The Dormant Assets for All programme opened in June 2025, offering a unique funding opportunity for voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in Northern Ireland. 

This funding helps organisations become stronger, more resilient, and better prepared for future challenges. So far, 35 awards worth nearly £560,000 have been made. Find out more about the grants awarded by visiting our website. 

If you’re considering applying, here’s what you need to know to give your application the best chance of success. 

What is Dormant Assets for All? 

Dormant Assets for All is designed to strengthen your organisation from the inside out. It’s an investment in your people, systems, and long-term sustainability. 

You can apply for grants from £300 to £20,000, with funding available for up to two years. Applications are open until 2027. 

What can you use the funding for? 

Projects should focus on building capacity and resilience, such as: 

Funding cannot be used for service delivery, salary costs, or ongoing running costs. 

Top tips for application success 

We have received over 150 applications, however many these were not eligible for funding under the Dormant Assets for All programme.  

Here are some tips to improve your chances of success:  

• Ensure your project meets the programme aim of strengthening an organisation. Some projects that were unsuccessful focused on delivering services or providing support to communities and this isn’t eligible under the programme. These projects may be more suited to the National Lottery Awards for All programme. 

• Check your organisation meets the eligibility requirements for this programme. For example, we cannot support religious institutions like churches, mosques or synagogues, and the programme cannot support organisations that have been operating for less than 2 years. 

• Check the costs that you are requesting are eligible. For example, Dormant Assets for All does not provide funding for staff costs or on-going running costs for organisations. 

• We cannot accept applications submitted by people who are not part of your organisation. We understand that you may need help to plan your project, but your organisation must submit the application form. 

• Dormant Assets for All can only support projects that address a specific need within your organisation. Make sure your project is appropriate for your organisation’s needs.  

• Consider how you will manage your project in the short and long term. For example, projects that are not well planned or will increase organisational costs in the long term may not be funded. 

Find out more and get support

Dormant Assets for All will be open to applications until 2027. Although early applications are very welcome, we encourage applicants to take their time to think about what activity will have the most benefit for their organisation longer term.  

For full overview of the programme criteria, watch this short film. This provides detailed information which will be useful before applying.

Full details of the criteria for the Dormant Assets for All programme (including access to the application form) is available on the programme page.  

We are also hosting a virtual support session on 11 December. If you would like to come along, book your place online.

This is a rare opportunity to invest in your organisation’s future. Let’s make sure these Dormant Assets come to life by building stronger, more resilient communities across Northern Ireland. 

Still have some questions? 

If you are interested in applying for funding through Dormant Assets NI or have a general query about eligibility, you can contact our advice team by calling 028 9055 1455 or emailing enquiries.ni@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk.  We’re always happy to help.