Trust me, I'm a researcher.
Whether you wish to find out if your prospect has a trust or foundation, or apply for a grant directly, research is an invaluable part of the process. The following resources provide comprehensive information to help you on your way.
The Charity Commission's Register of Charities contains details of registered charities in England and Wales. This includes charities that have most of their assets held in England or Wales, or that have all or a majority of their trustees normally resident in England or Wales, or, if the charity is set up as a company, that is incorporated in England or Wales. FREE
The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) is responsible for keeping an accurate register of Scottish Charities. The website has a very useful advanced search facility. FREE
Provides comprehensive information on funding opportunities from the European Union, UK Statutory sources (UK Government, Scottish Executive, Welsh Assembly, Northern Ireland Executive and other government agencies), the National Lottery and grant making Trusts & Foundations.
Run by the Directory of Social Change, the Trustfunding database contains more than 4,400 UK grant-making trusts. You can search by geographical area, name of trust, type of grant or key words.
DSC produce a number of useful guides, including A Guide to the Major Trusts (in two volumes), A Guide to Scottish Trusts, The Welsh Funding Guide, and various guides to local trusts.
Trust & Statutory Fundraising SIG
The Institute of Fundraising's special interest group for trust and statutory fundraising. Keep abreast of the latest developments in trust fundraising and/or search the archives for past messages. Whatever problems you may face, the chances are someone else has faced them before, and asked the discussion group for help. FREE
Scottish Trusts, Statutory & Foundation SIG
The IOF's special interest group for Scottish trusts and statutory applications. FREE
Produced by The Factary, this lists trusts newly registered at the Charity Commission, allowing you to apply "before they are published in directories and swamped with applications."
AKA the Charities Information Bureau, fit4funding provides help & advice for community groups and voluntary organisations who are seeking funding. FREE-ISH
BIG hands out half the good causes money from the National Lottery. They are "committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need." FREE
Aims to provide the latest funding information from Central Government, National Lottery, devolved governing bodies, EU and quangos. Also offers email services and training courses, and contains directories of funding programmes and guides to funding.
Funders Online is an initiative of the European Foundation Centre, which seeks to promote and underpin the work of foundations and corporate funders in Europe. One of its major goals is to facilitate access to online funding information. FREE
The OTS was set up to drive forward the Government's role in supporting a thriving third sector and, amongst other things, contains details of the latest funding opportunities. Other central government websites - the Department for Education and Skills, the Department for International Development and the Department of Health - are also worth checking for funding opportunities. FREE
A bi-monthly publication containing news and views on the charitable activities of Europe's companies, foundations and individuals.
Offers an extensive database that predominantly covers all elements for the community action programmes and the external cooperation programmes funded by the EU. FREE-ISH
Comprehensive Information and advice about all aspects of European philanthropy. FREE
The City of London provides an alphabetical list of City Livery Companies, with links to their websites where applicable.
Also provides a list of livery companies, but in order of precedence, with links to websites where applicable.