Grant Directories

The BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme supports children and young people who are facing exceptionally difficult circumstances, and is delivered by Family Fund Business Services. The programme can provide the following kinds of items: Cookers; Furniture; Kitchen equipment and small appliances; Children’s beds and bedding (including cots); Washing machines and tumble dryers; Fridges, freezers and fridge-freezers; Baby equipment; Clothing for an emergency/crisis. Applications can only be made by a registered referrer.

The BBC Children in Need Core Grants Programme distributes grants to not-for-profit organisations working with children and young people aged 18 or under. Funding is available to support essential organisational and administrative spending. These are the key expenses required to keep your organisation running and can include: Management and administration; HR and payroll; General office expenses; Accountancy and audit; Communications and outreach; Monitoring, evaluation, and learning; Governance, regulatory, and compliance costs.

The BBC Children in Need Project grants programme distributes grants to support the aims and delivery of a specific piece of work. This work will usually be time-limited, and based on a defined set of activities. Grants are available for up to three years, grants for over £15,000 will only be considered from organisations who have registered with the appropriate regulatory body. These include the Charity Commission for England and Wales, Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and the Scottish Charity Register.

The7stars Foundation supports the most challenged young people in the United Kingdom. Assisting forgotten young people aged 16 years and under, lacking opportunity, to achieve their potential.  The funding is available to support projects that support young people challenged by abuse; addiction; those who are young carers; and those who are homeless.

The Asda Foundation aims to transform communities and improve lives by providing independent grants and support to locally relevant community projects throughout the UK. Through the Under 18 Better Starts Grant, the Foundation provides funding of between £400 and £2000 to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. The funding is available to not-for-profit organisations for projects which give children the best start in life, encourage them to be active, and which tackle poverty, inclusion and wellbeing. Projects could include breakfast clubs, food and clothing banks, arts and crafts groups, brownies, scouts, training for counsellors, U18 sporting/physical activity-based groups, and Easter and Jubilee Celebrations for U18’s. Applications should be made through each local Asda store’s Community Champion. 

The Leathersellers' Company is one of the ancient livery companies of the City of London. It makes grants in the areas of Education, Disability, Children and young people and the relief of need. Through the Main Grants Programme The Leathersellers Company provide grants of up to £25,000 per year for up to 4 years. The current focus of the main grants programme is charities that work to prevent the occurrence of and/or reduce the likelihood of long-term negative consequences of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

Family Fund provides financial support to families raising a disabled or seriously ill child. The Fund helps families across the UK who are raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person aged 17 or under who have: A high level of additional support needs arising from a long term disability or disabling condition; A serious or life limiting illness.

The Fashion & Textile Children's Trust provides education and wellbeing grants to support children (0-18 years) whose parents or guardians work, or have recently worked (within the last 9 years) in the UK fashion and textile industry. Through the Grants for when a parent is ill programme the trust provides funding for families where a parent or carer is suffering from long term physical or mental health conditions and income has been reduced as a result.

The Fashion & Textile Children's Trust provides education and wellbeing grants to support children (0-18 years) whose parents or guardians work, or have recently worked (within the last 9 years) in the UK fashion and textile industry. Through the Specialist Equipment Grants programme the trust provide funding for items to support children with complex health needs. Equipment funded by a grant should improve the wellbeing of children with complex health needs by any of the following: Facilitating mobility; Enhancing sensory awareness; Supporting physical development; Providing comfort (e.g. for spinal issues or other physiological issues); Supporting educational or communication needs; Providing opportunities for inclusion; Ensuring safety at home or away from home (e.g. specialist car seats, bed guards, etc).

The Fashion & Textile Children's Trust provides education and wellbeing grants to support children (0-18 years) whose parents or guardians work, or have recently worked (within the last 9 years) in the UK fashion and textile industry. Through the Therapy Grants programme the trust provides funding for a wide range of therapies to support a child's physical health, mental wellbeing and learning needs, including: Speech and language therapy; Physiotherapy; Psychotherapy (e.g.talking therapies or counselling); Play therapy; Art therapy; Music therapy.

