GrantRadar

BlueSpark Foundation

BlueSpark Foundation Grants

Grants of up to £5,000 (many under £2,000) for specific, small-scale projects that support the education and development of children and young people aged 5 to 22 resident in England, such as drama productions, music tuition and instruments, outdoor and team-building activities, sport, educational trips and academic competitions. Most applicants are schools, clubs, community groups and other not-for-profit organisations, though individuals can also apply. The grant must be a significant part of the project's cost, not a marginal top-up. Applications are a short online form accepted at any time.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £5,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Light
short form, little evidence needed

Who can apply

  • Schools, colleges, community groups, clubs, societies (e.g. drama, music and sports clubs) and other not-for-profit organisations, and also individuals, running a specific project for children and young people aged 5 to 22 who live in England
  • The project can take place anywhere, but it must benefit young people resident in England
  • Grants normally go directly to the organisation whose pupils or members benefit, not to providers selling services to them
  • There is no minimum number of beneficiaries
  • No income limit, registration or particular legal form is stated
  • Organisations can receive more than one grant, but not so regularly that it becomes an income stream

What it funds

Specific, relatively small-scale projects that aim to improve the education and development of children and young people through educational, cultural, sporting or other activities, and that might not happen at all, or only on a smaller scale, without BlueSpark's support. Examples on the site:

  • Stage productions and drama workshops
  • Musical instruments, tuition and performance opportunities
  • Outdoor programmes such as camping, climbing, kayaking, orienteering and sailing
  • Sports equipment, training and entry to competitions
  • Educational trips to museums, historic sites, nature reserves and farms
  • Academic initiatives such as STEM clubs and debating and public speaking competitions

Grants can pay for physical assets (e.g. sports equipment, stage lighting), services (e.g. music or drama tuition) or experiences (e.g. theatre visits).

Particular consideration goes to projects that build self-confidence, teamworking and future employability, and to projects with lasting benefits or a physical asset that will be used again.

Many grants are under £2,000 and none is more than £5,000.

Grants are usually awarded at the amount requested, not scaled back.

The applicant does not have to contribute, but doing so counts in its favour, especially for requests over £2,000.

What it will not fund

  • Running costs or general activities of an organisation (only specific projects are funded)
  • Projects for children or young people under 5 or over 22
  • Life skill mentoring services
  • Counselling services
  • Holiday clubs or playgroups
  • Construction, maintenance or repair of buildings or facilities
  • Training adults who work with children or young people
  • Student fees or maintenance
  • Projects for young people not resident in England
  • Organisations providing their own chargeable services or products free or subsidised to a third party (the third party should normally apply)
  • Projects where the grant would be only marginally incremental to the funding, rather than a significant proportion of the cost
  • Projects without proper costings
  • Grants so regular that they become an income stream for an organisation

How to apply

  1. Read the Grant Policy (https://www.bluesparkfoundation.org.uk/grant-policy/) and confirm on the How to apply page that you have read it
  2. Check the list of information needed on the Grant application form requirements page
  3. Complete the online application form (to be filled in by the project leader); it can be saved and returned to later
  4. Apply at least 3 months before the date the grant is needed
  5. If trustees are minded to approve, they may ask to meet the project leader to discuss the project
  6. After the project, send BlueSpark a report on it

The trustees will not consider an application that does not comply with the guidelines, and they have absolute discretion. Questions go through the contact form on the website; no email address is published.

Have ready

  • Online application form covering: project title; project description (600 characters); objectives and benefits to participants (600 characters); project location; grant requested (maximum £5,000); total project cost; cost breakdown (600 characters); date grant required; project end date; number of young people involved; project leader and promoting organisation details

No attachments are listed, but proper costings are required, and a report is expected once the project is complete.

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