Funding Activities

Funding is an important part of setting up any activity. The funding makes sure an activity can carry on going. Even activities that are 100% run by volunteers often need some funding, for things like trips, events and room hire.

Funds usually come from three main sources:

• The people doing the activity, as a subscription, contribution or fee.
• Other people in the community, like parents or local groups. 
• Funds from organisations, including charities, companies and government.

All these sources of funding have advantages and disadvantages. This page looks at the main three, then considers a few other options.

Top Tip: Lots of people get started at organising clubs and activities when they are school age. Being a young volunteer at a club is a great way to learn skills and get work experience.

Participants

Getting people (or their parents!) to pay for an activity is one way to fund an activity.

• Pros: people are more likely to attend when they have paid, you know that people want to do the activity
• Cons: you can exclude people who can't afford to pay, you need to be able to process fees

Other people or groups in your community

Getting groups like your Parish Council, Rotary Club, or other groups or individuals in your community to fund an activity is a great way for them to show they value young people in their community and for you to make local connections.

• Pros: Engaging your community, making links with other groups, making young people a positive force in improving your area
• Cons: They may oly be able to give you a small amount, and they will have their own ideas abut what the funding should be spent on

Funding Bodies

Funding bodies include local and national government, charities, funds set up by companies and many more. These groups look at projects and ideas and decide which to fund.

Pros: Making an application means you really think plans through beforehand, there are all sorts of different funds available, and some give you chances to link up with other groups doing similar things

Cons: You need a bank account for your organisation, you need to meet the criteria for funding and you will need to report back on how you spent the grant

Here are some funds that are available:

For Young People

• National Lottery Funds The National Lottery provides many different grants, including ones specifically for young people
• Thames Valley Police Community Fund Fund for Thames Valley local voluntary and community groups, like many funds it opens and closes at different times in the year
• The Princes Trust has a useful list of funding options available across the UK

N.B. We are unable to offer support or advice for any funding; please contact the grant-giving organisations for more information and advice.

National funding

You can also use a search facility, such as the ones on Grant Finder rather than look at each charity or organisation individually.

• Children in Need – funding to help projects aimed at children in need
• Paul Hamilton Foundation – an independent grant-making organisation that aims to improve people’s lives
• Heritage Lottery Fund – helps to maintain buildings, parks and other places

Local Funding

• Short Breaks for Disabled Children - funding for activities for young disabled people.
• Active Oxfordshire funding support and infromation
• The Exuberant Trust - local charity which supports young people in Oxfordshire who are developing their interest in the arts: music, drama, dance, art & crafts, multi-media, etc. and who are in need of a small one-off grant (maximum £500) for a specific project or activity.
• Funding and Grants - info and links from Oxfordshire County Council about where to find and apply for funding opportunities
• OCVA – Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action provides information, advice and support for the community and voluntary sectors in Oxfordshire.
• Oxfordshire Community Foundation encourages individuals, companies and other organisations to donate to local projects that seek to improve life for the most vulnerable in society in the county.
• Oxford City Council offers their community impact fund alongside other funding, information and support