Funders' Dinner

At conference, on Wednesday 3 March, we held our annual 'Find a Funder dinner'. This was the perfect opportunity for our members to discuss ideas and projects with a broad range of funders. It also enabled funders to hear more about the issues affecting members and their work.

More information about the funders that attended and relevant grant programmes for bassac members:

Big Lottery Fund
The programmes that will be of most interest to bassac members are Reaching Communities and Awards for All. The funding offered in Reaching Communities is largely revenue based with smaller capital sums also possible. Funding ranges from £10,001 to £500,000 and is spread over up to five years.  Awards for All is for one off projects costing no more than £10,000 which will spend quite quickly.
Big lottery Fund deliver funding across the UK, largely in distinct country based programmes.
Website: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/

Capacitybuilders
In the past bassac members have benefited from a range of funding streams, most of which will have closed by 2010. A small bursary scheme which forms part their Volunteer Management Programme will open in April 2010. Their funding is allocated to a range of organisations that operate at national, regional and local levels.
Capacitybuilders operates across England only.
Website: http://capacitybuilders.org.uk/programmes/our-programmes

City Bridge Trust
Both revenue and capital grants are offered. A typical grant is revenue for 3 years which are often used for a salary. Their grant programmes are quite varied and most would be of interest to bassac members. The majority of capital grants are for better disabled access provision.
City Bridge Trust funding must benefit the inhabitants of Greater London only
Website: http://www.bridgehousegrants.org.uk/CityBridgeTrust/

Community Development Foundation
The foundation funds projects in England. bassac members will be interested in the Grassroots Grants and Faiths in Action programmes. The Grassroots Grants programme awards small grants of up to £5,000 to local community groups, via local funders. Donations are invested as an endowment, providing sustainable grant funding. The Grassroots Grants programme is managed by CDF on behalf of the Office of the Third Sector (OTS). The £4 million Faiths in Action grant programme aims to create more opportunities for face-to-face dialogue and collaborative action between different faiths within local communities. This programme is funded by Communities and Local Government (CLG).
Website: http://www.cdf.org.uk

Department of Health
The Department of Health offers grants through the annual Innovation, Excellence and Service Development Fund. The Fund supports third sector organisations to test and develop innovative approaches to improving health and well-being, promote and disseminate practice and build the capacity of third sector organisations to develop sustainable business models. Grants awarded are typically for 3 years to organisations working in England.

The recently announced Volunteering Fund will provide a local grant scheme aimed at supporting volunteering in health and social care, with awards made subject to applicants being connected at local level to commissioners.
Website: www.dh.gov.uk and www.dh.gov.uk

Lankelly Chase Foundation
The Lankelly Chase Foundation seeks to promote social justice, highlighting unpopular causes and working with others to tackle them. They particularly encourage applications from organisations making a difference in areas which do not easily attract charitable funds. The Local People, Local Places programme has the most relevance for bassac members. It concentrates on smaller charities, many of whom will have only a local or regional remit.
The LankellyChase Foundation works across the UK, except in London.
Website http://www.lankellychase.org.uk/

Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales
The Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales offers revenue grants through their Community Programme. Grants are for 1-3 years and the average grant size is around £20k. They fund core costs as well as projects.
Website: http://www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk/

Peter Cruddas Foundation
The Foundation gives priority to programmes calculated to help disadvantaged young people in the UK towards pathways into education, training and employment. They fund crime diversion schemes, work experience and skills projects for young people, and within London they fund mentoring and youth work projects.
Peter Cruddas Foundation fund across the UK.
Website: www.petercruddasfoundation.org.uk/index.htm

The Social Investment Business
The Social Investment Business is the largest social investor in the UK. Their vision is to help create a powerful and thriving third sector that will improve the lives of the people and the communities it serves. Funding includes Communitybuilders and Futurebuilders.
The Social Investment Business operates across England only.
Website: http://www.socialinvestmentbusiness.org/

The Tudor Trust
The Trust focuses on supporting a wide range of organisations working to achieve lasting change in their communities. They tend to make grants to smaller, under resourced organisations. These organisations offer direct services and involve the people they work with in their planning. They make both capital and revenue grants and frequently make grants towards key salaries or general running costs.
The Tudor Trust can make grants anywhere in the UK.
Website: http://www.tudortrust.org.uk/