Buttle UK provides funding to help children and young people in the UK living in financial hardship and dealing with multiple challenging social issues reach their potential. Through their Chances for Children Grants scheme, grants of up to £2,400 are available to registered charities, housing associations and public sector organisations to support the needs of vulnerable children and young people who have experienced a recent crisis or change in life that has had a significant and enduring impact to their social and emotional wellbeing and their educational engagement. Support might include items and activities to support learning and development such as laptops, books, wi-fi, educational toys, tuition, etc; clothing and school uniforms; and social, sporting and leisure activities; and items for children/young people’s bedrooms. Applications can be made at any time.

The London based PF Charitable Trust has been using Foundation Scotland to distribute funds in Scotland since 1997, distributing over £800,000 in its name during this time.  The PF Charitable Trust's funding policy is to support work at community level and the Foundation provides a valuable service in targeting appropriate groups.

Borders Radio Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

MFR Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Clyde 2 Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Clyde 1 Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Forth 2 Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Forth 1 Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Tay 2 Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Tay FM Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

West FM Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Northsound1 Cash for Kids distributes money to registered charities, to individuals to pay for specialist equipment, to sports organisations and to specialist projects for schools & playgroups; Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Cash for Kids is Bauer Radio’s network of local charities, which operate across 22 areas around the UK. Its mission is to respond to the needs of children in their communities.  CFM Radio in Cumbria and South West Scotland provides funding through the Cash for Kids grant scheme to charities, schools and individuals to support local children who suffer abuse or neglect, are disabled and have special needs or who simply need extra care or guidance.

The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation aims to improve the quality of life for people and communities throughout the UK. The Foundation does this by funding the charitable work of organisations that are building an inclusive, creative and sustainable society.  Through the Children and Young people programme the Foundation will fund organisations that seek to challenge the inequalities faced by young people (age 0–25). The Foundation want to see the views of children and young people at the heart of organisations, and young people empowered to take action.

The Westmister Foundation is a grant making charity that aims to address social welfare issues in certain geographic areas. The Foundation’s funding is focused on creating opportunities for young people and their families to have the resilience, skills and capacity to lead happy and healthy lives. Through creating these opportunities, the Foundation aims to tackle the causes of inter-generational inequality and its impact, particularly by reducing the risk of homelessness and mental ill-health.

The Youth Fund supports organisations whose main purpose is to help young people (aged 14-25) who face complex transitions to adulthood. The Paul Hamlyn Foundation concentrate their support on those experiencing the most challenging circumstances: young people who are socially excluded or marginalised, whose experiences are often hidden or less well known, and whose voices are often erased or ignored.

Variety is a children’s charity that aims to improve the lives of children and young people throughout the UK who are sick, disabled or disadvantaged. The Variety Great Days Out Fund provides free day trips for children which are intended to provide entertainment, fun, stimulation and variety. All events are accessible and examples of the types of place’s that are visited include: Theme Parks, Disney on Ice, Tower of London, Madame Tussauds, river trips, seaside visits, the zoo and the circus. 

Variety is a children’s charity that aims to improve the lives of children and young people throughout the UK who are sick, disabled or disadvantaged. The Variety Sunshine Coach Programme exists to enable schools and non-profit making groups and organisations catering for sick, disabled and/or disadvantaged children to obtain a Sunshine Coach. The Sunshine Coach should be used to take the children out on educational and recreational activities which would otherwise be unavailable to them. The vehicle should be in use at least 4 to 5 times per week by the applicant organisation. Four different types of coaches are available: 14-seater minibus; 17-seater minibus; 13-seater with tail lift; 17-seater with tail lift. Applicants will be required to make a donation to the Sunshine Coach Programme as part of the application.

The Act for Change Fund is a £3.6 million partnership between the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, matched by the #iwill Fund, for organisations supporting young people working for change. The Act for Change Fund promotes the potential of young people with experience of disadvantage to devise and develop activities and programmes to shape the world around them. It aims to create a more diverse group of social, cultural and political leaders for the future. Applications need to cover how young people lead change in organisations or, alternately, show how organisations are taking steps to make sure that young people can lead change in the future, including involvement at all different levels of the organisation. Funding of between £20,000 and £100,000 is available over 2 years.

