Small grants of up to £10,000 are available to Third Sector Organisations supporting children and young people.

The new scheme marks the first time Children in Need have run a UK-wide small grants programme and is aimed predominantly at organisations which have not previously considered applying. The programme is open to any third sector organisation working with children and young people under the age of 18.

There will be four funding rounds with deadlines on: 15 January 2010 15 April 2010 15 July 2010 15 October 2010. It is expected the total funding for both the small and large grants schemes will be in excess of £38 million in 2010 and will be administered through seven regional bases.

The director of grants and policy at Children in Need, Sheila Jane Malley, explained the programme would seek to fund well-organised projects which can demonstrate commitment and enthusiasm: “The first thing we look at is benefit for children and young people. Is the organisation clear about what improvements it wants to bring about, and is it clear about how it can do it?”

For more information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/grants/general_grants.shtml