Funding News- September 2026

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Funding News is produced by East Sussex County Council and is aimed at charities and community sector organisations. Should you require further information about services available please visit our Funding pages.

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Links to funders’ websites are correct at the time of publication. Some links may stop working once funding opportunities close

News Information and Guidance
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funding for community-based health and care research
Good Things Foundation – free mobile data for digitally excluded people
East Sussex Funding News - Pause

Government
Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) - Places of Worship Renewal Fund
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) - Great British Energy Community Fund
Rother District Council Community Grants Scheme

Trusts and Foundations
Army Benevolent Fund
Arts Society - Community engagement through arts and heritage
Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust - therapeutic support for unpaid carers
Baily Thomas Charitable Fund - learning disability funding
British Science Association - British Science Week: Curiosity Grants
Cash4Clubs- sport and physical activity for adults facing barriers to participation
Childwick Trust- Healthcare Grants
Comic Relief Community Fund
Community Radio Fund
The Football Association Faith and Football Fund – imminent deadline
Gardening With Disabilities Trust
Henry Smith Foundation - Holiday Grants for Children
JJ Charitable Trust - Literacy Small Grants Scheme
The LGBT+ Fund - Get Active
Linnean Society – Our Local Nature Grants
Linder Foundation - early intervention projects for young people
Nuffield Foundation Essential Employment Skills Fund – Evaluating What Helps Young People into Work
Pearce Foundation 2027 applications are now open: grants and tailored support for early-stage Sussex organisations
Sea-Changers Grant Programme
School for Social Entrepreneurs - DPS Social Commitment Programme
Tesco Fruit and Veg Grants
Weaver's Company Benevolent Fund - employment and criminal justice
Wildlife Trusts - Green Community Grants Programme
Worshipful Company of Information Technologists (WCIT) Charity

Funding Diary

News, Information and Guidance

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funding for community-based health and care research

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) works in partnership with the NHS, universities, local government, other research funders, patients and the public to fund, enable and deliver health and social care research.

The Research Delivery Network (RDN) supports the delivery of clinical, public health and social care research across a range of health and care settings.

Every year, the RDN opens a funding programme for organisations to deliver a time-limited project testing a new way of delivering research. The next programme opens on Tuesday 6 October and closes on Tuesday 17 November 2026.

Applications are open to a range of organisations, including those in the voluntary and community sector.

The RDN recognises that voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCSFE) organisations are uniquely placed to work with the network to find new and innovative ways to bring research to the communities that can benefit most from it

The funding will focus on areas including the government shifts from hospital to community, analogue to digital and sickness to prevention, alongside national and local strategic priorities. Collaboration and sustainable benefits are important.

An online information session for VCSFE organisations will take place on 30 September 2026, from 10.30am to 12 noon. Organisations do not need to have worked with NIHR or the RDN previously.

If your organisation is interested in finding out more about this funding opportunity, please consider registering your interest.

Register or express an interest: SE NIHR strategic funding information

Contact: se.rrdn@nihr.ac.uk

Good Things Foundation – free mobile data for digitally excluded people

Good Things Foundation runs the National Digital Inclusion Network, which gives member organisations access to digital inclusion support, services and training.

Organisations can join the Network and distribute free SIM cards and mobile data through the National Databank. The Databank supports people who cannot afford internet connectivity.

Virgin Media O2, Vodafone and Three donate the SIM cards and data packages.

See the National Databank webpage.

East Sussex Funding News - Pause

East Sussex Funding News will take a short break during October, November and December 2026.

We will share an update about future editions in the new year.

Government

Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) - Places of Worship Renewal Fund

The Places of Worship Renewal Fund provides capital funding for listed places of worship of any faith or denomination.

This funding supports work to keep buildings safe, open and in public use.

Grants range from £10,000 to £1 million. They can cover urgent repairs to roofs, masonry and drainage, essential improvements such as heating, toilets and step-free access, and related professional fees and surveys. Applicants normally contribute around 20% of costs.

Buildings must be listed at Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II, remain dedicated places of worship and be used for worship at least six times a year.

