to fund projects in a formal education setting, working primarily with organisations such as schools, universities, community groups, charities and research bodies.

For further information visit: http://www.suttontrust.com/funding.asp

The Morris Charitable Trust favours projects that support the deprived, sick and aged in the community, supporting the advancement of education within the community for public benefit, and to those assisting most children’s charities. Grants are available from £150 and, for a major project, up to £35,000, at the discretion of the Trustees. For further information visit: http://www.morrischaritabletrust.com

email: info@morrischaritabletrust.com or call: (020) 7288 6200.

Awards For All, a part of the National Lottery, aims to fund small projects which involve people in their community, bringing them together to enjoy arts, sport, heritage, charitable and other community activities.

Publicity materials, venue hire, computers, research costs, transport costs, volunteers’ expenses, updating equipment for health and safety reasons, refurbishment, training, sessional staff, fees to hire equipment, and educational toys and games.

Projects must involve local people. Applicants will be told within eight weeks whether or not they have been successful. Funding is not provided to costs already incurred in 12-month period. Groups are expected to contribute something towards the project costs. This may be in cash or ‘in-kind’ (eg time, materials, premises, transport).

Not-for-profit group, parish or town council, school or health bodies can apply for grants of £300 - £10,000. Applications can be made at any time.

For further information contact Awards for All.

Telephone: 0845 6002040.

www.awardsforall.org.uk