Grants and Funding

This section provides information on grants and funding for activities within rural Northumberland.

Here you will find links to further information about specific funding schemes, information on organisations that can help you develop a project and apply for funding, and the latest information relating to changes in funding programmes.

• Community

Community Groups can access advice and information on a range of funding related issues from Community Action Northumberland (CAN). CAN has Community Development Officers who provide support, advice and assistance to community groups in many different ways, including by providing advice on funding. CAN also provides specialist advice relating to village halls and, via the website, provides a number of information sheets relevant to those looking for funding for a particular project. For more information visit www.ca-north.org.uk or call 01670 517 178.

Separate councils for Voluntary Service exist in Blyth Valley and Wansbeck and can be contacted via:

• Wansbeck CVS - www.wansbeckcvs.org.uk or 01670 858 688.
• Blyth Valley CVS - www.blythvalleycvs.org.uk or 01670 353 623

Alnwick Community Development Trust has access to the Grantfinder service, a comprehensive database of UK and EU funders, ranging from grants and loans to advisory schemes and government initiatives. It comprises in total over 4,000 programmes covering a wealth of grant giving funds and includes criteria, eligibility, exclusions, information on projects the funder has supported in the past, application procedures and deadlines. A number of organisations have already used the service and applied for grants to funders they may not have previously identified. To cover the cost of the service the Trust asks for a donation of £20. Further information including a search request form can be found on the Trust's website www.alnwickdevelopmenttrust.org.uk or by calling 01665 606 093.

• Business

Businesses can obtain advice about funding from Business Link.  The national Business Link website contains a large amount of information of use to businesses, including a grants and support directory (see link on right hand side of this page).

Business Link North East can be contacted via www.businesslinknortheast.co.uk or on 0845 600 9006.

Northumberland Business Services Ltd (NBSL) operates a network of advice centres around the county enabling access to its services. For more information about NBSL and the Business Advice Centres visit www.n-bs.org or call 01670 813 322.