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This week's Funding Bulletin (April 7th - April 10th 2026)

A short summary of funding opportunities that have come to our attention this week.


General Funding Opportunities

Baily Thomas General Grants Programme


UK charities, voluntary organisations, and schools can apply for grants to support children and adults with severe learning difficulties, including autism.


The funding is made available through the Baily Thomas General grants programme and can be used to purchase equipment, support capital works, and cover project and core costs.


Previous grants have been used to support:

  • Capital building/renovation/refurbishment 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

  • Snoezelen rooms


Parent Teacher Associations, Community Benefit Societies and other exempt charities can also apply. The Fund does not currently accept applications from Community Interest Companies.


There are two funding programmes. The main programme for grants of £5,000 or more, and a small grants programme for appeals below £5,000.


Current deadline: 31st August 2026



Biffa's Partnership Grants Scheme


Biffa Award, a UK wide funding initiative under the Landfill Communities Fund, has announced the opening of its 2026 Partnership Grants Scheme, aiming to support projects that enhance community facilities and protect the natural environment.


Eligible organisations can apply for grants ranging from £250,000 to £1 million.


The scheme focuses on two primary themes:

  • Built Environment projects, which aim to restore, modernise, and improve facilities such as cultural, heritage, or visitor centres of regional or national significance, ensuring they are inclusive and inspire creativity among visitors

  • Natural Environment projects, which aim to support biodiversity by protecting and restoring species and habitats, aligning with commitments outlined in national Environmental Improvement Plans and Local Nature Recovery Strategies.


Eligible applicants include fully constituted charitable or not-for-profit organisations without share capital. To qualify, projects must be within 25 miles of a significant Biffa operation or active Biffa landfill site, and within 10 miles of a licensed landfill site.


Applicants are required to secure a Third Party Contributor to fund 10% of the application value and ensure all additional funding is in place.


Projects must commence February/May 2027, complete within a year, and provide at least 104 days of public access annually.


Current deadline: 29th May 2026



The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust


The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust is offering £5,000 grants through Round 2 of its 2026 programme for charities working with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The trust is a UK grant-maker that supports charitable projects focused on groups it considers to be most in need.


This round is aimed at organisations delivering life skills support, with examples including food education, healthy living and budgeting. Priority will be given to projects supporting people leaving the armed forces, prison or care. Funding is intended for project activity rather than unrestricted organisational spending, and staff salaries will only be considered where staff are specifically employed for the project.


Applications are open to UK-registered charities and exempt charities based in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Community interest companies and other non-profit organisations are not eligible, and the trust will consider only one application per charity.


To apply for Round 2, charities must have a minimum operating income of £1 million and minimum operating expenditure of £1 million, with no upper limit stated.


Current deadline: 30th April 2026



The ASDA Foundation's Local Community Spaces Fund


The Asda Foundation has launched its 2026 Local Community Spaces Fund, offering grants of between £10,000 and £20,000 to UK-based charities and not-for-profit organisations that manage community spaces.


The initiative aims to help community organisations repair, maintain and improve community venues that encourage social interaction and deliver vital local services. This includes youth clubs, village halls, community cafés, food banks, and homeless shelters.


Over £1 million has been allocated to the fund, with around 70 projects expected to receive support.


Eligible projects may include:

  • Kitchen and bathroom refurbishments

  • Roof and floor repairs

  • Disabled access ramps to a community building

  • Boilers and heating

  • Upgrades and replacements to windows and doors

  • Essential building security upgrades

  • Wallpaper, flooring


Outdoor community spaces which are maintained by the applicant group must be open all year round and used by a range of groups

Applications are accepted from registered charities or CICs with an annual income of between £40,000 and £400,000.


Current deadline: 28th April 2026




The Grocers' Charity's Open Grants Programme


Grants of up to £5,000 are available to UK-registered charities working to reduce disadvantage and improve the quality of life for vulnerable people.


The funding is provided by the Grocers’ Charity through its Open Grants Programme, which supports projects that provide practical support and create lasting benefits for communities.


