Grants programmes in 1999/2000

We run a number of different grants programmes to suit different organisations and projects. Our current programmes are described in this leaflet. From time to time we may run other programmes which we will publicise. The Board will announce the timing of the next Health and social research programme in early 2000. Our grants programmes are as follows:

• Main grants programmes
• Community involvement
• Poverty and disadvantage
• Health and social research
• International grants
• Special grants programme
• Small grants for small groups
  -Millennium Festival Awards for All
  -Small grants scheme
• Information in other languages.

Main grants programmes^

We are currently running two main grants programmes on the themes of Community involvement and Poverty and disadvantage. These programmes are continuous: there are no closing dates for applications, so organisations can apply at times that suit their needs. However, potential applicants should note that there is a period of up to five months between receipt of completed applications and notification of decision. Organisations are advised to contact their local Charities Board office for our decision-making schedules so that they can submit applications in time for particular committee meeting dates.

Community Involvement^

A community can be a geographical grouping of people or a community of people with common interests. Under this grants programme we want to fund projects which enable people to become involved in activities which improve the quality of life for the whole community. We are keen to fund projects which help those at greatest disadvantage and those excluded from the community. We also want to fund projects supporting organisations in the voluntary and community sector to help them become more effective and efficient.

What we aim to fund

Community organisations and activities
We will fund projects to support community activities and services, and projects to identify community needs and implement practical solutions. This includes projects which make local communities a safer place to live in, and projects to improve community facilities such as capital projects to refurbish community buildings, and to improve access for disabled people.

Volunteering and community action
We will fund projects which increase people�s sense of belonging to, involvement in, and responsibility for their local community. We will support projects encouraging volunteering and community action to deliver services and activities. This includes projects that recruit and support volunteers from disadvantaged groups and those which highlight the benefits of volunteering to the individual and the community.

Developing voluntary and community groups
We will fund projects run by organisations such as umbrella bodies, Councils for Voluntary Service, development agencies and resource centres, which help voluntary and community groups become more efficient and effective. We will fund projects which provide services or facilities to parts of the voluntary sector where support is limited and to isolated areas where voluntary and community groups are weak.

How to apply

This programme is open all the time. There is no deadline for returning completed applications. Application packs can be obtained by:

Telephone: 0845 791 9191
(Minicom: 0845 755 6656)
Web site: www.nlcb.org.uk

<Download application form here>

Poverty and disadvantage^

Under this programme we want to improve the quality of life of people and communities who are disadvantaged by poverty or who are at risk of poverty.

We will continue to target particular groups including: minority ethnic groups; women and children, especially lone parents; and disabled people. We particularly want to encourage applications for projects which benefit older people and those which are broadly preventative, such as advice centres and basic skills programmes.

This approach will enable us to fund a wide range of projects dealing with the effects of poverty and disadvantage.

What we aim to fund

People on low incomes
Includes those who are unwaged or benefit recipients. We will fund projects working with people on low incomes including health care initiatives, advice services, projects for homeless people and fuel poverty initiatives.

People living in disadvantaged areas
In urban areas, poverty tends to be concentrated in certain areas where there are large numbers of households with low incomes. In rural areas, poverty is less concentrated, but often affects many of the same groups of people. We will fund projects working with people living in disadvantaged areas wherever they are. This includes projects such as clubs for young people and older people, community transport schemes and community centres.

Preventing or minimising future poverty
Poverty has many root causes, including poor educational attainment and lack of access to training and employment. We will fund projects which tackle these root causes including projects offering training and education and childcare projects to enable lone parents to enter employment. We will also fund projects which campaign to prevent poverty in vulnerable groups.

How to apply

This programme is open all the time. There is no deadline for returning completed applications. Application packs can be obtained by:
Telephone: 0845 791 9191
(Minicom: 0845 755 6656)
Web site: www.nlcb.org.uk

<Download application form here>

Health and social research^

This programme funds medical research and social research into health, disability and social care.

Research projects must be undertaken by, or on behalf of, UK charities and voluntary organisations.

Applicants decide their own priorities, but all applications must demonstrate how the research reflects the Board�s aims to help meet the needs of those at greatest disadvantage in society or to improve the quality of life in the community.