The Supporting Families against Youth Crime Fund provides additional capacity to local authorities where gang and youth crime is an issue and to help them respond to their local needs. The fund will support proposals that aim to develop children’s personal resilience to withstand peer pressure and make positive choices and to reduce gang and youth crime by intervening early to raise awareness of the dangers of gangs, youth violence and knife crime. A total of £5million is being made available.

Grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 are available to schools and not for profit organisations that want to improve childrens health. Funding is provided through themed funding rounds. Funding rounds to date have included access to free drinking water as an alternative to sugar-sweetened beverages such as fizzy drinks, fruit drinks, and sports drinks and holiday food provision to ensure that children do not go hungry during school holidays.

The Margaret Dobson Further Education Trust supports organisations working with young adults aged 18 to 25 years with a learning disability who are leaving formal education. The Trust aims to give these young people the practical skills needed to prepare them to be able to lead independent lives and will fund projects designed to support young people outside the school environment. For example projects may offer life skills or accredited training, employment experience or opportunities for social interaction to allow self-expression and build self confidence. Applications that demonstrate the involvement of people with learning difficulties and their families, partnership working, a demand for the project and either match funding or active fundraising are more likely to be successful.

Through the Sustainable Future Programme, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) aims to support work that develops and promotes sustainable, low-carbon alternatives to the current consumerist and growth-based paradigm. Funded projects will focus on: Better economics that reflect the true costs and risks of resource depletion, climate change and other environmental problems: Campaigns, initiatives and work that promote alternatives to consumerism: Campaigns and movements that give a voice to young activists and marginalised groups on issues of economic and environmental justice.

The Shackleton Foundation Leadership Award offers early stage venture capital funding for social entrepreneurs with the will to make a difference to young people in challenging circumstances. Grants of up to £10,000 provide seed funding and support to enable aspiring leaders and social entrepreneurs to establish their own ventures to help young people in challenging circumstances. Priority is given to projects that are not solely reliant on grants and donations.

The UK Government's Tampon Tax Fund distributes the VAT collected on women's sanitary products as grants to charitable organisations within the UK. A total of £15 million is available for projects that address violence against women or work with disadvantaged women and girls. Priority will be given to projects that provide services that are not currently widely available. Proposals from organisations that work to improve the lives of disadvantaged women and girls more generally are welcomed. All applicants must demonstrate how user involvement is built into their work and that users (or potential users) of a service or project are involved in an appropriate way at all stages.

Organisations that have a Community Directplus account with the Co-operative Bank can apply for funding from the Customer Donation Fund. Grants can be used to support special projects and fundraising activities. The fund grows in relation to the deposits made; for every £100 increase in collective deposits across Community Directplus accounts the Co-Operative Bank adds 20p to the fund and promises to distribute a minimum of £5,000 twice a year.

The Wilmcote Charitrust gives grants to Registered Charities and voluntary organisations working for the relief of poverty, sickness, old age and distress, the advancement of religion and education and such other charitable objects as considered appropriate by the trustees. Grants are made to a range of organisations including those whose work benefits ex-service personnel, medical charities, young person's charities, colleges and schools, religious charities and those that help the aged.

Through Foundation Scotland, the Essentia Foundation provide financial support to charities and community groups to help achieve the following objectives: Improved health and social welfare of children and young people up to the age of 25 years old; Increased opportunities for training, enhancing learning, upskilling, and developing career opportunities, and supporting young people up to the age of 25 years old to move towards employment.

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Children's Fund is the only charity dedicated to supporting children whose parents work, or have worked, for the Naval Service. The Children's Fund provides support that includes childcare, special needs education, days out and in-home support in times of crisis. An area of particular growth has been the Charity's focus on assisting children within its remit who have special needs. This work now accounts for nearly half of its awards to beneficiaries.

