This week's Funding Bulletin (August 4th - August 8th 2025)

lewishallwcvs
4 days ago
6 min read

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

Wirral CVS' Small Grants Programme

Wirral CVS has £100,000 of funding from Wirral Council Public Health to provide small grants up to £5,000, with the majority of grants expected to be under £3,000.

We will be looking to fund activities that:

- Improve physical and mental wellbeing

- Reduce health inequalities

- Promotes preventative health

- Enhance social inclusion and community resilience

- Increase access to health and wellbeing activities

- Improve self-management of health conditions

- Empower communities to take charge of their wellbeing.

Eligibility:

- Organisations based and operating in Wirral

- Income under £10k in the last year

- Charities, Social Enterprises or other Community Groups that have a Governing Document (Set of Rules)

- A bank account in the organisation's name and at least two unrelated signatories, or agreement from an appropriate organisation to hold the funds on your behalf

To apply: Wirral Small Grants

Household Support Fund Small Grants Programme

Grants of up to £20,000 will enable community-based food and welfare support groups to provide food and essential items, support and skills to those most in need in their local communities. The application process will be through Wirral CVS.

Unlike previous years there will only be one funding round to cover Summer and Winter.

To apply: Household Support Fund

The Ford Britain Trust

Registered charities, not-for-profit organisations, and schools/PTAs can apply for grants of up to £3,000 for projects that are of benefit to their local community.

The funding is to support a range of projects focusing education, environment, children, the disabled, youth activities and projects that provide clear benefits to the local communities.

Applications will be considered from all UK locations. However, organisations based in Essex (including East London), Bridgend )including South Wales), Southampton, Daventry, Manchester and Liverpool - areas close to Ford locations – will be given priority.

Funding will support capital projects such as refurbishments or expenditure on items such as furniture, equipment or computers.

There are two types of grants to apply for:

Small grants of up to £250. Small grants application are currently open and will close on 31 October 2025.
Large grants for amounts over £250 and up to a maximum of £3000. The large grants programme is currently open and will close on 1st March 2026.

To read more: The Ford Britain Trust | Ford UK

The Anchor Foundation

The Anchor Foundation grants up to £12,000 per year to Christian Charities in the UK or overseas that encourage social inclusion through ministries of healing and the arts. Funding can be awarded for up to three years.

The Foundation will consider applications for either capital or revenue funding. Only in exceptional circumstances will grants be given for building work.

Previously funded projects include:

The Karis Neighbour Scheme which received a grant of £700 for revenue costs at a drop-in centre for women refugees in Birmingham.
Discovery Camps which received a grant of £1,500 to subsidise holidays for children arranged by churches in and around Dundee.
Scargill House which received a grant of £5,000 to facilitate cross cultural engagement and understanding amongst children using arts based residential courses in Yorkshire.

Current deadline: 31st January 2026

To read more: The Anchor Foundation

The Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust

Charities registered in the UK that work to provide sanctuary, rehoming, and rehabilitation for animals both domestically and/or internationally are invited to apply for grants of up to £10,000.

Organisations involved with wildlife conservation, the rescue, rehabilitation and (where possible) release of animals are also eligible to apply.

The funding can be used for general running costs or capital purchases and welcomes repeat applications from charities, subject to funding availability.

Preference is given to smaller animal welfare charities.

Current deadline: 1st December 2025

To read more: Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust

The Bailey Thomas general grants programme

UK charities, parent-teacher Associations and schools can apply for grants to help children and adults suffering severe learning difficulties, including autism.

The funding is being 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

The Fund does not currently accept appeals from Community Interest Companies.

Current deadline: 1st December 2025

Consortium's LGBT+ Youth Advocacy Fund

The Consortium for LGBT+ Voluntary and Community Organisations, with funding from the Henry Smith Foundation, has launched the Youth Advocacy Fund, offering grants of £10,000 to £50,000 to support LGBT+ youth-led organisations across the UK. A total of £500,000 is available in this round.

The fund is aimed at non-profit, user-led groups that are led by and for LGBT+ people and work directly with LGBT+ young people, typically aged 14 to 25. It is designed to strengthen the voice, leadership, and independence of LGBT+ youth by supporting projects that build capacity, promote rights, and increase community impact.

Funded activity should focus on enhancing young people’s confidence, leadership, and ability to influence change in their communities. Projects may include youth-led advocacy, peer support, local campaigns, and initiatives to reduce isolation or improve access to services.

Applications are accepted from across the UK, and shortlisted organisations will be invited to submit full proposals. The Consortium encourages smaller, grassroots groups to apply and offers additional support to those unfamiliar with funding processes.

Organisations interested in applying should visit the Consortium’s website for eligibility criteria and application guidance.

Current deadline: 27th August 2025

To read more: LGBT+ Fund: Youth Advocacy Fund

The National Lottery Community Fund's Million Hours Fund

The National Lottery Community Fund, in partnership with the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), has launched Phase 3 of the Million Hours Fund, offering grants of £30,000 to £100,000 to expand open-access youth work in areas of England with high levels of antisocial behaviour.

This £19 million programme aims to deliver an additional one million hours of supervised youth activities for young people aged 10–18 (or up to 25 for those with special educational needs or disabilities). The goal is to engage those at risk of antisocial behaviour in structured, inclusive environments that promote wellbeing, safety, and personal development.

Examples of Open-Access Youth Work:

Drop-in youth clubs
After-school creative or sports sessions
Safe spaces for discussion or peer support
Street-based or outreach youth engagement

Funded activities must support young people to:

Improve emotional wellbeing
Develop practical and life skills
Feel safer and form trusted relationships with adults

Projects must take place in eligible wards identified through police data and be delivered by trusted adults, such as qualified youth workers or trained volunteers.

Eligible applicants include charities, CICs, CIOs, schools, local authorities and community partnerships. Projects must be youth-led, inclusive and demonstrate measurable impact.

The funding can be used for:

Staff salaries to deliver this work
Volunteer costs to deliver this work
Training costs
Other direct costs to deliver youth work, like materials, equipment and food

Current deadline: 22nd October 2025

The Edgar E. Lawley Foundation

The Edgar E. Lawley Foundation has announced that its 2025–26 that its grants programme is open for applications.

UK-registered charities and not-for-profit organisations working in medicine, elderly care, disability, education and youth services are invited to apply.

The Foundation typically awards £1,500 to £2,000 per grant, with around £150,000–£200,000 distributed annually. Preference is given to smaller, community-focused charities making a tangible difference within the UK.

Funding is unrestricted but must be used for charitable purposes aligned with the Foundation’s priorities. Projects supporting health care, community wellbeing, arts education, or skills development in commerce and industry are all eligible.

Applications must be submitted via the Foundation’s online form—no additional documents are required. Successful applicants will be notified by mid-December 2025, with payments released before 31st March 2026.

Current deadline: 31st October 2025

To read more: Edgar E Lawley Foundation

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.