This week's Funding Bulletin (February 2nd - February 6th 2026)
- eloisehallwcvs
- 11 minutes ago
- 6 min read
A short summary of funding opportunities that have came to our attention this week.
Wirral CVS Funding Opportunities
Step Up Resilience Fund
The Step Up Resilience Fund is designed to support VCFSE organisations to strengthen their resilience, sustainability and capacity, rather than to fund new service delivery.
This fund recognises the vital role that existing community organisations play in improving health and wellbeing across Wirral. To be eligible, organisations must be able to demonstrate how their current core activity contributes to one or more of the Wirral Health & Wellbeing Strategy Gamechangers, such as:
Employment
Early years
Violence reduction
Cardiovascular health
Fuel poverty
Funding can be used to invest in the systems, skills, governance, and planning that enable organisations to continue and strengthen the work they already do. This might include workforce development, governance improvements, digital systems or strategic planning.
Applicants do not need to design a new project. Instead, Wirral CVS is interested in understanding how your existing work aligns with public health priorities, and how organisational development support will help you deliver that work more effectively and sustainably over the long term.
Current deadline: 15th February 2026
Arts & Culture Fund
The Arts & Culture Fund is open to VCFSE organisations delivering arts and cultural activities that benefit Wirral communities. Grants of up to £5,000 are available.
This fund focuses on strengthening the sustainability and resilience of organisations working in the arts and culture sector, while also increasing volunteer engagement.
Funding can be used to:
Build organisational capacity, including governance, workforce development, financial planning, and digital skills
Support innovative approaches to income generation and long-term sustainability
Enhance the ability of organisations to respond to challenges and opportunities in the sector
Enable arts and culture organisations to adapt, grow, and secure their future
Eligible applicants include registered charities, CICs, CIOs and unincorporated associations with a governing document, provided they are delivering arts or cultural activity that benefits people and communities in Wirral.
Current deadline: 12th February 2026
General Funding Opportunities
Sasha Love Foundation
UK-based registered charities and grassroots organisations are invited to apply for funding from the Sasha Love Foundation.
The Foundation offers grants of up to £10,000 for projects supporting young people affected by depression, mental health challenges, and drug-related issues.
Funding is also available for overseas education and healthcare initiatives, with a particular focus on improving access to education for young women in developing countries.
Previously funded projects include the Liss NEET Project, which supports young people who are not in education employment or training, and Malaika Kids, which provides support for children and families in some of the poorest parts of Tanzania. Grants may cover up to 50% of total project costs.
Current deadline: 1st April 2026
To read more: The Sasha Foundation
The Charles Hayward Foundation
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: 22nd May 2026
To read more: Social & Criminal Justice - Charles Hayward Foundation
The Access Foundation's Digital Divide Grants Programme
Grants of between £15,000 and £50,000 are available to UK charities, CICs and other not-for-profit organisations working to tackle digital exclusion in their communities.
The Access Foundation’s Digital Divide Grants programme funds projects lasting up to twelve months that aim to improve digital access, skills and support for disadvantaged and vulnerable people.
The types of projects that can be funded include:
Digital skills training programmes for adults or young people with low digital confidence, such as IT basics, online safety, business tech skills, or essential digital qualifications.
Provision of technology and connectivity — funding to purchase laptops, tablets, mobile data SIMs or Wi-Fi access so people on low incomes can get online.
Outreach digital inclusion services, such as mobile IT training units or “travelling trainer” projects that bring support directly to visually impaired or disadvantaged adults.
Community digital hubs or digital suites where people can access computers, internet, training and support in one place.
Tailored programmes for specific groups — for example, digital confidence and job-ready skills for homeless young people, women with English as a second language, or neurodiverse adults.
Collaborative projects with educational institutions that use technology to widen participation, such as scholarship programmes or digital support for students from underserved backgrounds.
Support services that use digital tools to improve wellbeing, such as technology-based advocacy support or community link-up projects that integrate digital engagement into broader support services.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for services, activities, initiatives or projects that show clear, measurable outcomes, such as digital skills training, improved access to equipment, or support to help people move into education or employment.
To read more: Apply - The Access Foundation
The National Churches Trust's Medium Grants Programme
Grants of up to £10,000 are available to listed and unlisted Christian places of worship of any denomination across the UK for project development and investigative work up to RIBA planning stage 1. This support is for churches preparing for a major project and developing their project to the point at which they can approach a major grant funder. Grants will never exceed 50% of the net project costs for this phase.
The National Churches Trust's Medium Grants Programme can now offer grants of up to £10,000 for urgent and essential maintenance and repair projects costing between £20,000 and £80,000. Grants cannot exceed 50% of the net project costs.
Current deadline: 14th April 2026
To read more: Medium grants | National Churches Trust
The AB Charitable Trust
The AB Charitable Trust (ABCT), a grant-making foundation focused on promoting and defending human rights in the UK and supporting marginalised and excluded groups whose rights are at risk or under threat, has announced that its Open Programme is currently accepting applications from UK registered charities that address the root causes of injustice and inequality in the UK.
Through its Open Programme, ABCT offers grants ranging from £10,000 to £30,000 per year, for up to three years. The programme provides both core funding (unrestricted grants) and project funding (restricted grants), enabling charities to deliver essential activities that protect and promote human rights.
The Trust prioritises support for charities operating in the following thematic areas:
The Human Rights Framework
Funding is available for organisations working to uphold, enhance, and implement the UK's human rights protection frameworks. This includes defending civic space, safeguarding the right to protest, and holding the government accountable for its human rights obligations.
Access to Justice
ABCT supports work that ensures fair access to legal advice and representation. Grants are available for organisations that promote the rule of law and seek to strengthen the justice system, especially for those facing discrimination or disadvantage.
The Criminal Legal System and Penal Reform
The Trust funds organisations aiming to create a more just and equitable criminal justice system. This includes advocacy for penal reform and efforts to reduce the harms caused by incarceration.
Migrants and Refugees
Organisations that support migrants, refugees, and people seeking asylum in the UK are eligible for funding. This includes service provision, policy and advocacy work, campaigning, narrative change, and community organising to promote a fair and humane immigration system.
Current deadline: 24th 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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