The Royal Pinner Educational Trust is an educational trust for the children of commercial travellers, travelling sales (commercial) and technical representatives and manufacturers' agents, where the family has suffered adversity, and with a preference for children who have not yet attained the age of 25. The Foundation awards grants to assist with the educational costs of eligible children at state, private, day or boarding schools, college or university.

Buttle UK provides packages of support worth up to £2,000 to young people who receive no support from their parents or guardians to help them to further their education or employment. To apply, the young person must have a clear education, training or employment goal that they are pursuing or want to pursue within 3 months of applying. Grants can provide direct financial support; help them to set up home and/or to improve their emotional, mental or physical well-being. Some of the essential items that may be funded are: Equipment to take up a training opportunity; interview clothes; a computer for study; travel costs to college; essential household items; recreational or social activities and counselling.

Buttle UK provides grants of up to £4,500 for boarding school fees for children over the age of 11 where there is a strong case as to why the child cannot stay within the family home with their parent or carer. Grants can be made to help children between the ages of 11 and 18 who are: Adopted; cared for by grandparents, relatives or friends; from single parent families; with two carers where one is very seriously incapacitated through illness or disability.

Buttle UK provides grants to address the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people. Professional organisations working with children and families suffering lasting emotional, social or educational difficulties as a result of domestic abuse can apply to this flexible grant scheme to fund a range of activities, support and everyday items including, but not limited to: Therapy; after school clubs; critical home furniture; help with moving costs; school uniforms and tutoring lessons.

The Rhododendron Trust makes grants of £1,000 to £2,000 to registered charities supporting the disadvantaged in the developing world and the UK and to those supporting the arts and wildlife. Smaller Charities are prioritised. In the developing world, the Trust prefers to support charities benefitting people affected by poverty and, for example, disability, age, gender, ethnic status, poor medical, welfare or educational infrastructure. In the UK, support is given to charities working with those disadvantaged by disability or mental illness; prisoners and ex-offenders; drug addiction; homelessness; carers; the elderly; disadvantaged children. Arts and Nature funding is mainly through the National Churches Trust and Fauna and Flora International, however proposals for small theatre and music projects, for the protection of cultural and natural heritage or environmental sustainability are accepted.

The R S Macdonald Charitable Trust provides around £3m in grants every year to charities working in Scotland. Under the main grants scheme registered charities can apply for a minimum of £15,000 to deliver projects that fit within the objects of the Trust namely: Child Welfare organisations providing services for children affected by physical, mental or sexual abuse or that seek to reduce the risk of abuse; charities supporting people who are blind or visually impaired; projects that empower people of all ages suffering from neurological conditions; charities helping abused animals or those at risk of abuse; medical research charities supporting research projects in Scotland. The Trust will consider applications for revenue or capital costs, project funding or core funding or one off awards.

The R S Macdonald Charitable Trust provides around £3m in grants every year to charities working in Scotland. Under the small grants scheme registered charities can apply for up to £15,000 to deliver projects that fit within the objects of the Trust namely: Child Welfare organisations providing services for children affected by physical, mental or sexual abuse or that seek to reduce the risk of abuse; charities supporting people who are blind or visually impaired; projects that empower people of all ages suffering from neurological conditions; charities helping abused animals or those at risk of abuse; medical research charities supporting research projects in Scotland. The Trust will consider applications for revenue or capital costs, project funding or core funding or one off awards.

The Childs Charitable Trust is a grant-making trust, supporting Christian UK registered charities and organisations both in the UK and overseas. Projects will be considered that fall into the following categories: Youth - the trust looks to support projects working in schools and with vulnerable and disengaged young people in the UK; Outreach - the trust works to share the gospel of Christ by supporting all aspects of Christian outreach both in the UK and overseas; Society - the trust believes people of faith bring a valuable contribution to social action and justice and support initiatives that have a positive impact in their society; Education - the trust supports initiatives involved in all areas of Christian education. See funder's website for further details.

Variety Charity's Wheelchair Grants provide funding for custom, tailored wheelchairs to help children and young people with disabilities gain independence and improve mobility. The grants cover both powered and manual wheelchairs designed to meet specific medical and daily living needs, focusing on enhancing quality of life. Families and healthcare professionals can apply on behalf of the child to secure essential equipment that promotes freedom and comfort.

