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This week's Funding Bulletin (December 1st -December 5th 2025)

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


Funding is available to small UK charities supporting vulnerable people facing hardship, distress, illness, or poverty.


The Wise Music Foundation offers grants of £500-£5,000, with an average award of £1,500.


Priority is given to projects that help:

  • Children

  • The homeless

  • The elderly

  • People with disabilities


The Foundation also supports a wider range of causes, including education, cultural activities, arts and heritage, health and disability support, overseas famine relief, food banks and other charitable initiatives.


Charities with an annual turnover of up to £500,000 are eligible to apply.


Current deadline: 28th February 2026



The Big Give's Arts for Impact Campaign


The Big Give, in partnership with Figurative Philanthropy for Arts & Culture, has opened a match funding campaign to support arts and culture charities working to create positive social change across the UK.


The funding will help organisations run their own seven-day online Arts for Impact match funding campaign in March 2026.


Charities can choose from two funding streams:

  • Raise up to £7,500 in public donations, matched 1:1

  • Raise up to £30,000 in public donations, matched through a pledge model (with up to £15,000 in Champion funds available)


The initiative supports projects that use arts and culture to improve health and wellbeing, education, mental health, social cohesion or welfare.


To be eligible, charities must have an annual income of at least £25,000. Funding can be used to support project or core costs. Capital projects will not be funded.


Current deadline: 17th December 2025



Sofronie Foundation


Charities and not-for-profit organisations can apply for funding to deliver educational and vocational projects that improve the lives of disadvantaged young people across the UK.


Funding is provided by the Sofronie Foundation to support programmes and initiatives that:

  • Increase access to higher education - educational programmes for young people that raise aspirations, build confidence, and develop skills in preparation for university

  • Increase access to vocational training - initiatives that provide young people with practical skills or offer opportunities of work experience in preparation for future employment

  • Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics - supports schemes that encourage and increase interest in STEM careers


Each year, the Foundation awards approximately £2 million in grants.


Funding can be used to cover all project delivery costs, including staffing. The Foundation does not indicate the minimum and maximum amount that can be applied for.



The Alliance for Youth Organising's Anchor Grants Programme


The Alliance for Youth Organising has launched the Anchor Grants programme, offering unrestricted, multi-year funding to empower organisations involved in youth organising across the UK.


The initiative aims to help groups strengthen, sustain, and expand their core work while widening access to youth organising.


Priority will be given to:

  • Youth-led organisations

  • Supporting organising in rural areas or small towns in England

  • Supporting organising led by young people from marginalised and minoritised communities

  • Supporting youth organising that strengthens international solidarity and learning from outside the UK (although funding is for UK-based organisations only)

  • Supporting organisations that engage young people who are new to organising


Successful applicants will receive grants of up to £40,000 per year for two years, plus an additional £5,000 to support learning and provide strategic insight to the Alliance to shape its future strategy.


Current deadline: 26th January 2026



The AB Charitable Trust's Open Programme


The 7stars Foundation is inviting applications for its latest round of grant funding. The grant programme is designed to support young people aged 18 years and under across the UK who are facing challenges related to:

  • Abuse

  • Addiction

  • Homelessness

  • Caring responsibilities


The fund is open to registered charities, council-run children’s homes, and schools with an annual turnover of less than £1.5 million. Eligible applicants must be supporting young people within the specified age group and priority areas. The beneficiaries of the funding are children and young people who are experiencing or at risk of abuse, addiction, homelessness, or who are young carers.


Grants are available in several streams:

  • Project Grants of up to £5,000 for registered charities, children’s homes or schools in England delivering projects that address the challenges above.

  • Shine Bright Long-Term Funding provides £60,000 over two years (£30,000 per year) to UK charities delivering ongoing support that targets the underlying causes of issues facing vulnerable children.

  • Social Impact Funding provides £10,000 over two years (£5,000 per year) for UK charities tackling broader issues such as exploitation, mental health and online abuse.

  • Direct grants of up to £500 are applied for by supporting professionals on behalf of individual young people in urgent need.

  • Fully funded apprenticeship training for UK organisations, covering all employer-related costs.


Fundable activities include projects that provide immediate and long-term support, address gaps in provision, and promote the welfare and potential of young people.


Current deadline: 1st February 2026



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 between £1,000 and £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.


This funding opportunity is provided by the Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust, which welcomes repeat applications from charities, subject to funding availability.


Preference is given to smaller animal welfare charities.


Current deadline: 1st 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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