Funding from Government

What are they?

UK Government departments.

Who can apply?

Voluntary, community and faith sector organisations, and sometimes local authorities.

What do they fund?

A variety of 'good causes' that lie within the Government's current priorities. The Government increasingly contracts for services with the Voluntary Sector.

How do you apply?

Usually through completing an Application Form. Sometimes a business plan is needed. To find out about these funding opportunities, it can help to get involved in appropriate networks.
The exact nature of statutory funding pots depends on the size of grant available.

Large Pots (over 10,000):

The Government Funding website is your online portal to grants for the voluntary and community sector from the following funders:

Small Pots (10,000 and under):

Funding Central

The Government has set up a funding portal which includes details of Government funding. This service is free of charge. The searchable database includes tender opportunities with anything that might be of interest to the voluntary sector and social enterprises.

This service is contracted to NCVO with J4B providing the searchable database.

This website is at http://www.fundingcentral.org.uk

The Government Funding Website

The Government Funding website is an online portal to grants for the voluntary and community sector originally set up for the following funders:

Cabinet Office

• Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)
• Department for Children, Schools and Families
• Department for Communities and Local Government
• Department for Culture, Media and Sport
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• Department for Transport
• Department for Work and Pensions
• Department of Energy and Climate Change
• Department of Health
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office
• HM Revenue & Customs
• Home Office
• Ministry of Defence
• Ministry of Justice

It also includes funding about funding from:

• Local Authorities
• Regional Government
• Independent Grant Administrators
• European Sources

The website contains easy to follow details of all current funding opportunities for the voluntary and community sector from Government departments it covers. Please note whether funding streams are currently open.
You can also access application forms and guidance notes for these schemes.
The website is operated by Directory of Social Change and is now a subscription service.
Website: www.governmentfunding.org.uk

There are also a number of Government websites that provide entry points for information about UK Government Departments. These can be found via www.direct.gov.uk  or www.number-10.gov.uk

The Compact

The Compact is the agreement between government and the voluntary and community sector in England to improve their relationship for mutual advantage.
By building better relationships the Compact can help government and the voluntary and community sector work better together for the communities they serve.
Use the website www.thecompact.org.uk to find out how the Compact can help you.
Local Compacts are being drawn up for dealings between local and regional government and the voluntary sector. These can be downloaded from the regional pages of the Compact website.
There are also resources including 'Introduction to Compacts', a 'Guide to Good Practice', mini guides, posters and glossaries on terms used in this field.

Government Departments

The following information will be updated shortly to take account of changes under the new Government. At the moment Government Department contacts, websites and organisation are still under review.

The duties of some Government Departments are devolved. For further information outside of England see also the Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland pages.
Funding for community groups and voluntary organisations is made by most government departments. Voluntary organisations which work within specialist fields will often gain funding from the government department responsible for their area of work (e.g. Those alleviating poverty overseas will often gain funding from the DFID; Those resettling ex-offenders might gain funding from the Home Office) Funding opportunities will vary over time.
Some Departments only provide funding through Regional Government and Development Offices or through Local Government.
More funding for the Voluntary and Community Sector from central and local government is being made through contracts to provide services. You will need to tender for these and provide services under a commercial style agreement.
Some of the more more important Government departments likely to fund community groups and voluntary organisations are outlined below.
Other Statutory funding and regional information is available separately.

Entry point to all government departments

Website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/

 
Attorney General's Office

Website: http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.uk
The Attorney General's Office (AGO) provides high quality legal and strategic policy advice and support to the Attorney General and the Solicitor General (the Law Officers).
Contact: Attorney General's Office
20 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0NF
General Inquiries Tel: 020 7271 2492
Fax: 020 7271 2430
E-Mail: correspondenceunit@attorneygeneral.gsi.gov.uk

Cabinet Office

Website: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/
The Cabinet Office sits at the very centre of government, with an overarching purpose of making government work better.
The Cabinet Office leads work across Government to support voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, charities, cooperatives and mutuals.
Areas they cover include: support for the sector; social enterprise; charity law and regulation; volunteering and giving; the sector's role in public services.
Contact: Cabinet Office, 70 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2AS
Switchboard Tel: : 020 7276 1234

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Website: http://www.bis.gov.uk/
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
Contact: Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
1 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0ET
Tel: 020 7215 5000 Minicom: 020 7215 6740

Department for Communities and Local Government

Website: http://www.communities.gov.uk/
Communities and Local Government has an extensive remit that is delivered mainly by seven policy areas:

• Local government
• Communities and neighbourhoods
• Cities and regions
• Housing
• Planning, building and the environment
• Thames Gateway and the Olympics
• Fire and resilience

Contact: Communities and Local Government
Eland House
Bressenden Place
London
SW1E 5DU
Tel: 0303 444 0000
Email: contactus@communities.gov.uk

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Website: http://www.culture.gov.uk/

They are responsible for Government policy on:

• the arts
• broadcasting
• creative industries including:
  • advertising
  • the arts market
  • design
  • fashion
  • film
  • the music industry
• the historic environment
• licensing and gambling
• libraries
• museums and galleries
• the National Lottery
• press freedom and regulation
• sport
• tourism

Contact: Department for Culture, Media and Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London
SW1Y 5DH
Tel: 020 7211 6000
Email: enquiries@culture.gov.uk

Department for Education

Website: http://www.education.gov.uk/
The Department for Education is responsible for education and children's services.
Specific contact details are on their website.

