Welcome to March’s funding update.
This update is split into two parts. Section A features funders with a local or regional focus. Section B features funders who work across England. In both sections, funders are listed in order of deadline date, soonest first. Funders without a deadline date appear after this.
This update can only provide a snapshot of these funders so we recommend visiting the funders’ websites for full details before you apply. Most funders in this list have a website, which you can access by clicking on the name of the funder. Full contact details have been provided for funders that do not have a website.
A. Funders with a local/regional interest
National Grid Community Matters Fund
Deadline: 23rd April 2026
Who can apply: The following types of organisations may apply:
- Registered charities.
- Non-profit companies limited by guarantee.
- Constituted charitable organisations with no charity number.
Organisations must be based and projects must be delivered in the National Grid’s electricity distribution area in one of the following regions:
- East Midlands.
- West Midlands.
- South West England.
- South Wales.
Applicants can confirm they are eligible by using the National Grid postcode checker
Size of grant available: A total of £250,000 is available in this round.
There are two funding levels:
- Grants of up to £5,000 for registered charities or non-profit companies limited by guarantee.
- Grants of up to £2,000 for constituted charitable organisations with no charity number.
Projects must be delivered, and funding spent by 31 October 2026.
Priorities: The Fund aims to support economically disadvantaged areas and to target grassroots organisations that serve historically underrepresented and marginalised groups.
This round is offering grants to charitable organisations to deliver focussed programs to develop the practical skills and improve employability levels for people furthest from the job market.
How to apply: The deadline for applications is 23 April 2026 (17:00).
Full guidelines and an online application form can be found on the Localgiving website.
Miller Homes Community Fund
Deadline: 29th April 2026
Who can apply: Not for profit organisations and community groups in proximity of Miller Homes developments in Scotland and in each of their regional operating areas within England can apply:
- East Midlands.
- West Midlands.
- South Midlands.
- Southern.
- Yorkshire.
- North East.
- Teeside.
- North West.
To be eligible, applicants must have a UK bank account.
Size of grant available: There is a funding pot of £10,000 for each of the two rounds.
One-off awards of between £250 and £2,000 are available.
The funding must be used within six months of receipt.
Priorities: Funding is intended to support local community groups with projects that are linked to education, promote wellbeing, promote the environment, and encourage participation in sport.
How to apply: There are two funding rounds per year.
The deadline for the spring 2026 funding round is 29 April 2026.
An online application form is available from the Miller Homes website.
Organisations can only submit one application to the fund each year.
Who can apply: Applications are open to:
- Registered charities.
- Constituted community groups.
- Companies limited by guarantee with charitable aims.
- Community interest companies.
- Co-operatives – registered community benefit societies and registered industrial and provident societies.
- Social enterprises.
To be eligible organisation/company income level must be equal to or less than £500,000, as shown in their most recent annual accounts.
Size of grant available: Grants of up to £20,000 are available over two years (up to £10,000 per year).
Priorities: The aim of the fund is to break the cycle of homelessness and to provide holistic support to people in Birmingham and the Black Country who are at immediate risk of or are experiencing homelessness, with the goal of prevention at the heart of the fund.
How to apply: Applications can be submitted at any time.
An online application form and guidance information is available from the Heart of England Community Foundation website.
For further information contact the Trust. In an effort to reduce administration costs, no correspondence or telephone conversations will be entered into with regard to applications that have already been submitted.
Pedmore Sporting Club Trust Fund
Who can apply: Voluntary and community organisations that are based and working in Birmingham City, Coventry City, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton are eligible to apply. Applicants should be undertaking charitable activities.
Size of grant available: Funding is at the discretion of the Trustees. Most grants awarded are for between £500 and £5,000.
Priorities: The funding is for local organisations undertaking charitable activities to help disadvantaged people.
How to apply: Applications can be made at any time and are considered at quarterly Trustee meetings.
Applications should be made in writing and should include:
- Details of the organisation.
- Details of the amount of funding being sought and the cost of the project.
Applications cannot be discussed by telephone.
