External Funding Opportunities

 

We have recently been made aware of some funding opportunities that your school may be able to access.

Current grants

The Clothworkers Foundation

Overall details: The Clothworkers Foundation is the charitable arm of the Clothworkers Company, providing grants towards capital projects since 1977.

Who can apply: Registered charities, CICs, CIOs and Special Schools.

Themes/aims of the fund: The foundation will provide capital funding towards buildings; fitting, fixtures and equipment; and vehicles (with the exception of leasing).

How much funding per project: Small and large grants are available, with their Trustees taking the final decision on the size of grant to award. 

Closing date: There are no deadlines for this funding. 

Link for application

 

Welsh Water Community Fund

Overall details: In 2017 Welsh Water launched The Welsh Water Community Fund. Since the launch of the fund, they have donated over £500,000 supporting hundreds of local community initiatives.

Who can apply: Schools, Charitable Trusts, Housing associations and Friendly Societies.

Types of projects that could receive funding: Improvements to the environment or local community initiatives promoting health, wellbeing, and environmental objectives. Activities undertaken by registered community groups – specifically with health, wellbeing, cost of living support and environmental objectives. Improving and supporting local education activity for example water efficiency, environmental, innovation benefits.

How much funding per project: £5,000

Closing date: Open two more times for 8 weeks.

• Second round 1^st September 2023 – 31^st October 2023
• Third round 1^st of January 2024 – 29^th February 2024
  
  

Link for Application 

 

National Lottery Awards for All Wales

Overall details: National Lottery funding can help you make a difference in your community. We offer funding from £300 - £10,000 to support what matters to people and communities.

Who can apply: Voluntary or Community Organisations, registered charity, Schools
Types of projects that could receive funding: Bring people together to build strong relationships in and across communities. Improve places and spaces that matter to communities. Help more people reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest stage. Support people, communities and organisations facing more demands and challenges because of the cost of living.

How much funding per project: £300 - £10,000

Closing date: No deadline

Check out this project by a school in Swansea! Plasmarl Pals After School Clubs 

And many more great examples HERE!

Link for Application

 

Tesco – Stronger Starts

Overall details: The grants will help schools and children’s groups provide nutritious food and healthy activities that support young people’s physical health and mental wellbeing, such as breakfast clubs or snacks, and equipment for healthy activities.

Who can apply: Schools and Children’s groups.

Types of projects that could receive funding: Breakfast clubs, holiday clubs, play areas, food banks, equipment, or non-statutory services for children.

How much funding per project: £1500

Closing date: No deadline

Link for Application

 

Greggs Foundations – Breakfast Clubs

Overall details: The Greggs Breakfast Club Programme was established in 1999 to help primary school children get a nutritious start to their school day. Every school is provided with fresh bread from their nearest Greggs shop, and a grant to support start-up and ongoing costs. The average club costs just £3,000 to set up and run a year based on 65 children.

Who can apply: PrimarySchools with at least 40% of pupils eligible for free school meals.

Types of projects that could receive funding: Breakfast Club

How much funding per project: N/A

Closing date: N/A

Link for Application

 

Grants that are currently closed - but will re-open in 2024

Local Giving - Magic Little Grants

Please note that schools are eligible to apply if they are a registered charity.

Overall details: Local Giving have once again opened their "magic little grants" funding round for 2023. More than 2,600 grants were made last year, and this is one of the easiest written applications you'll see!

Who can apply: Organisations in their first year, or with an income under £250,000

Themes/aims of the fund: Applications will be accepted under one of seven themes, including enabling participation in physical activity; preventing or reducing the impact of poverty; and supporting marginalised groups and tackling inequality. 

Link for application

 

Local School Nature Grants

Overall details: Open to schools and early years settings in England, Scotland and Wales, this outdoor learning grant fund has two elements - £500 of outdoor equipment chosen from a catalogue of over 100 items, and an outdoor learning training course for your staff.

Who can apply: Schools and Early Years Settings

Types of projects that could receive funding: Outdoor learning

How much funding per project: £500

Link for Application

 

Hints and Tips when applying for funding

Research the grant:

• Read the eligibility criteria closely to check that you and the grant are a good match.
• Take their eligibility quiz/check if they have one.
• If possible, read examples of projects they have funded before.
• Check their funding exclusions (what they will not fund).
• Make a note of the deadline/closing date to ensure you submit on time.

 

Completing the application:

• Use your pupil voice – a contribution from your young ambassadors and/or leaders could really strengthen your application.
• Write in plain English – avoid acronyms and jargon, remember that a lot of the grants aren’t specific to schools so the funders may not be familiar with educational language.
• Be specific about what you plan to do - keep it simple and make sure that the panel will understand exactly what you are going to do.
• Focus your application on the funder’s priorities – most grants will have key outcomes or areas, so you want to ensure that your project addresses at least one of these.
• Try to provide evidence that your project is needed – use pupil voice or local research/statistics to convince the funders that the project is required.
• Don’t apply for more than you need – apply for your project costs, and don’t add extras just to get more money! Make sure all project costs are specific and don’t label anything as ‘miscellaneous’.

 

Success Stories

COMING SOON!