This week's Funding Bulletin (February 9th - February 13th 2026)

meganatkinson3
16 hours 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

Apply: Step Up Fund 2 (up to £10,000) - Application Form

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.

Apply: Arts & Culture Capacity & Resilience Fund - Application Form

General Funding Opportunities

Screwfix Foundation UK

The Screwfix Foundation is open for applications from charities and registered not-for-profit organisations (including specialist schools and Parent Teacher Associations / Friends of groups if they hold a registered charity number) for projects that will fix, repair, maintain, and improve the properties and community facilities of those in need due to financial hardship, sickness, disability, distress, or other disadvantage throughout the UK.

Grants in the region of £5,000 are available for a variety of projects, such as:

• Improved energy-efficient lighting & heating

• Installation of new kitchen, bathroom etc.

• Installation of a sensory room

• General painting & decorating• Improving the safety and security of a building

Current deadline: 10th May 2026

To read more: Screwfix Foundation | Screwfix

The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust

Grants of £1,000 are available to support projects that help people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, to build essential life skills that promote independence and long-term stability.

The funding supports practical activities such as:

Food education – workshops or programmes that teach cooking skills, nutrition, meal planning, etc.
Healthy living activities – initiatives that support wellbeing, physical health, or positive lifestyle habits.
Budgeting support – activities that help people manage money and build financial capability

Priority is given to projects working with people leaving the armed forces, prison, or the care system.

Grants are awarded by the Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust to UK registered charities or exempt organisations with an annual income and expenditure between £100,000 and £1,000,000. The Trust does not fund Community Interest Companies (CICs) or other non-eligible non-profit organisations.

Salary costs are only funded when a staff member is specifically employed to deliver the project.

Applications are submitted online through the Trust's website. Prospective applicants should first review the eligibility criteria and priorities to ensure their project aligns with the Trust's focus areas. A sample application form is available to guide applicants through the required information.

Current deadline: 28th February 2026

Laughology: The Happiness Fund

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Laughology has announced that it will be giving away £20,000 through it’s Happiness Fund this year.

The funding supports neighbourhood-based community projects that build happy, strong, resilient communities across the UK.

Small, not-for-profit organisations will be able to apply for funding to set up new groups and activities that improve:

mental health and wellbeing
inclusion
learning and skills development

To succeed, applicants must indicate how the activity/group can become self-sustainable or attract funding from other sources for the longer term.

The programme will run across two cycles, each awarding two grants of £5,000.

Current deadline: 27th March 2026

The Bagri Foundation

The Bagri Foundation, a UK charity dedicated to promoting an understanding of Asian cultures, has launched its 2026/27 Arts & Culture Grants programme. The Foundation is inviting UK non-profits to apply for funding for projects that explore and promote Asian arts and culture.

Grants range from £5,000 to £100,000, typically covering 10–30% of the total project cost. The scheme is open to registered charities, CIOs, CICs, exempt charities, and experienced creative collectives. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

Projects must focus on traditional or contemporary Asian culture and involve established or mid-career artists from Asia or its diasporas.

The Foundation supports diverse forms of cultural expression, encompassing both traditional and contemporary mediums, such as:

Artisan crafts
Exhibitions and Biennials
Music
New public commissions
Performing arts
Literature public events
Prizes and awards
Retrospectives, group shows, and programmes that support cultural dialogue are particularly encouraged.

For funding requests over £75,000, applicants are advised to contact the Foundation in advance.

Whilst the primary focus is on projects in London, the Foundation also support initiatives across the UK and Europe.

Current deadline: 11th March 2026

To read more: Bagri Foundation

KFC Youth Foundation’s Grassroots Youth Grants Programme

The KFC Youth Foundation is committed to backing grassroots organisations that are helping young people to thrive. Its grants programme supports youth-focused organisations across the UK working with young people aged 11–25 in areas of high deprivation. Funding is available for programmes that create safe spaces, offer diversionary activities, and build life skills — from confidence and resilience to job readiness — helping young people feel secure, empowered, and ready for a positive future.

Grants of up to £6,000 are available over two years (£3,000 in year one and £3,000 in year two). Applicants must be youth-focused organisations delivering solely youth-focused programmes, registered as a Registered Charity, CIC, CBS or CIO, with a gross annual income under £400,000. Organisations must be based and operating exclusively in the UK, support young people aged 11–25 in areas of high deprivation, provide safe spaces, diversionary activities or life skills development, and demonstrate positive results within 12 months of receiving funding. Organisations supporting other beneficiary groups in addition to the above are not eligible.

Applications are submitted through the online portal and include an eligibility questionnaire, a basic application form, responses to application questions (which can be completed in written or video format), and supporting documents. Applicants are advised to review the funding criteria and FAQs before applying, as applications outside the criteria will not be considered.

Current deadline: 27th February 2026

Sea-Changers’ Coastal Fountain Fund 2026

The Sea-Changers Coastal Fountain Fund 2026 is now open for applications. Established in 2020, the fund supports the installation of water bottle refill stations in busy or environmentally significant coastal locations around the British Isles. Since its launch, nearly 50 fountains have been installed to help reduce plastic waste along the coast.

The fund addresses the persistent problem of single-use plastic bottles accumulating in marine and coastal environments, where they harm habitats and wildlife. By increasing access to free drinking water in key coastal areas, the initiative aims to significantly reduce the number of non-reusable plastic drinks bottles found on beaches.

The fund is sponsored by Bunzl plc, a specialist international distribution and services group, as part of its response to the global plastic challenge. Despite increased awareness of the environmental impact of single-use plastics, plastic pollution remains widespread on UK beaches.

Applicants may bid for up to £2,500 to cover the purchase of one water refill fountain. Full guidance, eligibility criteria, FAQs, and application details are available on the fund webpage.