Funding Advice

Whatever your funding need, large or small, we can help you. It might be to develop a funding strategy or project idea, carry out a funding search to find out what funding and resources are available, or to support you to write an application or bid for a contract.

We also manage a number of funds to support local projects - see below for details of current funds and how to apply.

Who can use the service?

Any person, community group or voluntary organisation based or working within South Derbyshire.

When is the service available?

Our usual office hours are 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.00pm Friday.

How much will it cost?

Nothing, all information, advice and support is free. 

Contact

Current Funds Managed by SDCVS

Small Grant Funds

South Derbyshire CVS manages the following small grants to support local voluntary, community and not-for-profit groups and activities:

A) Improving Health & Wellbeing Grant

Up to £1,000 for projects or activities anywhere in South Derbyshire that reduce health inequalities, support people with dementia and other long term conditions and their carers and/or; support people to make choices in their lifestyles that improve their physical wellbeing.

B) Improving Mental Health & Wellbeing Grant

Up to £1,000 for activities that improve people's mental health and wellbeing in South Derbyshire by meeting the '5 Ways to Wellbeing' programme, which includes: Connecting; Being active; Keeping learning; Giving to others and; Taking notice.

C) Self-Help Grant

Up to £1,000 to support the activities of health and wellbeing related self-help groups that support adults (18+) in South Derbyshire.

How to Apply

You can apply for up to £2,000 in total by combining funds A & C or B & C (you can't apply for A & B together). However you only need to fill in one application form. There is no deadline for bids. Your application will be assessed at regular Grants Panel meetings and you will be notified of the outcome of your application within 10 days of the meeting.

For guidelines and an application form please email the Community Development Team: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Commissioner’s Vulnerability Fund

South Derbyshire CVS are working alongside the Police Crime Commissioner to promote the Vulnerability Fund, which offers grants of up to £1,000 – this could be funding to pay for a security system to make a community building safer for the local community to access the facilities, or to prevent crime related issues that may be occurring.

Here are some examples of other projects that could be funded to support community groups that access your facilities:

• Projects from the following list who are wishing to prevent victimisation, repeat victimisation or create safer local community outcomes: local residents’ groups, self-help or support groups working with vulnerable people, youth groups, village halls and community centres, mental health groups, user-led organisations representing and supporting people with specific protected characteristics (such as disabled people’s groups, BAME community groups, LGBTQ groups)

• Diversionary activities and support for young people, particularly those who are most vulnerable to becoming a victim or perpetrator of crime due to their family or life circumstances, people with learning difficulties, physical disabilities, or mental health conditions, or with a history of, or vulnerability to, substance misuse

• Support services, advice or self-help groups and services offering emotional, practical, and other support to particular vulnerable groups, either on-line, by telephone or appropriately social distanced face to face support

• Projects which support and encourage target groups of vulnerable people who have lost their jobs or lost income as a result of the pandemic to get back into work, training opportunities or other programmes

• Groups which have had to close facilities or put services/activities on hold during lockdown, who need a small amount of additional resource to enable them to re-open safely or deliver services in new ways e.g. protective equipment, barriers/screens, and IT software

• Activities to ensure vulnerable people have access to reliable, accurate information and are able to access support services – including those who are digitally excluded or who face barriers due, for example, to their disability, health condition, language barriers, making them more vulnerable to becoming victims of crime or anti-social behaviour.

How to Apply

Grants from £50 to £1,000 are available. For more information and to get an application form please email Development Officer Liz Gumbley: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..