Small charities, schools and community interest groups with innovative ideas that benefit their community can apply for funding of up to £50,000 for projects that build more connected, more resilient communities; and give people the tools to become more financially independent. The funding is being made available through the newly re-launched Aviva Community Fund.

Young Start is a grants programme that distributes money from dormant bank accounts. It aims to create opportunities for children and young people aged between 8 and 24 to help them realise their potential. Funding is available for work that achieves at least one of the following three outcomes: children and young people have better physical, mental and emotional wellbeing; children and young people have better connections with the wider community; children and young people get access to new skills and training opportunities which will help them to get a new job or start a business.Grants of £20,000 to £100,000 are available for projects with a duration of up to three years.

Kellogg’s has teamed up with Forever Manchester to award grants of £1,000 to school Breakfast Clubs, to help them provide breakfast to those children who need it most.  Schools must be based in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. priority will be given to schools that have either 35% and above of children eligible for pupil premium funding or eligible for free school meals or schools that are based in an area which is classified as falling in the 10% of most deprived areas according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation.

The St James Place Foundation supports projects which fall within the following themes: Supporting Young People with special needs - supporting projects that provide directly for young people (under the age of 25) within the UK who suffer from physical or mental health difficulties or conditions, or a life threatening or degenerative illness, or are disadvantaged; Supporting disadvantaged young people; Supporting people with cancer. Funding of up to £10,000 is available to registered charities and special needs schools

The Holywood Trust is a charitable organisation which aims to help young people in Dumfries and Galloway. It gives grants to individuals and organisations, creating opportunities for young people in the region. The Trust is particularly interested in providing opportunities for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable young people in our region; encouraging talented young people in Dumfries and Galloway; and helping improve sports and cultural opportunities across the region. The Trust focuses primarily on young people aged 15 - 25 years.

The Rozelle Trust aims to help charities who activities are primarily based in Scotland, or overseas in developing countries. Priority is given to projects that support the very poorest in their community. Their main priorities are children and young people; people living in poverty (particularly self-sustaining work); and people with disabilities. The Trust will generally support smaller charities, especially those working at grass roots and local community level where the funds will be able to make a significant difference and therefore large national charities are unlikely to be considered.

The Trust makes grants of up to £5,000 to voluntary and community organisations benefitting the young or people in need. The scheme is intended to support organisations undertaking projects in the following areas of  need:  Medical Research; Hospitals; Retirement homes; Schools and training institutions; Homes and care for the young; Other charitable work which helps people in need. The Trust makes grants throughout the UK though preference may be given to local charitable organisations in the Bristol area

The Trust funds projects concerned with the relief of poverty or distress, particularly those relating to children, and the advancement of the evangelical Christian faith, both at home and abroad. The Beatrice Laing Trust offers grants to UK registered charities working throughout the UK, in developing countries and overseas. Grants are generally awarded on a one-off basis for capital purposes such as the purchase or construction of new premises, building extension, redevelopment or refurbishment, or the purchase of equipment and vehicles.

The BBC Children in Need Main Grants programme distributes grants of over £10,000 to not for profit organisations such as Registered charities; Voluntary organisations; Schools ; Churches; and Community groups, etc  that work with disadvantaged children below the age of 18 living in the UK. In particular, grants are available for projects that help children and young people of 18 years and under experiencing illness, distress, abuse or neglect; any kind of disability; behavioural or psychological difficulties; and / or living in poverty or situations of deprivation. Applications should demonstrate how your project will change the lives of children for the better.

The first Greggs funded breakfast club was established in 1999 as part of a Business in the Community ‘Seeing is Believing’ event. The event was in response to growing concerns that children were attending school without having breakfast. The Greggs Foundation now oversees 380 clubs, providing a healthy breakfast to over 22,000 school children each day, over 4 million each year; encouraging the use of parent volunteers in breakfast club. Research has shown many benefits including improved parent/teacher relationships, increased confidence, self-esteem and social mobility.

