Funding
Below is information which covers both ‘Small Grants’ and ‘Large Grants’. Each grant is for a specific cause, click the links to find out more information and to find out which is most relevant to your organisation.
Alternatively you can also check the Tower Hamlets Council’s website for information about current funding opportunities
Tower Hamlets Council COVID Community Fund
Grants of up to £5,000 for VCS organisations based in Tower Hamlets
Deadline: Ongoing for a limited period
For a limited period, VCS organisations in Tower Hamlets will be able to apply for funding and organisational support. Two grants are being offered:
- Covid Organisational Support Fund– Up to £5,000 available for VCS organisations that need to restructure
- Covid Re-Purposing Fund– Up to £5,000 available for VCS organisations, either to deliver services differently to residents and beneficiaries, such as adapting services to remote delivery, or where Covid-19 has meant that there is good reason for the organisation to deliver different kinds of services
- Wider Support – Alongside the award of funding, council officers and Tower Hamlets Council for Voluntary Service (THCVS), will engage with organisations on the issues they face arising from or impacted by Covid-19
Tower Hamlets Council Small Grants Fund
Fund Priorities: The Tower Hamlets Council Small Grants Fund is designed to support voluntary and community sector activity across Tower Hamlets that will make a positive difference to the lives of local residents. The Small Grants Fund is being administered by EECF and will award grants of up to £5,000 to support projects delivering activities under the following themes:
- Theme 1: Innovation. To encourage innovation or pilot something new, especially where there is a gap in provision.
- Theme 2: Prevention. To promote grassroots activity to reduce the need for statutory services.
- Theme 3: Neighbourhood Action. To promote local neighbourhood initiatives.
- Theme 4: Community Cohesion. To develop community resilience, promote cultural opportunities and reduce social isolation.
- Theme 5: Partnership. Making the sector more effective through closer partnership working within the sector and across sectors.
- Theme 6: Access & Participation. Establishing access and participation schemes to provide referral gateways for people from BAME communities.
Grant Amount: Grants of between £200 and £5,000 are available.
Guidelines:
Small Grant Guidelines (Themes 1-5)
Access & Participation Guidelines (Theme 6)
Application Forms:
£1,000 Application Form (Themes 1-5)
£5,000 Application Form (Themes 1-5)
Access & Participation Application Form (Theme 6)
Application Deadlines: Applications can be submitted at any time and will be considered after each deadline.
The application deadlines in 2021 are:
- 12 noon on Monday 10th May
- 12 noon on Monday 19th July
Alpkit Foundation
In response to the coronavirus, The Alpkit Foundation are prioritising funding to support projects that demonstrate an immediate impact on those affected by the crisis. Grants are available to grassroots organisations serving those affected by the outbreak. Funding can provide support for activities which might include helping vulnerable and elderly people who are self-isolating, supporting the homeless, providing access to food, medicines or social care, supporting foodbanks, increasing the number of meals on wheels deliveries, and bringing exercise indoors. Applications can be made at any time and will be checked on a daily basis.
Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust
Grants of up to £5,000 are available to UK registered charities to support people who are homeless. Priority to applications that help Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, a group which has been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The funding is being made through the Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust and is available to UK registered charities with a minimum income and expenditure of £1,000,000. The next funding round will run from the 1st to the 30th April 2021.
National Lottery Heritage Fund – Green Recovery Challenge Fund
The second round of the UK Government’s £40 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund has opened to applications in a bid to support environmental renewal whilst supporting thousands of jobs in England. Environmental charities and their partners can apply for grants of between £50,000 and £2 million from the fund in a bid to restore nature, tackle climate change and build the economy back from the coronavirus pandemic. Organisations applying for grants over £250,000 are required to contribute a minimum of 5% partnership funding and should submit expressions of interest by 12 noon on the 22nd March 2021. The deadline for applications under £250,000 is 12 noon on the 14th April 2021.
Hedley Foundation
The Hedley Foundation awards grants to those charities that are able to demonstrate quantifiable outcomes to beneficiaries. Typically, grants of up to £5,000 are regularly made and occasional larger sums are given to charities where high impact can be achieved. Similarly, smaller charities often benefit from smaller grants of £250 upwards. Application Form is available to download from the website. Completed forms with any supporting documentation should be posted to the address below. The Trustees meet four times per year to review grant applications which should be received at least 28 days before the review meeting. Please check website below for the latest meeting dates.