For further information on how to obtain this fund, please contact the following:
The Secretary
Pedmore Sporting Club Trust Fund
Nicklin LLP
Church Court
Stourbridge Road
Halesowen
West Midlands
B63 3TT
Email: psclub@pedmorehouse.co.uk
Richardson Brothers Foundation
Who can apply: Grants are available to voluntary, charitable and community organisations, including:
- Registered charities.
- Constituted community groups.
- Community benefit societies.
- Community Interest Companies (CICs).
- Schools/colleges.
- Other.
Size of grant available: There are no minimum or maximum grant amounts. Applicants may request a level of funding appropriate to their project.
Priorities: Through its grants programme the Foundation seeks to support charitable activity that improves the circumstances of those less fortunate in society, with a particular focus on education, social projects and assisting disabled service personnel.
How to apply: Applications may be made at any time.
The application form is available to download from the Richardson website.
B. National Funders
Woodward Charitable Trust – Children’s Summer Playscheme Grant
Deadline: 16th April 2026
Who can apply: UK registered charities, community interest companies, charitable incorporated organisations or exempt charities with an annual turnover of less than £100,000 can apply.
Size of grant available: One-off grants of between £500 and £2,000 are available. Around 35 grants are made per year.
Priorities: The funding aims to support small-scale organisations that provide children’s summer playschemes for children from disadvantaged backgrounds that run in the summer holidays.
How to apply: Applications are now open. The deadline for applications is 16 April 2026 (12 noon).
An online application form is available to complete on the Trust’s website.
Applicants are advised to stay up to date with the Trust’s diary page as deadlines may change.
Educational Opportunity Foundation
Deadline: 20th April 2026
Who can apply: Applications are accepted from UK registered charities. To be eligible, applicants must:
- International projects – Be UK registered charities with an income normally between £100,000 and £1.5 million.
- UK projects – Be UK registered charities with an income normally between £100,000 and £2.5 million.
- Have at least three years of continuous accounts submitted to the relevant UK Charity Commission or Regulator.
- Be financially sound
- Be directly involved in the provision of the project activities. The foundation does not fund organisations whose primary purpose is fundraising.
- Be committed to minimising their impact on the environment and be able to evidence how they have considered climate change adaptation and/or mitigation in their projects.
- Have their own safeguarding procedures that comply with the relevant Charity Commission guidance as a minimum, and include any additional legal or regulatory requirements specific to their work.
Size of grant available: Funding is for one to three years.
The following funding is available:
- UK projects – £30,000 to £90,000 (maximum £30,000 per year for multi-year projects).
- International projects – £30,000 to £60,000 (maximum £30,000 per year for multi-year projects).
Annual grant payments cannot exceed 50% of an organisation’s three-year average income.
The Foundation will fund overhead contributions up to 20% of the total grant.
Priorities: The foundation gives grants to UK charities for educational activities. The funding is intended for the purpose of advancing educational opportunity in the UK and developing countries.
There are two funding streams available:
- UK projects – supports work that reduces the disadvantage of care experienced young people under the age of 25 through education and training.
- International projects – supports projects to improve the quality, sustainability and access to education for young people up to age 25 within international marginalised and vulnerable communities worldwide.
How to apply: There is a two-stage application process.
Applicants must initially submit a stage 1 application using the application form that can be downloaded from the foundation’s website.
The 2026 stage 1 rounds are:
UK projects:
- Applications are now closed. Information on future funding rounds will be provided when it becomes available.
International projects:
- 20 April 2026 (Grants Committee meeting 15 July 2026).
- 22 June 2026 (Grants Committee meeting 21 October 2026).
Note: The funders have amended the eligibility for international applications and from 2026 will only be accepting applications from UK registered charities with an income of between £100,000 and £1.5 million.
Those who are successful will be shortlisted and invited to submit a stage 2 application.
Asda Foundation – Local Community Spaces Fund
Deadline: 28th April 2026
Who can apply: Applications are accepted from registered charities (for over three years) or CICs registered with Companies House for over three years.
The community space must be open and accessible all year round.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be not-for-profit.
- Have an annual income of less than between £40,000 and £400,000.
- Unrestricted reserves no more than the equivalent of six months of operational costs.
- Have governing documents.
- Have a safeguarding policy.
