Funding News - February 2026
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News, Information and Guidance
Easyfundraising Webinar- Free unrestricted funding for your community organisation
Free Digital Resilience Workshops for SMEs
Government
CityFibre Community Fund - Small Grants Programme
Ministry of Defence – Armed Forces Day
Newhaven Enterprise Zone - NEZ Community Fund
Lottery
Arts Council England (ACE) – Updates
National Lottery Community Fund - Climate Action Fund - Food Systems
Trusts and Foundations
The Access Foundation – Bridge the Digital Divide
Access to Justice Foundation – Improving Lives through Advice 2026
Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust
Bagri Foundation- Arts Projects Celebrating Asian Culture
B&Q Foundation - Home Improvement Grants
British Council - Beyond Literature Borders
Energy Redress Scheme – Round 15
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) – County Grant Fund for Clubs
Fletchers Foundation
Grow Wild Youth Grants
Henry Moore Foundation
Heritage Crafts Association - Endangered Crafts Fund
Hinrichsen Foundation - Contemporary Music Projects
Institute of Physics - Public Engagement Grant Scheme
Kelly Family Charitable Trust - Supporting stronger families
KFC Youth Foundation Community Grants Programme
Homity Trust
Magdalen Hospital Trust – Small grants supporting vulnerable young people
Marc Fitch Fund - Specialist Historical Research and Publishing
NFU Mutual Charitable Trust
Screwfix Foundation
Schroder Charity Trust
Wellcome-Do It Now-Innovate Now: Strengthening Black-Led Research
Universal Music UK Sound Foundation - School Funding
WCIT Charity
Funding Diary
News, Information and Guidance
Easyfundraising Webinar- Free unrestricted funding for your community organisation
If your community organisation needs additional funds in 2026, this online session will explain how you can receive free unrestricted funding via funding platform easyfundraising.
Becky from easyfundraising will show you how your volunteers, staff, members and supporters can use the easyfundraising platform to raise donations for free for your organisation when they shop with leading retailers.
This friendly informal session is suitable for anyone involved in fundraising for a good cause including voluntary groups, CICs, social enterprises, churches, schools, sports clubs and charities.
Date: Thursday 19th February, 12.30pm – 1pm.
Book your place here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_V-Q6TNBJSeuQ34On0htodA
About easyfundraising - Through easyfundraising, 8,000 online retailers will donate money to your organisation when your volunteers, staff and supporters shop with them. Anything from a weekly grocery shop to a family holiday can generate a free donation for you. Every 3 months you’ll receive all the donations raised by your supporters and as it’s unrestricted funding, you spend the money on whatever you need.
You can set up a free easyfundraising page for your organisation before the session here: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/community
Free Digital Resilience Workshops for SMEs
Portobello Business Centre is partnering with East Sussex County Council and the East Sussex Growth Hub to deliver a fully funded series of practical workshops designed to help SME businesses strengthen their digital foundations and build long term resilience.
The workshops are designed with a focus on tools businesses can apply immediately, are open to pre existing, trading SMEs, including social enterprises and charities with trading arms.
Government
CityFibre Community Fund - Small Grants Programme
CityFibre is currently working across Sussex to deliver gigabit broadband infrastructure to hard to reach areas under the Government’s Project Gigabit programme.
The CityFibre Community Fund is a national grants programme designed to provide social value in specific areas where CityFibre is working
This Programme offers £500 to £1,500 to community projects that address digital barriers impacting local communities. The programme is centrally run and designed to provide 'one-off' small grants with a rolling application process.
It considers projects that aim to:
- Bridge the digital divide, particularly for vulnerable and under-represented groups, including low-income families, older people, and people with disabilities
- Drive technological innovation, enhance digital literacy, and promote access to technology in ways that address local challenges
- Respond to community-specific needs identified by local residents, focusing on improving digital access and services that impact daily life
The programme is only open to registered charities.
This round of applications will end on the 27th March 2026. Successful applicants will be contacted by 30th April 2026.
To apply visit City Fibre Community Fund.