Thomas Wall Trust Grants
The Thomas Wall Trust’s Grants for Registered Charities scheme awards funding of up to £5,000 towards specific projects or core activities that support literacy, numeracy, digital and additional skills for learning that are likely to assist employment prospects. The deadline is Friday 30 April 2021 (Expression of Interest)
Youth Endowment Fund
The Youth Endowment Fund exists to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence. We do this by finding out what works and building a movement to put this knowledge into practice. Opens in April, with grant round workshops taking place march and April 2021
Hilden Charitable Fund for Community-Based Projects
Charities working locally can apply for grants of around £5,000 for projects finding difficulty raising funding from other sources. The Fund’s focus is on adult homelessness, penal affairs, asylum seekers, refugees, and community-based initiatives for disadvantaged young people aged 16-25. The deadline is 16th April 2021.
The Foyle Foundation: Small Grants Scheme
The Foyle Foundation has re-opened its Small Grants Scheme to support smaller, grassroots and local charities across the UK during the Covid-19 crisis. Organisations which are currently delivering services to the young, vulnerable, elderly, disadvantaged or the general community either directly or through online support can apply for grants. Grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 are available for charities with a turnover of less than £150,000 per annum that can show financial stability and a clear need for their services. Competition for funding is expected to be strong. Applications can be submitted at any time.
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust is a Quaker trust which supports people who address the root causes of conflict and injustice. This support is provided, primarily, through grant funding. The deadline is 22nd March 2021.
Feminist Review Trust
Grant applications of up to £15,000 are available for projects supporting women from the Feminist Review Trust. They’re particularly welcome from organisations campaigning for lesbian and transgender rights, disabled women and girls, and refugee women and girls. The deadline is 30th April 2021.
Ragdoll Foundation
Grants of up to £20,0000 are available to support arts, cultural and youth-focused organisations working with children and young people in the UK through the arts, artists and creative media. The deadline is 7th May 2021.
Baring Foundation – Arts and Mental Health Programme
Grants of between £10,000 and £40,000 are available to arts organisations in the UK for projects that promote the role of creativity in the lives of people with mental health problems from ethnically diverse backgrounds. The deadline is 21st April 2021.
Asda Foundation – COVID-19 Grants
Healthy Holiday Grant – These grants are designed to support groups that typically would be holding summer holiday activities to ensure children are provided with a hot meal. If social distancing hasn’t been relaxed, the Asda Foundation will provide grants for groups to deliver provisions to children at home. The maximum grant available is £500.
Hilden Charitable Fund
Grants of up to £5,000 for UK charities working in the areas of homelessness, penal affairs, asylum seekers and refugees, community based initiatives for disadvantaged young people (16-25), and projects in developing countries working on community development, education, and health (with particular interest in projects that address the needs and potential of girls and women). The deadline is 16th April.
Windrush Community Fund
Deadline Opens 1st April 2021, closes 30th June 2021
Voice4Change England (V4CE) are pleased to announce the Windrush Community Fund. This fund is open to community and grassroots groups and organisations to bid for financial assistance from a £500,000 fund to help ensure that community groups can give support to those of the Windrush generation who may have faced difficulties in demonstrating their status or who may have suffered losses because of this. Charitable, community and grassroot organisations across the UK that work with affected communities can bid for an award from £2,500 up to £25,000, to ensure all people affected by Windrush are aware of the support available and are not missing out on the schemes or latest information.
Funding for innovative mental health initiatives
Seed funding grants of up to £2,500 are available for UK based charities and other not-for-profit groups and organisations to trial new and innovative ways to support people in the UK who are suffering with poor mental health. The deadline is ongoing.
Marsh Christian Trust
The Trust focuses on providing funding which could help small organisations pay for various running costs, such as volunteer expenses, training days, equipment maintenance and other core outgoings. Areas include; arts and heritage, education and training, environmental causes and animal welfare, healthcare and social welfare. Grants of between £300 and £2,000 are available. There is a rolling deadline for applications.
The Archer Trust
Supports organisations working in areas of high unemployment/deprivation and who make good use of volunteers. Funding of up to £4,000 is available.
Morrisons Foundation – Covid-19 Homeless Support Fund
Recognising that homeless people are particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 the Foundation, has pledged £500,000 towards its Homeless Support Fund to support charities working with homeless people. Areas of funding include outreach and support for rough sleepers, delivery of services in hostels and shelters and information and advice.
Sport England – The Return to Play: Community Asset Fund
Grants of between £10,001 to £50,000.
Deadline: ongoing
Sports clubs, local authorities, schools and community organisations can apply for grants to help clubs and community groups through the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic to return to play. The Return to Play: Community Asset Fund provides capital funding, to help local sports clubs and organisations to adapt and open important places and spaces so people within their community can return to play and physical activity, safely. The focus is on responding to the immediate challenges of sports and physical activity returning to play. Priority will be given to projects located in areas of high deprivation and to organisations working with Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, people on lower incomes, disabled people, people with long-term health conditions and people experiencing a greater burden of care because of coronavirus.
