Funding Help

Building Schools for the Future is the biggest single government investment in improving school buildings for over 50 years. However, there will inevitably be some 'value added' elements to the new and refurbished schools, which it will not be possible to fund from the BSF pot. The DfES have produced a very useful document which outlines how local authorities and schools should demonstrate a 'joined up approach' to planning and funding www.bsf.gov.uk/documents

In addition to this guidance here are some considerations when identifying funding for cultural projects:

• Consider building in opportunities and flexibilities if the timescales don't fit. For example - you may wish to leave the option for an extension to be built later.
• Does your project reflect the local, regional and sub-regional cultural aims? Is their potential for linking with the private sector through local businesses? Contact your Local Strategic Partnership to find out their priorities on culture www.neighbourhood.gov.uk/page.asp
• Consult with your Community Sports Network or County Sports Partnership on your sport and P.E. developments and to identify strategic priorities. You can find out your local contact by visiting.. www.sportengland.org/index/get_resources
• Don't forget to include consultation with users and stakeholders and then evaluation as part of the process
• Consider how the facilities will be programmed and managed - will you require a separate revenue budget for related posts, maintenance and set up costs (funding for loose furniture may not be included in some capital grants). Funding for extended schools programmes www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool
• Sustainability - how will your facilities be sustained once the capital funding has been allocated. There should be opportunity for growth and development so build in extra storage, office space, car parking etc. and some flexibility in the design.
• It is often advantageous to identify a number of funding streams to combine to realise your project - but remember each separate funding body will have their own timescales, paperwork and output requirements.

Sport England and the Arts Council provide funding to support sports and arts related capital and revenue projects. Sport England have an on-line enquiry form which will help you identify if your project is illegible www.sportengland.org/index/get_funding
Arts Council also accept on-line applications www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding

Here are some other organisations, which fund cultural projects:

Free Form Arts Trust
www.freeform.org.uk

Business in the Community
www.bitc.org.uk

Charities Aid Foundation
www.cafonline.org/Default.aspx?page=6837

New Opportunities Fund
www.nof.org.uk

Big Lottery Fund - Have a look at their 'Reaching Communities' programme
www.biglottery.org.uk

The Foundation for Sport and the Arts
www.thefsa.net

Awards for All
www.awardsforall.org.uk

Your local authority may have subscribed to grantsfinder which allows you to search an up-to-date database of grants providers.
www.grantfinder.co.uk