Grant funding plays an important role in enabling local voluntary and community organisations to support local initiatives that help local people.
Very often a (small) grant can provide a huge return for the community, whether by funding events which bring people together, supporting services which meet people at their greatest need, or by enabling groups to buy equipment or resources which build their capacity in a very practical way.
From time to time SCVO is asked to administer local grants on behalf of local, regional or national funders. Examples of these in recent years include Esmee Fairbairn, Emotional Wellbeing Programme, the Vision 2030 and the Sandwell Leisure Trust Sports Grants.
SCVO publicise grant opportunities widely, targeting particular types of organisations if necessary, support organisations to submit clear applications and convene local grants panels to assess requests for funding.
Notification of submission dates for all grant rounds will be through SCVO’s media channels – including our website – and you can also subscribe to our weekly e-bulletin to be reminded when such dates are announced.
SCVO is always available to help you with guidance on external funding opportunities, in addition to these grant programmes. For more information please see our dedicated Funding page.
This page contains information on grants programmes that SCVO is currently administering, as well as those that have now closed (for information purposes only).
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Current Programmes:
REND Community Research Grant Programme (currently NOT accepting applications)
REND funding supports voluntary and community groups who are interested in becoming ‘community reporters’ to listen to and capture people’s experiences and stories as part of a wider programme of engagement within our communities to improve local health and care services.
Cadent Centre for Warmth Grant Programme (currently NOT accepting applications)
Cadent Gas, who operate the gas supply network for much of the Midlands and North of England, are funding a programme of cost-of-living support as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitments, specifically related to helping people keep their homes warm and safe. Working with NAVCA (the national membership body for local VCS umbrella organisations), SCVO is offering a package of support including training, some equipment to distribute and grant funding.
Kore Sandwell Sports Grants (currently NOT accepting applications)
Kore Sandwell Sports Grants purpose is to encourage and increase participation in physical activity, sport and leisure by the whole community. The direct benefits that flow from Sandwell Leisure Trust’s overall purpose is to improve the health and wellbeing of the wider community in Sandwell, reduce the social isolation of its citizens through group physical activity, and deliver sustainable sport and leisure services for future generations to enjoy.
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Closed Programmes:
SCVO Vision 2030 Grants – Vision 2030 sets out the ambitions towards making Sandwell (in 2030) a thriving, optimistic and resilient community. Central to this vision is the message of closer partnership working between all sectors and communities across the borough. The aspiration is for Sandwell (now and in the future) to be where we call home and where we’re proud to belong – where we choose to bring up our families, where we feel safe and cared for, enjoying good health, rewarding work, feeling connected and valued in our neighbourhoods and communities, confident in the future, and benefiting fully from a revitalised West Midlands.
SCVO is delivering this grant programme, on behalf of and in partnership with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, to enable voluntary and community groups to deliver activities in Sandwell, and to Sandwell residents.
The Vision 2030 Community Grants programme is funded by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.
Vision 2030 Community Grants support the following priorities:
- Sports Activities: supporting community-based sports activities and opportunities to get more people involved.
- Community Mental Health: this grant programme focuses specifically on the area of promoting positive community mental health with funding being available to support early help/preventative activities; that are run BY local people FOR local people.
- LGBTQ+: The LGBTQ+ Health Challenge initiative aims to improve physical and mental health, healthcare access, and social connections leading to better health outcomes for the LGBTQ+ community in Sandwell.
- Community Micro Grants: £500 to support activity with a focus on building social connections, tackling loneliness and isolation or healthy lifestyles.
You can see details of the awards made in each funding round at: Vision 2030 Community Grants – grants awarded