Ministry of Defence – Armed Forces Day
The Ministry of Defence’s Armed Forces Day Fund supports local events across the UK to show support for our servicemen and women, past and present.
Grants are for celebrations held within two weeks of Armed Forces Day on 27th June 2026.
The Fund offers up to £10,000 on a 50% match‑funding basis, paid after events once receipts are approved. Funding can cover road closures, decorations, advertising, insurance, first aid marshalling, security and PA systems.
Eligible applicants include councils, voluntary groups, schools, ex‑service organisations and individuals, and events must feature ‘Armed Forces’ in the title and remain free for the Armed Forces family - Serving Personnel, Veterans, Cadets and their Families.
Applications are open until 30th April 2026, with event registration required first.
Contact: armedforcesday-events@mod.gov.uk
Newhaven Enterprise Zone - NEZ Community Fund
The NEZ Community Fund is a community grants scheme set up by the Newhaven Enterprise Zone (NEZ) to benefit the Newhaven BN9 postcode area by offering one-off awards to charities and not-for-profit organisations who work within this community. The Fund particularly welcomes applications from those who have not previously received an award from this fund.
Funding priorities
- Projects, services and activities that encourage participation by children and empower young people
- Community venues and activity spaces
- Creating opportunities for inter-generational shared experience through regular clubs or one-off events
- Promote, support and improve access to volunteering opportunities as part of a project, service or activity
- Developing community spirit, supporting communities to live happily together and provide information, advice, advocacy or counselling to those in need
- Encouraging creativity
- Potential to lead to enterprise or significant transformation
The application period for the current round of funding will close on Friday 20th February 2026 (midday)
Lottery
Arts Council England (ACE) – Updates
ACE has announced the following updates:
- Updates to grants system: From Wednesday 1st April, an updated version of their grants system - which became unavailable last summer - will be online for use across all their funding programmes – and they are aiming to bring decision timeframes back to normal too. Because of this update, applications to some of rolling programmes will pause or change between 26th February and 1st April. If you’re thinking of making an application in this period, head to their website to find out more.
- Digital Arts as a new artistic artform, marking a major milestone for both ACE and the wider cultural sector. From April 2026, Digital Arts will be recognised across their funding programmes, meaning you can apply for funding with projects where digital technology shapes how work is conceived, made, and experienced.
National Lottery Community Fund - Climate Action Fund - Food Systems
The Climate Action Fund’s new themed round is designed to support long-term positive change in UK food systems.
The Fund will make grants between £2.5 million and £7 million for projects running between five and seven years. The Lottery anticipates funding up to 10 projects in the first year of the programme.
These grants are intended to support ambitious, long-term projects that strengthen food systems, tackle the root causes of food insecurity and work with nature to create lasting change.
Projects must work towards systems change in the way that:
- Community organisations grow and produce food – using agroecological methods
- Food gets distributed – aiming for equitable access to healthy, affordable food for all
- Offers people and communities different food options – especially those experiencing poverty, disadvantage or discrimination
NLCF will hold webinars on 17th February 2026 (1pm – 2:15pm) and 14th May (11am – 12:15). Spaces are limited to one place per organisation. Registration is required and can be done via the NLCF website.
If you already have funding from the Lottery, you can still apply. The Lottery will look at how this funding would work alongside your other funding when assessing your application.
Applications must be made as part of a partnership. These can be local, regional or national or working in more than one UK country. Partnerships can be new or already established.
Tel: 0345 4102 030
Trusts and Foundations
The Access Foundation – Bridge the Digital Divide
The Access Foundation is supporting organisations to reduce the digital divide by helping disadvantaged and vulnerable people access IT facilities, support and learning.
It typically offers grants of £15,000 to £50,000 for projects lasting up to a year, with an emphasis on clearly defined and measurable outcomes such as numbers of participants supported, hours of activity delivered, and the expected impact on individuals – for example, how many participants are expected to enter education or employment.
The Foundation welcomes applications from registered charities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations, Community Interest Companies limited by guarantee, and educational settings exclusively for SEND pupils.
There are no set deadlines, and organisations can expect a response within around 12 weeks.
