25 pence from every £1 made on the National Lottery is given to "good causes" in the UK. So how does your organisation get its hands on some of that cash?

Funding from the Lottery is distributed by four organisations which are:

• The Big Lottery Fund
• Sport England
• The Arts Council
• and the Heritage Lottery Fund

The Youth Music Open Programme offers grants of betwee £5,000 and £30,000 to funds not for profit organsiations working with children and young people under 18 (or under 25 in the case of young adults with disabilities, or who are in detention or have special educational needs).

Early Years: 
advancing the learning and development of all children in their early years (0-5) by aiming to ensure universal access to high quality music making in England

Challenging Circumstances (i.e. those who are marginalised by society, vulnerable, often hard to reach, and who have the fewest opportunities): 
improving the life chances of children and young people in the most challenging circumstances by supporting them to achieve their full potential through engagement and progression in music making

Encouraging Talent and Potential: 
realising the musical talent and potential of children and young people by ensuring opportunity for all to develop their talent regardless of background or chosen genre

Eligibility

Applications

The York and North Yorkshire Community Foundation are opening in March to applications for a Grassroots Grant for projects running in the East Riding of Yorkshire, in 2010 - 2011. But the deadline for applications is 16th April.

Applications can now be made online via their website.

If any funds remain unallocated, the programme will open again. However Grassroots Grants is a very popular grant, so you should not wait if you wish to apply for a grant for projects in the East Riding.

Voluntary and community organisations with an annual income of under £30,000 are eligible to apply.

You can only receive £5,000 in Grassroots Grants in total. If you're already received a Grassroots Grant whether from York and North Yorkshire Community Foundation or from another Local Funder, you may only now apply if that grant was for less than £5,000, and you can only apply for the remainder.

For example if you already received a Grassroots Grant for £1,500, you may only now apply for up to £2,500.

NB the minimum grant is £500.

For projects in Hull Grassroots Grants remains open till September.

Keep an eye on our Grassroots Grants page for further updates about Grassroots Grants in the Humber.

The Department of Health's Social Enterprise Investment Fund (SEIF) has capital grants from £100,000 to £450,000 available for social enterprises working in health and social care that require funding into capital assets.

Your organisation could receive a grant to enable you to: 

• Secure your premises
• Purchase vehicles
• Update your systems
• Refurbish
• Purchase equipment

This grant cannot be used to fund revenue costs.

Application deadline

The application deadline is 19 February 2010 for posted applications and 21 February 2010 for emailed applications. However, grants will be awarded on a rolling basis and there is only a limited pot of money available. In order to access the funding it is important that you submit your application as soon as possible. Any money awarded must be drawn down by 31 March 2010.

If your project costs exceed £450,000, you may be eligible for additional loan financing. Capital grants are available to organisations that have been trading for 12 months or more and are looking to grow/improve their services within the health and social care sector.

Eligibility criteria

You may be eligible for a SEIF capital grant if you are a social enterprise * delivering health or social care and your organisation:

• Is solvent
• mainly benefits people in England
• is proposing/improving existing products/services that deliver health and/or social care outcomes
• you must not be able to get a commercial loan for the project
• has been in existence for more than 12 months

All investments are subject to State Aid implications. Funding may be subject to further eligibility criteria.  For further details go to the website of the Social Investment Business or click here to find out more and download the application form.

* (A Social Enterprise is a business with primarily social aims that ensures that any surpluses are reinvested in the organisation or community. Typically it is expected that the organisation ensures this by having a clear stipulation in its Memorandum and Articles of Association to that effect. A list of eligible legal structures that generally meet this requirement is given in question 1 of the application form, or contact the Social Investment Business to check. Organisations not fitting one of these categories would be unlikely to be eligible.)