Eligibility

We are committed to awarding grants to those most in need.

To be eligible to apply for a grant:

your charity’s project must fall within one of the current priorities
your charity’s income and expenditure must meet the requirements for the relevant Grant Round
your charity’s project must not be on the list of projects or organisations that we don’t fund
your charity must be registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales (or equivalent body for Scotland and Northern Ireland) unless on the list of exempt charities – we are unable to give grants to CICs or non-profit organisations

Please note: only one application form per charity will be considered.

You have to decide which is your strongest project.

Please check all these details carefully and only submit an application if you are eligible.

We have limited administration resources, and appreciate charities’ cooperation in ensuring that we work together to focus on our priority causes.

Our Priorities

We focus on different priorities every year.

In 2024, the first 2 rounds prioritise projects that focus on disability – specifically employment and training for people living with disabilities to ensure better access.

We have decided to focus the other 2 rounds for 2024 on Food Poverty, given the increasing levels across the UK.

In 2025, we will prioritise Access to the Arts, and Refugees and Asylum Seekers – full details will be published towards the end of 2024.

2025

Grant Rounds 1 and 2

The Arts: Improving Attendance

The focus will be projects that improve audience engagement with and attendance of live performing arts projects – theatre, dance or music – particularly audiences who do not usually have the opportunity to attend performances. We won’t consider applications from non-performing arts projects, or projects focussing on performers.

Grant Rounds 3 and 4

Refugees and Asylum Seekers

To be eligible, a project must focus exclusively on refugees and/or asylum seekers as its beneficiaries, without extending services to other groups. We don’t fund salaries for charity staff unless specifically employed for the project concerned.

2026

Grant rounds 1 and 2

People experiencing or at risk of homelessness

Focussing on projects that provide life skills, including food education, healthy living and budgeting. Priority will be given to people leaving the armed forces, leaving prison or care. We don’t fund salaries for charity staff unless specifically employed for the project concerned.

Grant rounds 3 and 4

Unpaid carers

Projects that provide therapeutic support, including healthy eating and outdoor activities. To be eligible, a project must focus exclusively on unpaid carers as its beneficiaries, without extending services to other groups. We don’t fund salaries for charity staff unless specifically employed for the project concerned.

More specific criteria will be added early in 2026.

Our Four Grant Rounds

Grant Round 1

Application Period

1st - 28th February

Amount

£1,000

Eligibility

Minimum operating income : £100,000.
Minimum operating expenditure: £100,000.

Maximum operating income: £1,000,000.
Maximum operating expenditure:£1,000,000.

Grant Round 2

Application Period

1st - 30th April

Amount

£5,000

Eligibility

Minimum operating income: £1,000,000.
Minimum operating expenditure: £1,000,000.

There is no maximum income or expenditure.

Grant Round 3

Application Period

1st - 31st July

Amount

£1,000

Eligibility

Minimum operating income : £100,000.
Minimum operating expenditure: £100,000.

Maximum operating income: £1,000,000.
Maximum operating expenditure: £1,000,000.

Grant Round 4

Application Period

1st - 30th September

Amount

£5,000

Eligibility

Minimum operating income: £1,000,000.
Minimum operating expenditure: £1,000,000.

There is no maximum income or expenditure.

What We Don't Fund

Please check this list before starting an application.

We will not award grants to any project or charity that is covered by this list.

We only give grants to UK registered charities or organisations that are exempt from registration. We do not give grants for any other type of not-for-profit organisation, social enterprise or community foundation.

Capital appeals, including equipment

Charities involved with religion (including repair of Church fabric)

Charities involved with animals (welfare and conservation)

Holidays, including respite holidays

Individual hospices (national organisations can apply)

Individuals, including individuals embarking on a trip overseas with a charitable organisation

Minibuses or other Vehicles

Overseas projects

Schools, including activities

Scouts, Guides, Cubs, Brownies

Sea Cadets

Shopmobility

Students

Village Halls