Obtaining external funding for both small and major improvements is often critical for halls. Although many halls can gradually increase their levels of reserves to cover unplanned costs, refurbishments etc are often beyond their means.

This is why obtaining funding is usually top of most halls’ lists when it comes to seeking support.  Who should we apply to?  How should we word the application? What are funders looking for?  How long will the decision take? A useful starting point is this list of funders put together in the summer of 2024 by Mark Johnson at Community Action Northumberland.  He stresses that it is a “work in progress” and that it probably always will be.  There is room for you to give your comments on different funders so that others might benefit from your experience. 

March 2023 New Funding Opportunity

The partnership developed a few years ago between Community Action Northumberland (CAN) and the National Lottery Community Fund continues.  For more information see Louise Currie’s (formerly of CAN)  email below. Please check with Marc Johnson whether these funds are fully allocated etc 

We are looking for Capital projects that will improve and future proof your Village Hall/Community building, whether it’s to help you on your journey to become carbon neutral, upgrade your lighting, or improve your toilet facilities, or maybe even change the layout of your space to improve safeguarding, or increase income generation. As in previous years of this partnership, the investment will be up to circa, £40,000 and we will be looking for a contribution towards costs, whether this is from your own reserves, or other fundraising. 

Attached is the Reaching Communities Land & Building guidance, to give you an idea of the information we will be looking for.  We will need information about your legal status, the ownership/tenure of your Village Hall/Community building, along with your project idea. 

We are particularly interested in the difference this project will make to your hall/community building and how it will impact your local community, as well the impact on the environment. Will this project enable new user groups to access your Village Hall/Community building? Have you got some exciting new ideas, but you need to upgrade your space in order to bring it to life? Will this project enable you to consume less power? Will it reduce your carbon footprint?

Please note, that halls that have already received funding in the last three years via this partnership, will not be prioritised.

 

Photograph: Beadnell WI hall