When to apply

This programme has a fixed timetable with deadlines for applications. Details of the next Health and social research programme will appear here when it is announced.

International grants programme^

The International grants programme funds development projects which address the causes of poverty and inequality and make a significant improvement to the quality of life of some of the most vulnerable people in the world.

The programme is aimed at UK based voluntary organisations working abroad.

It is an annual grants programme. So far we have awarded �82.6 million to 423 UK based charities.

This is our fourth International grants programme. In the first three programmes we awarded a total of �82.6 million to 423 UK-based voluntary organisations working abroad. Organisations awarded a grant under the previous international programmes can apply to fund a project in the current programme.

Aims of the programme

Under our International grants programme we aim to fund development projects which address the causes of poverty and inequality and make a significant improvement to the quality of life of some of the most vulnerable people in the world.

Many people in the world do not have adequate food, clean water, healthcare, shelter or working and living conditions. They also lack protection from environmental threats, a reliable means of making a living, access to education, choice about having children, protection from violence, equality of opportunity and representation in the development of their community.

In response to these problems we will support projects which:

• reduce poverty and economic insecurity
• assist disadvantaged people to manage their environment in sustainable ways
• improve access to housing, education, healthcare and water
• promote and protect human rights
• enable marginalised people to influence public opinion, policy and practice
• improve understanding of development work
• strengthen the relative social, economic and political position of women and/or girls.

Geographical focus

We will continue to focus on projects benefiting disadvantaged people in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Central and Eastern Europe.

This programme has now closed. Awards will be announced shortly.

Special grants programme^

International grants programme

International grants is an annual programme for UK-based organisations working abroad. It funds development projects which address the causes of poverty and make a significant improvement to the quality of life of some of the most vulnerable people in the world.

Application lines for our fourth International grants programme open on 20th September 1999 and close on 17th December 1999. Completed applications must be received by 5pm on 28th January 2000. Grants will be announced in Summer 2000.

<Download application form here>

Small grants for small groups

Millennium Festival Awards for All (England and Scotland) ^

Millennium Festival Awards for All is for small groups involved in arts, sports, heritage and charity activities who are seeking small grants of between �500 and �5,000 for projects to mark the Millennium. It is jointly funded by the Lottery distributors in England and Scotland.

In England priority is given to groups with an annual income of less than �15,000. Groups must be able to spend the money and complete any activities within six months.

In Scotland the programme funds community activities and initiatives, including schemes to mark the Millennium as part of the Millennium Festival. Grants are awarded to groups with annual incomes of �15,000 or less and groups must be able to spend the money and complete any activities within a year.

When to apply

Application lines are open all the time. Application packs can be obtained by telephone:

England: 0845 600 2040
(Minicom: 0845 755 6656)

Scotland: 0645 700 777
(Minicom: 0845 755 6656)

Awards for All website

Small grants scheme (for Wales and Northern Ireland) ^

This scheme awards grants of between �500 and �5,000 to small local groups.

In Wales the scheme funds projects which bring people together to enjoy community, social and heritage activities, as well as events to celebrate the Millennium as part of the Millennium Festival. Priority is given to groups with an annual income of �15,000. Groups must spend the money and complete any activities within less than six months unless the project is part of the Millennium Festival, in which case they must spend the money within a year.

In Northern Ireland the scheme funds community activities and initiatives, including projects to mark the Millennium as part of the Millennium Festival. Grants are awarded to groups with an annual income of �15,000 or less. Groups must spend the money and complete any activities within six months.

How to apply

Application lines are open all the time. Application packs can be obtained by telephone:

Wales: 0845 727 3273
(Minicom: 01686 610 205)

Northern Ireland: 0845 791 9191
(Minicom: 0845 755 6656)

<Download application form here>

Note: Welsh Language^

Because of the Board's commitment to the Welsh Language Scheme, all application lines and packs are available in Welsh. Welsh language applicants should call 0845 7273273.

Information in other languages and formats

Information for our grants programmes is available in community languages, audio tape, Braille and large print. Guides for people with learning difficulties are also available.