This week's Funding Bulletin (May 11th - May 15th 2026)
- meganatkinson3
- May 15
- 4 min read
A short summary of funding opportunities that have come to our attention this week.
The National Lottery Community Fund
Voluntary and community organisations, statutory bodies, charities and partnerships can apply for grants of £500,000 to £5 million, spread over 2 to 10 years, to support projects that bring diverse communities together.
The National Lottery Community Fund’s UK Fund is open to applications from organisations seeking to scale up proven work that tackles inequality and delivers systemic change. Rather than funding new ideas, the programme supports projects that are already making an impact and have the potential to grow their reach or deepen their effectiveness.
Eligible projects must benefit communities experiencing poverty, disadvantage, or discrimination, and operate across at least two UK nations—or demonstrate clear plans to share learning nationally.
The fund focuses on five strategic priorities:
Strengthening relationships between people with different life experiences
Creating meaningful online or digital connections for those isolated from face-to-face interaction
Enabling people to shape the future of their communities
Supporting children and young people facing challenges to influence systems affecting them
Increasing organisational capacity to involve young people meaningfully
To read more: The UK Fund | The National Lottery Community Fund
The True Colours Trust
The True Colours Trust has announced that its UK Small Grants programme is open for applications from small charities and community interest companies supporting disabled children and young people, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families across the UK.
The Trust is an independent funder working in the UK and Africa to improve access to palliative care and help disabled children and young people live their lives to the full.
Grants of up to £10,000 are available, although many awards are smaller.
Eligible applicants must be UK-registered charitable organisations or CICs with an annual income below £350,000, delivering projects in the UK.
The programme will consider work for children and young people aged 0 to 25. Priority is also given to organisations operating in areas of high deprivation.
Funding can support a range of activities and equipment, including family support, sibling support, bereavement support, respite, specialised play and leisure opportunities, improvements to hydrotherapy pools or sensory rooms, minibuses, and other materials that benefit children and families.
To read more: The True Colours Trust | UK small grants
The 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: 31st May 2026
To read more: Home - Wise Music Foundation
Screwfix Foundation
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 August 2026
To read more: Screwfix Foundation | Screwfix
National Churches Trust: Grants For Urgent Structural Repairs (UK)
Listed and unlisted Christian places of worship requiring major or urgent structural repairs can apply for grants of up to £50,000.
The funding, made available through the National Churches Trust’s Large Grants Programme, will cover up to 50% of larger, more complex projects costing over £80,000, including. VAT. Funding is also available for projects costing more than £30,000, including VAT, that improve facilities such as kitchens and accessible toilets, etc, to enable increased community use.
Priority will be given to architecturally and historically significant buildings.
There is a two-stage application process. Applicants will be informed of the stage 2 deadline if they are successful at stage 1.
Current deadline: Stage One 7th July 2026 at Midnight.
To read more: Large grants | National Churches Trust
The Julia Rausing Trust: Young Women in Mind 2026-2028
The Julia Rausing Trust has announced that Young Women in Mind 2026–2028 is now open for applications. This is a new collaborative funding programme offering large multi-year grants to charities providing therapeutic mental health support for girls and young women across parts of the UK. The programme is a collaboration between The Julia Rausing Trust, the Pilgrim Trust and the Prudence Trust, with £5 million to be invested over three years.
The Julia Rausing Trust is a UK charitable fund making grants in memory of Julia Rausing, while the Pilgrim Trust is an independent grant-maker supporting heritage and social initiatives.
Grants of £200,000 to £500,000 are available over three years for established UK registered charities that already deliver therapeutic mental health services for girls and young women aged 14 to 25. Partnership applications are also welcome.
Funding is intended to help organisations strengthen, expand or adapt existing services so more young women can access timely, age-appropriate and gender-informed support before needs become more severe. Eligible costs include:
Project costs
Staff costs and fees
Advocacy
Learning and evaluation.
Applicants must be registered charities that have been operating for at least three years and work in Northern Ireland, Scotland, or the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humber, or the Midlands in England. UK-wide and England-wide organisations may also apply.
Current deadline: 22nd June 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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