- Have a bank account (that accepts cheques) in the group’s name and be able to provide proof.
- Either own the building or have a lease with at least three years remaining.
The following spaces are supported:
- Community centres or spaces that host a variety of established community groups catering for a wide range of ages, demographics and needs and which offer a variety of activities throughout the week.
- Youth centres offering targeted support to youths in areas of high deprivation in a space that offers a variety of activities, making a positive difference to health, wellbeing and the lives of young people.
- Centres that support the most vulnerable, in areas of high deprivation (e.g. homeless shelters, food banks, dementia and elderly support, community cafes).
Size of grant available: The total fund value is over £1 million.
Grants from £10,000 to £20,000 are available to wholly fund the project.
Applicants can contribute up to £20,000 of their own funds to the project but should demonstrate these funds are in place.
Priorities: The aim of the Fund is to ensure community spaces are safe, accessible, and fit for purpose by supporting essential repairs, maintenance, and improvements. It is anticipated that the programme will help community spaces expand their capacity, enhance facilities, and provide inclusive environments that meet the diverse needs of local communities.
Applications must address at least one of the following funding priorities:
- Repair and maintain community spaces: essential repairs or maintenance to ensure the facility remains safe, functional, and able to serve the community effectively.
- Expand and improve community spaces: enhancing or adapting spaces to better meet the needs of service users.
How to apply: The next funding round opens 14 April (10:00) and closes 28 April 2026 (10:00) for notification by the end of August.
The full criteria for are available Foundation website.
Applicants are advised that the scheme may close early if demand for funding is high.
Application forms are available at the Asda Foundation website: applicants can check eligibility and will then be directed to the Foundation’s grant management system, SmartSimple, to register and complete the application form.
Successful applicants will be notified by email, plus the local Asda Community and Customer Champion will be informed, who may visit the group.
Schroder Charity Trust
Deadline: 3oth April 2026
Who can apply: Registered charities in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland with an income of between £150,000 and £1 million may apply.
Size of grant available: The Trust generally makes grants of up to £5,000. Grants are for a one-year period rather than over multiple years.
Priorities: Following a strategic review of the Trust’s grant-making programme, applications will be considered for work under the following two objectives:
- Enabling children and young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds to thrive and achieve their potential in education and employment. Priorities:
- Enhancing early years school readiness for children in vulnerable families
- Developing reading and literacy skills
- Enhancing financial literacy
- Helping young people pursue vocational careers and apprenticeships
- Enhancing employment outcomes for young offenders (aged 18-25)
- Providing tutoring to develop attainment at primary and secondary school
- Strengthening communities through services and opportunities which enhance the wellbeing and life outcomes of vulnerable and disadvantaged people.
- Strengthening communities through services and opportunities which enhance the wellbeing and life outcomes of vulnerable and disadvantaged people. Priorities:
- Providing services and advice to help people out of financial hardship and material poverty
- Enhancing life outcomes for children in the care system
- Reducing social isolation and maximising independence for older people
- Building confidence, resilience, life skills and wellbeing through youthwork
- Supporting the homeless and those at risk of homelessness into sustainable housing.
How to apply: There will be two application windows each year.
The application windows for 2026 are:
- 1 March – 30 April 2026
- 1 August – 30 September 2026
Applications should be submitted via the online form on the Schroder Charity Trust website.
Decisions on grant applications are usually made within four months of the deadline and will be communicated by email to the applicant.
Frequently asked questions, eligibility checker (available only during the application windows) and the online application form are available on the Trust’s website.
England Athletics – Club Improvement Fund
Deadline: 30th April 2026
Who can apply: The fund is open to all England Athletics affiliated clubs, with priority given to clubs who have not received funding in the past 12 months.
Size of grant available: Grants of up to £500 are available.
Priorities: This small grants programme supports athletics affiliated clubs in England with projects designed to reduce barriers they face and improve club experience and capacity.
How to apply: Applications are open until the end of April 2026.
The online application form is available on the England Athletics website.
Armed Forces Day Events Grant
Deadline: 30th April 2026
Who can apply: Local councils, voluntary and community organisations, schools, ex-service organisations and individuals in the UK are eligible to apply.
