Funding News

Third sector organisations working toward empowerment across the country are invited to apply for support through the £7.5m Empowerment Fund. The purpose of the Empowerment Fund is to give financial assistance to 20-25 eligible third sector organisations and make the most of their potential in supporting empowered communities.

The Empowerment Fund will provide three year grants for community empowerment organisations operating across England. The security of a three year fund will help these organisations plan ahead with confidence and we will be looking for them to show how they will make effective use of financial assistance from the Fund to do yet more.

The £7.5m Fund, which will run from 2009-2012 will be divided between 20-25 organisations with either £250,000 or £500,000 grants over three years. . The Empowerment fund will grant money to 20-25 third sector organisations who can help deliver on the key themes set out in the White Paper, Communities in Control: real people, real power. Themes for delivery could include: Community Voices and Leadership; Community Development; Community and Social Media; Community involvement in Planning: Improving communication between citizens and councillors; Social Enterprises and Social Entrepreneurship; Helping small organisations to work together. Websites:

ADVENTURE CAPITAL FUND - BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS CHANGES Are you a community organisation looking to develop a new asset, income stream or product? Are you in the early stages of planning and need extra support to turn your idea into a reality?

The Adventure Capital Fund (ACF) offers Business Development Grants (BDG) of up to £15,000 which can be used for a range of development activities that will prepare your organisation to run enterprise and trading activities and to become ready for larger investments. This money can be used flexibly to get your organisation ready for larger investment and consequent growth such as technical assistance and advice, legal or other fees relating to building purchase or development, business planning, training related to your enterprise idea, feasibility studies, market research and product development. The grants cannot be used for equipment purchase, building works or for general running costs such as salaries, utility bills, rent, etc.

As well as a grant from the Adventure Capital Fund, you will be assigned a Supporter for up to 5 days, whose role is precisely that - to support you in making the best use of the initial money and in making your case for further investment. Your supporter will be able to suggest a range of strategies and provide quality assured support across a wide range of issues. They will take particular care to focus with you on developing realistic outcome targets and income projections for future years.

They expect to make around 40 Business Development Grants in total and hope to have a good geographical spread across England. However, as they have been given funding from the London Development Agency, there would be more grants awarded in London. They expect demand for funds to exceed supply; grants will only be offered to high quality applicants with a proven track record and who meet our criteria. Please look carefully at the criteria you need to meet to make a successful application and also look at the “Are you eligible” page on our website.

The Application Form is available to download from our website. All sections must be completed as any incomplete applications will be declined immediately. Completed forms should be emailed to info@adventurecapitalfund.org.uk or posted to Adventure Capital Fund, Ground Floor, Ibex House, 42-47 Minories, London EC3N 1DY The application windows are: 1. Open from Oct 21st until Dec. 12th 2008. Decisions by January 30th at the latest; 2. Open from Feb 2nd until March 14th 2009. Decisions by April 30th at the latest; 3. Open from May 4th until May 29th 2009. Decisions by June 30th at the latest. Full information is on Website: The Adventure Capital Fund main grants programme remains closed at the current time.

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