When you are running a small charity or CIC you can’t usually afford expensive funding databases – so here is a round up of free resources to help you.

If you know of any others you would be happy to share please email them in!

Idox Grantfinder
Your council or local VCSE group might have subscribed to Idox’s Grantfinder database. Personally I think this is the best free resource out there. Here is a link to East Sussex County Council’s access and to Voluntary Action Camden’s access.

DSC Funds Online
Some VCSE groups subscribe to Funds Online. I don’t think it’s the most userfriendly, but it’s really comprehensive. I know the B&NS 3rd Sector Group offer this (here’s the rota for members) and so does Community Base in Brighton.

Grants Online
Your local council or VCSE group might have subscribed to Grants Online. Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisation have here or you can access it from Adur & Worthing Council too here.

Funding Finder
Bath & North Somerset Council have a publicly available funding database here.

Grin
A daily funding newsletter for £15 per year. I think this is very good. More info here.

Charity Commission Register
Do an advanced search and select “Main way of carrying out purposes is grant making” from the “How the charity helps” menu.

Funders Collaborative Hub
This is a platform for funders to connect with each other – but ends up also providing a really useful list of funding opportunities – although not all will be open to applications.

360 Giving Grant Nav
Grants data from 300+ funders. I think the same data is available in spreadsheet form here.

Charity Excellence Framework – Newsletter
I find this database pretty much impossible to search, but their newsletter is one of the most comprehensive out there. You can sign up here.