Here's our latest roundup of the grants and funds for businesses that are still available.
The Community Foundation
This organisation funds legally charitable work, and provides grants to groups trying to, 'keep their services or activities going, expand them or work in new areas' as well as projects which aim to, 'improve services, develop your staff and trustees or work on your longer-term plans'. The average grant is £6000, and if you're based in Tyne and Wear or Northumberland you can apply at any time.
Tees Valley Business Compass Growth Service
This growth service provides grants to support your client's business growth. They help create jobs, including consultancy, specialist advice, and support towards participating in overseas trade fairs. The average grant is £11k, to fund 33% of your client's projects.
The Environment Now is a program for 17-24 year olds who have thought of a way to use digital technolgy to solve an environmental issue. Successful applicants could receive £10,000 as well as mentoring and work experience. You'll need to provide a detailed description of your project, as well as how much funding you'll need to get your idea off the ground.
The Carbon Trust Green Business Fund
The Carbon Trust Green Business Fund provides funding support to businesses through 'energy assessments, training, equipment procument support and up to £10,000 capital contribution per company towards your energy saving equipment purchase.' Register your interest online, and download the application form to get started.
The Hadrian Trust provide grants to charities and groups working with people or the environment in the North East. Grants provided are usually between £500 and £2000, and can be used for running costs, project costs, part salaries and basic equipment. The final deadline for applications this year has passed, but you can still apply online or by post. The Hadrian Trust will meet next in January.
Rural Growth Network Capital Grants
The Rural Growth Network has two grants available for SMEs, the Strategic Economic Infrastructure Fund and the Rural Business Growth Fund. RGN Capital Grants are ideal for companies in rural areas working in priority sectors. Businesses could receive up to 40% of their eligible costs. Both funds are running until 31st January 2018.
Virgin Money Foundation North East Fund
The Virgin Money Foundation's North East Fund is designed for community organisations, that are promoting long term change in disadvantaged areas in the North East. Successful applicants can receive between £10,000 and £50,000 towards the running costs of their organisation. Just fill in a short application form to get started.
Foundation for Women in Enterprise
The Foundation for Women in Enterprise provides small grants to women-led organisations, in order to support access to professional services, training and equipment. If you are successful, the foundation typically awards grants of around £250. The last deadline was September 8th, but you can still apply online and we expect the next deadline to be posted soon.
The North East Core Funding Programme comes from the Greggs Foundation, and 'makes grants to organisations in the Counties of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and Teesside to support core running costs'. If you're a charity that supports disadvantaged people, you could get £15,000 per year for up to three years.
This program has recently been relaunched, and supports rural businesses, farming and forestry, culture and heritage, rural tourism and rural services. They are requesting funding applications for projects which focus on 'job creation and business growth'. You could receive 40% of the project's total eligible costs. The last deadline was November 8th, but we expect a new deadline to be issued soon.
The University of Sunderland’s Graduate Internship Scheme
If your business is within the North East Local Enterprise Partnership area, you can receive up to £6000 when you hire a graduate. You must be a business to business SME, and work in the private sector. Email the University for more information.
Innovation Program - Read our original post here
This fund is available for businesses who have an innovative idea that will encourage business growth. SMEs must be based in the North East and be investment ready. Successful applicants will have up to 40% of their project funded, and gain access to industry experts, suppliers and independent advice.
This programme offers loans to businesses, which can be used to ''grow your business, take on new staff or manage cashflow''. Funding Circle offer loans from £5,000 - £1 million, and offer free early repayment. Just fill in the online form to see if you're eligible.
Northstar Ventures funds - Read our original post
If you are looking for investment, Northstar Ventures could be for you. They are currently running the North East Social Investment Fund, which is designed for charities and social enterprises that help improve the region. Read the guidelines for submitting a proposal here.
EU calls for proposals - Read our original post (This post is about EU proposals which have now ended)
At time of writing, the EU are calling for proposals for three projects. Businesses that qualify could receive up to 75% of their eligible costs.
Shell LiveWIRE Smarter Future Awards - Read our original post
Shell run a competition every month, where businesses could win £5000 towards a project which helps the UK become more sustainable. Sign up to their website to apply.
Knowledge Transfer Fund - Read our original post
This fund is still running and offers support when you hire a graduate. They have different deadlines for each sector, so check their website for details.
AGE 16-24 - Read our original post
If you're thinking about hiring an apprentice this fund is still available. There is a dedicated site for apprentices in Tees Valley.
North East Business Support Fund - Read our original post
This fund is running until the end of 2017, and offers up to £2800 towards your next business venture. You can apply online, and the process should only take 15 minutes. There are still dedicated offers for businesses in County Durham.
R&D Tax Credits - Read our original post
You can still claim tax relief if a project you're running aims to advance science or technology. The tax relief on allowable R&D costs is currently at 230%.
If you know about a fund, grant or investment opportunity we should be talking about, tweet us
