Explore Your Funding Options
Below you will find a range of funders that will fund activities in Warrington. We keep this page as up to date as we can. If you would like us to carry out a specific funding search for your group or project please contact the WVA team.
We know funding can be overwhelming and you may not know where to start so you can read about WVA's Funding Services to find out how we can help.
Spotlight on new funding
Football Foundation
Funding available: £25,000 (Small Grants scheme)
Whether it's a kick-start to get your club back up and running, support to get your pitch looking top-notch or a little help to score your goals between some better goalposts, three new grants are available for purchasing equipment and items to enable grassroots football organisations in England to restart activities after the period of COVID-19 restrictions.
The Foundation provides funding for smaller capital items and projects to support grassroots football in England, improving the experience of playing football for everyone involved.
For more information click HERE.
LocalGiving - Magic Little Grants
Funding Available: £500
Small one-off grants are available to small local charities and community groups for community projects in Great Britain that address themes set out by the funders.
Organisations that receive a grant will also be awarded a year of free membership (funded by the player’s of the People’s Postcode Lottery). This means that the grant recipient will not have to pay the £80 + VAT membership fee, although they will still be required to set up a direct debit upon registration. You get a free webpage that you can use for ptomote your fundraising activities and recieve donations.
To apply click HERE.
Deadline: 31 October 2021
Lloyds Bank Foundation
(Update on this funding 19.03.2021) This particular funding isn't currently available in Warrington due to the limited number of grants available in the North West. You will be unable to apply online but if you feel you meet the criteria currently then it may still be worth getting in touch directly with us and we can refer you on to the regional coordinator.
Small and local charities with a yearly income of £25,000 to £1 million who are helping people experiencing complex social issues can now apply for a two-year unrestricted grant of £50,000.
Alongside unrestricted funding, successful charities will be supported by one of the Foundation’s regional managers, who will work with them to access a wide range of organisational development support to help meet identified needs.
Applications for funding will remain open throughout the year. For more information please click HERE.
The National Lottery community Funding
The National Lottery Community funds are still open with priority made to those affected by most by Covid-19.
View the different types of funding HERE.
Section1: COVID-19 Funding
Police and Crime Commisioner Express Grants
Funding available: £1,000
Applications are open to community, voluntary or third sector organisations including Parish Councils and must be submitted to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner directly by members of the community.
Aimed at supporting not-for-profit organisations to deliver community based projects or initiatives to meet immediate or emergency need. This can be to support those affceted by Covid-19 or the recent floods in areas of Warrington, for example. Applications will be reviewed and an outcome will be communicated the week following the one in which is it submitted.
Applications must be submitted to pcc@cheshire.pnn.police.uk
More information on how to apply for the express grants can be found HERE
Covid-19 response Grants Prgramme
Funding available: £500 - £2,000
Cheshire Community Foundation have been able to released a third round of funding to help support local, smaller voluntary and community organisations that are helping vulnerable people impacted by the Covid-19 crisis.
Some of the funding we have available for grants must be spent by 31st March 2021 – Other funds can be for up to July 2021. Please specify the timescale for your project in your application.
Deadline: No specific deadline, applications will be assessed on a weekly basis and go to the next available Grants Panel for review.
For more information and to apply click HERE
The National Lottery - Funding during Covid
the Government allocation of funding to the Coronavirus Community Support Fund has now closed but the Lottery are still prioritising funding projects and organisations that are supporting communities through the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is being reviewd on an on-going basis and they'll share any updates or developments on our website. Funding is limited to support as many organisations as possible so please only ask for what you need to support communities during this crisis.
To find out more and to apply please select one of the following funding streams:
The National Lottery Awards for All (up to £10,000)
The National Lottery Reaching Communities (over £10,000)
Sport England Return to Play: Community Assest Fund
Funding available: £10,001 - £50,000
The Return to Play: Community Asset Fund is for new applications focused solely on helping support clubs and community groups through the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic to return to play.
It's designed to provide capital funding, predominantly from the National Lottery, to help local sports clubs and organisations to adapt and open important places and spaces so people within their community can return to play and physical activity, safely. The focus is on responding to the immediate challenges of sports and physical activity returning to play.
For more information click HERE
Sport England Return to Play: Small Grants
Funding available: £300-£10,000
The Return to Play: Small Grants fund seeks to help support sport and physical activity groups, clubs and organisations in responding to the immediate challenges of returning to play in a Covid-safe manner.
This could include contributing to covering the costs incurred by having to deliver activity in smaller groups than normal, or having the correct hygiene and safety equipment.
Funding could be used for minor amendments to facilities, additional sports equipment, signage, sanitation and training courses to help you deliver your activities safely.
Fore more information click HERE
Torus Foundation Community Investment Fund
Funding Available: Up to £3000
As Torus’ charitable arm, Torus Foundation is inviting local charities and organisations to make an application to the CIF to help more initiatives support people during the COVID19 crisis across our communities in Liverpool, St Helens and Warrington.
Section 2: Latest Funding Opportunities (non-Covid)
Those funds with the most urgent deadlines appear towards the top of the list.
BBC Children in Need - Main Grants Programme
Funding: Grants of over £10,000 per year are available to support projects for up to three years. The average grant is likely to be around £30,000 per year.
BBC Children in Need’s focus is firmly on children and young people experiencing disadvantage. They fund organisations working to combat this disadvantage and to make a real difference to children and young people's lives.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the funder has temporarily broadened the types of applications it is accepting. Currently funding is being offered that can be used more flexibly than usual.