Projects must match one or more of Historic England's priorities:

Help more people to connect with, enjoy and benefit from the historic environment
Use heritage to improve civic pride, prosperity, and wellbeing
Achieve a positive change and sustainable future for historic places
Ensure heritage plays an important role in the fight to limit and manage the effects of climate change

The Fund prioritises areas most in need and projects offering the most community benefit.

It is expected to run until 31 March 2030, with two Expression of Interest rounds a year.

The current deadline for Expressions of Interest is 2 October 2026.

Tel: 0370 333 0607

Email: customers@HistoricEngland.org.uk

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) - Great British Energy Community Fund

The Great British Energy Community Fund provides funding for community organisations to test, develop and build community-owned clean energy projects.

The programme has a £20 million budget.

It offers three stages of funding:

Feasibility grants of up to £40,000 to test whether a project idea is viable
Development grants of up to £100,000 to turn a viable idea into an investment-ready project
Capital grants of up to £3 million for fully developed, ready-to-build projects. These can cover up to 50% of total project capital costs.

Projects must be at least 50% community-owned. The community organisation must hold at least a 50% legal and financial interest when the project becomes operational. Please note. single-building installations are not eligible.

The Fund asks applicants to please connect with your regional Net Zero Hub as early as possible in your project to get support in applying to GBE. Those who engaged early had the best success rate in previous rounds.

The current application window closes on 12 November 2026 at 11.55pm. Further windows may open if funding remains.

Email: community@gsenetzerohub.org.uk

Rother District Council Community Grants Scheme

The Rother Community Grant Scheme is open for applications. Rother District Council provides the scheme through its partner, Sussex Community Foundation.

The scheme supports grassroots projects that strengthen communities in Rother, promote a thriving local economy, improve wellbeing and protect the environment.

There is £100,000 available in this funding round. The scheme offers:

Revenue grants of up to £10,000 for day-to-day costs, staff, equipment and project delivery for up to 12 months
Capital grants of up to £20,000 for building works, major equipment or refurbishment.

Funding must support one or more of three priorities:

Reaching Potential / A Thriving Local Economy: skills, training, access to employment and volunteering
Improving Health / Live Well Locally: reducing health inequalities, activities for older people, positive health and wellbeing, sport and physical activity
Acting on Climate / Green to the Core: conservation, biodiversity, recycling, reuse, waste reduction, sustainable energy and community climate action.

Projects supporting and celebrating the European Year of the Normans 2027 are also encouraged, provided they meet at least one of the three core priorities.

The scheme is open to formally constituted charities, community organisations and social enterprises with an annual income below £2 million. Applicants must show they can work locally through established networks or local partners.

Applications must be made online through the Sussex Community Foundation website by Friday 16 October 2026.

Trusts and Foundations

Army Benevolent Fund

The Army Benevolent Fund supports projects and activities directly benefiting the Army community.

Funding focuses on the following areas

Independent living
Elderly care
Education and employability
Mental fitness
Families
Housing

Projects can range from helping soldiers adapt to life after service to supporting elderly veterans to maintain their independence.

There is no minimum or maximum grant. Grants to new partners are likely to be below £20,000 and are typically awarded for one year, although the Trustees may consider funding over several years. Up to 100 charities can receive support each year.

The Fund is open to registered charities and Community Interest Companies supporting veterans, serving soldiers, their families and immediate dependants.

Organisations providing mental health services to the Army family would normally be expected to be members of, or signed up to, the Quality Network for Veterans Mental Health Services (QNVMHS).

Organisations that have received an Army Benevolent Fund grant within the last two years must apply by 6 October 2026.

Organisations not previously supported, or not supported in the last two years, must contact the Fund before making a formal submission. Their application window runs from 8 December 2026 to 19 January 2027.

Email: externalgrants@armybenevolentfund.org

Arts Society - Community engagement through arts and heritage

The Arts Society is offering grants to support projects and activities that improve access to arts and heritage.

The Society’s current funding round focuses on community engagement.

