Grant Directories

The Scottish Building Society Foundation funds local projects that help strengthen communities across Scotland by making grants to support relevant charitable or community organisations, which make a difference within their local area. Grants of up to £5,000 are available for initiatives that help to ensure future sustainability for vulnerable individuals and communities. The Foundation particularly welcomes applications that support community facilities, transport, open spaces, affordable housing, community development, poverty reduction, care for the elderly, events, youth education, and support for vulnerable people. The funding can be used to support costs such as equipment, running costs, staff or sessional workers, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and capital costs to purchase or develop community assets. The funding is provided in partnership with Foundation Scotland.

The Pawprint Trust provides funding for individuals aged 11-25 from across the UK with life-changing adventures both locally and abroad, that develop their skills, capacities, and capabilities. Funding is awarded annually for projects and activities such as international trips, camping adventures, personal development projects, and community projects.

The Benefact Trust (formerly known as the All Churches Trust) offers grants to Christian charities and organisations across the United Kingdom and Ireland that aim to help communities thrive and tackle social issues such as helping vulnerable families, homelessness and poverty to climate change and cultural cohesion. Through the General Grants Programme the Trust supports the repair, restoration, protection and improvement of churches, cathedrals and other places of Christian worship where changes support wider community use and enable greater impact.

The National Lottery Community Fund - The Platinum Jubilee Fund provides funding for projects that create a greater legacy for our places and spaces, and that support new opportunities, activities and build better relationships with one another, across generations and with the natural world. The three areas of focus are: Across Generations - Strengthening relationships between generations and creating a legacy for future generations; Community Renewal - Supporting new opportunities for people to develop skills and experiences in their local community, as well as opportunities to bring people together in new ways, and in new or different places and spaces; Our Shared Natural World - Growing our care and action locally for the natural world.

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.

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 Ventient Energy A'Chruach Wind Farm Community Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £25,000 to support positive change by investing in a wide range of inspirational, community-led activity that is strategic, positive and creative and helps create a legacy of lasting impact. Applications are expected to address one or more of the following outcomes (or changes for the community): Advance rural regeneration though increasing opportunities for enterprise and vocational training; Enhance infrastructure including affordable housing, transport, broadband, community-owned property and access routes; Establish new community services and seek to improve or expand existing services, particularly with regard to young people and the elderly; Develop and improve community facilities; E...

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 Stroupster Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £25,000 to support charitable activities that will help achieve the following outcomes: Improving or giving better access to communications and transport; Improving community assets and facilities for local people and visitors; Providing opportunities for young people; Providing support and opportunities for older people; Promoting enterprise and tourism; Improving the natural environment and access to it; Improving or giving better access to culture and heritage.

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 Harthill, Eastfield and Greenrigg (HEG) Community Fund (North Lanarkshire, West Lothian) the foundation provides grants of up to £35,000 to community organisations providing activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.

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 EDF Renewables Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund (Moray) the foundation provides grants of up to £30,000 to support charitable activities that benefit residents living in the areas served by the following community associations: Cabrach Community Association; Dufftown and District Community Association; Glenlivet & Inveravon Community Association; Glenrinnes Community Centre.

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 EDF Renewables Corriemoillie Wind Farm Community Fund (Strathpeffer) the foundation provides grants of up to £3,000 to community organisations providing activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.

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 EDF Renewables Corriemoillie Wind Farm Community Fund (Marybank, Scatwell & Strathconon) the foundation provides grants of up to £5,000 to community organisations providing activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.

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 EDF Renewables Corriemoillie Wind Farm Community Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £3,000 to community organisations providing activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity. Applicants should consider the community priorities that were first identified at an open day consultation in Contin in May 2015 and are reviewed annually. Current priorities are: access; history and heritage and improving outdoor spaces (woods and play park). However, the Fund will also support projects outside these priorities.  

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 EDF Renewables Burnhead Moss Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £4,000 to community organisations providing activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.

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 EDF Renewables Burnhead Moss Wind Farm (Avonbridge and Standburn) Community Fund, the foundation provides grants of up to £4,000 to support charitable activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.

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 EDF Renewables Burnfoot Hill Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund the foundation provides grants of between £500 and £5,000 to community organisations providing activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.

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 Drone Hill Wind Farm Community Fund the foundation provides grants of between £250 and £10,000 to support community projects benefiting those living in the areas covered by Reston & Auchencrow, Grantshouse, Coldingham, and Cockburnspath & Cove Community Councils. Funding is available for charitable activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity. Grants may support a wide range of costs, for example the costs of equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs for local groups, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and so on.

