Funding finder

ABBEY CHARITABLE TRUST

Funding: Since it was formed in 1990 the trust has made £20m in grants. It focuses on areas where it has established Community Partnership Groups - these are Camden, Glasgow, Bradford, Milton Keynes, Sheffield, Northern Ireland and Teesside. Outside of these areas grants can be from £250 to £2,500 but within them the ceiling is £20,000, although most grants will range from £1,000 to £4,000.

Funder: The charitable arm of the former Abbey National Building Society. The trust was set up in 1990 with an endowment from the company, from which it also receives annual grants.

Aim: To support disadvantaged people in local communities through three main approaches: education and training that may lead to a recognised qualification or be part of a wider approach to lifelong learning; local regeneration based on partnerships such as intergenerational work or diverse ethnic communities working together; and helping disadvantaged people to take more control of their money through financial education.

Who can apply?: Only projects with charitable status. It favours small, local charities and also prefers to fund a complete project rather than make a partial donation to a fundraising campaign.

Deadline: Ongoing.

Contact: (tel) 0870 608 0104 or (web site) http://www.abbeynational.com/

ADVENTURE CAPITAL FUND

Funding: Grants of between £50,000 and £750,000 for community enterprises, or up to £15,000 through the Business Development Grant, which is aimed at start up businesses.

Funder: The Cabinet Office.

Aim: To support community enterprises to become sustainable, by providing funding either as grants or loans - normally alongside investment from other sources.

Who can apply?: Community organisations, with or without charitable status, working in England. The business must benefit either the area it is in, or key groups within the community - such as disadvantaged young people.

Deadline: Ongoing. An investment committee normally meets every four to six weeks.

Contact: (tel) 020 7488 3455 or (email) info@adventurecapitalfund.org.uk or (web site) http://www.adventurecapitalfund.org.uk/

ADVICE PLUS

Funding: £50m between 2006 and 2009. Projects can apply for between £10,000 and £500,000 for capital and revenue projects lasting up to five years.

Funder: The Big Lottery Fund

Aim: To ensure more people have access to advice services that help them access benefits they may be entitled to, in areas such as housing, education, health and welfare.

Who can apply?: Voluntary and community bodies in England - including charities, credit unions, self-help groups, social and community enterprises and community-based co-ops.

Contact: (tel) 0845 410 2030 or (web site) www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

ALEC DICKSON TRUST

Funding: Most grants are below £250.

Funder: The trust was formed in 1994 as a memorial to Alec Dickson, the founder of Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and Community Service Volunteers (CSV). In keeping with the trust's aim of supporting youth volunteering, all of its trustees are under 30, and are committed to volunteering.

Aim: The trust aims to fund projects that use volunteering or community service to support young people, particularly the most marginalised.

Who can apply?: People under 30 can apply for money to carry out voluntary projects in the UK.

Deadline: Trustees meet twice a year to consider applications.

Contact: http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/alecdicksontrust/index.htm

AWARDS FOR ALL ENGLAND

Funding: £60m available from 2006-07. Grants of between £300 and £10,000.

Funder: Awards for All England is a joint lottery grants programme supported by Arts Council England, Big Lottery Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund and Sport England.

Aim: To make small grants that make a big difference to people and communities. Projects must extend access to and participation in activities or boost people's skills and creativity with the aim of improving quality of life.

Who can apply?: Not-for-profit groups, parish/town councils, schools or health bodies. Applicants must spend the grant within one year.

Deadline: Ongoing

Contact: (tel) 0845 600 2040 or (web site) www.awardsforall.org.uk