Welcome to September’s funding update.
This update is split into two parts. Section A features funders with upcoming deadlines. You’ll find funders with a local or regional focus first, and national funders second. The funders are listed in order of deadline date, soonest first.
Section B features funders who welcome applications at any time. Again, you’ll find funders with a local or regional focus first, and national funders second.
Many grants to support groups and individuals with the cost-of-living crisis have now closed. You will find those that our still open in our April funding update.
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. Get in quick – deadlines are coming up!
1. Funders with a local / regional interest
The Roger and Douglas Turner Charitable Trust
Deadline: 27th October 2023
Who can apply: Registered charities.
Size of grant available: Grants are generally between £1,000 and £5,000. Larger grants may be awarded to regular beneficiaries and capital projects.
Priorities: Projects must relate to at least one of the Trust’s priorities, which are:
- Children and young people.
- Disability and health.
- Environment & heritage.
- The Arts.
- Work in the community.
- Social support.
- Hospices.
How to apply: Applications can be made throughout the year and are normally considered at three meetings each year.
The next deadlines for applications are:
- 27 October 2023 (for consideration at 24 November 2023 meeting).
- 9 February 2024 (for consideration at 8 March 2024 meeting).
Successful applicants are usually notified of a decision within two weeks of the meeting.
Full guidelines and an online application form can be found on The Roger & Douglas Turner Charitable Trust website
PHP Foundation – Heart of England
Deadline: 13th November 2023
Who can apply: Applications are accepted from:
- 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.
Applicants must have an annual income of less than £500,000 and be delivering services within a 10-mile radius of PHP properties. For Dudley these are; Withymoor Surgery, Lion Medical Centre (Stourbridge) and Mace Street Clinic (Old Hill).
To be eligible, applicants must be able to provide proof of:
- A management committee/board of trustees/board of directors with at least three unrelated people as members (a list of those directors will be required showing who has bank authorisation).
- A written constitution/articles/set of rules.
- Their most recent annual accounts or financial records showing the organisation’s balance of funds, income and reserves.
- A bank account in the name of the organisation with at least two unrelated signatories, and bank statement from the last three months.
- Their safeguarding and equal opportunities policies.
Size of grant available: Grants of up to £5,000 are available.
Priorities: The scheme supports charities in eligible locations in the West Midlands with the aim of:
- Funding social and charitable activities and services linked to the patients and communities of PHP tenants.
- Supporting the Practice Social Prescribing referral service and enable the ongoing provision of new and existing services.
- Improving the health and wellbeing of patients and communities served by PHP buildings.
- Advancing the education, promotion and protection of good health within the communities served by PHP buildings.
How to apply: The application form is available to complete on the Heart of England Community Foundation website.
Contact the Heart of England Community Foundation for more information.
Applicants will receive an outcome back before the end of December 2023.
2. National funders
Community Ownership Fund
Deadline: 11th October 2023 (for expression of interest)
Who can apply: Incorporated voluntary and community organisations (like charitable incorporated organisations, CIOs, co-operatives, community interest companies and not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee) with a viable plan for taking ownership of a community asset at risk and running it sustainably for community benefit. To be eligible, the terms of community ownership must be either the ownership of the freehold or a long-term leasehold of at least 15 years with reasonable break clauses
Size of grant available: Discretionary, with different limits depending on whether applicants need capital funding, revenue funding or a combination of both. The Community Ownership Fund has a budget of £150 million until March 2025
Priorities: Funding to support community groups in taking ownership of at-risk assets and to provide essential renovations for assets already in community ownership, ensuring long-term sustainability for the benefit of the community. The Community Ownership Fund’s four strategic objectives are:
- To provide targeted investment for communities to save and sustain community assets that would otherwise be lost to community use
- To strengthen capacity and capability in communities, supporting them to shape their places and develop sustainable community businesses
- To empower communities in left behind places to level up
- To strengthen direct links between places across the UK and the UK Government
To be eligible for funding, applicants must demonstrate that the community asset they want to save fulfils the following criteria:
- There is a risk of loss without community intervention
- Risk might be from closure, sale, neglect and dereliction under current ownership, or unsustainable operations under the current business model
- Applicants need to demonstrate the nature of the risk facing the asset. This will include evidence that without community intervention the asset or amenity would be lost to the community
- Can be run viably and sustainably
- Applications should demonstrate how the asset will be protected for the long-term benefit of the community. Organisations must show this through their charitable purpose and/or an asset lock within their governing documents
- Applicants should demonstrate how they are accountable to the community they represent, how they will operate for the benefit of the wider community in the place where the asset is located, and how they will use the asset to deliver community impact
- Profits from the community asset and businesses should be reinvested in the asset to deliver community benefit
- Requires essential renovations to be sustainable for the long-term benefit of the community
- Organisations who already own their asset are eligible to apply for funding to renovate their asset, provided the asset would otherwise be at risk of closure or loss to the community without these renovations.
