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):

Pros:

Can fund ongoing work
Can sometimes fund salaries and running costs
Will often fund unpopular causes
Groups can reapply for continuing funding
Staff support often available

Cons:

Increasing competition for funds
Need to fit funder priorities which are often political
May have specific delivery requirements
Strict eligibility criteria
Complex and time consuming application and monitoring processes
Often focus on contract funding
May need match funding

Small Pots (10,000 and under):

Pros:

Quick and easy to apply
Staff support often available
wide range of causes
Often local

Cons:

Small amounts
Short term

Information sources

Information about a range of sources www.fundingcentral.org.uk

The Government Funding Website is operated by Directory of Social Change and is now a subscription service, 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.compactvoice.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. Government Departments

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.
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: 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, W1H 0NF
General Inquiries Tel: 020 7271 2492 Fax: 020 7271 2430
E-Mail: correspondenceunit@attorneygeneral.gsi.gov.uk

Cabinet Office: 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: 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: 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: http://www.culture.gov.uk/

They are responsible for Government policy on: the arts, broadcasting, creative industries, 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: 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: http://www.decc.gov.uk/
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) brings 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

Email: correspondence@DECC.gsi.gov.uk

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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, W1A 2AH
General enquiries via switchboard Tel: 020 7008 1500

Government Equalities Office: 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 Email: enquiries@geo.gsi.gov.uk

Her Majesty's Treasury:: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/
The Treasury is the United Kingdom's economics and finance ministry.
Contact: The Correspondence & Enquiry Unit, 2/W1 HM Treasury, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ
Tel: 020 7270 4558 Email: public.enquiries@hm-treasury.gov.uk

Home Office 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: http://www.mod.uk/

The MOD has two key roles: Defending the United Kingdom and its interests; Strengthening international peace and stability.
Specific contact details are on their website.

Ministry of Justice: http://www.justice.gov.uk/

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 Procurement Website: http://procurement.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/