Funding

This section includes some sources of funding specific to the arts & creative sector and general business development funding. This may not be comprehensive so we have listed some useful grants databases as well. The programmes are listed by:

local grants schemes
regional & national grants schemes
loans
grant giving trusts and charities

To view a more comprehensive list please download our Funding Resources information sheet

Funding Central

This national website for the voluntary, community and not-for-profit sector has thousands of searchable funding and finance opportunities. www.fundingcentral.org.uk

Funding Toolkit

This toolkit has been developed to help you find funders and write good bids. Step 2 of the toolkit is a searchable database of local funders. See www.fundingtoolkit.org

GRANTnet

Grant finder for small businesses and community groups. It enables you to look for and select funding schemes and awards specifically for your project. www.grantnet.com . An example of a Grantnet Business Search is here.

Local grants schemes

Leicester Rural Partnership

Leicester Rural Partnership has announced the availability of £400,000 worth of funding to support businesses in Leicestershire’s market towns and rural areas up to October 2012. The INSPIRE Leicestershire programme will provide much needed support to help deliver the Leicestershire Rural Partnership’s economic priorities. A major element of the programme is the provision of grants direct to individual businesses. In total £400,000 of funding is available across 5 priority grant schemes. These include:

Shop Front Improvement Grant
Working Over the Shop (WOTS) Grant
Rural Redundant Buildings Grant
Rural Visitor Grant
Equestrian Development Grant

Full details about this element of the INSPIRE programme, including the funding criteria, eligibility and application process, can be found on the LRP’s Oakleaves website at www.oakleaves.org.uk/inspire

Leicester City Council

Arts Partnership grants provide support to one-off projects which deliver on council priorities. Maximum funding is around £3000 and is for participatory arts, and arts, festivals and heritage. Projects must look towards sustainability from other funding sources and should lever other funding from elsewhere. Contact dindy.outen@leicester.gov.uk or 0116 252 8977.

Blaby District Council

Community grants scheme available through Community Action Blaby District. Contact Karri Aston on 0116 2727669, for more information

Charnwood Borough Council

Charnwood grants scheme is under review, although there may be community development grants available. Contact the Charnwood Grants team on 01509 634785

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council

Small Arts Grants are available for individuals and organisations up to a maximum of £300. The deadline for applications has passed for this year. For further details contact Arts Development Officer Lindsay Orton on 01455 255833

Knowledge Catalyst

The scheme enables small organisations (usually 1-50 employees) in the Creative Industries to solve a strategic problem or realise an opportunity, by forming a partnership with an experienced academic and a high calibre graduate. The AHRC fund 60% of the total project costs and the remaining 40% is funded by the organisation. Maximum grants are available up to approximately £31,500 and the average contribution from an organisation is £1400-£1600 per month for each month the project runs. For further details visit www.dmu.ac.uk/kt or contact Lucy Ayers, E: layers@dmu.ac.uk , T: 0116 257 7653

Regional and national grant, loan and finance schemes

emda Grants

emda have a number of grant schemes, equity and loan funds available for East Midlands businesses. For details on these funding programmes see www.emda.org.uk/funding

Princes Trust

Can provide business start up funding for unemployed (or working less than 16 hours a week) people up to the age of 30 and community and development grants for people up to the age of 25. www.princes-trust.org.uk

Design Factory

Market Development grants for visual arts/crafts/product design. Up to £1500 for new products and markets. Bursaries to Chelsea Craft Fair and 100% Design. www.designfactory.org.uk

National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

NESTA runs a number of award programmes to support people with exceptional talent and imagination to turn original ideas into new products and services. See www.nesta.org

Grants for the Arts

National funding scheme for individual artists and arts organisations run by Arts Council England www.artscouncil.org.uk

Loans

Sir Thomas White Loan Charity

Interest free business loans up to £12,000 for 9 years for residents of Leicestershire and Rutland, over 18 and under 35 to help develop or set up businesses. www.stwcharity.co.uk

The Harry James Riddleston Charity

Leicester businessman Harry Riddleston chose to assist future entrepreneurs by establishing a charitable trust to help young people in Leicestershire or Rutland start their own businesses. Eligible candidates may borrow up to £10,000 interest free for between 5 and 10 years to start or expand their own business, or for vocational or educational advancement. http://www.harryriddleston.org.uk/

Leicestershire Money Line

A not for profit organisation created to provide loans for individuals and businesses based in Leicestershire that high street banks will not help. Maximum loan £10,000. Visit www.leicestermoneyline.co.uk or tel: 0116 253 7879.

Prime Initiative

Start up loans for over those over 50 with viable business plan. Up to £5k loaned over 3 years. www.primeinitiative.org.uk 0800 783 1904

East Midlands Community Loan Fund

for not-for-profit organisations £5k - £100k available. www.lif.org.uk

Investment finance

Regional Venture Capital Fund

Investment in companies with rapid growth potential. £250k first instalment. Also have an exec director matchmaking service. www.catapult-vm.co.uk

GINEM (Growth Investment Network East Midlands)

signposting organisation which helps companies to match investors with worthwhile projects. Mainly £50k to £2m. www.ginem.co.uk