Funding and Fundraising
Following changes to our funding, Community Action Isle of Wight is no longer able to provide individual fundraising advice, funding searches or support with funding applications.
However, there are a number of useful websites and online resources which can help voluntary and community organisations find funding opportunities and develop their fundraising skills.
Finding funding
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation
The Community Foundation provides a range of grants for voluntary and community organisations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, with a particular focus on smaller grassroots organisations.
Visit Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation
The National Lottery Community Fund
Search current National Lottery funding programmes and filter opportunities according to location, funding amount and whether programmes are currently open.
Search National Lottery Community Fund opportunities
GOV.UK – Find a Grant
A free government service where organisations can search and filter current government grant opportunities, check eligibility and find information about how to apply.
Grantway
Grantway is a free online funding portal which enables organisations to search for grant opportunities using keywords and filters.
My Funding Central
My Funding Central provides a searchable database of grants and social investment opportunities for charities, voluntary organisations, community groups and social enterprises with an annual income below £1 million. Charges may apply depending on the size of your organisation.
Find out about My Funding Central
Fundraising advice and learning
NCVO – Funding and income guidance
NCVO provides free guidance on finding grants, preparing to apply for funding and developing different sources of income.
Gecko Fundraising
Gecko Fundraising provides fundraising advice, training and bid-writing services for charities and voluntary organisations. It also offers a free online Introduction to Fundraising course covering topics including different types of income, developing a case for support, finding funders and planning your fundraising.
Some funders to explore directly
It is also worth regularly checking the websites and newsletters of funders that support voluntary and community organisations. These include:
-
BBC Children in Need – funding for organisations working with children and young people.
-
Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales – funding programmes focused particularly on small and local charities.
-
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation – local grant programmes for community organisations.
-
The National Lottery Community Fund – a wide range of community funding programmes.
A few tips when looking for funding
Before applying, take time to check that your organisation and project meet the funder’s criteria. Think clearly about what you want funding for, who will benefit, what difference the project will make and how much it will cost.
Funding opportunities change regularly, so it is worth signing up for alerts and newsletters from funders and funding-search websites rather than relying on a one-off search.
Where possible, try to develop a mixture of income sources rather than depending on one funder alone. These could include grants, donations, fundraising activities, contracts, sponsorship, membership income or trading.
Please note: Community Action Isle of Wight provides these links for information only. Funding programmes, eligibility criteria and closing dates change regularly, so please check details directly with the relevant funder before applying.