BSWN Funding news and opportunities 2012
Latest Funding and Training opportunities for 2012. More of our information, support and funding services are now available on-line, we hope that you find these updates useful. We would also like to hear about members support and funding needs that are not covered here, feel free to contact BSWN with your queries on support and funding. We are planning the launch of a series of member led networks later this year sharing control of access to information and your participation will be of benefit.
BSWN Pilots online Project Management, Strategic Funding and Finance Training
BSWN are piloting two ILM endorsed, online training courses in Project management & Strategic Funding and Finance. We have limited opportunity for members who are interested in participating in this pilot which will lead to an accreditation. If you are interested please submit your CV details to Pilots@BSWN.org.uk. This opportunity would be of interest to managers, trustees, and community groups engaged in raising funds or starting new projects. There are no costs implications for participating organisations.
Santander Social Enterprise Development Awards
Social enterprises and community organisations across Greater London, Bristol and its surrounding area are being invited to enter the Santander Social Enterprise Development Awards for the opportunity to win up to £50,000.
Development awards
Adventure Capital Fund (The Social Investment Business)
There is one programme available from the
Adventure Capital Fund (The Social Investment Business). Makes low interest investments and grants to community enterprises to help them move to greater sustainability through enterprise. The Community-builders Fund is managed on ACF’s behalf by, The Social Investment Business
The Community-builders Fund (previously owned by the Department of Community and Local Government) is now an endowed fund, owned and administered by the Adventure Capital Fund. It supports neighbourhood-based, community-led organisations to become more sustainable through a mixture of loans, grants and business support.Email: Ffi
Community Sustainable Energy Programme
CSEP is an open grants programme run by BRE as an award partner of the BIG Lottery Fund (BIG). BRE carries out research, consultancy, training and testing to help create better buildings and communities.
Grants are available for feasibility studies on installing microgeneration technologies listed below. The maximum grant available is £5,000 or 75 per cent of the study cost Capital Grants
Grants are available for the purchase and installation of any combination of the following technologies:Solar ,thermal hot water ,Heat pumps ,Automated wood pellet stoves, Wood fuelled boiler systems. Funding is available for energy efficiency measures, such as cavity wall and loft insulation in combination with the heat generating microgeneration technology. Organisations can apply for up to £50,000 or 50 per cent of the project cost
How to apply
BBC Children in need Grant Programme Current dead line
Grants are open to organisations working with disadvantaged children and young people who are 18 years old and under. Your organisation and project must be based in the UK and you need to be a registered charity or other not-for-profit organisation. There are four general grant deadlines each year: 15 January, 15 April, 15 July, 15 October.
Application guidelines
£150 million Big Society 'endowment for the nation' launched
The new Community First endowment, which aims to raise £150 million to be invested to secure the future of local community projects in England, has been launched by Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society.
The Government will pay in up to £50 million, giving 50p for every £1 raised from individual, corporate and philanthropic donors. With Gift Aid tax relief, this will create a pot worth in excess of £150 million. The money will be invested and the return, expected to be up to £12 million per year,will be used to provide grants to local community and social action projects from 2015 onwards. The Community Development Foundation (CDF), which manages Community First, will begin work with local Community Foundations in the Community Foundation Network (CFN) to raise money for the endowment.
For more information This link provides Cabinet office briefing
Community Foundation Network Manage this fund.
CCLA Fund management support may be provided by
Gloucestershire Community Foundation
The Sustainability Grant - to respond to the needs of voluntary groups faced with unprecedented funding constraints. The Foundation is therefore running 3 grants programmes in 2012. Bids will be considered for grants of between £1000 and £10,000. Guidelines for these three grant programmes can be obtained by contacting
Jane Jarman, Grants Development Manager
Further information about Gloucestershire Community Foundation
New Credit Union Powers Benefit UK Charities and Social Enterprises
From 8 January 2012, charities, community groups and social enterprises across England, Scotland and Wales can, for the first time, join a credit union and use the financial services it provides.
Further information
Big Society Investment from Dormant Bank Accounts
Approximately £3.1 million from dormant bank accounts will support four new projects that will benefit local communities in England.
For further information
Brussels gives Big Society Capital( Dormant Bank Accounts) the green light - 21 December 2011
The European Commission has approved the use of up to £400m from dormant bank accounts to set up Big Society Capital. Commission vice president Joaquín Almunia, in charge of competition policy, said: 'The commitments and safeguards put in place by the UK ensure that state aid linked to this innovative project in the social sector remains well-targeted and does not result in undue distortions of competition.' It was feared that a decision from the Commission could take up to 18 months, resulting in a delay in properly setting up Big Society Capital (BSC), which is currently making social investments through an interim committee within the Big Lottery Fund through the scheme The Big Society Investment Fund.
BSC is still seeking FSA authorisation, and plans to be open for business in the first quarter of next year. The European Commission’s approval of BSC will last five years. An increase of the initial capitalisation of BSC through dormant account money beyond £400m, and any increase of BSC’s total balance sheet beyond £600m, will need to be notified to the Commission.