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.

The National Citizens Service Trust provides funding to not-for-profit organisations to deliver programmes that improve the life chances of young people aged 15 to 25 years in England.

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.

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 Trusthouse Charitable Foundation is a grant making foundation that give grants to small and medium sized local organisations in the UK with a demonstrable track record of success working to address local issues in communities of extreme urban deprivation and deprived rural districts. Through the Major grants programme the foundation provides funding of between £10,000 and £100,000 for core costs, salaries, running and project costs to organisations that have a focus on Family Support, this may further include: Early intervention;  Families coping with addiction; Prisoners' families

The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation is a grant making foundation that give grants to small and medium sized local organisations in the UK with a demonstrable track record of success working to address local issues in communities of extreme urban deprivation and deprived rural districts. Through the small grants programme the foundation provides funding of between £2,000 and £10,000 to charitable organisations with an income of less than £250,000 for projects that focus on Community Support. Examples of the kind of projects that can be funded include: CommunityServices; CommunityCentres; Alternative Education; Training, mentoring, employment and volunteering opportunities; Youth; Counselling; Family Support Services; Substance Misuse.

The Hertfordshire Community Foundation is an independent charity that aims to tackle need and deprivation by delivering a range of grants to support local small charities, community and voluntary groups, and individuals on behalf of a wide range of donors. Through the Hertfordshire Children's Fund, the Foundation provides effective, practical support to disadvantaged children (aged 0-16) and their families in Hertfordshire by providing grants of up to £500 for essential items such as washing machines, cookers and beds to ensure they can keep their children healthy, safe and clean.

The Kent Community Foundation 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 Vanquis Social Impact Fund the foundation provides funding of between £1,500 and £10,000 to projects that meet one of the following themes: Improving people’s personal finance capabilities (debt and financial advice/education); Improving physical and/or mental health; Providing support which enhances, creates and sustains positive family relationships; Addressing issues of low educational attainment and improving learning outcomes; Providing people with opportunities to reduce inequality, exclusion and disadvantage, including projects which increase access to employment.

The Kent Community Foundation 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 Ivy and Jane Charitable Fund the foundation provides funding for young carers up to the age of 18 who look after someone who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, or a drug or alcohol problem. The fund supports requests for activities that the young carer might otherwise miss out on, thereby helping them to have enjoyable childhood experiences. 

Groundwork is a federation of charities working nationally and locally to transform lives in the UK’s most disadvantaged communities. Through the Lambeth Early Action Partnership (LEAP) Community Award programme Groundwork is working in partnership with LEAP to provide grants of between £500 and £2,000 to help improve young children’s diet and nutrition, social and emotional development, and communication and language through community run activities for children aged 0-3 years old and their families.

The Newby Trust funds local, regional or national charities registered and operating in the UK within the broad categories of education, health and social welfare.  Through the Health programme the Trust provides grants of up to £10,000 to maintain and improve the mental health of children and young people; support the mental and physical health of older people; and fund medical research.

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 Mercers Company is one of the most well-established Livery companies in the City of London. The Church and Communities programme supports churches, as well as other faith and secular community-based organisations, to enable adults and families to lead fulfilling lives. Funding is available for organisations with projects that will strengthen communities and families; building positive inclusive relationships between people, increasing a sense of belonging and reducing isolation.

The Looked after Children Programme aims to improve the educational attainment of ‘looked after children' and young carers in the UK. The programme offers funding and non- financial support and aims to pilot novel approaches to improving the educational attainment of these children and young carers which can be scaled up so that in time they are able to take advantage of opportunities afforded by tertiary education and employment. Funding of up to  £90,000 is available over a 3-year period and match funding will be required.

The Youth Hostel Association aims to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside. The YHA provide breaks at some of their most iconic and inspiring locations, and aims to support children who are experiencing exceptionally challenging lives and their families to access positive life changing experiences, creating memories that last a lifetime. The Family Breaks Programme will provide accommodation for a maximum of two nights and will provide breakfast and evening meal for a maximum of 2 adults their children under the age of 18. All applications must be supported by a professional, this can be a teacher, support worker, or a health or social care worker.

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.

The Royal Merchant Navy Education Foundation provides funding for the needy British children of Merchant Navy seafarers, professional sea-going fishermen and RNLI lifeboat crew members, who have served or are serving at sea and who are unable to meet their children's educational needs.
Awards are made to 'enable education' for children at any stage of education development from birth to professional career entry qualifications. Grants can cover anything from school fees, textbooks or uniform, right through to computers, internet access or even shoe repairs.

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.

The Royal Liverpool Seamen's Orphan Institution offers grants to help those families who have lost a seafaring parent. The Institution supports families by providing awards for the children throughout their education and can in some circumstances offer grants to mothers for the children's monthly maintenance, clothing, holidays etc.

The Reedham Trust helps children in England whose home circumstances are so unsatisfactory that a boarding environment is in their best interests. The emphasis is on boarding need, to provide caring pastoral support, stability and the opportunity for educational and emotional development. The Trust provides help in circumstances such as: Death or permanent absence of one or both parents; severe and enduring mental, physical ill health or other disability of parent(s); child neglect; disability of a sibling of sufficient severity to be seriously prejudicial to the normal development of the child.

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. This includes retail, head office, manufacturing, wholesale, design, distribution, bridal wear, menswear, knitwear, supermarkets, soft furnishings etc. Grants starting at £250 can pay for an everyday item like a new school uniform or a specialist item like mobility equipment. It could also help with a household cost which impacts on the child's life, like a broken washing machine or fridge.

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.

