Discover Funding Opportunities

Community Grant Scheme

The Community Grant Scheme is an opportunity for voluntary and community sector organisations to apply for a grant to run projects to support Dover district residents. This grant scheme supports community organisations and groups based within the Dover District, or seeking grants for activities that will benefit a community within the Dover District. Applicants can apply for a grant between £100 and £5,000 to support various community projects. Applications are welcomed from registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, community interest companies, social enterprises, constituted voluntary/community groups, constituted sports clubs, constituted youth clubs, constituted school-related groups, and constituted church/faith groups. Projects should be completed within 8 months of award, and the scheme cannot back-fund applications that have already started.

Sport Facilities Fund

The Sport Facilities Fund (SFF) supports capital projects that help to create or improve places where people take part in sport and physical activity. The fund aims to support projects that provide more opportunities for people to get involved in and participate in sport and physical activity. With a budget of approximately £2 million per annum, there is likely to be greater demand and competition for funding than is available. Prioritisation will be given to projects that deliver the greatest impact on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion objectives. Projects that can clearly demonstrate an inclusive approach that targets participants in/from SIMD areas or areas of rural disadvantage, or those with additional needs, or those from ethnically diverse communities, or other protected characteristics as identified in The Equalities Act 2010, will be prioritised. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with deadlines on 1st April and 1st September each year at 5pm.

The Next Challenge Expedition Grant

The Next Challenge Grant is an annual bursary for adventures that was started in 2015 and has funded over 70 different adventures. The money comes from Tim Moss (founder), small crowdfunded donations, and contributions from other adventurers. The grant was created to give back to the adventure community, as the founder received many expedition grants when younger that helped him undertake fantastic adventures. In 2015, the website earned £200 in advertising revenue which was offered as a grant, and when announced, many other adventurers and 100 members of the public matched the pledge, raising £1,600. This process now happens every year, typically raising around £2,000. The money is distributed between winning applicants, each receiving between £100 and £800 plus equipment. The grant is primarily aimed at beginners and those who have not done lots of expeditions before. Winners also receive equipment available to borrow and email support from Tim Moss. The grant is open to all people, of all ages, and of any nationality.

The Jack Bloor Fund

The Jack Bloor Fund was established in 1985 to commemorate the life of Jack Bloor, a Yorkshire legend and pioneering fell runner, climber, orienteer, caver and cyclist. The Fund continues Jack's enthusiasm for encouraging young people to enjoy the outdoors whilst always aiming to fulfil their potential. The Fund provides grants to young people under 26 years who live or are based in Yorkshire to improve their physical and/or technical skills in any recognised outdoor adventure sport. Applications are welcome all year round and are reviewed individually by the Jack Bloor Trustees. The Fund supports activities including fell running, cycling, mountaineering, outdoor first aid courses, independent expeditions, orienteering, athletics, sailing, biathlon, canoeing/kayaking, climbing, and various qualifications. Successful applicants are asked to provide a short report and photographs detailing what the grant has helped them achieve. Money for the Fund is raised through donations and the annual Jack Bloor Races held on Ilkley Moor each May.

Cam and Bear Fund for Adventure

The Cam and Bear Fund for Adventure is a memorial fund established in honor of Andrew Foster, described as the ultimate outdoorsman. The fund's mission is to provide disadvantaged young people with increased opportunities to experience outdoor activities that Andrew loved, including climbing and other adventure pursuits. The program aims to help young participants develop and grow while learning the importance of protecting the natural environment. Named after Andrew and his wife's adventure blog 'Cam and Bear UK,' the fund seeks to inspire others through outdoor experiences and environmental stewardship. The fund accepts applications from young people who would benefit from outdoor adventure opportunities but may lack the resources to access them.