Email: Office@theaccessgroupfoundation.com .
Access to Justice Foundation – Improving Lives through Advice 2026
The Improving Lives Through Advice is a new funding programme for organisations delivering free legal advice services in Scotland, Wales, the Southeast of England, and London.
The programme aims to increase access to justice for communities that need it most.
It will have £3.9 million to distribute as unrestricted grants and it plans to release eligibility criteria when the programme opens.
To help organisations prepare, the Foundation is hosting an online information webinar on 19th February 2026 at 2pm and registration is already open.
The programme will be open for applications from 16th February 2026 (noon) until 16th March 2026 (noon).
Email: grants@atjf.org.uk
Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust
The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust is again offering grants to registered charities that support people facing significant challenges and limited opportunities.
Its priorities for 2026 are as follows:
Rounds 1 and 2: People experiencing or at risk of homelessness, prioritising projects that build life skills such as food education, healthy living and budgeting. It gives priority to people leaving the armed forces, prison or care.
Rounds 3 and 4: Unpaid carers, supporting projects that deliver therapeutic activities—such as outdoor programmes or healthy‑eating initiatives—exclusively for unpaid adult carers age (18 or over)
It makes awards of £1,000 or £5,000. For Round 1 specifically, it offers £1,000 grants to smaller charities with incomes between £100,000 and £1m.
Round 1 is open for applications until 28th February 2026.
Bagri Foundation- Arts Projects Celebrating Asian Culture
The Bagri Foundation is inviting applications from not‑for‑profit arts organisations for projects celebrating traditional or contemporary Asian culture.
The fund supports fully formed projects with confirmed artists and clear public outcomes.
Eligible work spans crafts, exhibitions, music, performing arts, literature events, festivals and interdisciplinary practice. The Foundation particularly welcomes visual arts, performance, group exhibitions, film festivals and projects that reimagine traditional forms for contemporary audiences.
Grants range from £5,000 to £100,000, usually covering 10–30% of total project costs, with average awards around £20,000. Larger requests (over £75,000) require prior contact with the Foundation.
The fund is open to registered charities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations, exempt charities, Community Interest Companies and creative collectives with track record.
Applying involves a two-stage application process, starting with an Expression of Interest.
The Foundation’s deadline for Expressions of Interest is 11th March 2026.
B&Q Foundation - Home Improvement Grants
Following a review of their funding approach, the B&Q Foundation is now focusing exclusively on projects that directly improve home environments, rather than community centres, support hubs or well‑being spaces.
B&Q offers two main funding programmes—the Home Improvement Fund and the Home‑Starter Kits Fund— awarding up to £10,000 to help individuals and families affected by homelessness, domestic abuse, disability, illness or financial hardship to feel more supported and settled in their living spaces.
B&Q accepts applications from registered charities providing accommodation OR supporting people moving into their own homes. Charities may only apply for a Home Improvement Grant or a Home Starter Kit Grant, not both.
The next deadline for applications is 20th February 2026.
Further application windows will run from 20th April to 15th May 2026, 20th July to 14th August 2026, and 19th October to 13th November 2026.
Tel: 0117 422 0866
Email: bandq@neighbourly.com
British Council - Beyond Literature Borders
Speaking Volumes is partnering with the British Council for the second iteration of Beyond Literature Borders.
The Council is offering five grants of £7,000 each to support small arts organisations to develop and deliver a standard-alone literature project with an international partner.
To apply, organisations must be diverse-led and/or working with underrepresented voices and either completely new to international work or just starting to work beyond the UK.
They will be expected to work with a country from a list of 43 countries identified by the British Council.
The deadline for application is 27th March 2026.
Email: info@speaking-volumes.org.uk
Energy Redress Scheme – Round 15
Energy Redress is now open for the fifteenth round, with £20 million available to support energy-related projects across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Funding will support projects that help households most at risk from cold homes and high energy bills. The scheme also prioritises projects that develop innovative energy-related products or services and empower people to reduce their carbon emissions through the Innovation and Carbon Emissions Reduction Funds.
