Funding

We provide access to regular, reliable and up-to-date funding information to help the sector, from resources to help your funding applications succeed, to GrantTracker our dedicated funding toolkit; a valuable resource for charities and communities.

Austerity is a choice, and it looks like a bad one

14 Jun 2023Ryan Miller undefinedPublic finances, Funding, Spending, Austerity, Sector Issues

Northern Ireland – and the rest of the UK - could have a bigger budget. It’s a matter of choice. Public spending now that saves money later is a good investment.

Will we fail once more on mental health?

24 May 2023Ryan Miller undefinedMental Health, Budget, Social Policy, Funding

A new report from the Audit Office says Northern Ireland’s ten-year mental health strategy risks failure due to a lack of financial support.

Impact: it’s not the work you do, it’s what that work achieves

16 May 2023Ryan Miller undefinedSector Issues, Funding, outcomes, OBA, impact, inspiring impact

Focusing on outcomes won’t address all the third sector’s challenges, but it will help organisations get the most out of whatever resources they have.

Pay now, or pay (more) later? How the cost-of-living crisis is squeezing the third sector.

14 Apr 2023Ryan Miller undefinedSector Issues, Children and Young People, Mental Health, Health, Funding, Childcare

Spiking inflation and weak public finances have put community organisations on the back foot. However, it would be short-sighted to let services wither. Where possible, we must spend to save.

The growing role of charities in society must be embraced

8 Feb 2023Ryan Miller undefinedSector Issues, Funding, Economy, Environment, Social Policy

A huge new report, years in the making, says that the community and voluntary sector’s increasing importance needs to be fully embraced. The private, public and third sectors all need to work together to build the best-possible future.

The third sector in a digital world: room for improvement

1 Feb 2023Ryan Miller undefineddigital, Sector Issues, Funding, Cybersecurity

Research from late last year shows that organisations in Northern Ireland are not all fully comfortable in the modern digital age – but, with a bit of support, the right improvements are achievable.

Tough times can bring out the best in people

25 Jan 2023Ryan Miller undefinedMental Health, Health, Cost of Living, Poverty, Sector Issue, Social Policy, Funding

Two new pieces of research lay out two sides of the cost-of-living crisis: poor mental health, and communities rising to meet the problems we all face.

Every Lidl helps: helping charities can be super marketing for businesses

2 Sep 2015Ryan Miller Sector Issues, Funding

Following the announcement of a new Lidl scheme to fund community groups across Northern Ireland, Scope asks whether partnerships between the voluntary and private sectors are a world of untapped potential.

Crisis Fund: can a little go a very long way?

31 Jul 2015Ryan Miller Health, Mental Health, Sector Issues, Community Relations, Funding

Earlier this year OFMdFM released a small amount of funds to help vulnerable ethnic-minority migrants in crisis. Scope speaks with fund administrators the Red Cross about its success.

Preserving heritage and understanding the past

28 Apr 2015Nick Garbutt Funding, Environment

Scope meets Paul Mullan, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Northern Ireland.