John Lyon's Charity's School Holiday Activity Fund is designed to enable organisations to deliver fun and accessible activities for children and young people during the school holidays i.e. all half-term breaks, Easter, Christmas and the summer holiday. A variety of activities can be funded, examples include (but are not limited to): Holiday drop-in activities; arts activities; sports projects; family activities; trips out of London; camping trips. The Charity supports projects that support young people who live in nine boroughs in northwest London: Barnet, Brent, Camden, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Kensington & Chelsea and the Cities of London and Westminster.

John Lyon's Charity gives grants to groups of state schools applying as partnerships of two or more. The partnership should preferably include a local voluntary organisation. Projects funded will offer support for the emotional health and wellbeing of the most challenged pupils, strengthen links with home-life and coordinate the support of other available professionals. Typically, applications centre on a key worker based at the "lead school" with this school responsible for the application, reporting and project management. Projects must be based in the Charity's beneficial area of Barnet, Brent, Camden, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster, City of London.

East End Community Foundation (EECF) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. The Foundation funds grass roots organisations, directly delivers projects and works with local people, businesses, charities and public bodies to raise educational achievement, enhance employability and increase social cohesion. Support generally falls under the broad heading of social welfare. Applications must demonstrate a strong case for support, have clear aims and objectives, and, wherever possible, the applicant organisation or project will be user led and make a real difference to people within the community. EECF is able to fund a wide range of project costs including capital or revenue costs such as venue hire, promotional costs, start-up expenses, activities or training and some core costs.

Kent Community Foundation (KCF) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. The Foundation's aim is to provide funding that will directly address the needs of Kent's most vulnerable people and build strong and vibrant communities throughout the county. Most awards are made to small community and voluntary groups that are charitable in purpose and are working for the benefit of people in Kent and Medway. Projects generally fall under the broad heading of social welfare. Some funds for individuals in very specific circumstances are also available as are loans to support existing and newly created social enterprises that benefit the local community and enhance the economic, social and environmental vibrancy of Kent.

Community Foundation for Surrey (CFS) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. CFS awards grants to community and voluntary groups for projects generally falling under the broad heading of social welfare. Surrey based community/voluntary groups who have a clear understanding of the needs of their community and are making a real difference can apply for funding to support changes that improve the quality of people's lives, build community capacity and empower local communities. Preference is given to projects working to become self-sustaining; and wherever possible, are user led. CFS is able to fund a wide range of project costs including core, revenue and capital costs for either new or existing projects or one-off initiatives.

Hammersmith United Charities (HUC) is a non-profit making charity that provides support for those organisations working to prevent or relieve hardship or distress in the former Metropolitan Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham who meet the current funding criteria: Meeting basic needs (food, shelter, advise etc.), Work with families with dependent children, Countering isolation (in any group and for any reason), Building confident individuals and communities. The HUC are particularly keen to fund smaller, local organisations with a strong connection to their beneficiaries and a good knowledge of the local area, the average grant awarded is £7,500 - £15,000. Micro Grants are also available of up to £500; these are to fund one off projects and activities or specific pieces of equipment

The charity supports regional and local children's hospitals and hospices, and ensures that the grants benefit local communities throughout the UK. Projects are funded to ensure children can still play, socialise and recuperate in a child friendly setting. The Trustees will consider any project which seeks to improve the quality of life of sick children. Some examples are arts, music, play and leisure programmes; facilities to support families of children treated in hospitals or hospices; welcoming and accessible environments; care and facilities in hospices; promoting education and information programmes; supporting children with physical and emotional difficulties; and medical equipment (when it can be shown that funding is not available from statutory sources).

The Toy Trust is the charity of the UK toy industry, providing grants to help disadvantaged and disabled children in the UK and internationally. It raises funds through donations and events organised by industry stakeholders, including manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers. The charity supports projects that offer play opportunities, with a focus on improving children's physical and mental well-being. Eligible applicants include charities and non-profit organisations working with children in need.

The Adamson Trust makes grants for voluntary and community organisations and charities to help with the cost of holidays or respite breaks for disabled children (aged 3 to 17 years) with physical, mental, or emotional impairments.  The Trust gives priority to children from Scotland.

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 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.

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.

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 Mohammad Ibrahim Foundation is a private independent grant making foundation. It makes grants to organisations which aim to improve the quality of life for people and communities in the UK, both now and in the future. Grants are awarded twice a year for works that help transform the UK. The grants range from £500 - £10,000. Extraordinary projects may receive grants up to £50,000. The Foundation is particularly interested in: Community Building, Environment (Scotland only), Strengthening Nonprofits and Supporting Families. The Foundation likes to consider work which others may find hard to fund, perhaps because it breaks new ground, appears too risky, requires core funding, or needs a more unusual form of financial help such as a loan. Applications can be submitted at any time.

The Ironmongers' Company aims to help people who are disadvantaged to improve their ability to make the most of life. Projects funded must focus on children and young people up to the age of 25, consist of educational opportunities that develop learning, motivation and skills and have clear objectives to be met within a planned timetable. The Company is particularly interested in enabling primary age children to develop a strong foundation for the future.  Grants are in the region of a few hundred pounds to £10,000. The appeals committee meets twice a year at the end of March and October. The deadlines for receipt of applications are 15 December and 31 July respectively.

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.

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.

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. 

Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity provides grants that create and fund professional support for children; supports innovative nurse-led research and training;  provides practical assistance for families in financial crisis; runs funding programmes to help specific groups of seriously ill and disabled children. The charity prefer to help small or new organisations in favour of long-established, large or national organisations.  The focus is on children from birth to their 21st Birthday across the UK.