This week's Funding Bulletin (July 28th - August 1st 2025)

lewishallwcvs
Aug 1
7 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 Henry Smith Foundation's Together We Begin Fund

The Henry Smith Foundation has launched a new fund for UK-based not-for-profit organisations delivering early years parenting support. The Together We Begin Fund is aimed at improving outcomes for families with children aged 0–5, including during pregnancy.

Grants of between £40,000 and £50,000 per year are available for up to three years, with a maximum total award of £150,000. The fund is specifically targeted at organisations working in local authority areas where child poverty is 24.9% or higher.

Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit groups with annual incomes under £1 million. Funded organisations can deliver home-based, face-to-face services for expectant parents and families with children aged 0–5. Specifically, eligible projects include:

Parent coaching and peer mentoring — facilitating one-to-one or group sessions to help caregivers develop practical parenting strategies, boost confidence, and reduce stress.
Home‑visiting programmes — regular visits by trained practitioners offering emotional support, child development advice, and referrals to local services.
Antenatal and postnatal support — interventions to support maternal mental health, bonding, and preparation for early parenthood.
Parent–child learning activities — structured sessions delivered in the home to promote early childhood learning, communication, and development.
Family wellbeing support — helping link families to health, welfare, or childcare services, especially for those experiencing disadvantage or isolation.

Accessibility support of £250 at EOI stage and £500 at full application stage is also available to help smaller organisations participate.

Current deadline: 28th August 2025

To read more: Together We Begin - Henry Smith

The National Lottery Community Fund's Environment Grant Programme

The National Lottery Community Fund is inviting applications from community-led organisations for its National Lottery Awards for All England – Environment grant programme. This funding is aimed at tackling environmental challenges at the local level. It supports projects that enable people to connect with, care for, and protect nature.

Grants of between £300 and £20,000 are available for projects lasting up to two years.

Funding can support a wide range of activities, including:

Community gardens
Rewilding
Outdoor learning such as forest schools
Tree planting
Repair and reuse sessions
Food-growing schemes
Energy-saving initiatives like solar panel installations

Projects must deliver benefits for both people and the natural environment. The grant responds to the growing need for grassroots environmental action in the face of climate change and habitat loss.

Current deadline: 17th December 2025

The Animal Defence Trust

The Animal Defence Trust, a UK-based charity dedicated to animal welfare, provides funding to support approved animal welfare charities working to rescue and care for animals that have suffered cruelty. Eligible organisations must be registered charities with a proven track record in animal welfare work.

The Trust's main objectives are protecting animals from suffering and mistreatment, promoting research to reduce animal use in scientific experiments, and ensuring proper accommodation for animals during transportation. It provides grant funding to registered charities in the United Kingdom and internationally that are actively involved in animal rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

The grants, which are for capital projects and running costs aim to support a wide range of activities, including providing shelter, medical treatment and care for abused or neglected animals.

Current deadline: 31st March 2026

To read more: The Animal Defence Trust

The AB Charitable Trust's Open Programme

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.

Applicants must be UK-registered charities with annual incomes between £150,000 and £1.5 million.

Current deadline: 24th October 2025

To read more: The A B Charitable Trust

Parkinson's UK Physical Activity Grants Programme

Community groups and organisations across the UK can apply for grants of up to £3,000 to help people with Parkinson's to become and stay active.

The funding will support new activities that encourage people affected by Parkinson’s to participate in physical activity and sport or increase their participation in these areas.

This could be anything fun that encourages people, particularly those from isolated and ethnic communities, to get moving such as a walking group, a dance class, or playing table tennis.

Examples of what the fund will support include:

Equipment
Facility hire
Maintenance of equipment
Coaching fees
Training
Parkinson’s specific online support
Up to 10% of core costs

Applications can be made at any time until all of the funding has been allocated.

SUEZ Community Fund

Not-for-profit organisations can apply for funding to deliver projects that improve communities and the environment.

The funding is for projects that improve public amenities, repair religious or historic buildings, or support biodiversity in areas surrounding Suez landfill sites. The maximum grant amount is £50,000 for projects in England.

Funding typically covers:

Materials
Equipment
Contractors for improvement work

Current deadline: 3rd September 2025

To read more: SUEZ Communities Fund - Grantscape

The McCarthy Stone Foundation's 2025 Creating Connections Grants Programme

The McCarthy Stone Foundation is offering up to £7,500 to over 20 charitable organisations across England, Scotland, and Wales. The grants aim to support initiatives that reduce loneliness and promote meaningful social engagement among people aged 65 and over.

Eligible activities include befriending services, social groups such as art or lunch clubs, and community transport schemes. The programme is open to registered charities, community groups, and CICs with an annual turnover under £250,000. Applications must demonstrate a focus on areas with high levels of deprivation affecting older adults.

This round excludes dementia-specific organisations, though broader services that include individuals with dementia remain eligible. A dedicated Dementia Grants Programme is set to launch in spring 2026.

Current deadline: 29th August 2025

The Arnold Clark Community Fund

Grants of up to £2,500 are available to UK registered charities and community groups to help address the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

The Arnold Clark Community Fund is open to organisations directly helping people most impacted by rising living costs. This includes:

Accommodation aid - shelters, women’s aid, Homelessness assistance (food or housing). Help with appliances and household bills – for example, organisation focusses on energy bills for community
Food and utility banks - hygiene banks, women’s aid, baby banks, food poverty, resources for refugees and asylum seekers. For example, food vouchers, pet food, food / utility packages, laundry services
Poverty relief and equal opportunities - disability groups and youth groups in lower income areas. For example, funding for social activities or work experience, amateur sports clubs and reduced rates, community-based trips

Eligibility:

Registered Charities
Local community groups
Social Enterprises
Community Interest Companies
Groups of organisations that are community or voluntary-led.
Charitable Incorporated Organisations

Organisations must be operating within 50 miles of an Arnold Clark branch. Applications are particularly encouraged from smaller voluntary and community organisations.

To read more: The Arnold Clark Community Fund

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.