Awards for All 2009

Awards for All the former Big Lottery small grants programme has been restructured (unfortunately).  The programme has been split into 3 streams (arts and sports as well as communities) so groups need to carefully consider which fund may suit them best even if a project may cover all of these areas. See below for more details. Each have their own unique criteria and processes. So much for progress.

Awards For All (new)

The Big Lottery Fund is offering Awards for All grants of £300 - £10,000 for projects which improve local communities and the lives of people most in need. The types of projects that will be funded must have at least one of the following outcomes which are the same as those for the Big Lottery main large grant programme Reaching Communities:

• People have better chances in life – with better access to training and development to improve their life skills
• Stronger communities – with more active citizens working together to tackle their problems
• Improved rural and urban environments – for communities to access and enjoy
• Healthier and more active people and communities.

Awards for all will be available to Voluntary and community groups, schools, health organisations, parish and town councils may apply.

Eligible costs include equipment hire or purchase, materials, training, venue hire, volunteer expenses, feasibility studies for building projects and land, building, refurbishment, landscaping or property projects but not salary costs. There is a simplified application process, with a maximum turnaround time of six weeks.

People have better chances in life – with better access to training and development to improve their life skills

• Stronger communities – with more active citizens working together to tackle their problems
• Improved rural and urban environments – for communities to access and enjoy
• Healthier and more active people and communities.

Awards for all will be available to Voluntary and community groups, schools, health organisations, parish and town councils may apply. The application form and guidelines can be downloaded from www.awardsforall.org.uk or call their advice line on 0845 600 20 40

Grants for the Arts

Arts Council England is offering small grants through its Grants for the Arts programme. Grants of £1,000 - £100,000 are available for arts projects lasting up to three years. Decisions are made within 6 weeks for applications below £5,000, and 12 weeks for applications over £5,000.

Heritage Lottery Fund is providing small grants for heritage projects through their Your Heritage and Young Roots schemes.
Your Heritage (£3,000-£50,000) has three aims, learning, conservation and participation. Projects must meet the first aim, and at least one of the other two. Examples of possible Your Heritage projects include people’s memories and experiences, histories of people, communities, places and events, cultural traditions and archaeological sites.

Young Roots (£3,000 - £25,000) aims to involve 13-25 year-olds in discovering their heritage, developing skills, building confidence and promoting community involvement. Young Roots projects should be in partnership with at least one heritage partner, cost no more than £50,000 and be completed within 18 months.

For further information about these programmes, visit the Arts Council website at www.artscouncil.org.uk  or phone their helpline 0845 300 6200.

Grants for Sports

Sport England’s Small Grants Programme has been set up to support local community sport projects aiming to increase and/or sustain participation in, or develop, opportunities for people to excel at their chosen sport. You can apply for £300 - £10,000 but the total project cost cannot exceed £50,000.
Examples of projects supported by Sport England’s Small Grants programme include helping a sports club expand its age range, paying for additional coaching fees or helping youth clubs work together with local sports clubs to get more young people playing sport.

It is open to bona fide not-for-profit clubs or associations, statutory bodies or educational establishments.

You can only apply through the Sport England website http://funding.sportengland.org/default.aspx