The Foundation funds projects in the UK in the general fields of education, arts, health, environment, community, youth, religion, welfare, and social. There are no specific priorities for funding and a wide range of charitable activity is supported.

The Governance Hub is offering a grant of £140 + VAT as a contribution for small organisations to take part in the 'Boards Count' scheme. For qualifying organisations (annual turnover of less than £500,000) this reduces the price for the benchmarking scheme to £100 + VAT.

The English Heritage Grants for War Memorials scheme provides grants for the repair and conservation of free-standing war memorials in England to help organisations and individuals responsible for their upkeep.

The next deadline for applications is 30 April. http://digbig.com/4xhyd or http://www.english-heritage.org.uk

If you are a small group working in Leicestershire and have an average turnover of less than £20,000 over the last three years you may be eligible to apply to the Grassroots Grants programme available in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

VAL in partnership with Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation have secured small grant funding of £1,244,738.20 in small grants available from September 2008 – 2011.

This small grants programme is available to fund a wide range of projects including the following.

Costs of putting on a local event or workshop
Venue Hire or Rental Costs
Training for Volunteers
The cost of attending a conference or event

For further details regarding what the funding can be used for please see the Application Form and Guidance notes, attached, and available on the VAL website www.voluntaryactionleicester.org.uk or call Dave Sharpe on 0116 2575047. The deadline for the submission of applications for Leicestershire projects is 25th November 2008 with the outcome being announced in December 2008.