Grants and Funding
General Funding
National Lottery Awards for All England Grants of between £300 and £10,000 for grassroots and community activity that aims to improve life for local people and neighbourhoods. Priority is given to groups with smaller incomes. Applications should be sent at least four months before the project start date. The decision process takes approximately 14 weeks.
Support work that focuses on the Arts, Children and Young People, the Environment, Food and Social Change.
The Foundation will support projects which facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and learning and which have a long-term strategic impact. It may take up to 4 months to receive a decision. Key areas for support are:
libraries, museums and archives;
special educational needs;
projects that encourage sustainability by reducing overheads or which help generate additional revenue;
projects and activities which increase access and widen the diversity of attenders/visitors.
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Tesco Community Grants helps to fund thousands of local projects across the country. Grants of up to £1,500 are available for charities and local community organisations, whit no application deadline.
Arts, Culture and Heritage Funding
Grants for the Arts Awards from £1,000 to £100,000 to support a wide variety of arts-related activities, from dance to visual arts. Any type of venue can apply, including museums and libraries but your proposal must be for arts activity. Decisions on applications for £15,000 or less take six weeks. Decisions on applications of over £15,000 take 12 weeks.
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Science and Nature Funding
Institute of Physics
These grants are for science activities that inspire and enthuse the public about physics. There are two strands that schools and other community organisations can apply for:
Grants for up to £600 are awarded for projects, events and activities linked with the promotion of physics and engineering. Application closing dates: 1 February for projects taking place the following Summer Term
1 June for projects taking place the following Autumn Term
1 November for projects taking place the following Spring Term Public Engagement Grant Scheme IoP's public engagement grant scheme provides up to £2000 to individuals and organisations running physics-based events and activities in the UK and Ireland.
Public Engagement Grant Scheme Provides up to £3000 to individuals and organisations running physics-based events and activities in the UK and Ireland.
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This outdoor learning grant fund has two elements – a fully funded outdoor learning training for your staff and £500 of equipment for outdoor learning.
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Other Ways to Fundraise
Local funding sources There are many local funding sources available. To find out more contact your local Community Voluntary Service and/ or Council.
Local Business Speak to local businesses that might be interested in engaging with a family audience.
In-kind funding In-kind gifts are contributions of goods or services, other than cash grants. This could include space, refreshments, competition prizes or even free promotion!
Crowd-funding If you have a good database and great PR skills crowdfunding might be the perfect way to get a community behind you to organise your event.
Charging for your event Whilst we encourage organisations to hold free events we understand this is not always possible. If you are charging for your events consider having concessions available and offering special rates for larger families.
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Any suggestions?
Have you received funding towards your Family Learning Festival event? Please email us at [email protected] to share your tips and let us know what worked for you.