Applications are encouraged for:
- Project delivery (Including staffing and salary costs)
- Creative solutions to deliver much needed services
- Organisational costs to support stability and adaptation. (Including the day-to-day running costs of an organisation as opposed to specific project costs)
All applications will have to show how this funding will make a difference to children and young people’s lives during this crisis.
Your organisation must have been active for at least three years. If your organisation is newer than this, please consider the Small Grants Programme (below).
For more informaion click HERE
Deadline: 12th April 2021.
BBC Children in Need - Small Grants Programme
Funding: Up to £10,00
As with the Main grants programme, this funding can be for up to three years.
Deadline: 12th April 2021
For more infromation click HERE
Neighbourhood Watch Network Community Grants Scheme
Funding Available: £100-£500
Deadline: Funds available as part of an initial trial until April 2021
We want to help you kickstart, improve or expand your community work! The Trustees of Neighbourhood Watch Network have set aside funds toward a 6-month trial community grants programme for local groups delivering or setting up Neighbourhood Watch activities within their communities.
Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants
Funding Available: £1000-£100,000
Deadline: April 2021
Project Grants is open to anyone who needs funding for arts, museums or libraries projects that show public benefit.
Warrington Charities Trust
Funding Available: Up to £1000
Deadline: 31st May 2021
Warrington Charities Trust aims to help small groups, new groups and projects, or groups which find it difficult to raise all their funds themselves.
Rugby League World Cup England 2021 - Capital Grants Programme
Funding Available: Small awards up to £15,000 and larger over £15,000
£10m has been made available from the Government to deliver the CreatedBy RLWC2021 Capital Grants Programme. The Programme is dedicated to improving the environments where Rugby League takes place; giving people more and better opportunities to engage with the game and to get active. The fund will invest in facilities and equipment that create environments that are accessible, welcoming and build a legacy of the 2021 tournament in local communities.
Sport England - Major Event Volunteers Fund
Funding Available: £10,000 - £100,000
Grants are available to national governing bodies or organisations hosting major sports events for projects that help individuals who are serving as volunteers at major events to make the transition to supporting sport in their local community.
Section 3: Opportunities with ongoing deadlines
Listed in alphabetical order
Please note: Due to the current Covid-19 situation many funds have been put on hold. To avoid disappointment please ensure that you check each funder's website before applying.
Bowland Charitable Trust
Funding Available: Usually £1000-£20,000 (with larger grants made as the exception)
The Bowland Charitable Trust offers grants to charitable organisations active in the UK. The programme is intended to promote:
- Outdoor and character-building projects for young people in the North West England
- Educational, religious and cultural activities and institutions
There is not a website available for this fund. Applications should be made in writing.
Tel: 01254 688051 Email: carole.fahy@cannco.co.uk
Cheshire Community Foundation Older People's Small Grants
Funding Available: Up to £2000
Supporting vulnerable people over the age of 50 in Warrington. Open now applications can be submitted on a rolling basis and will go to a panel bi-monthly. For eligibility enquiries please email grants@cheshirecommunityfoundation.org.uk
Cheshire Community Foundation Small Grants
Funding Available: Up to £2000
Applications supporting disadvantaged people accross Cheshire and Warrington of all ages can be submitted on a rolling basis and will go to a panel bi-monthly. For eligibility enquiries please email grants@cheshirecommunityfoundation.org.uk
Historic England Regional Capacity Building Programme
Funding Available: Discretionary
Grants are available to third sector organisations in England for local and regional projects which promote the understanding, management and conservation of the historic environment.
John Lewis Community Matters
Funding Available: Up to £3000
Every 3 months each shop selects 3 community groups or charities to help. Customers are directly involved in deciding how much each nominated group receives, by using a token to vote for the organisation they'd like to support.
Masonic Charitable Foundation Children and Young People grant
There are two grants available: Small Grants of £1,000 - £15,000 and larger grants between £10,000 - £60,000.
The grants are to support disadvantaged and vulnerable children aged 0-18 and up to the age of 25 years for disabled young people. Projects can be up to three years and will be awarded to projects that provide;
- Mental and physical health support
- Learning and development, including language and communication skills, social and emotional etc.
- Support for the whole family
- Pastoral and advocacy support
This fund is only available to charities registered based in England and Wales.
For more information click HERE
Screwfix
Funding Available: Up to £5000
Grants are available for projects that fix, repair, maintain and improve properties and community facilities for those in need across the UK.
The Edward Gostling Foundation Fast Track Grants
Funding Available: Fast Track Grants up to £5000 and Larger Grants over £5000
The fast track grant is aimed at charities needing immediate grant support to help to maintain an essential service. Large grants are for charities seeking a capital contribution towards a new project or service. The grant must support one of the Edward Gostling Foundation themes: Health and Wellbeing, Independent Living at Home, Respite, Transition.
The Morrisons Foundation
Funding Available: Up to £25,000
Grant funding for charity projects which make a positive difference in local communities.
The Tudor Trust - Supporting Positive Change in Communities
The Tudor Trust wants to support smaller groups, embedded in their communities, which work directly with people who are on the edges of mainstream society in ways which encourage inclusion, integration and independence. They are particularly interested in supporting work that develops and promotes the social connections and relationships which make such an important contribution to the well-being and quality of life of individuals, and which strengthens communities.
Veteran's Foundation
Funding available: Up to £30,000
Grants are available to support charities and not-for-profit organisations that provide lifetime support to those in need among serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and their immediate families.
Wilko Helping Hands
Funding Available: Small grants; Wilko gift cards, products, raffle prizes
Wilko store has a budget to give a little helping hand to local groups and community projects.