The funding streams available are:
- The Small Project Fund, containing £1 million – aimed at projects seeking grants between £20,000 and £49,999 that will support households in vulnerable situations
- The Main Fund, containing £12.5m – aimed at projects seeking grants between £50,000 and £2 m that will support households in vulnerable situations
- The Impact Fund, containing £500,000 – aimed at projects monitoring the impact to households, of energy advice and other interventions. Applicants can apply for grants between £20,000 and £500,000
- The Innovation Fund, containing £3m – aimed at projects that will develop innovative products or services to benefit households. Applicants can apply for grants between £20,000 and £1m
- The Carbon Emissions Reduction Fund, containing £2 million – aimed at projects that will reduce UK carbon emissions and empower households to reduce their carbon footprint. Applicants can apply for grants between £20,000 and £1m
- The Just Transition Fund, containing £1 million – aimed at projects that will develop community renewable energy, which will benefit energy consumers in vulnerable situations. Applicants can apply for grants between £20,000 and £250,000.
The Fund accepts applications from registered charities, Community Interest Companies, Community Benefit Societies and Cooperative Societies that are registered with the Energy Redress Scheme and have passed the due diligence process.
Only one application can be made per round across all the funds. Organisations can reapply in the next open funding round, whether they have been successful or unsuccessful in previous rounds.
The deadline for applications is 2nd March 2026 (17:00).
Tel: 020 7222 0101
Email: energyredress@est.org.uk
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) – County Grant Fund for Clubs
The ECB’s County Grants Fund aims to support ECB affiliated Cricket Clubs, which are actively engaged with women’s cricket, girls’ cricket and/or disability cricket, to create welcoming environments or to provide enhanced playing or changing facilities, in an effort to increase the number of women’s, girls’ and disability cricket teams, and to achieve the game’s vision to become the most inclusive team sport.
Priority will be given to applications from Clubs with an established women’s section, a girls’ section, and/or offer disability cricket, or are participating in the following specific ECB programmes in 2025/2026.
Clubs can typically apply for between £1,000 (minimum) and £15,000 (maximum) per application.
For larger scale Enhanced Changing Facilities (projects over £30,000), grants up to £50,000 will be available. These projects will be required to meet Sport England Accessible and Inclusive Sports Facilities Design Guidance
The scheme is open to all ECB affiliated cricket clubs in England and Wales.
Fletchers Foundation
The Fletchers Foundation supports organisations helping people to thrive following a life-changing injury.
The foundation awards grants aids and equipment; rehabilitation therapies; prosthetics, and counselling.
Local community groups with an annual income of less than £50,000 can apply for up to £10,000.
Grants to registered charities, community groups and schools with an annual income of more than £50,000 will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Apply any time. Decisions are usually made within two weeks.
Tel: 03300 081212
Grow Wild Youth Grants
Grow Wild is inviting young people aged 16–25 to lead creative projects that celebrate the importance of the UK’s native plants and fungi.
The scheme, delivered by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, offers £500 for original ideas that engage at least 100 people and run between May and 31st October.
Applicants must work with a supporting organisation such as a youth group, arts charity or local authority, education body (excluding primary schools) which provides guidance and financial oversight.
Grow Wild is holding a webinar about the scheme on 24th February 2026 (12.30 to 1:15pm). Registration is required
The deadline is 18th March 2026 (3pm), with applications submitted via a short video and online form
Tel: 020 8332 3842
Email: hellogrowwild@kew.org
Henry Moore Foundation
The Henry Moore Foundation offers grants to support sculpture across historical, modern and contemporary practice, helping organisations develop new commissions, enhance collections and deliver research, publications and events.
Most awards are under £20,000, with smaller grants for research projects.
The Foundation welcomes applications from not-for-profit art galleries, museums and universities concerned with art and art history.
The next deadline for applications is 1st March 2026.
Email: grants@henry-moore.org
Heritage Crafts Association - Endangered Crafts Fund
The Heritage Crafts Association’s mission is to protect skills listed as endangered crafts.