Golsoncott Foundation
Grants of up to £3,000
Deadline: ongoing
The Golsoncott Foundation aims to promote, maintain, improve and advance the education of the public in the arts generally and in particular the fine arts and music. This includes providing access to the arts for young people and developing new audiences.
Wooden Spoon Charity
Deadline: ongoing
If your project is in the UK or Ireland and shares the aim of making a positive impact on the lives of children and young people, it may be eligible for a Wooden Spoon grant. Check guidance on types of projects funded.
Emergency National Lottery Covid-19 response grants
Grants of between £300 to £10,000 to cover six months of expenditure.
Support for organisations to continue delivering services to people and communities affected by COVID-19
Volant Trust – Covid-19 Response Fund
Deadline: 31st July 2021
The Trust is accepting applications from registered charities, community interest companies, community organisations or social enterprises in the UK and internationally that demonstrate a strong focus on alleviating social deprivation and helping vulnerable groups who have been particularly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Funding is available to support running and core costs as well as for medical equipment and the production or distribution of PPE will also be considered. There are no funding levels indicated at the award of grants will be at the discretion of the Trustees.
National Lottery Community Fund – Awards for All
Grants of between £300 £10,000.
Deadline: apply any time
For charities, voluntary groups, schools and local authorities in England to carry out projects that will improve their local community. The aim of the grants programme is to support communities to thrive by funding projects that:
- 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.
National Lottery Community Fund – Reaching Communities
Grants of over £10,000.
Deadline: apply any time
For projects that make positive changes in their communities. The aim of the programme is to support communities to thrive by funding projects that:
- 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.
National Lottery Community Fund – Partnerships
Grants of up to £10,000.
Deadline: apply any time
For voluntary and community organisations in England which work together with a shared set of goals and values to help their community thrive. The aim of the programme is to encourage organisations to work in partnership to help their communities thrive by focusing on the bigger picture, rather than just what their organisation can do on its own. The funding can support different types of partnership, including:
- Cross-sector partnerships.
- Local place-based collaboration.
- Local and national organisations working together around a particular theme.
National Lottery Grants for Heritage
Grants of between £3,000 and £100,000.
Deadline: apply any time
For organisations working with heritage to adapt and respond to the changing environment they are now operating in due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis. The funding is intended to help the UK’s heritage sector respond to the impacts of coronavirus/COVID-19 and to adapt and thrive again. This funding is designed to focus on organisational resilience or on projects that deliver inclusion in heritage.
London Growth Hub – Grants and Access to Specialist Support
Grants of between £1000 to £5,000 available for elegible small and medium enterprises.
Support and help to access business and professional services such as legal and financial advice, or help to adopt new technology and purchase equipment that will help them get back on track, following the impact of COVID-19.
Comic Relief Capacity Building Grant
Grants of up to £1,000.
Deadline: apply any time
To support small community organisations to become stronger and more robust and improve their ability to deliver, both during and after the Covid-19 crisis.
Sports England – Return to Play Fund
Grants of between £300 and £10,000 – small grant, £10,001 to £50,000 – large grant
Deadline: apply any time
Sport England has launched a new fund that will support groups, clubs and organisations that have been impacted by restrictions brought in to tackle Covid-19.Small grants will help sport and activity groups, clubs and organisations respond to the immediate challenges of returning to play in a Covid-19-safe environment; large grants will help local sports clubs and organisations to adapt and open important places and spaces that can help them welcome back their local community safely.
Marsh Christian Trust
Grants of between £300 and £2,000 – small grant, £10,001 to £50,000 – large grant
Deadline: apply any time
The Trust focuses on providing funding which could help small organisations pay for various running costs, such as volunteer expenses, training days, equipment maintenance and other core outgoings. Areas include; arts and heritage, education and training, environmental causes and animal welfare, healthcare and social welfare.
Peter Cruddas Foundation
Grants of between £2,000 and £20,000
Deadline: apply any time
The Foundation gives priority to programmes designed to help disadvantaged and disengaged young people in the 14-30 age range to pursue pathways to education, training and employment, with the ultimate aim of helping them to become financially independent.
Arts Council Project Grants
Grants of under £15,000 – small grant; over £15,000 – large grant
Deadline: apply any time
The Arts Council is offering grants to respond to the needs of smaller independent organisations and individual practitioners during COVID-19.
Masonic Charitable Foundation – Children and Young People Grants Programme
Grants of between £1,000 and £15,000
Deadline: 31st March 2021
charities in England and Wales for projects that support disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people aged up to 18 years (up to 25 years for disabled young people) to overcome the barriers they face in order to achieve the best possible start in life.
Masonic Charitable Foundation – Funding to Support Vulnerable Older People
Grants of between £500 and £15,000
Deadline: ongoing
Local and national charities in England and Wales can apply for grants of between £500 – £15,000 for projects lasting up to three years that support vulnerable and disadvantaged people over 50. To be eligible the charity needs to have an annual income of below £500,000 per year.
Grimple’s Green Grants Green Giving
Deadline: Ongoing
They are looking for green projects across the United Kingdom that they can fund and help support environmentally friendly projects like yours. They are offering grants of up to £1,000 for small projects and organisations. They want you to overwhelm them with your applications, so get inspired and let them know about your green project idea!
The Wakeham Trust
Deadline: ongoing
The Wakeham Trust provides grants to help people rebuild their communities. They are particularly interested in neighbourhood projects, community arts projects, projects involving community service by young people, or projects set up by those who are socially excluded. They favour small projects – often, but not always, start-ups and they try to break the vicious circle whereby you have to be established to get funding from major charities, but you have to get funding to get established. Apply at TheWakehamTrust@icloud.com
The Foyle Foundation – Small Grants Scheme
Grants of between £1,000 and £10,000
Support for core costs or essential equipment, to enable ongoing service provision, homeworking, or delivery of online digital services. The grants are aimed at smaller, grassroots and local charities, with a turnover of less than £150,000 per annum, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Organisations which are currently delivering services to the young, vulnerable, elderly, disadvantaged or the general community, either directly or through online support.
Charles S French Charitable Trust
Grants between £1,000 and £5,000
Grants are available for local charitable organisations carrying out projects and activities that benefit the residents of North East London and Essex.
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
Applications are now open for projects that improve the natural world, secure a fairer future, and strengthen the bonds in communities in the UK. Esmee’s new strategy will focus on the following three interdependent aims: Improving our natural world; Tackling injustice to deliver a fairer future; Nurturing creative, confident communities. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
February
March
Grants for Tree Planting (UK)
Grants of between £300 and £1,500
Deadline: There is no deadline for applications, but applicants must ensure that they can plan and execute their project, and claim the funding upon completion, by the end of March 2021
Schools and Community groups within the UK can apply for grants to get communities and young people involved in tree and hedge planting and care this winter. The funding is being made available through the Tree Council’s Branching Out Fund. Applications will be considered as they are received, and applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application within four weeks.
Funding for Projects that Address Severe Learning Disabilities (UK)
Grants of up to £10,000 – small grant; grant of over £10,000 – general grants programme
Deadline: 1st March 2021
Schools, voluntary organisations and charities can apply for grants to help both children and adults suffering severe learning difficulties. The funding is being made available through the Baily Thomas General grants programme and can be used to purchase equipment, support capital works as well as covering project and core costs such as staff costs, general running and office costs. Previous grants have been used to support capital works for residential, nursing and respite care, and schools; employment schemes including woodwork, crafts, printing and horticulture; play schemes and play therapy schemes; day and social activities centres including building costs and running costs; support for families, including respite schemes; independent living schemes; support in the community schemes; and Snoezelen rooms.
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
Grant size: avarage grant is £50,000
Deadline: 22nd March 2021
JRCT is keen to support work that responds to the dual harms of the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic racism. Specifically, they wish to encourage work that scrutinises the responses and policies of powerful institutions and actors, and which envisions and builds support for transformative social change based on justice, peace and sustainability.
April
Funding to Encourage Young People to Study Science Subjects (UK)
Grants of up to £10,000
Deadline: 1st April 2021
To support initiatives that encourage young people to study science subjects at school and go on to pursue STEM-related further education or vocational training, particularly in the area of Materials Science. The funding is being made available through the Ironmongers’ Foundation with priority given to projects engaging young people between the ages of 12 and 18 from disadvantaged backgrounds with a preference for urban areas outside London and particularly areas in the north and midlands with a manufacturing presence. Grants are made to registered or exempt charities only. Applications will not be accepted from schools. Projects involving corporate partners must have charitable purposes and be for public benefit, not private gain.
