Voluntary & Community Action Sunderland (VCAS)

Voluntary & Community Action Sunderland (VCAS) VCAS, home of the Open Arms Awards, exists to champion charities, voluntary organisations & community groups.

Voluntary and Community Action Sunderland exist to champion and strengthen local independent charities, voluntary organisations and community groups.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We provide:
• specialist expertise, information and support and develop the skills local people need to run successful organisations and groups

• spread go

od practice, prevent duplication of effort and support joint working

• help groups find funding and make effective use of resources

• promote equality and diversity by fostering a wider understanding of the needs of disadvantaged and under-represented groups

• make sure local, regional & national policy makers understand the needs of local voluntary organisations and community groups

• help stakeholders engage effectively with local voluntary organisations and community groups

• encourage more people to volunteer and get involved in voluntary and community action.

• support with crisis management and organisational development.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Registered charities and not-for-profit organisations that directly support the armed forces community can apply for fun...
12/06/2026

Registered charities and not-for-profit organisations that directly support the armed forces community can apply for funding from the Veterans’ Foundation. The grants support serving and former armed forces personnel, operationally qualified seafarers, and their immediate families.
Funding is available for projects that address social care needs, including homelessness, employment support, financial hardship, disability, welfare issues, mental health, and support for older people.
The Foundation offers several types of grants:
• Small Grants: £500–£5,000 (rolling applications)
• Standard Grants: £5,001–£30,000
• Salary Grants: Up to £25,000 per year for up to three years
• Major Grants: £100,000–£200,000 over up to three years
There are specific deadlines for some funding streams.
• Applications for Standard and Salary Grants must be submitted by 30 June 2026.
• Applications for the Major Grants programme are currently closed.
• Applications for Small Grants can be made at any time throughout the year.

Apply for a grant from the Veterans' Foundation.

Individual families, groups of children, schools, organisations, and other registered charities can apply to the Adamson...
12/06/2026

Individual families, groups of children, schools, organisations, and other registered charities can apply to the Adamson Trust for financial assistance towards the cost of holidays or respite breaks for disabled children with physical, mental, or emotional impairments.
To be eligible, the child must be a UK resident and between the ages of 3 and 17. The Trust requires evidence of their disability or illness from a medical or social services professional. Grants from the Trust usually only cover a portion of the holiday expenses.
The next application closing date is 30 June 2026.

Disabled children's holiday charity

The BlueSpark Foundation is accepting applications for small grants supporting projects that improve the education and d...
12/06/2026

The BlueSpark Foundation is accepting applications for small grants supporting projects that improve the education and development of children and young people in England.
Grants support educational, cultural, sporting and related activities, especially those building confidence, teamwork and employability.
Schools, community groups, clubs, societies, other not-for-profit organisations and, in some cases, individuals may apply for projects benefiting 5–22-year-olds in England.
Most grants are under £2,000, with none above £5,000. Funding can support:
• Music, dance and singing
• Outdoor activities & teambuilding
• Sport
• Educational excursions
• Widening academic achievements
Match funding is not required, but a contribution can strengthen requests over £2,000.

Supporting the education and development of young people We are a registered charity providing grants for educational, cultural, sporting and other projects BlueSpark helps young people reach their full potential We provide support for projects which have the following objectives: Encouraging indepe...

Hugo Burge Foundation supports creativity across the UK through arts funding, residencies and education, with a focus on...
12/06/2026

Hugo Burge Foundation supports creativity across the UK through arts funding, residencies and education, with a focus on widening access to creative activity.
Support is offered through three strands:
• Creative Education
• Creative Communities
• Creative Individuals
The programme widens creative access and supports artistic development and community participation. 2026 funding includes:
• £100,000 for Creative Education, with grants up to £15,000;
• £150,000 for Creative Communities, with grants up to £15,000;
• £50,000 for Creative Individuals, with grants up to £5,000.

The Hugo Burge Foundation is a major new arts funding body. In 2025, its first full year, we distributed £400,000 of grant funding to individuals, communities and organisations across the United Kingdom.

The Henry Smith Foundation’s Early Years Parenting Fund is open for applications, offering long-term support for effecti...
12/06/2026

The Henry Smith Foundation’s Early Years Parenting Fund is open for applications, offering long-term support for effective early-years parenting work across the UK.
The fund supports culturally grounded, evidence-based parent and caregiver support to improve outcomes for children most at risk of poor early development.
UK-registered charities working in the UK can apply.
Applicants must understand and work closely with parents of children aged 0–5 in the target communities: Black, Pakistani, and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, and/or families in the most deprived 20% of areas nationally.
They must have experience delivering sustained, face-to-face early years parenting support that promotes child development.
Applicants need annual income of £100,000–£5 million, and activities must be UK-based.
Grants total £225,000 over four years (£56,250 per year) and can support general running costs.
Expressions of interest close at 5pm on 1 July 2026; invited full applications are due by 5pm on 21 August 2026.

Grants for organisations improving the development of children most at risk of poor early childhood outcomes.

The Energy Redress Scheme offers grants of £20,000 to £2 million across England, Scotland and Wales for projects support...
12/06/2026

The Energy Redress Scheme offers grants of £20,000 to £2 million across England, Scotland and Wales for projects supporting vulnerable households, carbon reduction, energy innovation and a just transition to net zero. Eligible applicants include registered charities, community interest companies, co-operative societies and community benefit societies. Since 2018, the scheme has funded over 790 projects supporting around 900,000 households. Applications close at 5pm on 23 June 2026.

The Ofgem Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme (Energy Redress Scheme) has

Small UK charities supporting vulnerable people can apply to the Wise Music Foundation for grants of up to £5,000. Eligi...
12/06/2026

Small UK charities supporting vulnerable people can apply to the Wise Music Foundation for grants of up to £5,000. Eligible charities must have annual turnover of up to £500,000; the average grant is £1,500. The Foundation supports causes including hardship, illness, poverty, education, arts and heritage, health and disability, food banks, and famine relief. Trustees review applications quarterly, with the next deadline on 31 August 2026.

Providing financial support for people experiencing hardship, distress and illness, with a focus on children, the homeless and people living in poverty.

https://britishlegion.flexigrant.com/
12/06/2026

https://britishlegion.flexigrant.com/

The Royal British Legion's External Grants programme accepts applications from not-for-profit organisations running, or planning, charitable activities in support of the Armed Forces Community. Details of any open rounds of funding can be found below.

Funding to Encourage Volunteering for Young PeopleGrants of up to £500  available to individuals or groups of young peop...
12/06/2026

Funding to Encourage Volunteering for Young People
Grants of up to £500 available to individuals or groups of young people aged 30 or under who aim to make a difference through volunteering or community service. Closes on 1 July 2026.

Home We support young people who, through volunteering or community service, aim to enhance the lives of others, particularly those most marginalised by society. We are currently in the process of updating our website. Please bear with us if something does look quite right yet – we’re working on...

12/06/2026

Good Morning everyone - did you know its

Address

15 Norfolk Street
Sunderland
SR11EA

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 3pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9:30am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 1:30pm

Telephone

+441915651566

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Voluntary & Community Action Sunderland (VCAS) posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to Voluntary & Community Action Sunderland (VCAS):

Share

Category