It welcomes applications from craft practitioners and community organisations throughout the UK, with a number of grants ringfenced for specific geographical areas, including East Sussex.
It offers up to £2,500 to support the following:
- Implementing change to ensure the longer-term viability or survival of heritage craft skills, e.g. new approaches to heritage craft skills; investing in machinery; developing new routes to market; exploring alternative, sustainable materials
- Direct and indirect skills transfer, e.g. taking on a trainee or apprentice, preparing to teach courses and training tools, equipment and materials, online or video content to support skill sharing
- Continuous professional development, e.g. business skills; acquiring advanced craft or allied craft skills
In addition to the funding, the Association provides successful applicants with tailored support such as mentoring, business guidance, or signposting to further opportunities.
The deadline for applications is 8th May 2026 (5pm).
Email: info@heritagecrafts.org.uk
Hinrichsen Foundation - Contemporary Music Projects
The Hinrichsen Foundation makes small one-off grants between £500 and £3,000 to support projects promoting contemporary music.
Proposals should involve thoughtful collaboration between composers, musicians, and those responsible for making the project public.
The Foundation welcomes applications that take artistic risks, promote diversity and consider sustainability.
Project proposals should:
- Focus on performing, commissioning or recording contemporary music
- Have strong artistic vision
- A clear programme of activity with timelines and outcomes
- High-quality experiences for diverse audiences, including those less familiar with experimental music
- Provide fair payment for composers and musicians
- Evidence financial need and project feasibility, with partnerships or in-kind support
The Foundation welcomes applications from Individuals, organisations, and charities.
The next deadline for applications is 13th March 2026.
Institute of Physics - Public Engagement Grant Scheme
The Institute of Physics (IOP) is offering grants of £500 - £4,000 to create engaging, family‑friendly activities that build positive connections with physics.
The scheme aims to support the IOP Limit Less initiative to meaningfully engage whole family groups (including parents/carers) to improve their relationship with physics. This could be by showcasing relatable role models of those doing physics, actively challenging stereotypes and preconceptions, sharing positive messages about physics.
IOP is specifically trying to reach families with young people under the age of 16 that identify with one or more of the following groups:
- Girls and young women
- Disabled young people
- LGBT+ young people
- Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
- Black Caribbean young people.
The IOP welcomes applications from individuals and organisations, including self-employed and freelance science communicators, artists, and content producers.
There are two funding rounds in 2026. Round 1 is open now with a deadline of the 10th of May. The deadline for Round 2 is 7th September 2026.
Tel: 020 7470 4800
Email: engagement@iop.org
Kelly Family Charitable Trust - Supporting stronger families
The Kelly Family Charitable Trust supports registered charities helping families to thrive.
The Trust focuses on three principal areas:
- Interventions that support families and help them in ways that prevent the fracture of the family unit, e.g. relationship counselling, mediation
- Families where sexual abuse, physical abuse, domestic violence, alcohol abuse and drugs abuse threaten the integrity of the family unit
- Prisoners and in particular their families, during and after the period of imprisonment
They typically award grants up to £5,000, though they consider larger requests.
Grants can be spent on capital and revenue costs. The Trust also considers requests for core funding from relatively new organisaitons seeking to become established. They also consider applications for repeat funding.
The Trust prefers smaller charities with an income below £500,000. However, they consider larger charities with pioneering pilot projects.
They accept applications twice a year with deadlines on 1st March and 1st September.
Tel: 0131 315 4879
Email: mail@kfct.org
KFC Youth Foundation Community Grants Programme
This Community Grants Programme supports grassroots organisations helping young people to thrive.
It awards up to £3,000 per year for up to two years.
This funding is for projects and activities that align with the following priorities:
- Safe Space – A safe physical and emotional environment with trusted adults/peers, safeguarding, and youth involvement
- Diversionary Activities – Activities aimed at reducing risk factors (eg, ASB, exclusion, substance misuse) and delivered at key times for vulnerable youth
- Life Skills – Programmes that build independence skills, financial resilience, food education, and employability
The Foundation accepts applications from registered charities and Community Interest Companies with an income below £400,000 per year.