How to apply: There is a two step application process:
- The first step in the application process is to submit an expression of interest. This can be done at any time and an outcome is usually conveyed within three to four weeks of submission
- If successful, applicants will be sent an email containing a unique application form link when a new round opens. Groups can apply in any bidding window suitable for the timings of their project up until the programme closes in March 2025. It does not have to be the next round
Guidance documents and application forms are available from the GOV.UK website.
In addition, My Community, the official delivery partners for the Community Ownership Fund support programme, has published a number of different guides on their website which new applicants may wish to refer to.
These include:
- What is the Community Ownership Fund?
- Frequently asked questions
- Editable version of the Community Ownership application form
- How to write a strong Community Ownership Fund application.
- Community Ownership Fund Advice and Support
- Community Ownership Fund stories
Steel Charitable Trust
Deadline: 11th October 2023
Who can apply: Registered charities and legally exempt charities with a turnover of more than £50,000
Size of grant available: £10,000-£25,000
Priorities: The Trust awards funding in the following five core categories:
- Arts and heritage
- Education
- Environment
- Health
- Social or economic disadvantage
Applications made until October 2023, for the Health category, should have a focus on one of the following:
- Programmes and activities that aim to support, maintain and improve mental health in any demographic
- Health care for older people
Applications made until October 2023, for the Social or Economic Disadvantage category, should have a focus on one of the following:
- Disadvantaged children
- Housing and homeless people
How to apply: An eligibility checker, guidelines and application are on the Steel Charitable Trust website
Deadline: 16th October 2023
Who can apply: Registered charities, CICs, companies limited by guarantee with asset lock, co-operative societies with asset lock. Preference is given to organisations with annual income between £10,000 and £1million
Size of grant available: Up to £75,000
Priorities: The funding is intended for charities and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations that are experiencing increased demand for critical services and increased costs in delivering them. The main priority is to fund organisations supporting low-income households and individuals. To be eligible, applicants must already run critical services around at least one of the following:
Music for All – Community Project Funding
Who can apply: Registered charities, CICs, companies limited by guarantee with asset lock, co-operative societies with asset lock. Preference is given to organisations with annual income between £10,000 and £1million
Size of grant available: Up to £75,000
Priorities: The funding is intended for charities and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations that are experiencing increased demand for critical services and increased costs in delivering them. The main priority is to fund organisations supporting low-income households and individuals. To be eligible, applicants must already run critical services around at least one of the following:
- Food and emergency supplies, e.g., food and baby banks or the provision of hot meals, clothes or toiletries.
- Emergency shelter, e.g., night shelters or other accommodation for people experiencing homelessness.
- Safe spaces, e.g., domestic abuse services and youth services.
- Warmth, e.g., warm rooms and spaces.
- Financial and housing advice, e.g., giving people advice because of the increased cost of living.
Organisations must also be facing both:
- Increased demand for these critical services, and
- Increased costs of delivering these critical services.
How to apply: Guidelines and the online application form can be found on the National Lottery Community Fund website.
