Tesco Community Grants (UK) 

The Tesco Bags of Help Programme has been relaunched as the Tesco Community Grants programme to support local good causes that focus on helping children and families across the UK.  

Registered charities, voluntary and community organisations, schools, parish/town councils and other not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants of £500, £1,000 or £1,500. 

Three projects from each local area will be shortlisted to go to the public vote by Tesco customers every three months, with grants awarded depending on the number of votes their project receives.  

The scheme will give priority to projects that provide food and support to young people. 

Examples of eligible applications could be:

• a local school needing food for a children’s breakfast club
• a voluntary organisation working with families to run holiday clubs
• a charity supporting  young people with specialist advice to manage mental health
• a brownie or scout group needing new tents
• or a youth sports club needing new equipment
• a family advice centre wanting to recruit more volunteers
• or a local friends of a park group wanting to develop a new toddler area.  

The fund will be administered by Groundwork and applications can be made at any time.   

Useful Links: Previous Projects Funded, https://tescocommunitygrants.org.uk/  

Foyle Foundation Schools Library Programme (UK)  

State funded schools as well as dedicated schools that do not have or want to improve their libraries can apply for funding through the Foyle Foundation Schools Library Programme.  Priority will be given to primary schools and to funding library books.  Secondary schools are eligible, but primary schools are a higher priority. 

The Foundation will also consider contributions towards e-readers, library software, necessary IT equipment and specialist seating/desks.

Preference will be given to schools which can clearly demonstrate that their library can be maintained and renewed in the future. 

Applications can be made for grants of between £1,000 and £10,000.   

Past projects funded by the Foundation include: 

• Milton School, Mexborough which received £20,000 towards improving and extending the learning facilities
• Forest Fields Primary and Nursery School, Nottingham which received £10,000 towards a literacy project across a partnership of 13 primary schools in Nottingham to engage reluctant boy readers in year 3

Applications can be submitted at any time although it can take up to four months to receive a decision.   

Useful Links: http://www.foylefoundation.org.uk/how-to-apply/state-schools.php, http://www.foylefoundation.org.uk/how-to-apply/state-schools.php