Applicants must be youth-focused organisations, solely running youth-focused programmes for young people age 11 -25 living in areas of high deprivation (priority to areas within the top 10% most deprived on the Index of Multiple Deprivation).
The deadline for applications is 27th February 2026 (noon).
Email: thalia.beaty@yum.com
Homity Trust
The Homity Trust, in Brighton, is seeking grant applications from Sussex based community groups.
The fund provides smaller grants of up to £1,000 to registered charitable organisations helping end users in financial difficulties.
The Trust is particularly open to organisations helping with the increasing cost of living crisis. Application details and prior contact information are all on the website.
Their next deadline for applications is 2nd April.
Magdalen Hospital Trust – Small grants supporting vulnerable young people
The Magdalen Hospital Trust offers one‑off grants to small charities that support vulnerable children and young people.
The Trust focuses on charities working with those at risk of sexual or other forms of exploitation, as well as young people facing challenges linked to deprivation, disability, housing, education, or family breakdown.
As a very small Trust, they aim to provide modest but impactful grants - typically between £500 and £2,000 - to help charities deliver practical projects that make a direct difference.
They welcome applications from registered charities and Charitable Incorporated Organisations with an income below £100,000 and a clear focus on supporting vulnerable children and young adults.
The Trust is currently open and will accept applications until 28th February 2026.
After that, there are two further windows this year: 1st–30th June 2026 and 1st–31st October 2026.
Tel: 01903 217108
Marc Fitch Fund - Specialist Historical Research and Publishing
The Marc Fitch Fund supports research that enhances understanding of local and regional history in Britain and Ireland.
It offers discretionary grants for publishing scholarly work in fields such as history, archaeology, antiquarian studies, historical geography, genealogy and heritage conservation.
Funding is at the discretion of the Trustees. The funding can range 'from relatively minor amounts to more substantial special project grants which may be paid over more than one year'
Funding may also support research‑related expenses for work already accepted for publication.
The Fund is open to organisations and individuals.
Their next deadlines for applications are 1st March and 1st August.
Tel: 07805 650625
Email: contact@marcfitchfund.org.uk
NFU Mutual Charitable Trust
The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust supports initiatives that strengthen rural communities.
The Trust’s objectives are to:
- Advance public education in agriculture through research and information sharing
- Advance the education of young people in rural areas
- Relieve poverty in rural communities
- Encourage collaboration between residents, authorities, voluntary and other organisations to advance education and leisure
- Promote research into agriculture‑related activities
- Advance public education of insurance through research and information sharing
Grants typically range from £1,000–£50,000, with higher awards for projects with national‑level reach. Funding can cover running costs. Match funding is welcomed but not required.
If you are a smaller charity, the Trust encourages you to contact your local agency, as there may be opportunities to receive support through the Agency Giving Fund. For more information about your local agency, please find your local agency office.
The Trust welcomes applications from organisations in agriculture, rural development, education, research, social welfare or poverty relief. You do not need to be a registered charity if the work is charitable in purpose.
Smaller charities are encouraged to contact their local NFU Mutual agency office about support via the Agency Giving Fund.
The next deadline for applications 24th April 2026.
Tel: 01789 202679
Screwfix Foundation
The Screwfix Foundation offers grants up to £5,000 to fix, repair, maintain and improve properties and community facilities specifically for those in need
Grants are for projects which improve a physical building (or land attached to it). The types of projects funded are:
- Improved energy efficient lighting & heating
- Installation of new kitchen, bathroom
- Installation of a sensory room
- General painting & decorating
- Improving safety and security of a building
Screwfix prioritises applications where the project delivers a lasting impact and can be fully funded by the Foundation.
The Foundation welcomes applications from national and local charities. Applications are reviewed quarterly, with deadlines on the 10th of the month before each trustee meeting.
The next deadline for application is 10th May 2026.
Tel: 01935 414100
Email: foundation@screwfix.com
Schroder Charity Trust
The Schroder Charity Trust has re-opened for applications with a more focused grant-making strategy.