The Linnean Society – Our Local Nature Grants
Deadline: 22nd October 2023
Who can apply: Individuals and organisations who are linked to a school or community-based organisation that works directly with young people (16 and under). This could including constituted community groups and small charities
Size of grant available: Up to £1,000
Priorities: The scheme provides grants to support innovative projects, designed and led by young people in the UK, which aim to increase access to local natural spaces and encourage a deeper appreciation and understanding of nature. Funding is intended for projects which affect change or empower local young people and the surrounding communities to increase access to natural spaces and improve understanding of the local biodiversity. Examples of eligible projects include:
- Running a school festival about nature
- Painting community murals showcasing biodiversity in the area
- Building or restoring a community garden
- Creating a nature walk
- Hiring a speaker to come and talk about local foraging
Grants can be used for materials, room hire, publicity, speakers, trainers, freelancers, project-specific staff costs, audio-visual hire, reasonable volunteer expenses, transport, or other costs of activities/events
How to apply: The application form and guidance notes are available on the Linnean Society website
Deadline: 23rd October 2023
Who can apply: Registered charities with a turnover of less than £1million
Size of grant available: £250-£1,000
Priorities: Funding for projects that support those in need of a safe and secure home. Grants may only be used for capital expenditure (that is, to purchase items used to directly help those in need). Projects must meet the Foundation’s purpose through one or more of its criteria themes. Examples of eligible projects include:
Who can apply: Registered charities with a turnover of less than £1million
Size of grant available: £250-£1,000
Priorities: Funding for projects that support those in need of a safe and secure home. Grants may only be used for capital expenditure (that is, to purchase items used to directly help those in need). Projects must meet the Foundation’s purpose through one or more of its criteria themes. Examples of eligible projects include:
- Sustainability – projects that help with fuel poverty, energy efficiency or climate action relating to homes and housing
- Health – projects that help those with health needs with housing, adaptations or advice
- Financial stress – projects that help with bills or debt stress
- Accessibility – projects that reduce loneliness, provide supported living services or adapt homes to make them safer for those with accessibility needs
- Education and advice – projects that support money management or provide advice services
- Security and refuge – projects that support emergency accommodation
How to apply: Guidance notes and the applicant portal can be found on the Leeds Building Society Foundation website
Music for All – Community Project Funding
Deadline: 27th October 2023
Who can apply: Groups, schools and organisations that are bringing music to their communities
Size of grant available: Discretionary depending on the project area applicants apply under
Priorities: The grants programme aims to give a helping hand to projects and initiatives across the UK that are seeking to bring music to their communities. The funding is for groups that need assistance to fulfil their potential in developing truly sustainable music programmes. Support will be available in the following distinct areas:
Who can apply: Groups, schools and organisations that are bringing music to their communities
Size of grant available: Discretionary depending on the project area applicants apply under
Priorities: The grants programme aims to give a helping hand to projects and initiatives across the UK that are seeking to bring music to their communities. The funding is for groups that need assistance to fulfil their potential in developing truly sustainable music programmes. Support will be available in the following distinct areas:
- Projects based on electric guitars – this award is open to applications from groups requiring electric guitars, working to support communities in deprived or marginalised areas and developing music education for those living in the area. (Please note that these electric guitars are not supplied with amplifiers)
- Ukulele and keyboard bundle offer – this award is open to applications from community and educational groups working with deprived or marginalised communities and developing music education for those living in the area. Please note that a bundle offer of ukuleles will be awarded with one keyboard to each successful applicant. (NB no cases are provided)
- Harris Foundation Schools Progression Award – a grant of up to £5,000 is available for schools looking to deepen their music provision and support/or continue to support groups of music makers within their school. This funding proposal should add additional sophistication to existing music education provision and allow more pupils to appreciate the many benefits of music making. Funds can be used to support any type of ensemble including bands, orchestras or informal groups and should be put towards the purchase of instruments, studio equipment, specialised teaching support or other items specifically designed to support the establishment and/or continuation of music groups
- David Hughes Award – A grant of up to £2,000 is available to disadvantaged keyboard and piano players. Applicants must be able to evidence their financial limitations and ways in which the award will support and advance their progress
- Projects supporting young people aged 11-16 – grants of up to £2,150 are available for community-based groups providing music-making opportunities to make music to young people aged between 11-16. Applications from groups operating in caring as well as more formal educational settings are welcomed. Applicants should be able to demonstrate the ways in which their project/group nurtures underprivileged young talent
- Working with groups with mental health challenges and/or affected by loneliness/isolation – grants of up to £1,500 are available for community group applicants providing music-making opportunities to those experiencing mental health challenges and/or affected by loneliness/isolation. Applicants for this award will need to demonstrate how music is used within their project work and, where possible, be able to illustrate previous successful examples of their work as well as demonstrate how funds will be used to provide meaningful and positive support for their group and enable active participation in music making
