For Funding February 2026 we're focusing on all things digital, online, and tech related to help organisations make the most of what digitisation offers.
Whether it's skills development, fundraising methods, online communications and increasing your organisation's digital capacity and embracing AI, finding the funding to support your digitisation can be the first hurdle.
Both the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland and the National Lottery Community Fund for Northern Ireland have announced funding schemes to help your organisation build skills and capacity and be prepared for the future. The schemes aim to help you focus on strengthening people and the organisation.
Perhaps your need is to improve the team’s confidence and skills in digital technology and apply AI to their work. Or you want to increase the organisation’s ability to track and measure your impact, expand and diversify its services, or boost its fundraising capabilities. Finding a trusted source to help you grow could be the next hurdle.
With a long history of supporting the VCSE sector’s skills and capacity including in digital development, NICVA can help.
Local Funding Opportunities
The National Lottery Community Fund for Northern Ireland’s Dormant Assets for All provides voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in Northern Ireland with grants ranging from £300 to £20,000 to build skills and capacity, be more resilient, and prepare for future challenges. And all decisions are made within 12 weeks.
The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland’s Inspiring Growth Fund aimed to help organisations in the community sector take the time and space needed to increase their digital capacity, with a particular focus on building on and availing of the opportunities that AI (Artificial Intelligence) may bring. Open to constituted community organisations with charitable purposes supporting communities in Northern Ireland. Successful applicants could receive up to £10,000 for up to two years. Currently closed.
How NICVA can help
Our Training Calendar provides opportunities to develop your digital skills and more will be added for Funding February 2026:
- Enthuse's Digital Fundraising Labs NICVA is delighted to host this free webinar series in partnership with Enthuse, Europe’s number one charity first fundraising platform. Delivered as part of Funding February, each session is designed to guide, inspire, energise, and empower your online fundraising approach.
- Using AI to create Social Media Content - this session has been designed for anyone who needs to understand how AI can support their social media efforts. It is a practical session in which you will learn how to use AI tools to brainstorm ideas, create content, and improve efficiency. It will be important also for feeling confident in incorporating AI into your social media strategy while maintaining a human touch. Delivered as part of NICVA's communication training series October 2025- March 2026.
Stay up-to-date on the new events and resources at Funding February 2026.
Tailored support
We can provide tailored support and training to your organisation. We can discuss your needs and develop a suitable training and development programme for your staff, volunteers or board members.
We provide support and training in a range of areas:
- Fundraising,
- Leadership and Management,
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Training and Education
- Community Development
- Governance
- Impact
- Digital Development
- Human Resources
- Communication
Alongside regular options in our Training Calendar, we offer a wide range of accredited and non-accredited training, all of which can be adapted to your organisation’s needs, delivered at a time and place that suits your staff and board - our training makes a real difference.
To find out more and discuss bespoke options, contact Roisin Kelly at [email protected].
 | NICVA’s Fundraising Advice Officer, Jocelyn Horton, designed a series of bespoke training sessions for the Niamh Louise Foundation. Delivered as a mix of online and in person sessions, the Foundation explored how to strengthen its fundraising approach. |
| NICVA’s Governance & Charity Advice Manager, Denise Copeland delivered tailored training on Effective Chairing for the East Belfast Community Development Agency helping participants build confidence in leading discussions, managing group dynamics, and ensuring inclusive decision‑making. |  |
 | NICVA's Skills Development Coordinator, Roisin Kelly, delivered bespoke training for the Down and Connor Diocesan Trust as part of CPD for priests and deacons. Sessions focused on developing skills for coaching conversations leading one participant to “Cannot overestimate the benefit of clergy talking about common problems.” |
