Grant Directories

The £150 million Community Ownership Fund, which is part of the government’s strategy to build back better from the Covid-19 pandemic, provides grants for communities throughout the UK to take ownership of local facilities, community assets and amenities at risk of closure such as pubs, theatres, post offices, sports grounds, parks and corner shops, etc. Voluntary and community organisations can bid for match funding of up to £250,000 to support the purchase and/or renovation costs of these assets. Expressions of interest can be submitted at any time. Successful applicants will be invited to submit a full application during a specified bidding window which will be announced in due course. The fund will run until 2024/25.

The McCarthy Stone Foundation awards one-off grants to grassroots and volunteer-led charities and community organisations, CICs and social enterprises that support the wellbeing of older people, the educational needs of young people and the urban regeneration of communities across the UK. Through the Small Grants Programme, the Foundation provides grants of up to £5,000 for projects that will make a difference to those who need it most in local communities, particularly those recovering from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The HS2 Community and Environment Fund (CEF) has been established to offset the disruption caused to local communities throughout the construction phase of HS2. The aim of the CEF is to award grants of up to £75,000 to projects that will benefit communities along the route. Supported projects could include, for example: Pedestrian, equestrian or cycle access; landscape and nature conservation / enhancement; enhancement / replacement of sports and recreational facilities; refurbishment / re-use of historic buildings and monuments. Capital and revenue costs can be funded.

Longleigh Foundation Strategic Grants support the production of evidence-led research that can inform national policy, influence agendas, and improve best practice across the Foundation's areas of interest. The Foundation commissions or initiates projects in response to a need for information/intelligence in a particular area, or to influence a policy agenda and holds at least one Strategic Funding Round per year. Funded projects will have original and sector-wide implications.

The Department for Communities & Local Government has allocated an additional £32 million of new funding to the estate regeneration fund. As part of a new blueprint for regenerating deprived housing estates, Councils, housing associations and developers can now bid for a share of a total of £172 million of government investment to transform local neighbourhoods and deliver high-quality housing. The additional £32 million is available as grant funding and includes £2 million to help build commercial skills capacity in local authorities to deliver estate regeneration. This funding is available exclusively to local authorities and will be awarded to applicants with clearly demonstrable commercial skills gaps or lack of staff with previous regeneration experience.

Rosa's Woman to Woman Fund offers grants of up to £25,000 to local grassroots women's organisations across the UK. Grants are available for groups with an income of under £100,000 per year to support a wide range of charitable work that benefits women. Project themes can include, for example, building confidence and leadership skills, tackling harassment and violence, training in financial literacy and increasing engagement in decision-making. Rosa especially wants to support groups that work with disadvantaged communities or in disadvantaged areas. Grants can pay for core work, as well as mobilising volunteers, leadership development, communications and advocacy. As well as grants, Rosa will provide additional support that women's groups identify, including mentoring, training and networking opportunities.

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.

As part of BT's Community Fibre Partnerships programme eligible communities in the final 5% of the UK not covered by fibre broadband rollout plans can apply for a match-funded grant of up to £30,000 toward the cost of their new fibre infrastructure where that new infrastructure could also serve their local school. Community Partnerships must first register to find out if they are eligible to apply.

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.

London Community Foundation (LCF) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. LCF is dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged Londoners. Child poverty, unemployment, isolation, homelessness, domestic violence and gang crime are some of the issues tackled through grant making activity. Support generally falls under the broad heading of social welfare with the majority of funds targeted at small community groups and charities. 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. LCF is able to fund a wide range of project costs including capital or revenue costs with some core costs considered.

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.

Essex Community Foundation (ECF) is one of 48 community foundations across the UK. Essex Community Foundation awards grants to voluntary or community groups and other not for profit organisations, which are charitable in purpose and are working for the benefit of people in Essex, Southend or Thurrock. ECF's support generally falls under the broad heading of social welfare; successful applications will demonstrate the following: A strong case for support; clear aims and objectives; wherever possible that the organisation or project is user led; that the grant will make a real difference to people within their community. ECF supports core costs / revenue costs, new or continuing projects, one-off initiatives and capital costs and particularly small, grass roots organisations.

The Steel Charitable Trust is a grant-making trust supporting general charitable purposes. The trustees make grants where they believe that their contribution will make a real difference, grants are made to registered charities in the UK within the areas of; arts and culture; environment; health; education; disadvantaged. Grants are made at regular intervals during the year and the total level of grants is approximately £1,000,000, 30% of these grants will be made to organisations in the Luton and Bedfordshire area. Grants are generally made as single payments between £10,000 and £25,000.

Reaching Communities provide grants to help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need, including hard to reach communities. There is a small revenue and a capital scheme and a larger buildings only fund. All projects must address one or more of the following outcomes. People have better chances in life, with better access to training and development to improve their life skills;  Stronger communities, with more active citizens, working together to tackle their problems;  Improved rural and urban environments, which communities are better able to access and enjoy; and Healthier and more active people and communities.

Community Foundations support community and voluntary sector activity through grants to local groups and organisations. There are 48 Community Foundations of different sizes within the UK. Although all Community Foundations operate according to common criteria, they vary in terms of size and nature of grants available. Some Community Foundations will fund both organisations and individuals whilst other foundations will only fund organisations. Each community foundation covers a specific geographic area and will not normally be able to support work outside its area.