The Bristol City Council Originators Fund is now open for applications to support events, arts and cultural activities taking place from June 2021 to May 2022.

Changes have been made since the fund was last open, with improved accessibility, a new application form and guidance, after consultation with a range of local creative groups and individuals. Bristol City Council is particularly keen to hear from groups and individuals who haven't applied before, and it wants to make sure the funding is spread across different areas of the city.

Blog written by Mark Hubbard, Development Director at Voscur

It’s great news that the Bristol Impact Fund will continue, especially after the recent challenges for people, communities and organisations due to coronavirus. 

A new £1 million digital development fund, from Comic Relief and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, is offering grants of up to £70,000 to UK non-profits with an annual income of £70,000 - £1 million, or those working in partnership. This is part of the Tech For Good programme.

Funding will go to organisations that can develop, define or repurpose digital tools, platforms and products that meet social challenges. Successful applicants will also get technical support from the Centre for the Acceleration of Social Technology (CAST).

The government has said it will legislate to divert £800m in unclaimed financial assets to good causes as part of its coronavirus recovery plan. Although there are as yet no time frames included with this news, the potential for additional funding will be good news to many organisations that have struggled over the past year.

Small grants of up to £5,000 are available to charities and not-for-profit organisations with projects related to repairing, maintaining, improving or building homes and community buildings.

The money is offered by The Screwfix Foundation, established in 2013, and applications are reviewed every quarter (February, May, August and November).

Examples of eligible projects, including some previously awarded funding:

Grants of up to £20,000 are available for Black-led grassroots organisations and projects that remove barriers faced by Black women and girls, and help them progress. 

The money comes from the CROWN UK Fund, created by Dove, and £170,000 will be invested overall. 

Funders are looking for:

Each Probation region has been given funding which can be made available to Voluntary and Charity sector organisations who work with/ led by Black, Asian Minority Ethnic members of the community involved with the criminal justice system. The purpose of this funding (up to £10,000 per successful applicant) is intended to strengthen the capacity of those organisations who engage with BAME service users but may need some additional help to further develop their work.
 

The National Lottery will open small grant applications for the Local Connections Fund on 5 January 2021, to help small charities and community organisations in England reduce loneliness. 

Grants from £300-2,500 will be awarded to small organisations with an annual turnover of less than £50,000.

Updated 16/12/2020

We asked Voscur members and local organisations to send us details of their Christmas or seasonal campaigns. These ranged from products on sale to fundraising appeals and, of course, ongoing support running throughout the holidays into 2021.

At the end of a very challenging year for the city and the VCSE sector, we hope you will take the time to donate to these campaigns, or help promote them, to raise awareness.

Giving Tuesday takes place this year on 1 December 2020, and all UK charities, voluntary organisations and community groups should get involved.

It’s a global event, held annually, to balance out people’s shopping sprees on Black Friday (which always takes place on the Friday after Thanksgiving) and Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving).