News

Online Funding Databases

Trawling internet search engines for potential funders can be a fruitless and time-consuming task. There are, however, a number of detailed databases which have been compiled to provide information on individual charitable trusts, National Lottery, UK Government grants, European funding and other sources. The majority of these databases work on a subscription basis, but incorporate the advantage of providing access to up-to-date information regarding current funding schemes, guidelines, individual websites and details of how to apply. They provide fast, easy access to thousands of funders and importantly provide the facility to search potential funding opportunity according to the criteria of your project. A number of the sites offer a free seven-day trial before full subscription.

Subscription to Grantfinder provides access to a detailed and powerful tool for searching all aspects of your funding priorities. The site contains comprehensive information on UK and European financial support provision, including grants, subsidies, loans and other incentives, with both brief and detailed information on all grants and a detailed handbook to guide you through the search criteria.

Subscription site with database of grant funding opportunities from the European Union, UK Government, Lottery, Regional Grant Making Bodies and Grant Making Trusts. 7 day free trial available.

Access Funds provides a search facility to access the latest funding information from Central Government, National Lottery, devolved governing bodies, European Union and charitable trusts. Subscription includes in-depth directory of funding with links to hundreds of grant programmes, detailed guides to getting funding and a monthly bulletin email. Free 7 day trial available.

Trustfunding is a database source, accessible by subscription, which details all trusts included within DSC and CAF publications. It includes information on over 4,200 grant-making trusts with a total of over £3.1 billion a year, and provides a detailed search facility to access funds relevant to your funding priorities. The Trustfunding website allows the user to demo the site and access some of the information prior to subscription.

Funding Information is a subscription site which contains information on 3 key areas:

• Getting money - covers the latest ways to get cash for your projects, including grants, central and local government, Europe, the Lottery and individual donors;
• Future trends - covers the political, economic, social and technological forces shaping fundraising practice
• Effective fundraising - lists courses, conferences and publications that are available to help you become a more productive fundraiser.

Free trial access to the site available for 2 weeks.

SMALLfri is a subscription news service which brings you up-to-date and accurate information, twice a month, by email. Bulletins contain up to 15 entries covering recently announced funds from a variety of sources, including charitable trusts, foundations and Lottery programmes, and providing details on the availability of funds, criteria or guidelines, details of the applciation process and contact details.

Free/Non-subscription databases

Although the majority of databases require a subscription fee, the following sites offer limited or partial access to the database, with more detailed information accessible via subscription. The information provided is, however, often enough to give an idea of eligibility or a link to the trust website.

Database including information on government funding for both business and voluntary groups, in addition to publicly funded organisations that provide help and advice. Free registration provides search facility and titles of potential funding schemes; subscription required for full information of funding schemes and advanced search facility.