You firstly need to ascertain the following:
| Do I have the necessary evidence to show that there is a need for the project I want funding? |
This is where you show evidence - in the form of media publicity, letters from local children/residents, petition/survey (the perfect way to represent a need), presentation to Council, involvement with local Police, community groups, schools etc.
| Could our organisation manage itself appropriately – structurally and financially? |
| Is the project costed thoroughly? |
Quotes of surfacing and equipment from several Companies - and a realistic sum set aside for administration costs plus any other costs your project will incur – need to be set out clearly.
There are endless, and quite diverse, sources of funding you can approach; but before you do, you need to scan through their criteria and see if your project fits in with it.
Below are listed a few funding bodies, but if you start your search by clicking on the websites listed with two stars [**] you will gain up-to-date information, fast:
Po Box 299, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 1UU
Tele: 01284 755567 email: info@towns.org.uk web: www.towns.org.uk
This agency promotes the vitality and viability of small towns.
Somerford Court, Somerford Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 1TW
Tele: 01285 653477 email: acre@acre.org.uk web: www.acre.org.uk
This is a national body to facilitate the development of thriving, diverse and sustainable communities throughout rural England.
AWARDS FOR ALL **
Tele: 0845 6002040 for an application pack web: www.awardsforall.org.uk
Give Lottery grants from £500 up to £5,000 for local groups.
CARNEGIE UK TRUST
Comely Park House, New Row, Dunfermline, Fife KY12 7EJ
Tele: 01383 721445 web: www.carnegieuktrust.org.uk
This is a charitable grant-giving body.
CHARITY COMMISSION **
Harmonsworth House, 13-15 Bouverie Street, London EC4Y 8DP
Tele: 0870 333 0123 web: www.charity-commission.gov.uk
This is a Government Department which aims to help charities use their resources more effectively and to provide advice.
COMMON GROUND (Information and publications)
Gold Hill House, 21 High Street, Shaftsbury, Dorset SP7 8JE
Tele: 01747 850820 web: www.commonground.org.uk
This agency links people and place by focusing on locality.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
60 Highbury Grove, London N5 2AG
Tele: 020 7226 5375 web: www.cdf.org.uk
This service provides support for community initiatives and promotes best practice.
COMMUNITY MATTERS (ADVISORY SERVICE) **
Head Office: 8/9 Upper Street, London N1 OPQ
Tele: 020 7837 7887 email: informationandadvice@org.uk
Web: www.community-matters.org.uk
This is a national umbrella body for multi-purpose volunteer-led community organisations.
COMMUNITY FUND **
2nd Floor, Elizabeth House, 1 High Street, Chesterton, Cambridge CB4 1YW
Tele: 01233 449018 email: enquiries.ea@community-fund.org.uk
Funds applications from organisations which are charitable, benevolent or philanthropic. Particularly aimed at disadvantaged people and improving community life.
DIRECTORY OF SOCIAL CHANGE **
24 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2DP
Tele: 0207 209 4422 email: info@dsc.org.uk web: www.dsc.org.uk
DSC is an independent voice for social change, set up in 1975 to help voluntary organisations become more effective. THEY ARE AN EXCELLENT SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR FUNDRAISERS and produce an excellent BOOK and CD-ROM, which should be available in your local library. This should point you towards relevant grant making trusts.
THE ENGLISH SPORTS COUNCIL
16 Upper Woburn Place, London WC1H OQP
Tele: 0345 649649
ENTRUST
Suite 2, 5th Floor, Acre House, 2 Town Square, Cheshire M33 7WZ
Tele: 0161 972 004 web: www.entrust.org.uk
These are sole regulators of the landfill tax credit scheme.
THE FOUNDATION FOR SPORTS AND THE ARTS
Po Box 20, Liverpool L13 1HB
Tele: 0151 259 5505
This Foundation is a grant giving body funded by Littlewoods and Vernon’s.
FUNDER FINDER **
65 Raglan Road, Leeds LS2 9DZ
Tele: 0113 243 3008 web: www.funderfinder.org.uk
This service develops and distributes software to help individuals and not-for-profit organisations in the UK to identify charitable trusts that may provide funding.
LLOYDS TSB FOUNDATION
PO Box 140, St Mary’s Court, 20 St Mary at Hill, LONDON EC3R 8NA
Tele: 0207 204 5276 web: www.lloydstsbfoundation.org.uk
This service provides grants for registered charities for the social and community needs, education and training.
NATIONAL PLAYING FIELDS ASSOCIATION
NPFA London Office, Stanley House, St Chad’s Place, London WC1X 9HH
Tele: 020 7833 5360 email: npfa@npfa.co.uk
The Playing Fields Association will often contribute funding where an existing sports area is being upgraded. If your proposed site has an old basketball hoop, goalposts or any facility, however basic or dilapidated, it is well worth getting in touch with them. Also, try to get in touch with your local playing fields association – the NPFA will help you find them.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUND **
Heron House, 322 High Holborn, London WC1V 7PW
Tele: 020 7211 1800 email: general.enquiries@nof.org.uk web: www.nof.org.uk
Lottery distributor created to award grants to health, education and environmental projects throughout the UK.
POLICE PARTNERSHIP TRUSTS
Contact your local Police department. Because skatepark installations reduce youth nuisance so radically, most Police forces are willing to contribute something towards providing facilities.
ProHelp
BITC, 165 Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2NR
Tele: 0117 923 8750
ProHelp [under the business and community umbrella] is a mechanism whereby voluntary and community groups in need of professional expertise are matched up with a professional firm willing to give advice free of charge.
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT/REGENERATION AGENCIES
Most regions have an active development or regeneration which will provide funding for a new leisure facility.
SPORT ENGLAND **
Their aim is to increase the number of people taking part in regular sporting activities so this group will support projects that provide facilities, which everyone can use.
TOWN and PARISH COUNCILS
Many town and parish councils make small grants to voluntary and community groups within their locality. Contact your local Council and ask for contact details for your local area.
VITAL VILLAGES
Headquarters: John Dower House, Crescent Place, Cheltenham GL50 3RA
Tele: 01242 521381 web: www.countryside.gov.uk/vital
LOCAL LIBRARY
Your local library is a good source of information. If you do not know what to look for, or where to look for it, speak to the library staff – explain your project and the group’s aim – they will direct you to sources. Don’t forget to call in at your local Council Office too – they can guide you to all the people and departments you need to contact about your project.
Enquiries: dk@great-to-skate.co.uk Jan 2003