This week's Funding Bulletin (June 22nd - June 26th 2026)
- eloisehallwcvs
- 12 minutes ago
- 7 min read
A short summary of funding opportunities that have come to our attention this week.
The Charles Hayward Foundation's Social & Criminal Justice Grants
The Charles Hayward Foundation is inviting UK registered charities to apply for its latest round of Social & Criminal Justice grants. The grants support projects aimed at preventing criminal activity and rehabilitating offenders.
Charities with an annual income between £350,000 and £4 million are eligible for Main Grants of £15,000 to £25,000 per annum, for up to three years. Smaller charities with incomes under £350,000 are encouraged to apply through the Foundation’s separate Small Grant programme.
The funding supports programmes that deliver early intervention for vulnerable families, diversionary projects for at-risk youth, particularly girls and young women, and rehabilitation schemes that bridge prison and community life. Priority is given to initiatives supporting victims of domestic abuse and criminal exploitation, as well as those offering viable alternatives to custody.
There is no initial application form. Instead, eligible organisations must submit a proposal of no more than four A4 pages outlining their project’s need, delivery method, and budget.
Charities are urged to review full guidelines on the Foundation’s website before submitting proposals.
Current deadline: 18th September 2026
The Co-Operative Bank's Customer Donation Fund
Community groups across the UK can now apply for grants of up to £1,000 through The Co-operative Bank’s Customer Donation Fund. The scheme, which supports grassroots initiatives, is open to organisations with a Co-operative Bank Charity or Community Directplus account.
Grants are awarded four times a year and can be used for a wide range of purposes, including buying equipment, hiring venues, running community events, or supporting outreach work. The fund is designed to help small charities and community groups deliver local projects that bring people together and create lasting social impact.
To apply, organisations must show how their proposed activity will benefit the local community and demonstrate clear outcomes. Applications are assessed on community benefit, need, and impact.
The fund reflects The Co-operative Bank’s ethical banking values and long-standing commitment to social responsibility. Since launching the initiative, the bank has awarded thousands of pounds to groups tackling issues like social isolation, mental health, food poverty, and youth engagement.
Movember's Men's Health Community Fund
Movember is inviting expressions of interest from voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in England through the Men’s Health Community Fund (MHCF).
The programme will support community-led, non-clinical initiatives that improve the mental health and wellbeing of young men aged 16 to 35 by strengthening social connection and encouraging earlier help-seeking.
Priority will be given to organisations working with young men who face barriers to accessing support, particularly those experiencing poverty, social isolation, or other disadvantages.
A total of £3 million is available to fund up to 15 organisations, with grants of between £150,000 and £300,000 available for projects lasting up to three years.
Eligible activities include peer-led groups, early fatherhood or family programmes, sports, gaming, creative arts, nature-based activities or faith-based peer support groups.
This funding is part of a wider programme delivered in partnership by Movember, the UK Government and the People’s Health Trust. The Men’s Health Community Fund (MHCF) has three separate funding streams; this call for expressions of interest relates to Movember’s stream only. Applicants may apply to one stream only.
Current deadline: 15th July 2026
To read more: Movember - About Us - Movember Funding & Financials
The Wildlife Trusts' Green Community Grants Programme
Grants of £10,000 to £25,000 are available through The Wildlife Trusts’ Green Community Grants Programme for not-for-profit groups delivering outdoor nature projects in England, Scotland and Wales.
The programme offers one-year flexible funding to support environmental action, nature recovery and climate-focused community projects.
To be eligible for funding, you must have been operating for a minimum of 12 months and your organisation's main aims and objectives must fit with one of the two funding themes:
Contributing to nature recovery and responding to the climate emergency
Improving nature-rich spaces and access to them
Whilst applications should fit one of these two themes, funding can also be used for a wider range of sustainable activities, including recycling, litter picking, beach cleans or sustainable transport.
Funding can support practical outdoor projects that help bring nature back, improve access to green spaces and involve local communities in nature recovery.
Priority will be given to organisations:
That have an income of £250,000 or below.
That work in communities located in the top 15% of the Index of Multiple Deprivation.
Whose main activities are focused on supporting marginalised groups. This could include, but is not limited to, disabled people, communities experiencing racial inequity, and LGBT+ people.