Applicants must be able to accept a credit card payment as MOD will no longer be using BACs transfer for the grant payment.
Size of grant available: The maximum grant available is £10,000. The amount of the grant will depend on the size and format of the event.
The grant is match-funded. This means, a grant could cover up to half of the overall cost of the event. If the overall event cost is £7,000, the MoD could cover up to £3,500.
Priorities: The objective of the fund is to support Armed Forces Day events across the UK to show support for our servicemen and women, past and present.
How to apply: Applications are now open.
The first step in the application process is to register the event on the Armed Forces Day website.
Once groups have registered their event, they will receive a confirmation email within 15 working days. This email contains a link to submit an application for funding.
British Record Industry Trust (BRIT Trust)
Deadline: 30th April 2026
Who can apply: UK registered charities based and working in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland are eligible to apply.
Size of grant available: Funding is at the discretion of the Trustees.
Most grants are for less than £10,000 with one or two larger grants awarded each year.
Less than 10 grants are awarded each year.
Priorities: The BRIT Trust offers grant funding consistent with its mission of “improving lives through the power of music and the creative arts”.
How to apply: This is an annual fund. The 2026 application window is open with a deadline of 30 April 2026 (17:30).
The application form can be found on the Trust’s website.
The completed application form should be submitted by email to TrustApplication@bpi.co.uk with the following documents:
- Safeguarding & DEI policies & DBS checks (where applicable)
- Audited accounts from previous financial year
- Bank details, including signatories and roll number, along with a recent bank statement to confirm group’s bank details.
Concertina Charitable Trust
Deadline: 30th April 2026
Who can apply: The Trust is keen to support smaller charitable organisations in England and Wales that might otherwise find it difficult to gain funding. These include funds to many care homes for the elderly, to provide musical entertainment for residents.
Size of grant available: Grants of up to £250 are available.
Priorities: Funding is intended to provide musical entertainment and related activities for the elderly to provide therapeutic benefit for their health and wellbeing.
How to apply: The annual deadlines for application are 30 April and 31 October.
An application form is available to download from the Trust’s website. The completed form must be sent by post to the Trust Administrator.
No e-mail or telephone correspondence will be entered into regarding an application.
The Trustees will assess any application to ensure that any grant would be within the Trust’s objects, whether the charity is in financial need, the amount of benefit that would be derived from the grant (for example, the number of residents that would attend a concert or use the facilities) and any other factors the Trustees think important. As part of this process, the Trustees may ask for further information and, if feasible, one of the Trustees will meet a representative of the charity.
Administrator
The Concertina Charitable Trust
Nells Platt
Smithwood Common
Cranleigh
Surrey
GU6 8QY
Leathersellers’ Foundation
Deadline: 30th April 2026
Who can apply: The Small Grants Programme accepts applications from UK registered charities including charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs) but not community interest companies (CICs).
To be eligible organisations must:
- Deliver activities to meet an identified need for vulnerable people in their community.
- Have a planned expenditure of under £200,000 during the financial year in which they are applying for funding.
- Hold less than six months’ reserves.
- Have at least one year’s published accounts
The funder is looking for organisations that:
- Understand the needs of their local community.
- Are open and transparent about their work and finances.
- Are working in partnership with others.
The Main Grants Programme accepts applications from UK registered charities or charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs) that:
- Expect to have an annual organisational income of £200,000 to £2 million.
- Have at least one year’s published accounts.
- Use a trauma-informed approach and evidence-based interventions.
- Have as their core focus, the goal to prevent and/or reduce the harm of ACEs by providing services to children, young people and/or adults.
- Can demonstrate that the vast majority of people using the service have experienced ACEs/are supporting people who have experienced ACEs, such as parents and caregivers.
- Can demonstrate the effectiveness of their approach through evaluation or external research.
- Can demonstrate that the voice of service users/experts by experience informs service design and delivery.
Leathersellers’ recognises that some communities suffer from a greater likelihood of ACEs due to systemic barriers. It welcomes applications from charities who support under-represented groups.
Size of grant available: The following funding is available:
- Small Grants Programme grants of up to £5,000.
