Welcome to our news for November. These are such difficult times. Our thoughts are with those experiencing conflicts around the world – especially in Sudan, Gaza-Israel, and Ukraine. We continue to be inspired by our local communities providing vital support to those of us most in need. It does make a difference.
Community Interest Companies (CICs) play a pivotal role in driving positive change within communities. However, to maximize their impact, these organizations often require financial support. Thankfully, various grants are available to empower CICs in realizing their noble missions. In this blog, we’ll explore the world of grants tailored for CICs, shedding light on some notable opportunities for funding.
1. National Lottery Awards for All England
Social connections and community activities are at the heart of creating healthier, happier lives and a flourishing society. That’s why we support amazing community-led projects.
Eligibility:
You can apply if your organisation is a:
- constituted voluntary or community organisation
- constituted group or club
- registered charity
- charitable incorporated organisation (CIO)
- not-for-profit company
- community interest company (CIC)
- school (as long as your project benefits and involves the communities around the school)
- statutory body (including local authorities, town, parish and community council)
- community benefit society.
Funding Activity:
We can fund projects that’ll do at least one of these things:
bring people together to build strong relationships in and across communities
improve the places and spaces that matter to communities
help more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage
support people, communities and organisations facing more demands and challenges because of the cost-of-living crisis.
Grant Range: £300 to £20,000
2. Sports England – Small Grants Programme
Our Small Grants Programme seeks to develop opportunities for communities to get more people physically active and we’ll support new projects through providing National Lottery funding of between £300 and £15,000.
Eligibility:
Eligible types of organisations are:
- a community amateur sports club (as registered with HMRC)
- an unregistered voluntary and community organisation with a not-for-profit constitution
- a registered charity
- a not-for-profit company (limited by guarantee without share capital or charitable incorporated organisation)
- a community interest company (CIC) or other social enterprise
- community benefit society
- a school using their facilities for wider community benefit.
- local authority bodies (including town, parish and community councils).
Funding activity:
- Coaching – providing opportunities for those less likely to be active, offering them an activity they want to participate in.
- Volunteer training – develop your organisation’s volunteer base through offering training to both new and existing volunteers.
- Service alterations – providing new ways of delivering your existing activity to attract new participants/members, for example offering outreach or web-based classes or targeting new audiences through connecting with other providers in your locality.
- Additional equipment – to enable expansion of activity or safer delivery of activity, for example a defibrillator and associated costs (such as training for its use) as part of a wider project to deliver sport and physical activity.
- Minor facility alterations – examples include adapting a community space to make it more accessible for those with mobility impairments, refurbishing a space to enable sport and physical activity to be offered or improving a space to make it more energy efficient. Please note, you must have, or provide confirmation that you don’t need, the relevant planning permission/building control consent and/or landlord approval. Your application will not be successful unless you include this information in your application.
Grant range: £300 and £15,000
3. The Deptford Challenge Trust (DCT)
The Deptford Challenge Trust (DCT) is a charitable trust that makes grants to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in a defined area of Lewisham, which covers Deptford and parts of New Cross.
Eligibility:
There must be a signed governing document in place appropriate to the legal structure. This must include an asset lock (or equivalent clause) and the purpose of all funded activities must be charitable (not for profit). This includes:
- Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
- Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) – may also be registered as a Charity or a Community Interest Company Limited by Guarantee (CICLG)
- Trust
- Unincorporated Association
- Community Benefit Societies (CBS). Ideally, the CBS will also be registered as charitable with HMRC, however this is not essential.
Funding Activity:
Applications are welcomed for projects which work with residents of any age, gender and ethnic background, under the following themes:
- Education and skills – helping those who need extra support to either stay in education or return to it later in life
- Community cohesion and social inclusion – celebrating the diversity of the DCT area and welcoming new arrivals into the community
- Health & wellbeing – improving the wellbeing of all residents, in particular those with a physical disability, learning difficulty or mental health problem
- Strengthening the DCT area – building capacity and connecting local organisations, creating a stronger, more resilient voluntary and community sector
- Crisis support – to provide services to support people in poverty or crisis in the DCT area
Grant Range: £1,000 to £30,000
4. Little Lives UK – Children’s Community Support Programme
We aim to support local organisations in the vital work they do helping children in our community.
Through our Children’s Community Support Programme, Little Lives UK wants to guarantee that children around the UK can join clubs, take part in activities, learn and have fun without it costing them or their family anything. We support children’s organisations that provide free activities, sessions or classes for children around the UK in need.
Eligibility:
Our programme aims to support children’s groups and organisations, such as play groups or sports classes. However, we are open to applications from other projects, as long as their primary objective focuses on providing services to children.
Funding Activity:
Little Lives UK can support your organisation by offering you up to £2,200 worth of funding. There is no monetary minimum you can apply for, and we will additionally support the work you do through our social media channels and on our website.
Grant Range: up to £2,200
5. The Radcliffe Trust
Eligibility:
UK registered charities, CICs, CIOs and other not-for-profit organisations for project costs
Funding Activity:
Applications are considered under eight headings:
- composition and contemporary music
- bursaries for courses and summer schools (limited to UK based students)
- music therapy / special needs
- academic research / projects
- youth orchestras
- performance projects
- educational projects
- miscellaneous
Grant Range: up to £10,000 (generally within £1,000-£5,000)
6. PRS for Music Foundation
At PRS Foundation we have many initiatives that provide financial support for the creation, performance, and/or promotion of outstanding musicAt PRS Foundation we have many initiatives that provide financial support for the creation, performance, and/or promotion of outstanding music.
Eligibility:
Music projects led by promoters, talent development organisations, venues, festivals, curators and large performance groups (for example orchestras, choirs, jazz bands or folk groups with 12 or more performers).
Funding Activity:
Funding of music projects of all types. They do not fund artists who don’t write their own songs.
Grant Range: Up to £10000
Conclusion:
Securing grants is a crucial step for Community Interest Companies to thrive and make a lasting impact on the communities they serve. By exploring the diverse funding opportunities available, CICs can ensure the sustainability of their projects, enhance their outreach, and continue to contribute positively to society. Stay informed, be proactive, and unlock the doors to a brighter future for your CIC and the communities you support.
How we can help
If you need help getting CIC funds, give us a call Call us today on 0207 953 8913 or complete our enquiry form in order to book a FREE initial CIC consultation.
Call us today on 0207 953 8913 or complete our enquiry form in order to book a FREE initial CIC consultation.