Information on large grants

Depending upon the grant maker, a large grant can range from £15,000 up to £500,000.

Applying for a grant of this size will incur completing a lengthy application form and will most likely need to be supported by business plans, evidence of consultation and a financial forecast of the project.  Your organisation will need to convince grant makers of your ability to manage and deliver a project of this size and its local and perhaps regional significance.  For a grant of this size it is best to focus your application at a specific funder. The Lottery Distributors have their own application forms that cover different themes.  More information of these can be found at their websites.

About this service

Big Lottery Fund

The Big Lottery Fund is the new lottery distributor that replaces the old Community Fund and the New Opportunities Fund.  The context of all their funding programmes supports their mission to improve the lives of people most in need.

Each programme has three key themes:

• supporting community learning and creating opportunity
• promoting community safety and cohesion
• promoting well-being

• people having better chances in life, with better access to training and development to improve their life skills
• stronger safer communities, with more active citizens working together to tackle their problems
• improved rural and urban environments, which communities are better able to access and enjoy
• healthier and more active people and communities   

The funding programmes are divided into two broad areas of, demand-led and strategic need.  Demand led programmes will encourage organisations and groups to bring their own ideas and local solutions forward for funding.  The strategic programme will focus more on the type of outcomes they want their funding to achieve, although they will still encourage local solutions to local needs.

For full details of their funding programmes visit the Big Lottery Fund website.

Contact Details:  Big Lottery Fund, 2 St. James Gate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4BE 

Tel: 08454 10 20 30 the general advice line.

Arts Council

The Arts Council aims to change people’s lives through arts activities, encourage cultural diversity and encourage new ideas and activity to develop arts organisations.  The maximum grant that can be applied for is £30,000 and can be for activity lasting up to three years.  Voluntary and community groups including branches of larger voluntary organisations and statutory organisations can apply.  Funding can be used for projects, events, research, commissions, educational activities, capital items, training and residencies.

The application process is by form and you must include a written summary that describes the organisation and the project, how the project will be managed, the budget, the beneficiaries of the project and how it contributes to the aims of the Art Council.  The length of the written proposal depends on the amount of funding you are seeking, 350 words for £1,000, 1,000 words for up to £5,000 and 2,500 words for amounts in excess of £5,000.  You will also need to include quotes for capital items over £5,000.  You cannot spend any of the grant before you have received an approval letter.  For projects seeking up to £5,000 an application will be assessed in 6 weeks, 12 weeks for grants in excess of £5,000.  You may be contacted during the assessment period.  Funding will be paid in stages during the project and successful applicants will be expected to complete a monitoring report during the lifetime of the project.

Other information:  You will need to provide 10% of the project costs from other sources, this can be from other funding organisations or a contribution from your organisation.  Additionally, you are advised to contact your Local Authority Arts Development Officer before submitting an application to the Arts Council.

Contact details:  Arts Council, Central Square, Forth Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3PJ  Tel: 0191 2558500 or visit the Art Council Website

Your Local Authority Arts Development Officer is Dave Clarke at the District of Easington Council, Council Offices, Seaside Lane, Easington Village, Peterlee SR8 3TN

Tel:  0191 5270501  Fax: 0191 5273868  Email Dave Clark

Regional Arts Lottery Programme (RALP) distributed within the North East region by Northern Arts aims to support projects by making grants to encourage; Access to the arts, Education through the arts, Production and distribution of the arts, Investment in Artists and development to help build long-term stability of arts organisations.  Both revenue and capital costs of projects are eligible and Northern Arts will provide grants from £2,000 - £30,000 for revenue projects and between £2,000 - £100,000 for capital projects.

Further details can be obtained by contacting (0191) 255 8500 or through the Arts Council website

Heritage Lottery Fund

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to increase people’s enjoyment of and access to heritage, benefit the community and conserve or enhance the environment.  The Heritage Lottery Fund has a number of programmes with different grant sizes, the maximum amount available is £2 million.  Voluntary and community groups including branches of larger voluntary organisations and statutory organisations can apply.  You will need to have a constitution, a bank or building society account with two signatories.  The HLF provides funding for both capital and revenue projects.  The Heritage Lottery Fund manages a number of different programmes including:

Heritage Grants - up to £50,000 is available to enhance and conserve local heritage.  Applicants for this grant regime are mainly for historic buildings, museum collections, cultural traditions and objects, nature conservation and industrial history.

Your Heritage - between £5,000 and £50,000 to increase people’s enjoyment and understanding of heritage.  The programme supports a broad range of activity and the application form is easier to complete than the Heritage Grants.

Townscape Heritage Initiative - £250,000 to £2 million to regenerate the historic environment of towns and cities.

Public Parks Initiative - funding to improve access to and enhance historic parks.

Grants for places of worship - this scheme focuses on the urgent repair of places of worship.

Landscape Partnerships - this grant encourages partnerships to improve landscapes to bring about wider regeneration benefits to an area.