Whose objects or purposes within its governing document relate to habitat or species restoration/protection.
Current deadline: 15th July 2026
To read more: Green Community Grants Programme | The Wildlife Trusts
The Nuffield Foundation's Racial Diversity UK Fund
The Nuffield Foundation has announced that its Racial Diversity UK Fund is open for applications, offering research grants of £15,000 to £500,000 to explore barriers and pathways to a racially just and inclusive UK society. The Nuffield Foundation is an independent charitable trust that funds research to advance social wellbeing and improve policy and practice.
The fund supports research on racial diversity in the UK, with the 2026 priority theme focusing on inter-generational changes, continuities and challenges in a racially diverse UK. Projects may examine issues such as identity and belonging, exclusion, aspirations and values, civic and political participation, and life chances.
Applications are encouraged from diverse backgrounds, particularly individuals and organisations from racially minoritised communities. Applicants must be employed by, or formally affiliated with, a UK-based organisation, including universities, research organisations and voluntary sector bodies. Partnership applications involving researchers and racially minoritised communities are strongly encouraged.
Funding can support projects that:
Contribute to public debate, policy or practice on racial inequalities, discrimination and disadvantage.
Map pathways towards a UK that benefits from growing racial diversity.
Use any methodological approach, including applied and participatory research.
Current deadline: 5th October 2026
Baily Thomas General Grants Programme
UK charities, voluntary organisations, and schools can apply for grants to support children and adults with severe learning difficulties, including autism.
The funding is 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
Parent Teacher Associations, Community Benefit Societies and other exempt charities can also apply. The Fund does not currently accept applications from Community Interest Companies.
There are two funding programmes. The main programme for grants of £5,000 or more, and a small grants programme for appeals below £5,000.
Current deadline: 31st August 2026
To read more: General programme | Baily Thomas Charitable Fund
The Baring Foundation Strengthening Civil Society Funding Programme
The Baring Foundation has opened applications for its Strengthening Civil Society funding programme under a new corporate accountability theme. Under this theme, grants are available for civil society organisations working to hold companies accountable for corporate harm. The sub theme for this year is migration.
Examples of the type of work we anticipate funding under this call include, but are not limited to:
Undertaking legal research to gather evidence on how companies are using tech to surveil migrant communities;
Bringing legal challenges against companies acting unlawfully in delivering public services to migrants or in relation to migration;
Supporting non-legal CSOs to understand how they can utilise regulators to further their campaign goals; or
Monitoring the implementation of wins already achieved through legal action
Grants of up to £150,000 over three years are available. The foundation will also consider grants of up to £50,000 over 18 months for exploratory projects that need further development. It expects to award six or seven grants.
The fund can support legal action, staff time, supervision, overheads, external legal advice and advocacy costs. Eligible projects could include legal research into corporate surveillance of migrant communities, legal challenges against companies delivering public services to migrants, support for non-legal organisations using regulators, and monitoring legal wins already achieved.
The programme will not fund service delivery work, including advice or support for individuals.
Applicants must be UK legally registered not-for-profit organisations, preferably charities, with at least one year’s accounts and annual income of less than £2 million. The foundation said it may be flexible for organisations slightly above that threshold.
Organisations must have a history of using legal tools for social change. They must also be either corporate accountability organisations or migrants’ rights organisations with a clear interest in corporate accountability.
Current deadline: 19th August 2026
To read more: New funding available: using legal tools to hold corporations to account - The Baring Foundation
Help the Homeless
Small homeless charities can apply for capital grants of up to £5,000 to help individuals rebuild their lives.
Eligible applicants must be registered charities with an annual turnover below £500,000 and less than six months of unrestricted reserves. Typically, funding is awarded to organisations running residential or training facilities designed to provide homeless people with direct support and pathways to independence.
This funding is made available by Help the Homeless, a grant-giving trust founded in 1975 to assist people off the streets and into healthier, more independent lives.
Projects previously supported include the Booth Centre in Manchester, which received £1,500 for centre improvements, and the Amber Foundation, which was awarded £3,000 to purchase new bedroom furniture for its residential centre in Devon.
Current deadline: 20th September 2026
To read more: Applying for Funding — Help the Homeless
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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