Projects should:

Focus on public arts or heritage events, activities or festivals
Encourage community participation and cohesion
Bring arts or heritage into shared public places
Help people who might not otherwise have opportunities to engage
Improve wellbeing, reduce isolation or remove barriers to access

Projects should benefit communities at grassroots level and make a clear, positive local impact. Applicants must show that their project is viable, well managed and sustainable, with a robust timetable, budget and financial plan.

The Fund is open to registered charities if their main activity is in the arts, crafts and heritage sectors and their annual turnover is less than £1 million.

Their deadline for applications is 30 September 2026 at 23:59.

Email: grants@theartssociety.org

Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust - therapeutic support for unpaid carers

The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust’s current funding round is for projects supporting unpaid carers.

This round supports projects that provide therapeutic support, including healthy eating and outdoor activities. Projects must focus exclusively on unpaid carers and must not extend services to other groups.

It offers grants of £5,000. Please note, this round is for registered charities with an operating income of at least £1 million.

The deadline for applications is 30 September 2026.

Check the Trust’s FAQs and eligibility criteria carefully before applying. Questions and Answers not covered there can be submitted through the Trust’s contact page.

Baily Thomas Charitable Fund - learning disability funding

The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund supports work with children, young people and adults with severe learning difficulties.

The Fund defines learning disability as a global intellectual impairment (IQ below 70), beginning before age 18, and resulting in a need for support with everyday activities.

The Fund operates two general grant funding streams, a General Grant Programme for appeals over £5,000 and a Small Grant Programme for appeals of £5,000 and less.

Grants can cover capital or revenue costs and support both specific projects and core operating needs.

The Fund backs a wide range of work, for example:

Improvements to residential, nursing and respite care settings
Day and social activity centres and their running costs
Employment schemes in areas such as woodwork, crafts, horticulture and printing
Play and play therapy
Family support and respite services
Independent and community living initiatives

Most grants are one‑off, though the Trustees consider multi‑year support where new projects show strong progress.

The Fund is open to organisations registered with the charity commission.

You can apply for Small Grants at any time (applications considered monthly). The Fund’s next deadline for General Grants is 31st December.

Tel: 01582 439225

Email: info@bailythomas.org.uk

British Science Association - British Science Week: Curiosity Grants

The British Science Association is offering £600 Curiosity Grants to help schools involve young people aged 5 to 19 in research and innovation. The fund aims to support schools in challenging circumstances and help them build research and innovation into everyday learning.

Schools can use the funding to connect students with researchers, develop research skills, explore STEM careers or build links with industry and higher education. Grants can cover essential equipment and materials, travel, staff cover, modest honorariums for visiting researchers or industry mentors, staff training and CREST Award application fees. Schools must complete activities by 31 July 2027.

The fund is open to state-funded schools, colleges and registered alternative provision settings.

Applicants must also meet at least one of the fund’s additional eligibility criteria relating to pupil demographics, economic deprivation or rural location.

The deadline for applications is 4 November 2026.

Cash4Clubs- sport and physical activity for adults facing barriers to participation

Cash4Clubs supports community and voluntary sports groups that use sport to achieve a wider social purpose for adults aged 18 and over.

The fund prioritises groups that:

Work in areas of high deprivation
Increase access to sport for adults from under-represented groups
Encourage adults who do not usually take part in sport
Use sport to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation or address wider community issues

Cash4Clubs provides unrestricted grants of £2,000. Funding can support:

Venue hire and utilities
Coaching and volunteer expenses
Equipment and kit
Marketing and communications
Training and qualifications
Insurance and affiliations

The fund is open to not-for-profit organisations, including charities, community groups and traditional sports clubs. They must use sport for wider social purposes and aim to increase participation among adults from under-represented groups.

The fund is due to reopen on 1 October 2026. The deadline is 1 January 2027.

Childwick Trust- Healthcare Grants

The Childwick Trust supports registered charities working for the benefit of people in the South and South East of England, including Sussex.