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 Denny and District Community Fund the foundation provides grants of between £500 and £10,000 to support charitable activities that: Enhance quality of life for local residents; Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities; Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.
Grants may support a wide range of costs, for example the costs of equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs for local groups, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and so on.

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 Clyde (Dumfries and Galloway) Community Fund the foundation provides standard grants of between £500 and £12,000 and Large grants over £12,000. The Fund will provide grants to support charitable activities that: Enhance quality of life and promote people's well-being;  Promote community spirit and bring people together; Foster vibrant, sustainable communities. Grant requests to support a wide range of costs and activities will be considered, such as equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, and maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities.

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 Cervus Trust fund the foundation provides grants to support charitable activities under the following themes: Food Poverty: projects that are empowering and help people to help themselves e.g. community growing projects rather than foodbanks; Mental Health: projects targeting those with depression and anxiety, support for those who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACES), projects that help to develop emotional resilience; projects supporting carers with their mental health; The Arts: using arts, including music tuition, as an enabling tool to develop skills, confidence, and emotional wellbeing; Education: projects which involve outdoor education and play are preferred. School-based initiatives will be a low priority unless they involve non-statutory provision an...

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 Carrick Futures fund the foundation provides grants of up to £25,000 to support charitable activities that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of Ballantrae, Colmonell & Lendalfoot, Barr, Barrhill, Pinmore & Pinwherry, Girvan & District and Carrick. Priority will be given to projects that: Improve access to services (in particular public transport); Enable a diverse and sustainable population mix (services for young people and older people, but also activities that help create opportunities for families and working age people to live in the area); Improve equality of opportunity (including tackling poverty and disadvantage).

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 Blackford Community Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £1,500 to support community groups and charities working in the Blackford Community Council area.  By providing grants to such groups, it aims to: Promote community spirit and bring people together; Enhance quality of life and promote people’s well-being; Foster a vibrant, sustainable community. 

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 Barr Community Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £25,000 to projects located within or directly benefiting Barr, South Ayrshire. Applications must benefit the community, which is geographically defined by the community council boundaries. Awards can support a wide range of costs and activities including equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities etc.

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 Ballantrae Community Fund the foundation provides grants of up to £25,000 to support projects located within or directly benefiting Ballantrae, South Ayrshire. Applications must benefit the community, which is geographically defined by the community council boundaries. Awards can support a wide range of costs and activities including equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities etc.

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.

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 Youth Opportunities funding strand, the Trust aims to support charities that help disadvantaged children and young people to adopt a more positive attitude to their lives, raise their aspirations and realise their full potential.

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 Family Recovery Initiative Fund the Foundation provides one-off grants of up to £1,500 for community groups in Scotland providing practical support for families affected by alcohol and drugs.

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 National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by the National Lottery to support local communities. The Grants for Improving Lives programme provides funding of between £20,001 and £200,000 to organisations with projects that address the following types of activity: supporting children, young people and families currently experiencing challenging circumstances; supporting people that have experienced abuse; tackling loss, isolation and loneliness; challenging discrimination and supporting people affected by it. Funding is available for up to three years.

Calor is the UK’s leading LPG supplier. The Rural Community Fund offers rural off-grid communities the chance to win funding for projects that will improve local life. Support is available for community centres, village halls, sporting venues, youth clubs, scout groups and initiatives to support the elderly. Funding is available for renovations, redecorating, equipment, or new LPG heating systems. Projects must be in a rural off mains gas location in the UK and be for the benefit of an off-grid rural community in England, Scotland or Wales and must benefit the wider community and not an individual. Once a project has been accepted it will need to gain as many votes as possible from its supporters. Projects with the most votes will become finalists. Finalist entries will then be reviewed and scored by a panel of judges. Previous winners have included a school garden project, a Music Instrument Bank and a Village Hall facelift.

Localgiving has teamed up with the Postcode Community Trust to provide the Magic Little Grants programme. The fund provides small charities and community groups with grants of £500 for projects that meet either of the following themes: Overcoming barriers to participation in physical activities in creative ways; Increasing social cohesion through developing access to sports and other recreational activities. 

Persimmon Homes Charity Foundation is providing grant funding of up to £1000 to registered charities, clubs, schools and other organisations which have already raised vital funds themselves towards projects to enhance their local community.  The type of projects supported to date have included support for foodbanks; projects within schools; and sports projects; etc.