- Main Grants Programme unrestricted grant (core costs) of between £20,000 and £25,000 per year for a period of up to four years.
Priorities: The foundation operates two grant programmes for UK registered charities:
- Small Grants Programme – one-off grants for small projects.
- Main Grants Programme – targeted funding rounds, with grants available towards core costs to support charities working within the focus area of the active round.
How to apply: Main Grants Programme
The next deadline for expressions of interest is 30 April 2026 (5pm). Successful EOI applicants will then be invited to submit a full application by 18 June 2026 (10am).
Small Grants Programme
The fund is a rolling funding programme. Applications are currently closed. The next round will open on 7 April 2026.
There are 8 application windows throughout the year. Submissions are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. As soon as 40 applications have been received, applications will close for the round. (This can occur with one hour of the application window opening.)
Applicants who have started an application form and then find that the maximum applications have been reached can save a draft and return to the application when the next round opens.
Applications are made using the online application form on the Leathersellers’ Company website. The Small Grants Committee meets regularly to ensure charities receive a decision within a month of submitting their application.
2026 Key Dates
- Applications Open: 10am, 7 April 2026 (bank holiday on 6 April)
Committee Meeting Date: 20 May 2026 - Applications Open: 10am, 5 May 2026 (bank holiday on 5 May)
Committee Meeting Date: 16 June 2026
The Different Foundation – AI for All
Deadline: 30th April 2026
Who can apply: UK registered charities with a turnover of between £150,000 and £1.15 million and one to ten employees can apply.
Size of grant available: One-off grants of up to £2,500. Four hours of specialised mentorship with respected leaders in AI. This mentorship provides practical guidance to enhance impact, improve programme delivery, and strengthen organisational capabilities.
Priorities: The funding is intended to promote access and opportunity for members of underrepresented and diverse communities in AI innovation. It supports organisations committed to diversity in technology.
The current focus is addressing digital bias, elevating diverse voices, and developing AI that works for everyone.
How to apply: There are two funding rounds in 2026:
- June’s Grant Round – Applications open on 1 February and close on 30 April.
- October’s Grant Round – Applications open on 1 June and close on 31 August.
Guidelines and the online application form can be found on the Different Foundation website.
W F Southall Trust
Deadline: 1st May 2026
Who can apply: Charities registered in the UK can apply.
Charities should be working in at least one of the following four areas:
- Quaker Work and Witness.
- Environmental Action and Sustainability.
- Peace and Reconciliation.
- Social Action.
The Trust tends to favour charities:
- With projects that encourage wider support of the four areas above.
- Projects where grants of up to £5,000 that will make a quantifiable difference. Preference is given to smaller charities with ‘seed corn’ funding.
- Grassroots initiatives.
- That show creativity and innovation in their work.
- That promote social justice, inclusion and diversity.
- That challenge structural inequalities and injustice.
- That can demonstrate clear support from the communities in which they are based or operate.
- That are engaged with their local community and show clear evidence of support from within it, eg through local giving, volunteering and/or partnerships.
Size of grant available: Most grants are between £1,000 and £5,000 for one year.
Multi-year funding of up to three years may be available for charities that the Trust has previously supported.
A few large grants are available but are normally for Quaker-based causes.
Priorities: The scheme is intended to support registered charities in the UK that are undertaking charitable projects in at least one of the following fields:
- Quaker Work and Witness.
- Environmental Action and Sustainability.
- Peace and Reconciliation.
- Social Action.
How to apply: The next deadline for applications is 1 May 2026.
Contact the W F Southall Trust for further information.
W F Southall Trust
2 Bimport
Shaftesbury
Dorset
SP7 8AY
Tel: 0300 111 1937
Screwfix Foundation
Deadline: 10th May 2026
Who can apply: Registered charities and not-for-profit organisations based in the UK (including specialist not-for-profit schools) can apply.
Applications will be accepted from:
- Registered Charities with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
- Registered Charities with OSCR
- Registered Charities with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
- Registered Community Benefit Society with the FCA
- Registered Cooperative Society with the FCA
- Registered Community Interest Company (CIC) with Companies House.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be supporting people in need in the UK by reason of financial hardship, sickness, disability or other disadvantage or distress. The main beneficiaries could be:
- People suffering from sickness or disabilities.
