Answer

 It is important to stress that only a very limited number of funders will specifically fund ICT, but many more will look favourably on applications for ICT within a project application - for example you might like to write funding for your computer upgrades into a wider bid around your youth activities (maybe youth consultation, family learning, skills for employability, say).

Please find a full funding search based on the information you have provided with your question (general area for the project, charity status of the organisation, projected costs), carried out on Grantfinder and attached as a Word document.

Of the 55 potential sources, I would like to draw your attention to the ones that cater specifically for charities in the London area (where the funder is more likely to cater for its own communities), and the funders who deal specifically with youth projects and ICT (BT, Vodaphone, O2).

The following are also worthy of investigation:

Awards for All

Awards for All can fund projects that enable people to take part in and access community activities, as well as projects that promote education, the environment and health in the local community. You can apply at any time. Website: www.awardsforall.org.uk

• The application form is short and simple
• There are links to guidance notes and sources of help
• You will be told if you are successful or not within 3 months

Your group can only receive a maximum of £10,000 from April 2006 in any 2 year period from Awards for All. This will be from the date you are notified of any award made. You can apply if:

• You need a grant of between £300 and £10,000 to fund a specific project or activity; 
• You are a not-for-profit group; or
• You are a Parish or Town Council, School or Health body;
• You can use the grant within one year.

Henry Smith Charity

The Henry Smith Charity funds projects including: purchase/refurbishment of a building or specialist equipment and other capital expenditure, or one year's running costs. Priorities include:

Homeless
Disability
Elderly
Young people
Community service
There is a large grants programme available and small grants are from £500 to £10,000 are given to organisations with an annual income of less than £150,000.

Further information:

Tel: 020 7320 6884
Website: www.henrysmithcharity.org.uk

Comic Relief - Small Grants programme

Grants of up to £5,000 are available for organisations with a yearly turnover of less than £150,000. Priority is given for core costs and equipment costs.

Website: www.comicrelief.com for details.

Switched On Communities

The aim of the programme, which is being managed through the DSG International Foundation is to tackle the ‘Digital Divide’, which excludes disadvantaged communities from online resources.

Grants are available for community-based projects that improve local, social, economic and environmental conditions in and around DSG International sites, and in areas where the Group’s presence is most closely felt.

The programme also aims to provide information technology to disadvantaged groups, supporting training initiatives to help bridge the digital divide and local projects to promote the inclusion of young people into mainstream education and society.

Grants range up from £500.  You can apply by completing an application form downloadable from the website – applications take 4-6 weeks to be processed.  For an application form and more information see their website given below.

See their website at: www.dsgiplc.com

Lloyds TSB Comunity Foundation

This is one of very few charities that funds running costs. The Trustees' policy is to support under funded charities so people, especially disadvantaged or disabled people, can play a fuller role in the community. They support a wide range of activities which fall within the broad areas of Social and Community Needs, and Education and Training. These are:

• Family support
• Challenging disadvantage and discrimination
• Helping to make the voluntary sector more effective

Lloyds TSB have funded several advice sector projects in the past. Organisations applying must be registered charity. Most awards are one-off, but they also consider granting money over two or three years. There is some support for core costs and no deadlines for applications. It is strongly advised that you contact them for guidance in the initial stages of your application, and well before completing the form.

Grants of £300 - £5000 but grants of up to £10,000 may be awarded for special interest categories. Application forms are obtainable from any member of the Foundation staff or from their website at www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk

Esmee Fairbairn Foundation

Esmee Fairbairn Foundation is one of the more forward looking foundations and is going to loosen up what it will fund from January 2008 and 'listen more' to needs of applicants. Sign-up to find out what this may mean: http://www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk/programmes/advance.html

Other Sources of Funding:

The Hub Knowledge Database: http://www.icthubknowledgebase.org.uk/fundingict

It lists the following sources: