How to Apply
The application process for the Dream Fund is simple. All you have to do is complete an application form, gather together the required supporting documents and email them all to us.
There are a number of funding criteria that all applications must meet. Please ensure that your project fits at least one of the following criteria:
Encouraging Active Living
This category is about promoting health, fitness and wellbeing and inspiring people and communities to be more active in their daily lives. The successful entry will be a visionary project that challenges people to become more active and offers long-lasting and innovative solutions to the advancement of health and wellbeing amongst local communities. We particularly welcome applications that focus on involving children and young people in active living.
Bringing Communities Together
This category is encouraging social cohesion and community integration. We are looking for creative, wide-reaching projects that can inspire people in the community from all backgrounds to come together to achieve a common goal that will have a long-term impact on the way the people live together. We welcome applications that encourage a creative approach and that recognise the wider, non- traditional view of culture.
Tackling Climate Change
This category is about delivering radical and pioneering solutions to tackle and reduce the effects of climate change. We are seeking entrepreneurial ideas with the potential to engage the public and encourage people to take steps to reduce carbon emissions. We especially welcome proposals from organisations with ideas for developing sustainable products that can have a positive impact in tackling climate change.
Expanding Life Opportunities
We are looking for innovative projects that have far reaching ideas to increase the life opportunities of the long-term unemployed and those who are excluded or disadvantaged in the workplace. We are looking for more than just an idea to offer training and increase employability. We hope the winning project will provide a compelling long-term vision beyond the duration of funding. We particularly welcome applications that address youth unemployment.
For 2013, we welcome applications from social enterprises that have a practical outcome and/or offer positive life changing experiences. We also encourage applications that specifically involve volunteering or promote volunteering opportunities across all strands.
The list below shows what we do and don’t fund.
What We Fund
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Innovative, creative and original projects that are a real 'dream'
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Registered charities, voluntary organisations, community interest companies and social enterprises
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Projects of a maximum of 12 months in duration
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Projects that meet one of the four funding criteria
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Collaborations between a registered charity and another relevant organisation
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Projects that have been developed to a point where they are ready to execute
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General running costs including salaries, rent, utility bills and insurance that are linked to the project
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Purchase of capital items and equipment
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What We Don't Fund
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Applications for more than £100,000*
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Applications from a single organisation, or where the lead partner is not a registered charity
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Projects that are replications of existing strategies, or that lack creativity and ambition**
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Projects that do not benefit Scotland, Merseyside or Greater Manchester
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Statutory bodies or projects that the state has an obligation to provide (inc. schools/PTAs, councils and local authorities)
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Projects that are not developed enough to be put into action at the point of receiving funds
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Individuals and grant making bodies
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Applications that are for inflated small grants projects
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*There is no minimum amount that organisations can apply for, but please bear in mind that anything for £10,000 or under would be more suited to our small grants programme
** Please read about the 2011 and 2012 Dream Fund winners to see examples of the level of projects that we are looking for.
This is not a full list of everything that we do and don’t fund. You must read the Guidance Notes fully to ensure that you are aware of what is eligible for funding. We are unable to accept applications for ineligible projects, so please check that you meet the criteria.
The Dream Fund is now closed for applications and will open again in August 2013.
Apply Now