BMC Expedition Grant

The British Mountaineering Council provides grants for international mountaineering expeditions through two separate funding streams. The first stream supports British people from under-represented groups going on mountaineering expeditions, including students and younger BMC members under 35, women, people from diverse ethnic communities, trans & non-binary people, people from LGBTQ+ community, people with a disability, and people with mental health conditions. The second stream supports British people going on innovative high-level mountaineering expeditions with significant, cutting edge and innovative ascents as their main objectives. The BMC recognizes the climate emergency and will only support expeditions in remote environments when applicants can demonstrate commitment to minimizing environmental impact, have a plan to offset carbon emissions, leave no trace behind, and respect local populations. Grant support is given to those who have considered the environmental impact including carbon emissions and sustainability initiatives. Expedition members must be BMC members, and grants are awarded with consideration to team composition and prior grant history. Recipients must submit a summary report within 4 weeks of return and a final report in due course, waiving copyright for publication. They must also contribute to BMC lecturer events if required. Grants are not available for commercial expeditions or fee-paying client situations.

Cutting Edge Grant

The American Alpine Club has inspired and supported cutting-edge climbing achievements for over 100 years. The Cutting Edge Grant, presented by Black Diamond, continues this tradition, aiming to fund advanced climbing athletes in pursuit of world-class climbing and mountaineering objectives. The grant seeks to fund individuals planning expeditions to remote areas featuring unexplored mountain ranges, unclimbed peaks, difficult new routes, first free ascents, or similar world-class pursuits. Objectives featuring a low-impact style and leave-no-trace mentality are looked upon with favor. Cutting Edge Grant awards significantly contribute towards total expedition costs, typically falling in the $4,000 to $10,000 range, though award amounts vary based on project and budget. Recipients are expected to provide comprehensive documentation including trip reports, photography, articles for the American Alpine Journal, and may be asked to give presentations at AAC events.

Organisation Grants

Variety's Organisation Grants provide equipment funding to youth clubs and other organizations supporting disadvantaged young people through informal education, positive activity, and skills development. The program supports youth clubs affiliated with national youth organizations to acquire essential equipment that enables young people to play, learn, have fun, develop a sense of community and participation, foster peer relationships and understand the world around them. Equipment grants cover items costing more than £1,000 including sports and gym equipment, computers and IT equipment, photography and film equipment, consoles and games, arts and crafts materials, and musical instruments and recording equipment. Note: The program is currently not accepting new applications due to increasing demand for individual grants for wheelchairs and special equipment for children.

Children's Summer Playschemes

The Woodward Charitable Trust sets aside funds each year for summer play schemes for children from disadvantaged backgrounds between the ages of 5-16 years. The program supports small local play schemes that provide wide-ranging activities including crafts, cooking, outdoor activities, and sport. Trustees review applications in May and fund programmes that run for a minimum of 2 weeks, 10 full days, or 20 half days across the summer holidays. The Trust prioritizes schemes that involve a large number of children and encourage past users to return as volunteers. Grants can only be paid to registered charities, CICs, CIOs, or exempt charities. The Trust will only fund up to 50% of the total cost of a scheme, with most grants awarded in the range of £500 to £1,000. Around 35 grants are made each year. The program emphasizes relatively inexpensive activities and educational trips rather than purely social outings. Organizations must have an annual turnover of less than £100,000 and must submit a Safeguarding and/or Child Protection Policy with their application.

Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust Grants

The Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust continues Dame Catherine's generous philanthropy through grants and funding to charitable organizations. The Trust primarily supports local charities within the North East of England, or those in which Dame Catherine had an interest and/or have a local benefit. The Trustees prefer projects and schemes which involve or are directed towards capital expenditure. Areas of support include education and training, medical health and sickness, children and young people, religious activities, animal welfare, disability, and arts and culture. As a matter of general policy, the Trustees do not consider applications which would involve core funding or on-going financing, applications with a foreign element, personal applications, or applications for sports clubs and associations.

Tesco Bags of Help Community Grant

Bags of Help is Tesco's local community grant scheme, which funds thousands of community projects every year. The scheme is always open for applications from charities and community organisations. Three community projects in each local area are voted on by customers in Tesco stores throughout the UK, with projects changing every three months. The project that receives the most votes in its area will receive a grant of up to £1,000. The scheme is administered by Groundwork, working with greenspace scotland to support successful projects in Scotland. Projects must bring benefits to the community and can cover a wide range of local causes including equipment for schools and youth groups, environmental improvements, play areas, counselling services, mental health activities, equipment to reduce social isolation, sports equipment, support for health issues, and equipment for community halls. Bags of Help can fund 100% of project costs, and projects must be completed within twelve months of receiving the grant.