This page contains a list of funding sources for businesses, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations ranging from local to national sources.
Business Finance
The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) manages a number of business finance schemes designed to help businesses in the region start up and grow. EEDA's business finance schemes include:
- Grants: Proof of Market, Grants for Research and Development, Grant for Business Investment
- Loans: Small Loans for Business, EEDA Regional Loan (Transition), EEDA Regional Loan (Growth)
- Other Support: Understanding Finance for Business Programme & Innovation Vouchers - designed to help businesses purchase academic expertise from the region's universities to support innovation and business improvement.
Cambridge Enterprise Seed Funds
The Cambridge Enterprise team focuses on research, development and innovation. They have a structured process which can help you to develop your idea or invention into a solid business proposition. They will help you get to the stage of being 'investment ready' and can introduce you to potential investors.
Cambridgeshire Community Foundation
Cambridgeshire Community Foundation makes grants to local voluntary and community groups. Companies, individuals, national and local government make this possible by setting up funds with them.
To find out more browse through their website or call on 01223 410535 to talk through the options on how you can apply for a grant or support local good causes and make a difference.
COVER
COVER is the community and Voluntary forum for the East of England. As a regional body, it is able to access information and funding opportunities that are sometimes not available at a local level.
COVER aims to broker partnerships amongst the voluntary and community sector in order to maximise opportunities for regional funding to flow into the voluntary and community sector at local, sub-regional and regional levels.
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation makes grants in four programme areas: arts and heritage, education, environment, social change. enterprise and independence.
European Funding
The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) manages a number of European Funding Streams for the East of England including.
- European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - which focuses on supporting a low-carbon economy.
- ERDF Venture Capital Fund - a low carbon Venture Capital fund developed through the Competitiveness Programme - opens early 2010.
- Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) - which supports the region’s agricultural industry.
- European Social Fund (ESF) - which funds projects to address skills and employment challenges in the East of England.
EEDA can also provide information about pan-European funding opportunities, including:
- Territorial Co-operation Programme (Interreg)
- 7th Research Framework Programme
- Competitiveness and Innovation Programme
Foundation East
Foundation East is a not-for-profit organisation that operates across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex. They lend money to new businesses, existing businesses and social enterprises that can't get a loan from a bank or need additional funds to match bank lending.
Futurebuilders
Futurebuilders provide loans and some grant funing for service provsion under the following headings: community cohesion, crime, education and learning, health and social care, support for children and young people.
Governmentfunding.org.uk
The governmnetfunding.org.uk website is an online portal to grants for the voluntary and community sector.
Livewire
Livewire is a sponsored organisation that can provide information and advice on matters such as funding for 16-30 year olds looking to set up a business.
Menter
The Menter website contains funding links to develop the Black and minority ethnic (BME) sector.
SmallBusiness.co.uk
SmallBusiness.co.uk provides resources, products and services for small business owners and start-ups. They offer free online advice in the form of news articles, guides, tips and features that can point you in the right direction to start and run your own small business.
Tesco - 'Making a Difference'
The Tesco Making a Difference schemes aim to give at least 1% of pre-tax profits to charity. Split into three strands: Charitable Giving, Schools and Community Champions.
The Big Lottery Fund
The Big Lottery Fund covers funding for health, education, environment and charitable purposes. They are committed to bringing improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need.
The Mrs Smith & Mount Trust
This is run by Pothecary Witham Weld Solicitors for registered charities whose beneficiaries are in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, Surrey and London.
The Nuffield Foundation
The Nuffield Foundation research and/or innovative projects that will bring about beneficial social change.