The Trust now considers applications from registered charities for work under the following two objectives:
- Enabling children and young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds to thrive and achieve their potential in education and employment
- Enhancing early years school readiness for children in vulnerable families
- Developing reading and literacy skills
- Enhancing financial literacy
- Helping young people pursue vocational careers and apprenticeships
- Enhancing employment outcomes for young offenders (aged 18-25)
- Providing tutoring to develop attainment at primary and secondary school
2. Strengthening communities through services and opportunities which enhance the wellbeing and life outcomes of vulnerable and disadvantaged people
- Providing services and advice to help people out of financial hardship and material poverty
- Enhancing life outcomes for children in the care system
- Reducing social isolation and maximising independence for older people
- Building confidence, resilience, life skills and wellbeing through youthwork
- Supporting the homeless and those at risk of homelessness into sustainable housing
The Trust typically grants up to £5,000. They fund both core costs and project (restricted) costs. Grants are for a one-year period and not over multiple years.
The Trust has two windows for applications: 1st March–30th April and 1st August–30th September 2026.
Wellcome-Do It Now-Innovate Now: Strengthening Black-Led Research
Innovate Now is a multi‑year funding and capacity‑building programme supporting Black‑led or Mixed Black heritage‑led organisations.
It aims to tackle systemic barriers faced by Black heritage researchers while helping organisations grow and deliver lasting impact.
It is open to sole traders, charities, Community Interest Companies, social enterprises, limited companies, constituted or unincorporated groups.
Leadership must be over 50% Black or Mixed Black heritage, with at least 75% of the governing body having lived experience of the issues their beneficiaries face.
Grant sizes:
- £13,000 over two years – for unincorporated initiatives, sole traders, and registered groups earning under £10,000
- £21,000 over three years – for registered initiatives with £10,000–£30,000 annual income
- £48,000 over three years – for registered initiatives earning £30,000–£150,000 annually
The Programme seeks to:
- Address systemic barriers in the research ecosystem
- Strengthen organisational leadership, governance, and financial/operational resilience
- Support long‑term sustainability and impact for Black‑led organisations
Innovate Now is running online information sessions and weekly drop‑in support sessions for applicants.
There are two application windows in 2026. Round One is open now, closing 25th March. Round Two will open from 7th September – 27th November.
Email: funding@doitnownow.com
Universal Music UK Sound Foundation - School Funding
This Foundation invites schools teaching the national curriculum to apply for grants of up to £1,000 to enhance their musical resources.
By funding instruments and equipment, the Foundation aims to widen participation and ensure that young people can experience high‑quality music-making in their school environment.
The fund runs three application rounds each year, and the next deadline falls on 27th February 2026 (1pm).
Tel: 0203 932 6101
WCIT Charity
WCIT Charity works with a wide range of registered charities and not for profit organisations aligned with its purpose, who depend on external financial support and specialist skills to realise their IT initiatives.
WCIT offers grants up to £15,000 and considers larger awards in exceptional cases.
WCIT focuses on proposals relating to one or more of their priority areas:
- Education
- Inclusion
- Tech for charities
- Public understanding of Technology
Projects they are more likely to fund include:
- The development and delivery of new services, solutions, training, apps, analytics, AI, robotics, or accessibility features/hardware
- Projects where WCIT is a material or sole funder
- Projects where WCIT is the sole funder of the IT component of a larger project
- Organisations that could benefit from pro-bono support.
Proposed projects should demonstrate an innovative use of IT, be scalable for wider replication, and be sustainable over time.
WCIT encourages applicants to familiarise with their new eligibility criteria and application guidelines. With high demand and limited funding, understanding these criteria increases the likelihood of success. Their website also provides examples of initiatives they have funded.
WCIT accepts applications from registered charities and formally constituted non‑profits such as Community Interest Companies.