- Working with diverse communities from the Global Majority, in partnership with Black Lives in Music – grants of up to £1,500 are available to community-based groups providing music-making opportunities working with diverse communities from the global majority. Applicants should be able to demonstrate ways in which they nurture disadvantaged individuals in music-making opportunities
How to apply: An online application form is available to complete on the Music for All website. It is only available during the open application window
Deadline: 29th October 2023
Who can apply: Any type of not-for-profit including constituted community groups, registered charities and social enterprises with social objects and full details of asset lock in their governing documents
Size of grant available: Up to £80,000 over two years. Organisations cannot apply for more than £40,000 per year
Priorities: Grants are available for projects that support young people (11-25) at high risk of offending for the first time. Projects should use a Sport 4 Development approach. This means the intentional use of sport and physical activity to achieve specific social development objectives, in this case reducing reoffending rates. The funder is particularly interested in proposals that:
Who can apply: Any type of not-for-profit including constituted community groups, registered charities and social enterprises with social objects and full details of asset lock in their governing documents
Size of grant available: Up to £80,000 over two years. Organisations cannot apply for more than £40,000 per year
Priorities: Grants are available for projects that support young people (11-25) at high risk of offending for the first time. Projects should use a Sport 4 Development approach. This means the intentional use of sport and physical activity to achieve specific social development objectives, in this case reducing reoffending rates. The funder is particularly interested in proposals that:
- Have specific outcomes and targets related to individual development, health and well-being, employability, education, and social cohesion
- Demonstrate that they understand the wide range of challenges and issues that will need to be addressed to help a young person succeed after being released from a young offenders institution or prison
- Show existing work with young people who have been in the criminal justice system is already taking place and can evidence a track record of helping them to achieve positive outcomes
Proposals that demonstrate targeted support for the following groups will be given priority:
- Young people who are from Black or minoritised/racialised communities
- Young women and girls
- Young people who have experienced the care system
How to apply: The next application window will open on 18 September and close on 29 October 2023.There is a two-stage application process:
- Stage one: complete the online application form on the Triangle Trust website
- Stage two will involve a visit from the Trust’s Director to the shortlisted applicants (usually between six and eight organisations)
The Primary Club – James Fund
Deadline: 31st October 2023
Who can apply: Sports clubs and organisations that provide sports or recreational activities for the blind and visually impaired
Size of grant available: Up to £25,000
Priorities: The funding is to support grass roots and start up sporting and/or recreational projects for the blind and visually impaired. Funding can support a wide variety of projects relating to the sporting and/or recreational needs of the blind and partially sighted. The trustees are keen to support innovative and/or collaborative projects, ie enabling support to be provided in new ways, or to a wider community, or organisations working together to deliver support which they could not achieve alone
How to apply: An application form is available to download from The Primary Club website and should be returned to treasurer@primaryclub.org
Alastair James Memorial Trust
Deadline: 31st October 2023
Who can apply: Charities and voluntary and community groups
Size of grant available: Up to £1,000
Priorities: Grants to registered charities and community and voluntary groups to support projects that help those in need in the UK and Commonwealth. Grants can be used for costs associated with projects that help people in need, including for the purchase of items of equipment, such as vehicles provided such equipment has been manufactured in the United Kingdom or in a Commonwealth country.
How to apply: Complete the expression of interest form on the Northamptonshire Community Foundation website
Deadline: 31st October 2023
Who can apply: Registered charities and constituted not-for-profit organisations
Size of grant available: The average grant size is £1,500
Priorities: The funder wants to support small charities that engage in community projects and run projects for the benefit of disadvantaged groups. In particular, the following themes are supported:
Who can apply: Registered charities and constituted not-for-profit organisations
Size of grant available: The average grant size is £1,500
Priorities: The funder wants to support small charities that engage in community projects and run projects for the benefit of disadvantaged groups. In particular, the following themes are supported:
- Hospices
- Children and young people
- Elderly
- Community
- Disabled
- Medical, research and other miscellaneous projects
How to apply: Complete and return the application form available on the Edgar E Lawley Foundation website
Asda Community Foundation – Cost of Living Grant
Deadline: 3rd November 2023
Who can apply: Local not-for-profit community groups based in the UK may apply.
The following criteria apply:
- The group must have a presence in and benefit the local community.
- The end beneficiaries must be community groups of people.
- There is no minimum timescale for how long the group has been in existence.
- There is no income limits for organisations.
Groups can apply for a Cost of Living Grant in addition to one other grant or Green Token Giving offered by Asda Foundation.
Size of grant available: Grants between £400 and £1,600 are available.
Priorities: The aim of the grant is to help local community groups cope with the increase in their running costs and the provision of warm banks is included. The priority themes for funding are:
- Increased rent and utility costs.
- Increase in food costs and other essentials.
- Volunteer-related costs.
How to apply: Application forms are only available from Asda Community Champions, who are based in local Asda superstores.
Applicants can use the store locator link on the Foundation website to get in touch with their local store and speak to their Community Champion about their project proposal. Application forms may be completed by hand (preferred) or digitally.
Applicants are advised to apply early and check the Asda website for deadline updates as if the budget cap is reached, the fund will close.
