Quartet Community Foundation (QCF) awards grants to support community based work that has a charitable purpose. Primarily grants are awarded to organisations based and working in the West of England to benefit local people and where a relatively small amount of funding can make a significant difference. We award grants covering a broad range of issues and welcome applications from both new and established groups.
We would encourage you to read our Vital Signs social needs report before submitting an application. The report combines the latest research and survey data to present a concise analysis of social needs in our region. We hope it will stimulate discussion around how best to respond to the complex challenges faced by our local communities.
Understanding the process
Before submitting an application, please read the ‘Essential Information’ section. If you are then happy to proceed you can browse the grant programmes we have available below. By clicking on the individual grant programme you can view the full guidelines, closing dates for the submission of applications and find out how to apply.
We are keen to ensure that we do not waste your time, so if you have any questions regarding eligibility, the application process or would just like to discuss your application before you apply, please call Andy O’Sullivan on 0117 989 7748 or Julie Newman on 0117 989 7711. We are always happy to help.
Please use the following link if you would like to download our full Grant Making Policy:
To find out more visit https://quartetcf.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/
Henry Smith Grants
The Henry Smith Charity makes grants for work throughout the UK, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Priority is given to work with groups experiencing social and/or economic disadvantage (people with disabilities, for example) and to work that tackles problems in areas of high deprivation. Applications must be made directly to the Henry Smith Charity. Please see the Henry Smith Charity website for details.
henrysmithcharity.org.uk
020 7264 4970
Society of Merchant Venturers Grants
The Society of Merchant Venturers awards grants for work based in the Bristol area. The Committee will consider applications from organisations addressing social needs, youth, education, social enterprise, health care, culture and the arts. Applications must be made directly to the Society of Merchant Venturers. Please see the Society of Merchant Venturers website for details.
merchantventurers.com
0117 973 8058
Gannett Foundation Grants
The Gannett Foundation awards grants for work throughout the UK. Priority is given to work addressing education and neighbourhood improvement, economic development, youth development, community problem-solving, assistance to disadvantaged people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment. Grants applications are made to local newspapers owned by Newsquest UK. Please see the Gannett Foundation website for details.
gannettfoundation.org
St Monica Trust Community Fund
The Trust’s Community Fund helps tackle issues that affect the lives of older people in Bristol and the surrounding area. The Community Fund currently distributes more than £500,000 each year to individuals, families and organisations across the region. We provide gifts and grants that go directly to those who will benefit the most and we are committed to helping more people by increasing our giving over the next few years.
Please see the St Monica Trust website for more details https://www.stmonicatrust.org.uk/supporting-communities/community-fund
Fundsurfer is a crowdfunding and investment platform for creative and business projects.
Crowdfunding is a way of raising money online while also building support and momentum for your project or company.
By reaching a large number of people individually who put in small amounts of money you can raise the money you need.
It has changed the way that we fund our communities, projects and companies.
We understand crowdfunding – and we make it simple and flexible
- Set a minimum funding target if you need one
- Set a deadline if you need one
- Extend your timeline or reduce your target if you need to
We’ll help you crowdfund your way to success by providing you with the support you need be successful.
For more information visit www.fundsurfer.com/funding-options/reward-donation-crowdfunding
Fredericks Foundation will consider you for a loan and business support if you can demonstrate that you have made a genuine application for funds to your bank or a mainstream lender – and that you have been turned down.
Your business can be at any stage: you may require money to start-up; capital to expand your business; or funds to bridge a gap. Whether you are a sole trader, in a partnership or have a limited company you may be eligible for a loan.
For start-up businesses we offer up to a maximum of £10,000, though our average loan is less than £5,000. For established businesses with a financial track record of at least 3 years the maximum loan is £20,000.
Please see the Fredericks Foundation website for more details – www.fredericksfoundation.org
The Department For Culture, Media & Sport provides some information about access to funding for creative businesses. Raising finance can be a problem for creative businesses, especially as many high street banks can perceive them as a ‘high risk’. Arts in England are funded through various sources including earned income, government subsidy, private donations and business sponsorship. This benefits artists and arts organisations, as it reduces risks associated with relying on a single source of funding. It also enables greater artistic freedom and financial flexibility, as different schemes have different conditions.
The DCMS itself does not provide funding directly to any arts organisations or individuals. They support organisations and schemes that artists and institutions can apply to for funding:
- Arts Council England
- National Lottery funding opportunities
- Grant opportunities for students
- International funding schemes
- Local authority support for the arts
- Sponsorship, trusts, foundations and private giving
- Voluntary and community groups funding
Public funding is still one of the most popular methods that practitioners think of when they need money, but should only ever be a part of a wider portfolio of income streams to ensure a more robust practice. The recent Arts Council England review and restructure has changed the landscape of public funding in the UK, and practitioners must respond to this if they are to thrive, not just survive.
Artquest’s funding section lists both public and private funders, as well as companies who are known to provide funding or support for artistic projects. For an excellent introduction on strategies for finding and approaching funders and planning fundraising activity, see the Funding Central website provided by the National Council of Voluntary Organisations.
Arts Council England fund arts activities that engage people in England, or that help artists and arts organisations carry out their work. ACE grants are for individuals, arts organisations and other people who use the arts in their work. They support activities that engage people in England or that help artists and arts organisations in England to carry out their work. Your activity must take place mainly in England. There are some exceptions to this when artists or arts organisations from England are involved in activities in other countries.
Grants for the Arts is funded by the National Lottery. If you have an idea for something you want to do with the arts, find out more about Grants for the Arts, ACE’s main open application funding programme visit Arts Council England.