The Trust has a strong emphasis on charities providing care and support for people, prioritising adults:

Experiencing mental health issues
With learning or physical disabilities
With a serious illness

It also supports charities working with:

People who are terminally ill
Older people
Veterans

The Trust’s Healthcare grants typically range from £5,000 to £20,000. Funding can support specialist equipment, respite care, education and core costs.

The Trust may also contribute towards some building and refurbishment costs once an appeal has secured at least half of its total budget.

The Trust’s next application round runs from 1 to 31 October 2026.

Email: kirsty@childwicktrust.org

Comic Relief Community Fund

The Comic Relief Community Fund supports grassroots, community-led organisations that draw on local knowledge and lived experience to create change in their communities.

The fund supports projects that:

Meet basic needs, including food, essential goods, homelessness support, welfare advice and community hubs
Help children up to the age of eight grow, play and learn in safe environments
Prevent violence against women and girls or support refugees, asylum seekers and people affected by forced migration

Comic Relief offers grants of up to £5,000. Organisations can use the funding for project or core costs, including staff wages, rent, energy bills, training, venue hire, activity staff, volunteer co-ordinators and outreach workers.

The fund is open to small voluntary and community organisations (annual incomes of £250,000 or less).

This includes constituted groups, charities, social enterprises, Community Interest Companies (CICs) and not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee. Please note, CIC’s must have been running for a minimum of two years.

Applicants must complete Groundwork’s online Eligibility Checker. Groundwork will give eligible organisations a link to the application form.

The deadline is 30 September 2026 at 5pm.

Tel: 0121 237 5800

Email: comicrelief@groundwork.org.uk

Community Radio Fund

The Community Radio Fund supports the core work and equipment needed to run community radio stations licensed by Ofcom and currently broadcasting.

The fund offers two grant streams:

Equipment grants of up to £2,000 for studio and transmission equipment, software and equipment that improves accessibility. These grants are for analogue community radio services that have broadcast for at least ten years
Sustainability grants of up to £100,000 for station management, fundraising, administration, financial management, community outreach and volunteer support. Analogue and Community Digital Sound Programme stations can apply, and Ofcom may consider funding for up to three years.

The deadline for applications is 14 October 2026.

Email: communityradiofund@ofcom.org.uk

The Football Association Faith and Football Fund – imminent deadline

The FA Faith and Football Fund supports local projects that use football to increase participation, engagement and inclusion within faith communities.

The Fund offers grants of up to £5,000. Funding can cover programme staff, coaching and delivery costs, equipment, venue hire, participant engagement, communications and training.

It can support new or existing projects that:

Involve communities that are under-represented or less active in football
Remove barriers to participation
Create opportunities for children, young people or adults
Use sport to achieve wider social outcomes
Strengthen inclusive local provision
Develop activity that can continue beyond the funding period

This fund is open to community organisations, clubs, charities, local authorities, voluntary organisations and other eligible partners with a track record of delivering community, social or sports projects. Organisations can also apply in partnership.

Applicants can download the guidelines and application form from the FA website. They must email the completed form by 3pm on 25 September 2026.

Email: Faith@TheFA.com

Gardening With Disabilities Trust

The Gardening with Disabilities Trust provides small grants to help people with physical or mental disabilities return to gardening.

Grants can fund:

Raised beds, polytunnels and greenhouses
Tools, plants, shrubs and compost
Planting tables and handrails
Paving, wheelchair access and other small garden adaptations

The Trust does not set a minimum or maximum grant, but awards are usually worth hundreds of pounds rather than thousands. It normally pays suppliers after they complete the work or provides vouchers for a retailer near the applicant.

The fund is open to individuals and groups supporting people who need to adapt a garden because of a physical or mental disability or other health issue. The Trust gives preference to keen gardeners who can no longer garden because of a physical disability. Applicants must join its free Garden Club.

Please note, grants are not available for children or for general garden maintenance and clearance.

Applicants must apply through the Trust’s grants webpage and provide supporting documents, such as quotes and a letter from a GP or health professional.

Apply anytime.

