Hi there, here is January’s update!
Happy New Year!
We’ve already had a Wolf Moon, many of us have snow, most of us are back at work, and lots of us are already solving problems, creating content, researching, writing applications – and all the million and one things we do in our ‘not for profit world’!
What a start to 2026!
Here’s to a fantastic and productive year ahead for us all – lets dive straight in to this years first free monthly Straight Forward Funding Update.
PS – lots of back issues of this newsletter are posted on my website
My Plans for 2026!
I was kept extremely busy in 2025 delivering mentoring, coaching and training packages for my local Community Foundation, Third Sector Leaders, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and numerous schools and Academy Trusts
I’m now taking bookings for 2026!
If your school, organisation, MAT, Trust or Local authority are interested in increasing the amount of grant funding invested within your area, community or school – and would like to support the development of skills, knowledge, confidence and motivation for those tasked with applying for grants – please get in touch to see how I can help.
Let’s just keep it simple – just email me at lisa@straightforwardfunding.com for further information or to arrange an informal chat.
“I had the privilege of collaborating with Lisa Jagger when our Behaviour Change programme at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority engaged her to deliver support for the Community Grant’s project. Lisa supported community groups and individuals across West Yorkshire to enhance their skills through grant writing workshops.”
“Lisa was an absolute joy to work with—professional, approachable, and incredibly knowledgeable in the complex world of grant writing. Her expertise and ability to simplify what can often feel like a minefield made a huge difference to the groups she worked with. Lisa delivered a fantastic service that was both impactful and empowering, leaving participants better equipped to secure funding for their vital projects.”
“I would highly recommend Lisa to anyone seeking guidance in grant writing or community development.”
Kirsty Atkinson | Senior Engagement & Development Officer
(Behaviour Change)
West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Simply email me at lisa@straightforwardfunding.com for more info.
#Funding News
Your organisation must be a registered charity or not for profit company based in the UK They fund projects which improve a physical building (or land attached to it) that is used by people in need. The types of projects they fund are:
- Improved energy efficient lighting & heating
- Installation of new kitchen, bathroom etc.
- Installation of a sensory room
- General painting & decorating
- Improving safety and security of a building
Before applying for funding from The Screwfix Foundation, your organisation MUST:
- Be a registered charity or not for profit organisation.
- Help those in need. This could be by reason of financial hardship, sickness, distress or other disadvantages in the UK.
- Be looking for funding to support projects that relate to the repair, maintenance, improvement or construction of. homes, community buildings and other buildings.
CABWI Lifelong Learning and Development Fund enables learning and development that empowers young people aged 16+ and adults to gain additional skills and confidence to enter the labour market. Their aim is to fund projects that support people to improve their confidence, build their life skills, qualifications, work experience and training, to get jobs.
They support applications that:
- Work with individuals with complex barriers to employment, enabling them to move closer or into employment, including but not restricted to ex-service personnel and ex-offenders.
- To work directly with young people and adults who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET), to improve their access to employment and the labour market.
- Increase the life skills of people so that they may further develop their careers, with a particular focus on the water, utilities, and construction industries.
This year they are trialling a two-stage application process
Monday 5 January 2026 -Stage 1 applications open
Wednesday 7 January at 10.30 am. – Applications information webinar
Monday 26 January (three weeks) – Stage 1 application closes
The Macmillan CARE Grants Programme supports community organisations across the UK to tackle unfairness in cancer care. We want to fund projects that challenge the current system and create lasting change for people facing the greatest barriers to care.
Grant Value: £50,000 to £150,000
They will fund projects under three themes:
- Cultural Responsiveness in Cancer Care
Projects that help healthcare services better understand and meet the cultural needs of different communities and remove barriers to person-centred care.
- Shared Decision-Making
Projects that make it easier for people to understand their treatment options, take part in decisions about their cancer care, and reduce unfair differences in how this happens.
- Dementia-Friendly Cancer Care
Projects that support people living with both cancer and dementia, improve their care experience, and help them and their carers take part in treatment decisions.
The closing date for applications is 23 January 2026
#Just for Schools
Let Teachers Shine – Grants and support for innovative teachers – applications now open
Each year, from October to January, they invite practising teachers from across England to submit their innovative ideas through a simple application process.
Winners receive up to £25,000 in funding over two years, along with tailored training and support.
SHINE is dedicated to empowering teachers with creative project ideas that can be tested and refined to enhance outcomes for socio-economically disadvantaged children in the North of England.
Applications close at midnight on 14 January 2026.
Engage funding refers to two modes of support for schools in challenging circumstances, Engage Grants and Engage Simply CREST.
The funding is to help schools run CREST Awards with students who are from backgrounds and groups underrepresented in STEM.
CREST resources are available for free to all schools, but there are still costs associated with running CREST that may be a barrier for some schools.
Engage Funding opens on 6 January 2026
BlueSpark is a registered charity which was set up to support the education and development of children and young people by providing grants for educational, cultural, sporting and other projects.
The founding trustees recognised that many individuals working in schools, colleges, cultural and sporting organisations are prepared to give their time to projects to enhance the education and development of young people. However, the trustees were also aware that many worthwhile projects do not get off the ground because of the absence of the funding needed to turn them into reality.
BlueSpark aims to help bridge this funding gap by providing grants for some of these projects. We provide funds for relatively small-scale projects which might not happen at all or would only happen on a lesser scale without our support.
#Useful Stuff
Free Webinar: charity trading essentials
NCVO are running this webinar in partnership with Withers LLP Date: Wednesday 28 January 14:00 until 15:30 (zoom)
By the end of the event, you’ll:
- understand what trading means and the different types of trading activity
- know when it is appropriate to set up a trading subsidiary and what to consider before doing so
- be clear on where to find guidance and advice to ensure your trading activities comply with charity law and good practice
- hear real-life insights from a charity already trading and learn from their experience.
This webinar is suitable for anyone interested in exploring or managing trading within a charity. This includes:
- chief executives and leaders of small charities and voluntary organisations
- trustees and treasurers
- finance directors and managers
- development or income generation leads, fundraising directors and managers.
Women in Innovation Awards 2025/26
Women founders or co-founders of UK registered SMEs can apply for a package of support that includes a grant of up to £75,000 and bespoke business support, to further their ambitious growth plans. Closes: 04/02/2026 11:00
Esmee Fairburn Foundation are hosting a pre-application Q&A webinar on 5 February at 2pm for organisations interested in applying to Esmée for support who have questions about our application process or guidance. This webinar is for organisations who would like to ask questions before they submit an expression of interest. Register for the webinar here
Before I go…..
See you next month!
Lisa Jaggar
Straight Forward Funding Ltd
PS. Are you making the most of my free resources? Use these links to receive my:
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