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Generating Income

Guidance on securing grants and funding opportunities for your projects and initiatives.

What is grant funding?

Grant funding is one component of a broader, strategic approach to fundraising. Effective fundraising involves securing diverse financial contributions to sustain an organisation’s operations.

A comprehensive understanding of grant funding is essential for registered charities, as well as for many CICs and community groups that depend on external funding to sustain their operations. The ability to strategically identify suitable funders and craft compelling, well-structured applications significantly enhances an organisation's likelihood of securing financial support.

To ensure long-term financial resilience, it is crucial to develop multiple fundraising streams, mitigating the risk of over-reliance on any single source of income.

Fundraising can take many forms, but are popularly grouped in the following categories:

Community and General Public - This includes challenge events, sponsorship, etc.

Grants - This includes grants for capacity-building, projects and general expenditure.

Trading - This includes selling goods and bidding for Tenders.

Procurement vs. Tendering

People often get confused with the difference between Procurement and Tendering. Here are some definitions that may be helpful.

Procurement

Encompasses the overall process of acquiring goods and services needed for a project.

Tendering

The term tender means a formal invitation to trade under the terms of offer and the documents associated with that offer.

A Contract

A contract is, generally speaking, a legally binding agreement between parties, where there has been offer, acceptance and consideration.

Many organisations that offer tenders will advertise those tenders on specific portals.

You may also need to be registered as a supplier in order to apply for a tender, and this may be worth doing ahead of time.

Friday Funding Bulletin

Our Funding Bulletin provides people with a chance to have a quick overview of recent funding opportunities that may be relevant to their organisation on a weekly basis. We ensure to provide a wide variety and diverse range of funding options for the entirety of the VCFSE, including CICs, CIOs and Social Enterprises.

This week's Funding Bulletin (February 2nd - February 6th 2026)

A short summary of funding opportunities that have came to our attention this week. Wirral CVS Funding Opportunities Step Up Resilience Fund The Step Up Resilience Fund is designed to support VCFSE organisations to strengthen their resilience, sustainability and capacity , rather than to fund new service delivery. This fund recognises the vital role that existing community organisations play in improving health and wellbeing across Wirral. To be eligible, organisations must

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to benefit the most from our resources, experience, networks and support.

Resources

Local Funders

Steve Morgan Foundation

The Steve Morgan Foundation was created in 2001 by businessman Steve Morgan CBE, founder and Chairman of Redrow plc, Chairman of the Bridgemere Group of Companies and owner of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. Its purpose is to support charities across North Wales, Merseyside, West Cheshire and North Shropshire. Since 2001, over £32m has been committed and donated across this region.

PH Holt Foundation

The PH Holt Foundation, incorporating the Holt Education Trust, is an independent grant-maker supporting local communities, education, the arts, heritage and environment on Merseyside. The Foundation provides grants to small and medium sized charities which have the capacity to change lives and to develop flourishing communities across Merseyside.

Hemby Charitable Trust

The Hemby Trust is a charitable trust established in 1998 specifically to give cash grants to charitable organisations in Merseyside and Wirral. It was endowed through the generosity of one family who had lived in the area for many years.

Steve Morgan Foundation

The Steve Morgan Foundation was created in 2001 by businessman Steve Morgan CBE, founder and Chairman of Redrow plc, Chairman of the Bridgemere Group of Companies and owner of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. Its purpose is to support charities across North Wales, Merseyside, West Cheshire and North Shropshire. Since 2001, over £32m has been committed and donated across this region.

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Funding Portals

If you're looking for funders for your organisation, here are some excellent, free grant portals to take a look at.

Charity Excellence
Grantway
Wirral Council - Grants Online
My Funding Central
Merseyside Funding Information Portal
Get Grants

Tendering & Contracts

Find key resources, guidance, and opportunities to support your tendering and contract needs.

Crown Commercial Services

Wirral Council

Tenders & Contracts
Procurement Strategy, Regulations & Social Responsibility
Suppliers Guide
Procurement FAQs

NHS Cheshire & Merseyside

Procurement & Contracting

Suppliers

Patient Choice

UK Government

A Short Guide for Suppliers

Universities

Liverpool University Procurement

LJMU Working with Suppliers

Tender Portals

A tender portal is an online platform where organisations publish procurement opportunities, allowing suppliers to view, bid for and manage tenders. It streamlines the tendering process by providing a centralised space for submissions, evaluations and contract awards.

General / Government

Contract Finder
Find Tender Service

Combined Authority & Wirral Council

The Chest

NHS

Supplying2NHS

Fundraising

Discover essential tools, tips, and opportunities to support your fundraising efforts.

Institute of Fundraising
Good Finance
Charitable Giving
Charity Retail
Neighbourly