Email: info@gardeningwithdisabilitiestrust.org.uk

Henry Smith Foundation - Holiday Grants for Children

The Henry Smith Foundation offers grants of £500 to £3,000 towards one-off recreational day trips or residential trips of up to seven days for children aged 13 and under.

Trips should provide fun and new experiences that the children would not otherwise have.

The Foundation prioritises trips for children experiencing disadvantage or disability in areas within the bottom 20% of the National Indices of Deprivation. It applies greater flexibility to the deprivation requirement for groups of children with disabilities.

The Foundation accepts applications from schools, youth groups and not-for-profit organisations. Non-school applicants must have annual income or expenditure below £2 million. Please note, organisations whose main activity is providing holidays or trips for children cannot apply.

The current round supports trips taking place from 1 October to 31 December 2026. The Foundation awards grants on a first come, first served basis until it allocates all available funding.

Applicants must apply at least six weeks before the trip and start by completing the Foundation’s online eligibility quiz.

The deadline is 19 November 2026.

Tel: 020 7264 4970

JJ Charitable Trust - Literacy Small Grants Scheme

The JJ Charitable Trust supports work that directly helps children and young people aged 5 to 18 develop foundational literacy skills.

It focuses on children with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, and those at risk of exclusion from society and employment.

Projects must support at least 50% children with learning difficulties or who have disengaged from learning. The Trust prioritises work involving volunteers and reading mentors, creative approaches that build confidence, and projects supporting young people through key transitions, such as moving to secondary school, college or work.

You don’t need to have a new literacy project specific for the grant – you can apply for funding for your existing literacy work.

Organisations can apply for £5,000 to £20,000 over one, two or three years.

The scheme is open to registered charities, , Charitable Incorporated Organisations and Community Interest Companies. The Trust prioritises organisations with annual income below £1 million.

Applications remain open throughout the year. The next cut-off is 1 October 2026, with decisions communicated within eight weeks.

Tel: 020 7410 0330

Email: info@sfct.org.uk

The LGBT+ Fund - Get Active

The Get Active Fund supports LGBT+ led organisations that help LGBT+ communities take part in sport and physical activity.

It prioritises grassroots organisations working with people who face additional barriers to participation. Examples of activities include hiking, skateboarding, football, ballroom and vogue, gardening, frisbee, dance and circus skills.

Grants range from:

£5,000 to £25,000 for one year
£10,000 to £50,000 over two years

Organisations can use grants for activities, venue hire, refreshments, volunteer expenses, kit, equipment and accessibility measures. Funding can also cover coaching qualifications and running costs, including salaries, rent, utilities, administration and training.

The Fund prioritises organisations operating in areas with limited provision for LGBT+ communities, including rural and remote areas.

The Fund is open to LGBT+ led non-profit groups and organisations that have been running for at least six months and regularly deliver sport or physical activity.

The deadline is 4 November 2026.

Email: giving@consortium.lgbt

Linnean Society – Our Local Nature Grants

The Linnean Society offers grants across the UK for projects that help young people aged 16 and under explore local natural spaces and understand local biodiversity.

Young people should help design the projects and ideally lead them.

Projects could include:

Creating a nature walk
Building or restoring a community garden
Running a school nature festival
Producing a mural about local biodiversity
Inviting a speaker to discuss local foraging

The Society offers grants of up to £1,000 to cover materials, room hire, publicity, speakers, trainers, freelancers, project-specific staff costs, audio-visual hire, volunteer expenses and transport.

These grants are available to individuals and organisations who are linked with a group of young people anywhere in the UK.

The fund is open to organisations linked to schools or community organisations that work directly with young people. This includes school staff, student groups, home education groups, community groups and small charities.

The deadline for applications is 25 October 2026.

Email: learning@linnean.org

Linder Foundation - Early intervention projects for young people

The Linder Foundation supports charities working with vulnerable young people aged 12 to 24 who have experienced adverse childhood experiences or childhood trauma.

It funds early intervention and rehabilitation projects that aim to prevent reoffending or divert young people from the youth or criminal justice system.

