Grant Directories

Alcohol Change UK is a charity that is dedicated to funding work that improves understanding of what causes excessive drinking, how it can be prevented and the best ways of tackling the problems it causes. Through the New Horizons programme the charity aims to explore how people’s experience of alcohol harm is affected by their membership of, identification with, or exclusion from groups and communities, and how constructions of meaning within a community may promote or prevent alcohol harm amongst its members. The charity welcome proposals that address any aspects of alcohol use, harm and treatment services, and how these relate to groups, communities and meaning.

Foundation Scotland exists to benefit disadvantaged communities by making grants to support relevant charitable or voluntary organisations, which make a difference to their local communities.  Through the Volant Charitable Trust, Foundation Scotland provides grants of up to £15,000 per year to support women affected by hardship or disadvantage and on tackling the issues they face in order to make a lasting difference to their lives and life changes.

The Dulverton Trust is an independent grant-making charity that supports UK charities and Charitable incorporated Organisations tackling a range of social issues, protecting the natural world, and preserving heritage crafts.  Through its General Welfare funding strand, the Trust aims to support wide range of activities that benefit disadvantaged people and communities

The aim of the Corra Foundation is to help improve the lives of individuals and communities experiencing disadvantage all across Scotland and in developing countries.  Through the Challenge Fund the Foundation provides an opportunity for Integrated Authorities (IAs) and/or Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) and their partners to bid for money to test or implement change.  Applications from consortia are welcome. The fund is designed to support activities and approaches that contribute to making systemic changes to support people who use alcohol and drugs.

The Hodge Foundation provides grants of up to £100,000 to UK registered or exempt charities such as special needs schools and universities for projects that address the objectives of the Foundation.  This includes supporting charities working with people who may be vulnerable or disadvantaged and who need assistance to improve their lives;  education and learning, both within formal school settings and practical approaches to learning which support young people to fulfill their potential and thrive including those with special needs; medical related charities specialising in the treatment and support for specific illnesses and research; and providing funds towards projects such as facilities in church buildings and inclusive activities for the wider community.

The Henry Smith Charity is one of the largest independent grant making trusts in the UK. The Improving Lives grant programme provides grants to charitable organisations that help people in need when other sources of support have failed, are inappropriate, or are simply not available. Funding of between £20,000 and £70,000 per year for a maximum of three years is available to established organisations delivering services directly to beneficiaries. The Henry Smith Charity are looking for services which can demonstrate a track record of success, and evidence the effectiveness of the work.

The Henry Smith Charity is one of the largest independent grant making trusts in the UK. The Strengthening Communities grant programme is designed to support small charitable organisations working at grassroots level and aims to ensure that funding reaches the most disadvantaged areas of the UK. Funding of between £20,000 and £70,000 is available for up to three years to support work that enables: people from across the community to participate in activities which improve connectedness, opportunities and wellbeing; people who are excluded, vulnerable or facing hardship to have access to community-based services that support positive lasting change; a stronger, active, more engaged community. Funding is available for running costs which may include salaries, project costs, and small capital costs needed to support the work.

The Community Development Fund is designed to support Community Councils and Community Development Organisations working in Shetland to deliver services, activities and initiatives in relation to the priority areas of children and young people; families at risk; older people; transport; safer & stronger communities; reducing offending; health inequalities & physical activity; employment and economic recovery & growth. The aim of the scheme is to make a real difference to the quality of life for people living in Shetland and to encourage organisations to be both imaginative and innovative in designing projects and programmes which will impact positively on as many members of their respective communities as possible. Grants are available for seed-corn or pump priming costs for eligible projects.

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.

Alcohol Research UK is an independent charity that tackles alcohol-related harm by funding high quality, impartial research. Since 1980, they have produced over 100 reports into alcohol harm, treatment, policy and culture they are dedicated to supporting new research in the alcohol field. The Network Support programme provides up to £2,000 to help fund conferences or other research network development activities.

CHK Charities Limited provides funding that aims to ‘make a difference'; it does not support individuals or very small and narrowly specialised activities. Preference is given to National or West Midlands charities. Applications can be made for assistance with core costs or for a specific project. This could include a contribution towards a building/refurbishment project, purchase of specialist equipment, other similar capital expenditure or assistance with running costs. The following are some of the categories for which funding can be provided: Artistic Causes; Conservation/Preservation; Care of the Elderly; Crime prevention; Disabled/Handicapped Treatment and Care; Drug Prevention and Treatment; Education; Employment and Job Creation; General Welfare and Social Problems. Please see website for a comprehensive list.

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.

The objects of the Paristamen Foundation are; the advancement of the Christian faith and any other charitable purpose not inconsistent with the above. Through the Responsive Grant making Programme grants of £500 are made to smaller and medium sized Charities (with and income of under £1m) where the grant will make a difference. Only organisations, not individuals, are supported. Organisations must be UK charities (charities excepted from registration - e.g. most churches are considered). In the case of locally-based charities or local churches, support is strictly limited to organisations based in Yorkshire (North, South, East, and West), or Scotland. Applications from national organisations are welcome, but only if the work is genuinely serving most of the country (at least England-wide). Applications can be submitted at any time.

The Lotus Foundation's primary objectives are to offer financial aid and assistance to facilitate family and child welfare, women's issues, animal protection, addiction recovery and education. The Foundation wishes to fund projects which support, participate in and promote charitable projects aimed at advancing social welfare in diverse areas including, but not limited to: substance abuse, cerebral palsy, brain tumors, cancer, battered women and their children, homelessness and animals in need. The funding amount is discretionary and applications can be submitted at any time.

The Impetus Trust works to transform the lives of 11-24 year olds from disadvantaged backgrounds by ensuring they get the support they need to succeed in education, find and keep jobs, and achieve their potential. The Impetus Trust fund UK charities and social enterprises that have a successful track record of helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain an education and hold a job. They help these organisations become highly effective at delivering programmes proven to transform lives; they also help them to expand significantly so as to dramatically increase the number of young people they serve.

The Rayne Foundation offers grants to tackle entrenched social issues through the arts, health, wellbeing, and education. The foundation has a particular focus on connecting communities, building bridges between marginalised groups and mainstream society, and enabling individuals to reach their full potential. The annual grant making programme is in the region of £1.5 million and grants typically fall in the range of £10,000 to £20,000 per annum for up to three years. Funding is available both for capital and revenue expenditure.