Local Heritage Initiatives - £3,000 to £5,000.  This scheme is specifically for local groups to enable them to learn more about their local culture and traditions, improve local landmarks and landscapes, and to develop plans for the long term management of local heritage projects.

Young Roots - £5,000 to £25,000.  This is a new scheme directed at involving young people in the development of heritage projects.  Applicants must demonstrate substantial involvement of young people in the management and delivery of the project.

Each of the programmes for HLF has a separate application form.  Grants up to £50,000 normally take up to 3 months to approve.  Although funding from other sources is not essential the HLF prefers to see a contribution from either other funding organisations or from the applicants own organisation, this can include volunteers time.  50% of the funding is provided up front and the remainder is provided during the project.  Grants in excess of £50,000 take at least 6 months to approve.  Applicants will need to include, a constitution, an organisational structure, copy of recent accounts, a breakdown of costs and any quotes to support the project, letters confirming funding from other sources, any relevant policy documents (for example an equal opportunities policy, photographs and letters of support).  You cannot use the funding for any expenditure that has been incurred before the grant has been awarded.  Successful applicants will be expected to complete monitoring reports during the lifetime of the project.

Other information:   The HLF has identified Easington as a priority area and will continue to run workshops in the area to encourage organisations to apply.  Groups should discuss their project with the HLF before applying as advice on how to develop your application can be given.

Contact details:  Tel: 0191 2557854, Website Heritage Lottery Fund.

Address:  Heritage Lottery Fund, St Nicholas Building, St Nicholas Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1RF

Sport England Lottery Fund

The Sport England Lottery Fund is essentially divided into two core funds.  A Community Projects Fund for local projects and a World Class Fund targeted at producing the medal-winners of tomorrow.  Examples of eligible community projects include new and upgraded or extended facilities, such as natural turf pitches, bowling greens, indoor and outdoor multi-use games areas, sports halls, swimming pools, tennis courts etc..  Sport England operate as a 'gap' funder, and can in some instances fund between 65-90% of the overall project costs.

Applicants are encouraged to find as much match funding as possible.  Application packs can be obtained by contacting 0345 649 649 or through their website at Sport England

Tel:  The Sport England - North office 0191 3849595

Coalfield Regeneration Trust

The Coalfield Regeneration Trust (CRT) works with partner organisations to deliver economic and social regeneration in the former coalfield areas.  The maximum grant that can be applied for is £200,000.  Voluntary and community groups, including branches of larger voluntary organisations and statutory organisations can apply.  This funding is applicable to the former coalfield areas.  You will need to have a constitution, a bank or building society account with two signatories.  What can the funding be used for?  Grants can be used for capital and revenue costs for projects.  The Coalfield Regeneration Trust does not normally fund ongoing running costs and when supporting new projects, the organisation must clearly show how they will support the project once funding from the CRT has ended.  The CRT priorities include; improving community facilities and developing community organisations, measures to promote community health projects, assistance towards credit unions, training schemes including Intermediate Labour Markets, improvement of and creation of learning facilities, projects that support the development of community businesses and environmental improvement schemes.

Application process.

There are two application forms depending upon the size of the grant you are applying for.  You must include a copy of your constitution, annual accounts, quotes for capital costs and a job description if you are looking for funding for salaries.  If you are applying for capital funding for a new facility or to refurbish an existing facility you will need planning permission, cost estimates and a copy of the lease.  Applications for amounts between £10,000 and £30,000 will be required to complete a less detailed application than those seeking between £30,000 and £200,000.  Applications take up to 6 months to assess and the CRT will normally contact you during the assessment period.  You cannot use the funding for any expenditure that has been incurred before the grant has been awarded.  Successful applicants will be expected to complete monitoring reports during the lifetime of the project.

Contact Details:  Coalfield Regeneration Trust,  The Eco Centre, Room 9,  Windmill Way, Hebburn,  Tyne and Wear   NE31 1SR   Tel;  0191 4285550 or visit the website at Coalfields Regeneration

Northern Rock Foundation

Following a review, the Northern Rock Foundation have announce their revised funding programme.

This covers seven themes;

• Money and Jobs  Helping disadvantaged people and communities to increase their assets, income and economic activity.
• Independence and Choice  Giving people with mental health problems, people with learning disabilities, older people and carers a choice of excellent services that help them to become or remain independent.
• Strong and Healthy Communities  Strengthening people's well-being through community and physical activities, improving local environments and by helping them to eat healthily.
• Building Positive Lives  Helping people who lack self-confidence or motivation, or who face discrimination, to have the individual support they need to lead more positive and fulfilling lives.
• Safety and Justice  Reducing the incidence and impact of domestic violence, sexual violence, prostitution, child abuse and hate crimes, by investing in better support for victims.
• Culture and Heritage  Inspiring, enjoyable and diverse culture programmes and events that raise our region's profile and make it a better place for everyone to live and enjoy.
• Better Buildings  Investing in improved buildings for cultural organisations and for voluntary and community groups.  