The Alec Dickson Trust provides funding for volunteering projects run by young people under the age of 30. Funding of up to £500 is available for projects that meet the following criteria: Run by a young volunteer or team of young volunteers; take place in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales; encourages volunteering; benefit disadvantaged communities and individuals. The fund seeks to support projects that enhance the lives of others, particularly those most marginalised by society such as; the homeless; those with drug dependency problems; and people with disabilities. Funding is not available for overseas trips or gap year projects, uniforms, equipment or training for personal benefit.

Royal National Children's Foundation helps vulnerable children in the UK whose circumstances are seriously prejudicial to their normal development. The Foundation provides Assisted Boarding school places for vulnerable children between the age of 7 and 16 years old who fulfill these criteria: Children have one or no active parents; children whose normal development is compromised or threatened by adverse home or school conditions; children live in poor families where the cost of boarding cannot be met; children that live in the UK.The RNCF also contributes towards the cost of counselling, essential school equipment and uniform when needed. Every year they offer many needy children an outward bound holiday in the UK.

The aim of Buttle UK's Small Grants Programme is to help children and young people in desperate need who are facing exceptionally difficult circumstances or who are facing a crisis situation. Grants are intended to make a positive impact where a child's health or development is at risk. Buttle UK can deliver or fund critical household items such as: Gas or electric cookers; essential household items, furniture and kitchen equipment; clothing in exceptional or emergency situations; baby equipment; fridges and freezers; washing machines; children's beds and bedding.

LandAid, the property industry's charity, provides grants to charities seeking funding for projects  that help the young and disadvantaged access the facilities, skills and opportunities to fulfill their potential. The grants are made available to enable charities and other not-for-profit organisations to create new bedspaces for young people aged 16 to 25 who are or have been homeless.

The Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation makes grants to registered charities that benefit children, through education and/or welfare, or the elderly. The type of activities that the Foundation is likely to fund include: Sensory toys and equipment for children with special needs; items to care for isolated and/or vulnerable elderly people; support of specially adapted equipment to be used by people with physical / mental / communication disabilities; apparatus for children with special needs; items or tangible social activities for Community Centres providing a benefit to many in the local community; and provision of tangible and social interaction activities for the vulnerable and/or isolated.

The RW Mann Trust is a grant making organisation that supports organisations in the North Tyneside, South East Northumberland and in the East Newcastle areas who are locally run and led, help people with the greatest need, involve disadvantaged and minority groups, improve the quality of life in their community and are in the public interest. Grants made have varied between regular annual contributions, small one-off donations and grants for capital projects. . Most of the beneficiaries in recent years have been youth groups (both uniformed and non-uniformed), children, people with disabilities, older people, schools, colleges, councils for voluntary service and other advice agencies. The Trust has made grants of between £500 and £5,000 but the average size of grant awarded is £1000.

The Leeds Building Society Charitable Foundation will consider applications for community based projects which aim to provide relief of suffering, hardship or poverty, or their direct consequences. The Foundation primarily provides funding towards practical items that directly support those in need including those with disabilities, affected by homelessness, or with serious health issues. Donations usually fund items of "capital expenditure".

Schools, charities and community organisations can apply for grants for projects that improve the quality and prospect of life for children and young people who are disadvantaged physically, mentally or socially including those Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET). The grants available include capital projects such as medical treatment and recovery centres, sports and activity areas, sensory rooms and gardens, playgrounds and hydrotherapy pools as well as revenue grants to support outreach programmes for children in their communities.

The Philip Green Memorial Trust (now The Paskin Children’s Trust) is a charitable organisation which helps sick and disabled children all over the UK and overseas. It supports welfare, medical and educational projects as well as helping individual children to lead a normal life. The Trust not only responds to the needs of large projects but to the daily exasperation of individuals and smaller organisations for whom a little money can change lives. For instance, a holiday for Mencap children whose hard earned funds were stolen by thieves. The funding amount is discretionary and applications can be submitted at any time.

