This week's Funding Bulletin (August 17th - August 21st 2026)

Eloise Hall
17 hours ago
5 min read

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

Sunrise Moments Community Fund

Mobility equipment manufacturer Sunrise Medical has launched a £5,000 community fund to help wheelchair users and disabled people across the UK enjoy greater independence, inclusion and opportunity.

The Sunrise Moments Community Fund supports projects and experiences that remove practical and financial barriers often faced by people with mobility challenges.

Funding can be used for a range of activities, including:

Disability sports clubs, such as wheelchair basketball, rugby or tennis
Accessible community events and activities
Specialist mobility equipment
Accessible days out and experiences
Personal challenges
Local projects improving accessibility and inclusion

The fund is open to individuals, families, community groups, charities, disability organisations and sports clubs. Nominations can also be made for a person or organisation that could benefit from support.

Applications are recommended to be no more than £100 per person and £500 per group.

Applicants must complete an online form explaining what they are planning and how the funding would help. Decisions will be based on the potential impact the funding could have on an applicant's quality of life.

Current deadline: 30th September 2026

Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation's Small Change Big Difference Fund

Members and colleagues of the Yorkshire Building Society can nominate UK Charities to apply to the Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation's Small Change Big Difference Fund. The Foundation aims to help alleviate poverty, improve health, and save lives.

Once nominated, organisations can apply for grants of up to £2,500 to support initiatives that benefit vulnerable groups in the UK, including children, the seriously ill, the elderly, the homeless, and people with disabilities.

Funding can be used for projects or items that make a positive difference, such as sensory toys for children with special needs, social activities for the elderly, or staff training for programme delivery. Priority will be given to organisations with an annual income under £100,000 and those supporting marginalised communities.

To access the funding charities should consider encouraging supporters who are members or colleagues of the Yorkshire Building Society to consider nominating them to access potential funding opportunities.

Current deadline: 30th September 2026

The Souter Charitable Trust

The Souter Charitable Trust invites applications from UK-registered charities that work to reduce hardship and improve people’s lives in the UK and overseas. The Trust particularly supports organisations guided by Christian values, although charities without a Christian focus are also welcome to apply.

The Trust works with organisations that share its values and aims to support people and communities who are vulnerable or lack access to support. Funding is intended to help charities provide practical help and improve both physical and spiritual wellbeing.

There is no fixed minimum or maximum grant amount, but most awards range from £1,000 to £3,000. The Trust has supported a wide range of projects, including malaria prevention programmes and the provision of daily school meals for children in Africa.

Grants are limited to UK-registered charities. Because of UK legal requirements, the Trustees cannot fund overseas organisations directly, as they are not able to carry out the required checks.

Current deadline: 24th September 2026

To read more: The Souter Charitable Trust

Charles Hayward Foundation's Main Grants Programme

UK registered charities working in the areas of Social and Criminal Justice can apply for funding to deliver projects that prevent people from entering the criminal justice system and to support those already in it to rebuild their lives.

Funding is being provided through the Charles Hayward Foundation’s Main Grants Programme, which supports projects over one to three years with grants ranging from £15,000 to £25,000 per annum.

The Foundation will fund projects in the following categories:

Targeted early intervention programmes aimed at reaching the most troubled and vulnerable families in a community
Tailored preventative and diversionary projects for young people at risk of offending, including interventions identifying and addressing the particular needs of girls and young women
Programmes combining prison-based and community interventions dealing with the rehabilitation of offenders, accommodation and support on release, maintaining family relationships, mentoring, and creating pathways to employment
Schemes offering viable alternatives to custody, in particular for women and young people
Programmes of support that alleviate the consequences of domestic abuse

Charities with an annual income of between £350,000 and £4 million are eligible to apply.

Current deadline: 18th September 2026

The Henry Smith Foundation

Schools, youth groups, not-for-profit organisations, and charities can apply for grants of £500 to £3,000 to support recreational trips or holidays within the UK for groups of disabled or disadvantaged children (aged 13 or under).

Applications from the 20% most deprived areas in the UK will receive priority. Funded by the Henry Smith Charity, grants can cover up to two-thirds of the cost of a holiday or trip lasting one to seven days.

Previous visits supported include:

All Saints Catholic Primary School received a grant of £1,500 towards a two-night trip to Wales for a group of disadvantaged children from Merseyside
Bridgewater School, which received a grant of £1,900 towards an overnight trip to London for a group of disadvantaged children from Newcastle
6th St Helens (Parr) Scout Group received a grant of £1,100 towards a two-night trip to an activity centre in Lancashire for a group of children from a disadvantaged area of Merseyside

Current deadline: 19th November 2026

To read more: The Henry Smith Foundation

Edge Fund's 2026 Roots Fund

The Edge Fund has announced that its 2026 Roots Fund is now open for applications.

The Edge Fund is a grantmaker supporting grassroots groups working for social, economic and environmental justice.

The fund will distribute £40,000 to grassroots organisations in the UK and Ireland opposing the far right, Islamophobia, Afrophobia, racial injustice and the legacies of colonial violence. Decisions will be made by a Funding Working Group made up of six grassroots groups. The average grant awarded is £1,000.

Eligible groups must be non-profit organisations, including unregistered groups, with work led by the communities directly affected. Edge Fund prioritises groups that struggle to access mainstream funding. It does not fund individuals, commercial activity, political parties, groups with annual income over £20,000, or groups formed within the last six months.

Current deadline: 31st August 2026

To read more: Edge Fund

RNIB's Technology Grants Programme

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has announced that its Technology Grants programme is open for applications. The grants are available to blind and partially sighted people who need support to access useful technology that can help them live independently. RNIB is a UK charity supporting people affected by sight loss through advice, services, campaigning and practical support.

Grants are available to UK residents who are registered as blind or partially sighted, receive an eligible means-tested benefit, have savings of less than £6,000, have been refused local authority funding for the item needed, and have not received an RNIB grant in the last three years.

Funding can be used towards specific accessible technology, including:

Accessible smartphones, tablets and e-readers, up to £400
Computer accessibility software, braille displays, notetakers and video magnifiers, up to £500
DAISY players, smart home devices, wearable technology, talking watches, accessible kitchen equipment and RNIB Penfriend labelling devices

Applications are accepted at any time by online form, post or email, and must be supported by a professional who knows the applicant’s circumstances. RNIB says complete applications can usually be decided within a week.

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

Check our 'Funding' tab on our News page to see other funding opportunities you could be eligible for.

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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