Application forms are now available for grants below £20,000 and above £20,000.  Full details can be found at the Northern Rock Foundation website, or you can contact the Northern Rock Foundation at, The Old Chapel, Woodbine Road, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 1DD  Tel: 0191 2848412

Esmee Fairbairn Foundation

Grants are provided to organisations that have charitable aims and objectives in 4 areas, arts and heritage, education, environment and social development.  The Foundation supports projects that making a difference to the quality of life of people and communities.  Grants between £350 and £500,000 are provided, although the majority of grants are less than £100,000.  Voluntary and Community groups that are registered charities or that have a constitution that includes charitable objectives can apply.  Grants are made throughout England.  You will need to have a constitution, a bank or building society account with two signatories.  The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation provides revenue funding towards project costs and core costs.  The Foundation does not usually provide capital funding for buildings or equipment.  The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation supports new and innovative approaches to issues that provide a lasting benefit.  Types of activities supported by their programmes include the following:

Art and Heritage – new touring work outside of London, the development of artistic talent and improved access to historical buildings.

Environment – environmental conservation projects, projects to improve the quality of life and projects that improve environmental practices of businesses.

Social development – priority is given to projects that help those who have the greatest need.  Projects supported include those that encourage local people to become more involved in their community, the development of community businesses, projects that help people to access work and the rehabilitation of people who face social and economic change ie those leaving prison, asylum seekers etc..

Education – improving the quality of education for 0 – 16 year olds that is in addition to statutory provision.

Application process.  Applications for less than £20,000 take up to 2 months to approve and grants above £20,000 take up to 5 months.  Applications are normally between 6 and 10 sides of A4 and in addition need to include, a constitution, a budget breakdown, annual report, copy of the most recent accounts, summary budget of the organisation and a job description if looking for funding for salary costs.  Once approved applicants will be required to complete a progress report each year.

Other Information.  The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation can provide funding for up to 3 years.  If applicants are unsuccessful another application cannot be submitted for 12 months.  The trust has a large list of project types it will not fund, applicants are recommended to look at this list before applying.

Contact details:  Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, 11 Park Place, London  SW1A 1LP 

Tel 020 7297 4700

Website Esmee Fairbairn

The Tudor Trust

The Tudor Trust aims to address issues of deprivation, increase people’s confidence and to assist with the development of a strong voluntary sector.  Grants to projects range from £500 to approximately £100,000.  Voluntary and Community groups from the North East can apply.  You will need to have a constitution, a bank or building society account with two signatories.  Grants can be for either capital or revenue.  The Tudor Trust will support projects that contribute to the following priorities; youth (9–25 year olds) that encourage participation, older people who are isolated or living with dementia, improving the local community in areas of disadvantage, improving relationships of those who are affected by isolation, stress or domestic violence, homelessness, supporting mental health projects, tackling substance abuse, providing opportunities for learning, addressing poverty in relation to access to finance, reducing offending and promoting rehabilitation.  Funding can be provided for up to three years.

An application to the Tudor Trust should be made in writing as the Trust does not have application forms.  Requests for funding should include a description of the organisation and what it does, information on the project and how it addresses a need, who will benefit from the project and how the project/organisation works with other groups in the area, how it complements other activity, the costs of the project, the timetable, and which other funding organisations have been contacted to contribute to the project/organisation.  In addition to a written summary, organisations will need to include their charity number or/and a copy of their constitution, a budget for the organisation, annual report and annual counts.  Applications take on average 10 weeks to assess and the Trust may contact or visit a project during the assessment period.  Successful applicants will need to provide a progress report during the lifetime of the project and may be visited by the Trust.  Organisations cannot spend the funding until they have received an approval letter.  Unsuccessful applicants must wait 12 months before reapplying for funding.

Contact details:  The Trustees, 7 Ladbroke Grove, London W11 3BD

Tel:  020 7727 8522  Website Tudor Trust

The Carnegie UK Trust

The Carnegie UK Trust has three initiatives;

The Village Initiative (includes Village Halls) - aims to encourage more active villages by supporting local initiatives.  Open to village bodies that are registered as charitable bodies, which will give support to a village initiative.  Village Hall grants are available to help widen the use of village halls as centres of services for the community.  It is open to village hall committees where populations are below 5,000.  Grants up to £10,000 per annum.

Creativity - the aim is to enhance the capacity and imagination of groups to benefit others.  This may be others in the same geographical location or others with similar interests in different locations.  Priority will be given to organisations at an early stage of their development.  The amount awarded would be in 2 stages;  Feasibility study up to £500 and Main Grants up to £30,000 for a single year or phased over a period of three years.

Young People - the aim is to encourage active participation, particularly in decision making, increase the role and responsibility of young people in education, health, the community or more widely.

For more information call 01383 721445 or visit Carnegie Trust

Searching for a funder

Searching for a possible funder can be done through Charities Direct and Funders Online or Fund Raising