Applicants can apply for funding for both rent/utility bill support and increased food costs within the one application form.
Applications should be submitted at least six weeks before activities are due to begin to give enough processing time and should include the following:
- Bank statement/paying in slip to verify the payee name for the cheque by looking at the account name, which should be clearly visible.
- Group documents e.g. constitution, club rules, etc.
- If not a registered charity, provide confirmation that the group is a not for profit organisation.
- Digital signature declaration (if not providing a wet signature).
- Ringfencing confirmation (if group name and payee name are different).
Groups should contact their local Asda Community Champion for further information.
B. No deadlines
1. Funders with a local / regional interest
Anthony and Gwendoline Wylde Memorial Charity
Who can apply: Charitable organisations based and working in Dudley and Staffordshire are eligible to apply. Particular emphasis will be given to applications from Kinver, Kidderminster, and Stourbridge.
Size of grant available: Up to £,1000
Priorities: The funding supports local initiatives with general charitable purposes, particularly community or social projects.
How to apply: Small grants are considered throughout the year and are dealt with as they arise by the Grants Advisory Committee.
Large grants are considered twice a year in early May and late November, during the Main Trustee meetings.
The Charity has different application forms, depending on the grant requirements. Once the application type has been selected, applicants will be taken to the relevant page to either download, or request by post, an application form, for subsequent completion and submission by email or post, with the required supporting information. More information is available on the website
Birmingham and the Black Country Communities Fund
Who can apply: Registered charities, constituted community groups, companies limited by guarantee with charitable aims, community interest companies (CICs), co-operatives (registered community benefit societies and registered industrial and provident societies) and social enterprises can apply.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have an income of equal to or less than £500,000, as shown in their most recent annual accounts.
- Have a constitution or governing rules.
- A management committee/board of trustees/board of directors with at least three unrelated people as members.
- A bank account in the name of the organisation with at least two unrelated signatories.
- Safeguarding policy (if working with children or vulnerable adults).
- Equal opportunities policy.
Size of grant available: Grants of up to £3,000 are available for one year.
Priorities: The Fund provides grants to small charities and community and voluntary groups supporting local people across Birmingham and the Black Country.
How to apply: Applications can be made at any time.
An online application form and guidance information is available from the Heart of England Community Foundation website.
2. National funders
Tabhair Charitable Trust
Who can apply: Registered small to medium-sized charities that combine support services with an enterprising mission to improve social well-being and employment opportunities in the lives of the disengaged and disadvantaged
Size of grant available: Up to £5,000
Priorities: Grants are to support projects and activities that improve wellbeing in local communities through education, training, and employment opportunities
How to apply: Guidance notes and an online application form are available from the Tabhair Charitable Trust website. The trustees meet twice a year to distribute funding. The application process will typically take between two and six months
Size of grant available: Up to £5,000
Priorities: Grants are to support projects and activities that improve wellbeing in local communities through education, training, and employment opportunities
How to apply: Guidance notes and an online application form are available from the Tabhair Charitable Trust website. The trustees meet twice a year to distribute funding. The application process will typically take between two and six months
Crowdfunder Cost of Living Crisis Emergency Fund
Who can apply: Applications will be accepted from:
- Registered UK Charities.
- Registered community benefit organisations.
- Registered social enterprises and charity companies.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be based in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland and for the benefit of communities within the UK.
- Have a UK mainland bank account in the name of the organisation.
- Be able to deliver the outcome of this crowdfunding campaign by 31 December 2023.
- Be raising funds for running costs only.
- Have been operating for at least 12 months.
Priority will be given to organisations which are new to crowdfunding. The funder is seeking to ensure funding is distributed equitably, particularly in terms of geographic location and types of beneficiaries.
Size of grant available: A maximum of £5,000 of match funding is available for any organisation.
Priorities: The funding is for community organisations that are helping to tackle food poverty in their local area.
The funding could be used for projects such as the following (not limited to):
- Supporting the creation or continuation of foodbanks.
- Providing support to those helping to provide free meals for children during the summer holidays.
- Providing food budgeting or food education support to those in financial difficulties.
- Reducing food waste and therefore food costs through community fridge creation/continuation.
How to apply: The fund will close when all the funding is allocated.
The first step is for applicants to set up a crowdfunding campaign on Crowdfunder. Campaigns typically run for 28 days but take a few weeks to create so groups should allow about six weeks in total.
Before they start crowdfunding, applicants should read the full Terms and Conditions as well as the Eligibility Criteria which can be found on the Crowdfunder website.
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