Funding
Connected Fund Second round
The Connected Fund provides grants to community projects working to tackle gun crime and gun culture in their areas and is accepting a second round of applications.
The first round was launched in May 2004 and awarded £250,000 to projects across the country.
Aims of the Connected Fund
To support small community groups tackling gun crime and gun culture in their local areas
To kick-start new initiatives and boost on-going projects in those areas most affected by gun crime
To help with capacity building for community based grassroots organisations
Guidance Notes
Download: Connected
funding guidelines 
(44kb)
Our Funding Criteria
Your project must meet one of the following criteria:
1. Work with young people involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in gun crime and gangs
2. Support victims of gun crime and their families (e.g. providing advice and support for witnesses)
3. Invest in and support the involvement of local people in decision-making processes that impact on law enforcement agencies in tackling gun crime and improving trust in the community. Particularly prioritising young people (16-25) and under-represented groups.
The fund will prioritise projects in high gun crime areas such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham, Leeds, Liverpool and Bristol.
Who can apply?
You are eligible if:
Your group is a small, locally managed voluntary organisation
The project will cost less than £10,000 in total to carry out
You will be able to spend the grant by 31 March 2005
Your group is not eligible if:
You are a statutory organisation (e.g. local authority, school, police force)
You are a national organisation
You have received money from the previous Connected Fund in 2004
We are more likely to fund
Mentoring schemes
Training projects for at risk young people
Diversionary activities for young people
Support services for victims and witnesses of gun crime
Support for families of disaffected young people (e.g. parenting classes)
Training, development and support for local people to enable them to constructively and effectively engage in decision-making processes
We are less likely to fund
Films/ videos on gun crime
Educational resources for schools
Gun crime seminars
We will not fund
Individuals
Any party political activity
Statutory organisations
Commercial ventures – i.e. if the project will make a profit
Tips for successful applications
Demonstrate that the community is actively involved at all stages of planning and carrying out the project
Demonstrate that your project fits in with other activities in the local community
Give a clear breakdown of the time-scale and cost of the project
Please include this and any other information in the "Further Details" section of the application form.
Letter of support
You should send in a brief letter of support from a local organisation or individual external to your organisation, which has a role in your community (e.g. local council, police force, school etc).
"I know and support the work of [name of organisation] and I have read their application to the Connected Fund. I believe this project will benefit the local community and will help to tackle gun crime."
How much can you apply for?
Any amount up to £5,000
Only one-off payments will be given
The grant must be spent by 31 March 2005.
The Connected Fund has £250,000 to give away but will not partially fund grants, so you should only apply for what you need.
Deadline for applications: Friday 12 November 2004
To apply you should complete the application form and return by e-mail or post. The letter of support must be received no later than 2 weeks after the application form.
For further information:
Gun Crime Team,
Home Office,
5th Floor,
Queen Anne's Gate,
London
SW1H 9AT
Tel: 020 7273 3967
Email: connected@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Download: Connected
funding application form 
PDF (16kb)
Last update: 23 September 2004