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.

Tesco Stronger Starts programme supports thousands of schools and  local community projects across the UK, helping to fight holiday hunger, tackle mental health, support young people, host community events and much more. The scheme has supported over 40,000 community groups with more than £90 million in grants. Tesco Community Grants is open to charities and community organisations to apply for a grant of up to £1,500. Every three months, three local good causes are selected to be in the blue token customer vote in Tesco stores throughout the UK.

The SSE Clyde (Dumfries And Galloway) Community Fund aims to support activities that will enhance quality of life and promote people's well being, promote community spirit and bring people together or foster vibrant, sustainable communities. The Fund will benefit the 12 Community Council areas of Carronbridge, Durisdeer Johnstone, Kirkonnel and Kelloholm, Kirkmichael, Kirkpatrick Juxta, Moffat and District, Closeburn, Royal Burgh of Sanquhar & District, Thornhill, Wamphray and Wanlockhead.

The Community Food and Health Scotland (CFHS) aims to ensure that everyone in Scotland has the opportunity, ability and confidence to access a healthy and acceptable diet for themselves, their families and their communities. The CFHS has grants from £500 to £3,000 available to groups and agencies who would like to tackle one or more of the barriers to healthy eating, such as affordability or availability, and the negative impact of culture and lack of food skills. CFHS welcome applications from groups or agencies working with and within low-income communities throughout Scotland.

The Wakeham Trust is a grant making organisation that support organisations and registered charities as well as small community and voluntary groups within the UK that want to improve their communities. The Trust is particularly interested in supporting projects that are small scale and would find it hard to get funding from big trusts; or are currently unfashionable or unpopular amongst mainstream funders, but are making a real contribution. The Trust is particularly looking to support projects where funding of between £125 and £2,500 can make a real difference.

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 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 Old Possums Practical Trust Grants aim is to increase knowledge and appreciation of any matters of historic, artistic, architectural, aesthetic, literary, musical or theatrical interest. Grants are more likely to be given for projects that involve: children or young people, disabled or disadvantaged people and communities and those projects which fall within historic, artistic, architectural, aesthetic, literary, musical or theatrical criteria and which enhance the lives of others, rather than the well-being of the applicants themselves. The amount of each grant usually falls within the range of £500 - £5,000. Applications may be submitted at any time.

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 Skinners' Company Lady Neville Charity aim is to provide grants that will make a clear and significant contribution to grassroots charitable organizations working in designated priority areas. The priority areas are: Local Heritage - projects which help local groups to conserve and restore their landmarks, landscape, traditions and culture; Performing & Visual Arts Groups; Any charitable activity taking place where the Skinners Company has existing works or historical links (The city of London, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Hounslow, West Kent, Romney Marsh). One off capital grants for non-recurring expenditure of up to £1,000 are made to small registered charities and not-for-profit organisations.

The Sir John Fisher Foundation is a charitable trust; it supports charitable causes particularly in the six categories of Maritime, Medical and Disability, Education, Music, Arts and Community projects in and around Barrow-in-Furness. In the local area community projects involving sick, disabled, children, education, family support, maritime, arts and music will receive priority. Funding is available for both capital and revenue, there is no general limit to the grant for any one project but most grants given are for less than £20,000; urgent grants for up to £4,000 may be considered between trustees meetings which are held twice a year in May and November.

The Anchor Foundation Grant focuses on Christian Charities concerned with social inclusion particularly through ministries of healing and the arts. In any one year the grant range to a project is usually between £500 and £12,000 for either capital or revenue funding and applications for projects abroad will be considered. It is the Trust's normal practice not to give grants to the same project for more than three years. Applications are considered at twice yearly trustees meetings in April and November and need to be received by 31st January and 31st July each year.

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 Joseph Rank Benevolent Trusts main objectives are to advance the Christian faith and to further any other objects or purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the laws of England and Wales in force from time to time. The Trustees have identified two main areas of interest, as follows: The adaptation of Methodist Church properties with a view to providing improved facilities for use both by the church itself and in its work in the community in which it is based. Projects that demonstrate a Christian approach to the practical, educational and spiritual needs of people. The funding amount is discretionary and applications received before the middle of February, May, August and November will be considered in April, July and October respectively.