Department of Energy and Climate Change

Website: http://www.decc.gov.uk/
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) was created in October 2008, to bring together: energy policy (previously with BERR, which is now BIS - the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills), and climate change mitigation policy (previously with Defra - the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).
Contact: Department of Energy and Climate Change
3 Whitehall Place
London
SW1A 2AW Tel: 0300 060 4000 (standard national rate)
Email: correspondence@DECC.gsi.gov.uk

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Website: http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/
Defra is the UK government department responsible for policy and regulations on the environment, food and rural affairs.
Contact: Defra
Customer Contact Unit
Eastbury House
30 - 34 Albert Embankment
London
SE1 7TL
Tel: 08459 33 55 77
Email: helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Department for International Development

Website: http://www.dfid.gov.uk/
Leading the UK government's fight against world poverty. UK Government Department responsible for promoting development and the reduction of poverty.
Contact: Department for International Development
1 Palace Street
London
SW1E 5HE
Tel: 0845 300 4100 Email: enquiry@dfid.gov.uk

Department for Transport

Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk/ Department for Transport
The DfT is working to deliver a transport system which balances the needs of the economy, the environment and society.
Contact: Department for Transport
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR
Tel: 0300 330 3000

Department for Work and Pensions

Website: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/
The DWP is responsible for welfare and employment issues. These were formerly done by the Department of Social Security (DSS) and Department for Education (DfE)
Contact: Department for Work and Pensions
Caxton House
Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9DA

Email: enquiries@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Department of Health

Website: http://www.dh.gov.uk
The Department of Health (DH) exists to improve the health and wellbeing of people in England.
Contact: Customer Service Centre
Department of Health
Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London SW1A 2NS
Tel: 020 7210 4850 Textphone (for deaf and hard of hearing): 020 7210 5025

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Website: http://www.fco.gov.uk/
The Foreign & Commonwealth office is responsible for promoting
British interests overseas
Contact: Foreign and Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
General enquiries via switchboard Tel: 020 7008 1500

Government Equalities Office

Website: http://www.equalities.gov.uk/
GEO is a small policy Department which has responsibility within Government for equality strategy and legislation. GEO takes the lead on issues relating to women, sexual orientation and transgender equality matters.
Contact: Government Equalities Office
9th Floor
Eland House
Bressenden Place
London
SW1E 5DU
Public enquiries Tel: 0303 444 1204
Fax : 0303 444 3303
Email: enquiries@geo.gsi.gov.uk

Her Majesty's Treasury

Website: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/
The Treasury is the United Kingdom's economics and finance ministry.
For all general enquiries about HM Treasury and its work please
Contact: The Correspondence & Enquiry Unit
2/W1
HM Treasury
1 Horse Guards Road
London
SW1A 2HQ
Tel: 020 7270 4558
Fax: 020 7270 4861
Email: public.enquiries@hm-treasury.gov.uk

Home Office

Website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/
The Home Office is the lead government department for immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime, counter-terrorism and police.
Specific contact details are on their website.

Ministry of Defence
The MOD has two key roles: Defending the United Kingdom and its interests;
Strengthening international peace and stability.
Website: http://www.mod.uk/
Specific contact details are on their website.

Ministry of Justice

Website: http://www.justice.gov.uk/ Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice spans criminal, civil and family justice, democracy, rights and the constitution.
Contact: Ministry of Justice
102 Petty France
London
SW1H 9AJ
Tel: 020 3334 3555

and procurement Website: http://procurement.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/
Contact: Procurement Directorate
Ministry of Justice
Room 806
8th Floor
Abell House
St John Islip Street
London
SW1P 4LH

See also Statutory Funding pages on this website for other statutory funding agencies and Regional pages for details of statutory funding contacts for the regions including Primary Care trusts regional Government Offices, Regional Development Agencies, Local Education Authorities and Local Authorities and Councils.

See also Statutory Funding pages on this website for other statutory funding agencies and Regional pages for details of statutory funding contacts for the regions including Primary Care trusts regional Government Offices, Regional Development Agencies, Local Education Authorities and Local Authorities and Councils.

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