The Crafts Council's National Register of Makers provides the most comprehensive listing of contemporary craftspeople in Britain. Registration is free and open to any contemporary craftsperson living and working in Great Britain, who designs and makes their own work. Those working in illustration, fine art, painting, restoration, conservation, reproduction and sculpture are not eligible for inclusion. The Register is used by members of the public wanting to contact individual makers, as well as shops, galleries, designers and businesses looking for new work. As well as the Register, the Crafts Council manages a Development Award, business advice unit, reference library and desk, and the Photostore, which contains over 35,000 images of work for viewing by potential clients. The Register is non-selective; Photostore is selective. Development Award - Annual deadlines are 1 March, 1 June, 1 September and 1 November. Endeavours to support new creative practices in England and candidates must either be about to, or within three years of, setting up their first workshop. The grant is given in two parts; maintenance grant of GBP 2,500; equipment grant of 50% towards purchase and hire of essential equipment and tools, up to GBP 5,000. In deciding the level of grant, other grants received towards the setting up of business will be taken into account.

The ALG Grants Committee invests nearly GBP 30 million a year in voluntary organisations on behalf of all the London councils. This investment is targeted at organisations that work in more than one London borough: many of them operate on a sub regional or London wide basis. Each year, the committee sets funding priorities for voluntary organisations to bid for grants. In recent years a programme of new initiatives has been introduced, designed to promote new and innovative projects or to fund community-based organisations which may not have been previously funded. Grants are given in a wide range of areas including regeneration, help for homelessness, health, the arts, legal advice and the promotion of racial equality. All the grants made seek to tackle disadvantage and promote social inclusion, as well as improving the lives of people who live, work and visit London. See the website for full criteria and how to apply.

Awards for All is a scheme jointly run by several lottery distributors in England, with applications being considered by nine regional committees. The scheme is administered by the National Lottery Charities Board (known as Community Fund from 8 April) and offers a one-stop-shop service, distributing grants of between £500 and £5,000 to community and voluntary groups for arts, charities, sports or heritage activities. Priority will be given to organisations with an annual income of under £15,000. There are no deadlines for the scheme and it aims to reach decisions within four months of receiving the application.

Grants are available to businesses that have been trading for at least twelve months and have a set of accounts. The London Business Growth Fund offers loans to individuals in the community who would otherwise be excluded from obtaining finance.

The Social Finance Initiative Grant is a one-off payment of between £500 and £3,000 aimed at helping residents of Hackney Wick and Haggerston start up their own businesses. Applicants' businesses must be a new idea or not more than 18 months old.

The Prince's Trust accepts applications from those aged 18-30 who want to start their own business but have been turned down by lenders because of their age, credit record or unemployment. Applications are open to those who are unemployed, underemployed, underskilled, within or leaving the criminal justice system, leaving care, disabled, parenting alone or facing discrimination. The Prince's Trust offers a low interest loan of up to £5,000, test marketing grants of up to £250, grants of up to £1,500 in special circumstances, advice from a volunteer 'Business Mentor' during your first three years of trading and extra support including discounted exhibition space and specialist advice. This year The Prince's Trust will enable more than 4,800 young people to set up in business.

Co-operative & Community Finance has been providing loan finance for co-operatives, employee owned businesses and social enterprises for 30 years. They raise money primarily by public share issue and lend it for social purpose and collective benefit, also managing loan funds for several other organisations providing co-operative and community finance. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in the conduct of investment business.

The Grassroots Programme is funded by the Office of the Third Sector as delivered by the Community Development Foundation. It is a three-year scheme to March 2011 providing between £250 and £5,000 for not-for-profit, small voluntary or community groups who have been in existence for a year or more and have an average income over three years of less than £20,000 per year. there are different organizations distributing the grants depending of the area you live in.

Free information on funding and fundraising, including a searchable database of funding opportunities (loans, grants and contracts with government from over 3,000 funders). Users register a profile and can optionally receive weekly email newsletter with upcoming deadlines and funding news. Introductory information about loan finance and contracting (including toolkits, factsheets etc) with sections on grant funding and trading.

The Ford Britain Trust is inviting applications from registered charities, schools/PTA's and non-profit organisations. The Trust aims to support projects that focus on education, environment, children, the disabled, youth activities and projects that provide clear benefits to the local communities close to their UK locations. Applications from Ford employees are particularly encouraged. Grant applications will be considered for the following purposes: Contributions to capital projects (e.g. refurbishments), Capital expenditure items, Contributions towards the purchase or leasing of new Ford vehicles (maximum grant GBP 2,000), General funds (small grants up to GBP 250 only). Small grants for amounts up to GBP 250, available four times each year. Large grants, for amounts usually up to a maximum of GBP 3,000, are considered by the Trustees twice a year.

Smart is the Small Business Service (SBS) initiative that provides grants to help individuals and small and medium-sized businesses to make better use of technology and to develop technologically innovative products and processes. Main strands include: Technology Reviews (grants of up to £2,500 for individuals and small and medium-sized firms; Technology Studies (grants of up to £5,000 for individuals and small and medium-sized firms); Micro Projects (grants of up to £10,000 to help individuals and micro-firms; Feasibility Studies (grants of up to £45,000 for individuals and small firms and Development Projects (grants of up to £150,000 for small and medium-sized.

Creative Process is a regeneration agency working with the creative sector in London. Originally set up by Lewisham Council, they are now an independent not for profit company, working mainly in Lewisham and Greenwich. They provide business support to individuals and organisations, run a network for creative people in Lewisham and Greenwich, support and run festivals including Deptford X, Deptford Design and Lewisham People's Day. Their regular newsletter delivers news and updates on arts events and opportunities on a regular basis.