Their next deadline for applications is 20th May 2026
Email: charity@wcit.org.uk
Funding Diary
February 2026
Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust - 15/02/2026
Alliance for Youth Organising (Explore Fund) – 16/02/2026
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust – Rise Programme - 18/02/2026
Archives Revealed (Scoping Grants) -19/02/2026
NEZ Community Fund – 20/02/2026
Four Nations International Fund (Arts) – 25/02/2026
KFC Youth Foundation Community Grants Programme – 27/02/2026
Science Community Grant Programme – 27/02/2025
Universal Music UK Sound Foundation - School Funding – 27/02/2026
Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust (Homelessness) – 28/02/206
Magdalen Hospital Trust – 28/02/2026
Remediation Enforcement Support Fund – 28/02/2026
Rewilding Innovation Fund - 28/02/2026
March 2026
Henry Moore Foundation - 01/03/2026
Kelly Family Charitable Trust – 01/03/2026
Marc Fitch Fund - 01/03/2026
Energy Redress Scheme – 02/03/2026
Ogden Trust Physics Education Programme - 02/03/2026
National Churches Trust (Large Grant) Stage 1 – 03/03/2026
Bagri Foundation (Expressions of Interest) – 11/03/2026
Weaver’s Company Benevolent Fund - 12/03/2026
Hinrichsen Foundation – 13/03/2026
People's Postcode Lottery - Local School Nature Grants – 13/03/2026
Ramblers Path Accessibility Fund – 14/03/2026
Access to Justice Foundation – Improving Lives Through Advice – 16/03/2026
Grow Wild – 18/03/2026
Catalyser Fund | Youth Music (Expressions of Interest) -20/03/2026
Innovate Now with Wellcome – 25/03/2026
Beyond Literature Borders – Speaking Volumes – 27/03/2026
Veterans Foundation (Standard or Salary grants) - 30/03/2026
The Which? Fund – 30/03/2026
Adamsons Trust - 31/03/2026
Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme – 31/03/2026
Matrix Causes Fund – 31/03/2026
April 2026
Ironmongers’ Foundation – 01/04/2026
Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust – 01/04/2026
Homity Trust - 02/04/2026
The National Archives - Seed Corn Grants -17/04/2025
AB Charitable Trust - 24/04/2026
NFU Mutual Charitable Trust – 24/04/2026
Ministry of Defence - Armed Forces Day – 30/04/2026
Schroder Charity Trust – 30/04/2026
May 2026
Heritage Crafts Association-Endangered Crafts - 08/05/2026
Institute of Physics-Public Engagement Grant Scheme – 10/05/2026
Screwfix Foundation (submission date before trustee’s meetings) - 10/05/2026
Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust - Main Grants – 12/05/2026
WCIT Charity – 20/05/2026
Charles Hayward Foundation - Social & Criminal Justice – 22/05/2026
June 2026
Archives Revealed (Scoping Grants) -18/06/2026
Adamsons Trust - 30/06/2026
Magdalen Hospital Trust – 30/06/2026
July 2026
Weaver’s Company Benevolent Fund - 02/07/2026
Money Saving Expert Charity – 13/07/2026
Homity Trust (Summer round) – 22/07/2026
AB Charitable Trust - 31/07/2026
August 2026
Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust - 01/08/2026
Marc Fitch Fund – 01/08/2026
Screwfix Foundation - 10/08/2026
Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust - Main Grants – 13/08/2026
Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust - 15/08/2026
September 2026
Grocers’ Charity - 01/09/2026
Kelly Family Charitable Trust - 01/09/2026
Institute of Physics- Public Engagement Grant Scheme – 07/09/2026
Charles Hayward Foundation - Social & Criminal Justice – 18/09/2026
Adamsons Trust - 30/09/2026
Groundwork Grassroots Grants (rolling programme) - closes 30/09/2026
Matrix Causes Fund – 30/09/2026
Schroder Charity Trust – 30/09/2026
October 2026
Magdalen Hospital Trust – 31/10/2026
November 2026
Screwfix Foundation - 10/11/2026
Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust – Main Grants – 12/11/2026
Weaver’s Company Benevolent Fund -12/11/2026
Innovate Now with Wellcome – 27/11/2026
December 2026
Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust - 01/12/2026
March 2027
Wealden District Council - Sports Infrastructure Fund 2024-27