Fresh Ideas Fund

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Fresh Ideas Final Round

This round is now closed to applicants.

Last year the Foundation made 19 awards totalling £714,000 through the Fresh Ideas programme.

We are looking for ideas that will help you to explore new ways of generating income and, by doing so, achieve greater impact. You may have plans to develop new social enterprises, support more of your beneficiaries, spread your work into your neighbouring town, or work with completely new clients. Or you might want to take on a new asset or build a partnership with a like minded charity. We are particularaly interested in helping organisations to explore possible opportunities to access social investment. With the Foundation’s support you will be able to take these ideas to the next stage.

A £1 million fund will provide organisations with grants of up to £50,000 to establish whether their ideas are feasible, pay for expert advice and cover start-up costs. Our aim is to help you to produce the evidence you need to secure the support and investment to make your ideas happen.

Successful applicants will also receive expert help and guidance to ensure their proposals are tested thoroughly.

To be eligible the majority of your work must fit the Foundation’s current grant programmes. You must either:

  1. Support disadvantaged people to better manage their money. (Programme Manager – Richard Walton)
  2. Work with vulnerable people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. (Programme Manager – Richard Walton)
  3. Help older people, people with dementia, people with mental health problems, people with learning disabilities and carers to live independently. (Programme Manager – Louise Telford)
  4. Work to address the impact of domestic abuse, sexual violence, sexual exploitation, child abuse and hate crime. (Programme Manager – Cullagh Warnock)
  5. Support young people in the criminal justice system, refugees and asylum seekers and people who misuse alcohol and/or drugs. (Programme Manager – Cullagh Warnock)

The deadline for applications is the 27th February 2014. Previous successful applicants for Fresh Ideas funding will not be a priority in this round.

Application process

Applicants will need to complete a short application form, provide a budget and a set of accounts. You will also need to download and complete a Sign Off and Submission form. This will need to be signed by your Chairperson or Treasurer and posted to us to arrive no later than the 27th February 2014. Applications can also be sent by email to generaloffice@nr-Foundation.org.uk.

Shortlisted applicants will then be expected to develop their ideas in greater detail by completing a longer project plan. Those ideas thought to have the most potential to succeed will be asked to present to a panel. Final awards will be made in June 2014.

To view case studies of previous awards please click here.

If you would like to discuss a possible application with a member of staff from the Foundation you can speak to the relevant programme manager by calling 0191 2848412.

To apply, please use the links below:

Title Download
Fresh Ideas Application Form 2014 Download File
Fresh Ideas Sign off and Submission Form 2014 Download File