- People from diverse groups.
- Disadvantaged or vulnerable people.
- People suffering from financial hardship.
- People suffering from mental health issues.
- Other.
- Be looking for funding to support projects that relate to the repair, maintenance, improvement or construction of homes, community buildings and other buildings.
- Have suitable governance to manage funds, e.g, financial reporting, committee meetings, etc.
Both national and local charities can apply.
Size of grant available: Grants of up to £5,000 are available.
Funding needs to be spent within 12 months from receipt of payment.
Priorities: The funding is intended for both national and local charities across the UK so that they can fix, repair, maintain and improve properties and community facilities specifically for those in need (by reason of financial hardship, sickness, disability or other disadvantage or distress) in the UK.
Due to the very high number of applications received each quarter, Screwfix will give priority to the following projects:
- Where Screwfix is funding the project in full.
- Where the project will directly benefit people in need and will have a lasting impact.
How to apply: The guidelines and online application form can be found on The Screwfix Foundation website.
The trustees meet to review applications in March, June, September and December. The cut off date for applications is 12pm on the 10th of the month prior to the Trustee meeting.
The application windows are:
- 11 November to 10 February for the March meeting with a decision by 30 March.
- 11 February to 10 May for the June Trustee meeting with a decision by 30 July.
- 11 May to 10 August for the September Trustee meeting with a decision by 30 September.
- 11 August to 10 November for the December Trustee meeting with a decision by 30 December.
All projects that are successful will be listed on the Screwfix Foundation website.
B&Q Foundation – Home Improvement Grants
Deadline: 15th May 2026
Who can apply: UK registered charities based and working in the UK can apply.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Support people in need in the UK.
- Provide accommodation or support people moving into their own homes.
- Be in operation for at least one year with annual accounts published.
- Have a safeguarding policy in place.
- Commit to feeding back on the impact of the funding within 12 months when surveyed by Neighbourly.
Charities will need a published profile on Neighbourly in order to apply.
Size of grant available: Grants of up to £10,000 are available for home improvement projects that will be completed in the next 12 months.
Priorities: The funding is intended for UK charities working to improve the lives of people in need by supporting projects that make homes safe, welcoming, and comfortable. Grants are for essential home improvements and home starter kits—helping individuals and families facing homelessness, domestic abuse, disabilities, illness, or financial hardship to feel more settled and supported in their living spaces.
How to apply: The application windows for 2026 are:
- 2 February to 20 February 2026
- 20 April to 15 May 2026
- 20 July to 14 August 2026
- 19 October to 13 November 2026.
The guidance notes and FAQs can be found on the B&Q Foundation website.
The application process is managed by Neighbourly. Groups will need to create a profile on the Neighbourly platform as part of the B&Q Foundation application process. The profile can also be used to access other types of support on the Neighbourly platform.
Please note, if the B&Q Foundation receives a large number of eligible applications in one round, they may chose not to open the following round and allocate instead from applications already received.
Barchester Healthcare Foundation
Who can apply: Although most funding is awarded to individuals, small community groups and small local charities based in England, Scotland or Wales can also apply.
Eligible organisations must provide a breakdown of their budget and their latest annual accounts.
Support is mainly available to individuals in England, Scotland and Wales who are:
- Older people aged 65+.
- Adults with a disability or mental health problem.
All applications for an individual must be supported by a third party sponsor, such as a health or personal care professional, social worker, charity or support group representative.
The focus for funding is connecting or re-connecting people with others in their local community. Applications that combat loneliness and enable people to be active and engaged will receive the highest priority.
Size of grant available: Grants range from £100 to £2,600.
Priorities: The Foundation aims to make a difference to the lives of older people and other adults with a physical, learning or mental disability; supporting practical solutions that lead to increased personal independence, self-sufficiency and dignity.
The aim of this fund is on connecting or re-connecting people with others in their local community. Applications that combat loneliness and enable people to be active and engaged will receive highest priority.
How to apply: Applications may be submitted at any time.
Guidance and an online application form are available from the Barchester Healthcare Foundation website.
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