Funding priorities include:

  • Relief of hardship – including homelessness support, domestic abuse services and work in deprived communities

  • Children and young people – building confidence, skills and wellbeing

  • Older people – reducing isolation and supporting independent living

  • Disability and inclusion – tackling barriers and supporting participation

  • Health – including equipment, wellbeing support and medical research

  • Military – support for veterans and their families

  • Arts and heritage – widening access and preserving culture

  • Environment and conservation – protecting habitats and tackling climate change


Applications are assessed through a two-stage process, beginning with an initial enquiry followed by a full application for shortlisted organisations.


Current deadline: 1st September 2026



SPAR's Community Cashback Scheme


Convenience retailer SPAR is inviting applications for its Community Cashback Scheme, which awards grants to voluntary or community organisations, schools and charities which make a difference within their local area.


The scheme allows shoppers across the UK to apply for a grant of up to £10,000 for an organisation or charity they feel deserves funding.


Applicants will need to share the exceptional contribution a local organisation has made to their community and what the grant would be put towards.


Seven organisations were awarded funding in 2025. A total of £20,000 is available in this round.


Current deadline: 13th May 2026



Calisen Impact Trust


UK-registered charities can apply for grants to support projects that improve the environment, help local communities, or promote wellbeing.


The grants are provided by the Calisen Impact Charitable Trust, which funds projects that contribute to one or more of the following goals:

  • Helping the UK meet its climate targets

  • Moving towards net zero emissions

  • Building a more sustainable energy system

  • Promoting inclusion and creating safe, diverse learning and working environments

  • Supporting local economic and social growth, especially in areas where Calisen operates (mainly in the North West and across the UK)


Previously funded projects include

  • Eco-Schools, which helps schools achieve Green Flag accreditation while engaging pupils in topics such as biodiversity and energy.

  • Manchester Youth Zone, where funding supported free nutritious meals for young people in Harpurhey.

  • Wigan Youth Zone, where the Trust backed targeted youth work, including support groups for vulnerable young people and LGBTQ+ members.


There is no set total fund value or maximum grant amount.


Current deadline: 30th June 2026



Caremark's Community Care Fund


Home care provider Caremark has launched new funding to support local projects that make a positive difference to people’s lives.


Three grants of £3,000 will be awarded to projects that create a meaningful, lasting impact.


This could include:

  • Equipment for inclusive sports or activity groups

  • Revamping a village hall or community centre

  • Supplies for a community garden or green space

  • Equipment for food banks, community larders or support services

  • Brightening up a charity or community group’s space

  • New equipment for a pre-school or playground


The competition is open to charities, community groups, schools, pre-schools, and community-run or local authority-run projects.


Twelve projects will be shortlisted from each of Caremark’s 12 UK regions. The finalists will be put forward to a public vote, with the three receiving the most votes each awarded a grant.


Current deadline: 31st May 2026



Comic Relief's A Place to Belong Programme


Comic Relief, in partnership with Omaze, has announced A Place to Belong: Every Step of the Way, a new UK grants programme supporting work on youth homelessness and racial justice in homelessness. The programme builds on earlier youth homelessness funding and aims to address both immediate need and structural inequity in housing.


Two pathways are open to UK organisations with annual income between £200,000 and £10 million:

  • Service Delivery Pathway – a £2.8 million programme offering core-flexible funding of up to £200,000 over 3 to 5 years for organisations supporting 16 to 25-year-olds at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Eligible applicants must work in specified English regions, and funding is intended for holistic, inclusive frontline support, including salaries and office costs

  • Systemic Change Pathway – a £1 million programme offering core-flexible funding of up to £450,000 over 3 to 7 years for organisations advancing policy change and challenging structural racism in housing and homelessness across the UK


Applications start with an online eligibility questionnaire, followed by a full application if eligible; shortlisted applicants will be invited to an assessment meeting.


Current deadline: 30th April 2026



Our past Funding Bulletins will also have grant opportunities that are still open!



Need support applying to any of the above? Get in touch with us at groups@wcvs.org.uk to access bespoke advice and one-to-one support with grant funding.



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