The objectives of the WHSmith Trust is to support the local communities in which WHSmith staff and customers live and work and; to support education and lifelong learning, helping people of any age to achieve their educational potential. Grants can be made under the following headings: Grants to local charities in which members of staff are directly involved, Grants to support education and lifelong learning, Supporting employee volunteering - Volunteers in Schools, Supporting employee volunteering - Community challenges and Supporting employee volunteering.

Westhill support projects with strong underlying Christian Values that transform peoples lives, foster empathy between communities and build bridges between people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Grants have been made to a very wide range of successful projects in local communities in churches and cathedrals, hospitals and hospices; and in higher and a wide range of further educational institutions both in the UK and overseas. Most grants range between £500 and £20,000. Larger sums for projects running over two years are considered but matching funding is sometimes advised. Applications can be submitted at any time and these are assessed on a quarterly basis.

The Community Giving Programme focuses on charities, organisations and initiatives that improve the quality of family life. Therefore, the programme supports projects that have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the whole family, especially in the areas of diet, fitness, safety and education, as well as caring initiatives that improve the quality of life for the sick, elderly or disabled. Warburtons provides support in three ways: financial support, product donations and the personal involvement of individuals (both employees and family members). The company also seeks to support its employees in their fundraising initiatives through a match-funding programme. The funding amount is discretionary and applications can be submitted at any time.

The objectives of The Barbara Ward Children's Foundation are to carry out charitable purposes anywhere in the world, primarily in relation to children. Initially the foundation seeks to make grants to other charitable organisations with similar aims, in order to meet its goals. Since it was established in 2001 The Barbara Ward Children's Foundation has reviewed over 5700 requests for funding. They have approved grants to over 670 organisations totalling over £9.4 million. The charities they have supported have helped children in Barbados, Cameroon, England, Kenya, Kosovo, Nepal, Northern Ireland, Russia, Scotland and Wales. Applications can be submitted at any time.

Applications can be made for grants towards holidays or outings within the UK for children aged 13 and under who are from areas of high deprivation, are experiencing disadvantage, or who have a disability. Funding is for holidays or outings that provide children with an experience they would not otherwise have the opportunity to access.  Trips can be to countryside or city locations, but must be outside the children’s immediate locality.  We are able to fund day-trips as well as longer residential trips, but are less likely to fund trips to high cost attractions (e.g. theme parks). 

The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust awards grants to charitable organisations in the United Kingdom and overseas. Grants are awarded for one year only and are limited to £1000 and £5000. Each year the Trust makes grants under different specific award categories. The next grants rounds in 2023 will fund projects that help children and young people in care and care leavers

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

UnLtd is the leading provider of support to social entrepreneurs in the UK and supports individuals who have their social ventures firmly rooted in delivering positive social change. It operates a unique model by investing directly in individuals and offering a complete package of resources; from awards of funding to ongoing advice, networking and practical support. UnLtd resource community entrepreneurs to start-up; support those with more established social ventures to scale up; and are committed to developing an eco-system of support to make it easier for those who need help to find it. UnLtd offers a number of programmes with varying levels of funding and support. Please refer to the funder's website for details.

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; 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.

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.

Voluntary and community groups, schools, community and town councils and health bodies can apply for grants of between £300 and £20,000 for projects which help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need. Projects must meet at least one of their three aims: bring people together and build strong relationships in and across communities; improve the places and spaces that matter to communities; help more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage. Funding is available for activities including: putting on events, activities or performances; buying equipment; running training courses; starting a new group; educational toys and games; volunteer's expenses or professional fees; transport costs and refurbishment.

Foundation Scotland (formerly Scottish Community Foundation) is one of the largest funders of the voluntary sector in Scotland and last year was responsible for distributing over £9million on behalf of their donors. The foundation runs a diverse range of funding programmes for organisations across Scotland who work to benefit a range of interests, causes and communities, and they are particularly interested in supporting organisations where a grant will have a significant impact and enable them to achieve their objectives. The Foundation Scotland website enables you to search for grants available in each area of Scotland; funding amounts vary for each programme and start from as little as £250.

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 bulk of the Family Holiday Association's work is taken up with helping families in need access a holiday. Every year, the Association help over 2,000 families directly.  All the families  helped live on a very low income. For them, a holiday is not a luxury; it is an essential break to help them cope with difficult circumstances. It may also be their first ever holiday. Referals can come from: Social workers; Health visitors; Voluntary and statutory agencies; Charities such as Barnardos and NSPCC; GPs; Schools.