Organisations catering for children with special needs such as schools, hospitals as well as individual families can apply for grants to provide vital respite breaks. There are three programmes: The Day Trip Grant fund for days out and theatre trips: Family Respite Breaks for short seaside or country breaks: Group Activity Holidays for which partial applications with joint funding are accepted. All trips usually take place in the UK and cater for disadvantaged young people with special needs including those in special needs schools, in hospitals and in hospices and individual families are also eligible. The applicant must represent a group of young people aged 3-17 with special needs, or represent a special needs school or special needs group. All key carers who will be accompanying children on the trip must be DBS cleared. Organisations must also have a child protection policy in place. The funding amount is discretionary and applications can be submitted at any time.

The Noel Buxton Trust Grants supports registered charities through the following programmes: Africa grants - focusses on economic development and favours work such as small business support and training, and microfinance in both urban and rural settings. The geographical focus for this funding is Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Sudan and South Sudan; Family Grants - the current focus of funding for families is the issue of domestic abuse. The emphasis is on registered charities outside London, South-east England; Penal grants - recognises the variety of Voluntary and Community Sector organisations that work with offenders and supports the commitment of these organisations to the rehabilitation of offenders for the benefit of both the offender and society as a whole.

The Holiday Grants for Children programmme by the Henry Smith Charity funds recreational trips and holidays for disadvantaged or disabled children. It supports short holidays, with grants ranging from £500 to £2,750, prioritising organisations in the most deprived areas of the UK. Eligible applicants include schools, youth groups, non-profit organizations, and charities. The focus is on trips that could not happen without the charity's support. Trips can be to countryside or city locations, but must be outside the children’s immediate locality.

The Irish Youth Foundation is an independent charitable trust which funds innovative grass roots projects run by passionate professionals who want to build a brighter future for children living in adverse and extreme circumstances on the island of Ireland. For many years IYF has been particularly interested in supporting after school and homework clubs and youth empowerment programmes.  

The Wood Foundation (TWF) is a Scottish based charity with a Global outlook. In Sub Saharan Africa and in the UK, TWF will invest in economic, community and enterprise initiatives which develop and support individuals to become caring and contributing members of society. The Foundation is proactive by nature and will only accept applications through our global citizenship programme.  Funding is provided through three programme: Making Markets Work for the Poor Sub Saharan Africa; Facilitating Economic and Education Development in Scotland; and Developing Young People in Scotland

BBC Children in Need Small Grants programme distributes grants of up to £10,000 to not for profit organisations such as Registered charities; Voluntary organisations; Special Schools ; Churches; and Community groups, etc  that work with disadvantaged children below the age of 18 living in the UK. . In particular, grants are available for projects that help children and young people of 18 years and under experiencing illness, distress, abuse or neglect; any kind of disability; behavioural or psychological difficulties; and / or living in poverty or situations of deprivation. Applications should demonstrate how your project will change the lives of children for the better.

Small grants are available to registered charities with an annual income of less than £500,000 for projects where the total cost is less than £150,000. Projects must benefit UK residents and be of benefit to the wider community rather than one ethnic or religious group. Funding is available for capital costs such as building work, refurbishment or the purchase of long-term equipment) or a one-off short term activity (such as an annual respite break or holiday for disadvantaged young people). Before making an application applicants should have raised at least one third of the total project costs

The Barrow Cadbury Trust is an independent charitable foundation, committed to supporting vulnerable and marginalised people in society. The Trust promotes social justice through grant making, research, influencing public opinion and policy and supporting local communities.  Their work is divided into three programme areas: Criminal Justice - building evidence of effective interventions, primarily for young adults and women, at all stages of the criminal justice process; Migration - promoting an immigration system that is fair to both migrants and established residents; Economic Justice - supporting effective approaches to reducing economic and social injustice and assisting in building resilient communities. There is a particular focus on projects located in Birmingham and the Black Country.

The Family Holiday Charity helps UK families facing financial hardship by providing them with the opportunity to go on a holiday. These breaks are designed to offer relief, build memories, and provide families with time away from daily challenges. Families in need can be referred by professionals, such as social workers or support workers, who work with them. The charity focuses on helping families who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford a holiday.