The Foundation prioritises projects that:

Support young people in the community, in custody or after release
Support looked-after children and children in care
Have the potential to grow or be replicated elsewhere

The Foundation does not set a minimum or maximum grant, but the average award is £15,000. The grant should cover at least 50% of the total project cost and can support a range of project costs. The Foundation does not fund running costs.

Linder accepts applications from registered and exempt charities. Most young people supported by the project must have experienced adverse childhood experiences or childhood trauma.

Applicants should complete the online eligibility checker on the Linder Foundation website. Suitable applicants can then submit an expression of interest. The Foundation then invites successful organisations to make a full application.

Applications can be made at any time. The Trustees meet three times a year, in March, July and October

Email: admin@thelinderfoundation.org.uk

Nuffield Foundation Essential Employment Skills Fund – Evaluating What Helps Young People into Work

The Nuffield Foundation supports partnerships to evaluate how programmes help young people aged 16 to 24 overcome significant barriers to work, develop essential employment skills and access good jobs.

This fund focuses on young people who may have low qualifications, experience of school absence or exclusion, SEND, mental health difficulties, care experience or caring responsibilities. It can also support work in areas with higher youth unemployment.

The Foundation offers grants of up to £500,000 to fund evaluation, sharing of learning and development of evidence that could help effective practice grow. The Foundation is also interested in projects that improve ways to measure essential employment skills.

This fund is for established partnerships between frontline organisations and independent evaluators. Partnerships may involve employers, educators, charities, researchers and local government.

Applicants must submit an outline application through the Nuffield Foundation website.

The Foundation will invite shortlisted applicants to submit a full application in spring 2027.

The deadline for outline applications is 10 December 2026.

Email: info@nuffieldfoundation.org

Pearce Foundation 2027 applications are now open: grants and tailored support for early-stage Sussex organisations

The Pearce Foundation is inviting small, early-stage charities, CICs and not-for-profit social enterprises working in Sussex to apply to become a Pearce Foundation Partner, starting in February 2027.

The Foundation’s More Than Money approach combines a grant of up to £2,000 with nine months of tailored support, helping leaders step back, reflect and focus on what matters most for them and their organisations.

Alongside regular 1-to-1 check-ins, Partners can access Skill-Sharers, peer support and practical tools and resources to help them lead with confidence and build stronger organisational foundations.

To be eligible, organisations must:

Have been operating for two years or less
Have an annual income under £50,000
Be based in Sussex

You can find their eligibility criteria and support details available on their Useful Information page, or visit Apply Now.

Not sure if the programme is right for you? Book a friendly 15-minute call with Jane, the Founder, by emailing jane@pearcefoundation.org.uk.

Applications close 15 November 2026.

Sea-Changers Grant Programme

Sea-Changers supports grassroots projects that involve local communities in protecting the UK’s coastal and marine environment.

Projects can:

Address the root causes of marine conservation threats and challenges
Prevent or reduce harm to coastal and marine environments or species
Add to knowledge about marine conservation threats and challenges

The programme offers:

Small Grants of up to £500
Main Grants of £500 to £2,500

The Programme is open to marine conservation charities and other not-for-profit organisations, including schools.

The Small Grants Programme accepts applications throughout the year. The next Main Grants deadline are 30 September 2026 and 31 March 2027.

Tel: 0300 102 0151

Email: info@sea-changers.org.uk

School for Social Entrepreneurs - DPS Social Commitment Programme

The DPS Social Commitment Programme is offering grants and specialist support to charities and social enterprises tackling homelessness and housing insecurity.

The Programme provides the following:

Activate Grants up to £7,000 for early-stage organisations that have started delivering work and plan to grow
Scale Grants up to £10,000 for established organisations that are ready to expand and are likely to have an annual income above £100,000

Both programmes offer tailored learning, peer support and links to further income opportunities. Grants can cover project costs, equipment, improvements to systems and staff salaries.

This Programme is open to charities and social enterprises that help people access or sustain a home, including some work in the private rented sector, or reduce homelessness and rough sleeping.