May
Funding for Projects that Support Disadvantaged Young People (UK)
Grants of over £10,000
Deadline: 4th May 2021
Schools, voluntary organisations and charities can apply for grants to help both children and adults suffering severe learnin
Grants available to not for profit organisations and special schools that work with young people who are experiencing disadvantage through illness, distress, abuse or neglect; any kind of disability; behavioural or psychological difficulties; and / or living in poverty or situations of deprivation. Special schools can also apply for funding, but the project must be additional to their statutory duties. The funding is being made available through the BBC Children in Need Main Grants programme. Prior to applying organisations and schools will need to register with BBC Children in Need.
June
Standard Life Foundation
Grants of between £10,000 and £200,000
Deadline: 3rd June 2021
Standard Life Foundation fund research, campaigning and policy work to improve living standards and personal finances for people on low to middle incomes in the UK. They are an engaged funder who does more than just make grants; they provide support, advice and add value to the projects they fund. Funding programmes focus on income, spending and assets.
July
Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Comic Relief – Tech for Good Digital Development Fund
Grants of up to £70,000
Deadline: 31st July 2021
Grants to use technology to explore different approaches to delivering better services during the Covid-19 crisis. Over £1 million will be available to individual not for profit organisations or those working in partnership to define, test and develop user-centred digital solutions to create more impact for the people they work with. Applications that aim to adapt or re-purpose existing technology are also eligible for funding. The programme aims to fund a portfolio of digital projects at different stages of development and will support a range of digital interventions. The funding is being made available through the Tech for Good digital development fund ‘Build’ programme which is being supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Comic Relief.
Volant Trust – Covid-19 Response Fund
Deadline: 31st July 2021
The Trust is accepting applications from registered charities, community interest companies, community organisations or social enterprises in the UK and internationally that demonstrate a strong focus on alleviating social deprivation and helping vulnerable groups who have been particularly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Funding is available to support running and core costs as well as for medical equipment and the production or distribution of PPE will also be considered. There are no funding levels indicated at the award of grants will be at the discretion of the Trustees.
Spacehive
Along with pledges from your local community, there is an opportunity to get up to £10,000 from the council towards your crowdfunding campaign.
Small charities and constituted community groups with innovative ideas that benefit their community can apply for funding of up to £50,000 for projects that build more connected, more resilient communities and give people the tools to become more financially independent. In response to the Covid-19 Aviva are temporarily opening up the Fund to projects that will ensure organisations can adapt or maintain critical services and infrastructure in response to the impacts of COVID-19. Projects must still relate to one of Aviva’s key funding areas. The closing date for this funding round is the 19th January 2021.
Power to Change – Community Business Crowdmatch
Power to Change has teamed up with Crowdfunder to launch Community Business Crowdmatch to support new or existing community businesses responding to the Covid-19 crisis. The scheme will help community businesses, providing services or activities which help local people experiencing disproportionate challenge and difficulty as a result of the crisis, by match-funding each £1 raised, to a maximum of £10,000. Power to Change are keen to support new and existing projects in deprived areas, and to work with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities across England. Funding could be used to support new ideas to help local neighbourhoods, help meet increased demand, save a community space or bridge a funding gap. Applications can be made at any time until all the funding has been awarded.
UK Aid Direct – Small Charities Challenge Fund
Grants of up to £50,000 available to small UK-registered charities and not-for-profit organisations working with the most vulnerable people in countries that are ranked in the bottom 50 of the UN Human Development Index (HDI) or if it is considered of high or moderate fragility by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). Up to two years funding is on offer for organisations with an annual income of £250,000 or less. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, DFID will be prioritising applications that can demonstrate that they are responding to longer term impacts of COVID-19. The fund remains open for applications addressing a wide range of Global Goals in a variety of contexts. However, DFID will expect all applicants to be able to explain how their project will address anticipated longer-term impacts of the virus and outline how the risks of COVID-19 to project delivery could be mitigated as part of their application. The Small Charities Challenge Fund (SCCF) will remain open and all applications will be reviewed on a 6-monthly basis. The closing date for the next review of proposals is 5 pm on the 25th March 2021.
Sport England – Active Together Programme
Commitment of £1 million to combat the impact of Covid-19 on sports clubs and community activity groups, in the form of match funding through Crowdfunder. Sports England is matching crowd funds of up to £10,000 raised by clubs and organisations hit by the coronavirus crisis. Programme is open to sports clubs and also to charity, community, voluntary or social enterprise organisations that deliver sports or physical activity in the community but are not solely or primarily sports organisations.
Childhood Trust – Champions for Children Campaign
The Childhood Trust campaigns are run in partnership with The Big Give. Funds raised during Campaign Week are MATCHED from two different pots: pledge donors and Childhood Trust funds. The campaign offers unrestricted funding, as well as the opportunity to increase awareness and build up their donor base, to charities working with vulnerable children and young people across London.
Coming soon