It particularly welcomes applications from organisations led by and for Black and racially minoritised communities, deaf and disabled people, women, LGBTQ+ communities, and those in economically disadvantaged areas.

The deadline for both programmes is 16 November 2026.

Email: thedps.scp@sse.org.uk

Tesco Fruit and Veg Grants

Tesco’s Fruit and Veg Grants Programme offers extra help to schools to provide healthy food and activities to boost young people's mental and physical wellbeing.

It welcomes applications focused on providing food for pupils, children, and young people, such as fruit for breakfast clubs, meals at sports or holiday clubs, or healthy snacks.

Customers in Tesco stores vote on which of three local projects they wish to support.

The customer vote determines the amount of money a project receives:

Grants of up to £1,500 for the project with the most votes
Grants of up to £1,000 for the second most votes
Grants of up to £500 for the third most votes.

Projects are shortlisted every four months.

The Fund is open to schools and PTAs. Other community organisations such as registered charities and not-for-profit organisations that support children, young people and families are welcome to apply, however, please be aware the priority is projects working in schools and organisations supporting children and young people nominated by Tesco staff.

This is a rolling programme, and applications can be made at any time.

Please note it can take between 12 to 18 months for groups to hear whether their project has been shortlisted to go to the public vote.

Email: tescogrants@groundwork.org.uk

Weaver's Company Benevolent Fund - employment and criminal justice

The Weavers’ Company Benevolent Fund supports charities working with offenders and ex-offenders build the skills and capabilities they need to move into sustainable work.

It also funds projects helping 16 to 25-year-olds involved in the criminal justice system fulfil their potential and participate fully in society.

The Fund particularly welcomes new and innovative projects that could provide a model for work elsewhere.

It offers:

Small grants of up to £5,000
Main grants with no maximum amount

Grants normally cover one year and can support project or core costs, including staff salaries, training and overheads.

The Fund welcomes applications from registered charities and Charitable Incorporated Organisations.

The next deadlines are 12 November 2026, for consideration in February 2027, and midday on 11 March 2027, for consideration in June 2027

Tel: 020 7606 1155

Email: weavers@weavers.org.uk

Wildlife Trusts - Green Community Grants Programme

The Green Community Grants Programme supports projects that improve nature for local communities.

To qualify to apply, organisations must have operated for at least 12 months and focus their main aims and objectives on at least one of the programme’s two themes:

Contributing to nature recovery and responding to the climate emergency
Improving nature-rich spaces and access to them

While organisations must align their aims with one of these themes, they can use the funding for wider sustainable activities, including recycling, litter picking, beach cleans and sustainable transport.

The programme provides flexible grants of up to £25,000 for one year. Please note: organisations cannot request more than 25% of their annual income.

The programme gives priority to organisations:

With an annual income between £10,000 and £250,000
Working in communities within the most deprived 15% of areas
Mainly supporting marginalised groups, including disabled people, communities experiencing racial inequity and LGBT+ people
Whose governing purpose includes protecting or restoring habitats or species

The programme accepts applications from registered charities and other not-for-profit groups with an annual income between £10,000 and £1 million.

The next round opens on 30 September 2026 and closes on 21 October 2026. Applicants can download the guidance when the application window opens.

Tel: 01636 670000.

Email: greencommunitygrants@wildlifetrusts.org

Worshipful Company of Information Technologists (WCIT) Charity

WCIT supports charities developing new ways to use technology to improve education and inclusion, build digital skills, increase accessibility or work more effectively.

It particularly welcomes innovative projects involving AI, data and analytics, robotics, digital skills or accessibility technology.

Grants range from £5,000 to £15,000 and can cover most or all of a project. A WCIT Charity grant must represent at least 25% of the overall project budget.

Please note: WCIT Charity does not fund websites, off-the-shelf hardware or software, consultancy fees, core running costs or existing services.

The Fund accepts applications from registered charities that have operated for at least one year. Both their annual income and unrestricted reserves must be below £1 million.

The current round closes on November 3 (or sooner if they reach their cap of 50). The Fund will reopen again every three months.

Email: charity@wcit.org.uk