This week's Funding Bulletin (November 9th - November 13th 2026)
A short summary of funding opportunities that have come to our attention this week.
Wirral CVS Funding News
Crisis and Resilience Fund
The Resilience Fund will be live by mid-day on Monday 16th November, with grants of up to £40,000 available for neighbourhood-based work and up to £100,000 for Wirral-wide programmes. Full guidance and webinars will be announced in full and available to view on our website.
Follow the link below on Monday to read the guidance and apply:
Step Up Fund Health Protection Grants
The Third Round of Step Up Funding will also be available from mid-day on Monday. This round will provide grants of up to £10,000 for Health Protection work as well as an additional £5,000 for organisational sustainability for those who haven't received Step Up funding previously.
Follow the link below on Monday to read the guidance and apply:
The Fore's Nature Recovery Fund
The Fore has announced the launch of its Nature Recovery Fund, offering grants of up to £45,000 to small UK charities and social enterprises working to restore nature and protect biodiversity.
The fund will support organisations improving habitats, protecting wildlife and involving local communities in conservation. The Fore is a charitable funder that provides unrestricted grants and organisational development support to small organisations.
Examples of the types of projects that could be supported include:
Habitat restoration: Restoring degraded woodlands, wetlands, grasslands and other natural habitats.
Wildlife conservation: Protecting threatened species and improving habitats for birds, insects and other wildlife.
Nature corridors: Connecting fragmented habitats to help wildlife move between natural areas.
Community conservation: Involving local residents and volunteers in practical activities such as habitat restoration and wildlife protection.
Inclusive nature recovery: Helping underrepresented or disadvantaged communities participate in conservation and environmental activities.
Habitat expansion: Creating or enlarging natural areas to increase biodiversity and support ecosystem recovery.
Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, community interest companies limited by guarantee and qualifying community benefit societies. Organisations must have annual revenue below £500,000. Funding can be spread over up to three years and is accompanied by training, skilled volunteers and other support.
Current deadline: 11th January 2027
The National Lottery Heritage Grants
Not-for-profit organisations across the UK can now apply for grants of £250,000 to £10 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for projects that connect people and communities to UK heritage.
The funding can be used to support a broad range of activities and project costs, such as:
Volunteer expenses, new staff posts and training costs
Capital works, repair, maintenance and conservation
Professional fees, event costs and activities to strengthen organisations
Acquisition of heritage and costs associated with the purchase
Costs to join Fit for the Future, a UK-wide environmental sustainability network
Projects must take into account the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s four investment principles:
Saving heritage
Protecting the environment
Inclusion, access and participation
Organisational sustainability
Partnerships are encouraged. Up to 10% match funding is required.
Current deadline: 25th February 2027
To read more: The National Lottery Heritage Fund
The Screwfix Foundation
The Screwfix Foundation is open for applications from charities and registered not-for-profit organisations 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 February 2027
To read more: Screwfix Foundation
The Paul Hamlyn Foundation's Youth Fund
Not-for-profit youth organisations that support young people (aged 14 - 25) facing disadvantage can apply for grants of up to £150,000 spread over three years through the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Youth Fund.
The Youth Fund supports organisations whose main purpose is about helping young people who face complex transitions to adulthood.
The Foundation provides core funding for organisations that:
Seek to sustain, prepare to grow, or grow impact with and for young people.
Put young people at the centre in terms of power, voice and agency – as part of an asset-based approach, starting with recognising and building on young people’s strengths and potential.
Aim to achieve a wide impact for young people (for example, going beyond direct delivery and focusing on systemic or structural change).
Are committed to continuous improvement in asset-based approaches to working with and for young people.
Support young people who are facing complex transitions, challenges and barriers to accessing support and opportunities. Particularly young people who are socially excluded or marginalised; whose experiences can be hidden or less well known; and whose voices are often erased or ignored.
Applications can be submitted at any time.
To read more: Youth Fund | Paul Hamlyn Foundation
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 2027
To read more: The Animal Defence Trust
The Woodland Trust's Free Trees for Schools & Community Groups Initiative
Schools, clubs and community groups across the UK are being offered free tree packs through the Woodland Trust's Free Trees for Schools & Community Groups initiative - designed to boost both nature and wellbeing. Any not-for-profit organisation is eligible to apply.
The packs are available in sizes of 15, 30, 105 or 420 saplings, sourced and grown in the UK and Ireland, and come in a variety of species mixes. The Trust currently accepts applications for delivery in March 2026, with an expected January 2026 deadline for submissions.
Applicants will receive guidance on site preparation, planting, and aftercare; however, the tree packs do not include protections for the young saplings. Permission from the landowner and a six-digit grid reference of the planting site are required.
The scheme, funded by partners including Sainsbury’s, Lloyds Banking Group and Simplyhealth, aims to help green outdoor spaces, fight climate change, reduce flooding and enhance wildlife.
Current deadline: 31st January 2027
To read more: Free Trees for Schools and Communities - Woodland Trust
The Home Office's Support for Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Fund
The Home Office has opened a £6.4 million fund to improve specialist support for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse in England and Wales. Funding will be awarded over two years, from April 2027 to March 2029.
The Support for Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Fund has a budget of approximately £3.2 million annually. Individual applications cannot exceed 20% of the annual budget, equivalent to £640,000 per year.
Eligible applicants include charities, community groups, social enterprises, community interest companies and faith-based organisations. Applicants must have relevant experience, appropriate safeguarding arrangements and the capacity to deliver throughout the funding period.
Grants can support specialist counselling, trauma-informed therapy, advocacy, peer support and services for people facing barriers to accessing help. Proposals must address evidenced gaps in provision and complement existing services.
Current deadline: 18th December 2026
The Big Give's Earth Raise 2027
Applications are now open for Big Give’s Earth Raise 2027 campaign, offering environmental charities the opportunity to double public donations through match funding. Big Give is an online fundraising platform that connects charities with donors and funding partners.
UK-registered charities with annual income of at least £25,000 can apply. Applicants must have environmental protection or improvement within their charitable objects. Charities working in the UK or overseas are eligible.
Charities can choose between two funding models. The 1:1 model matches public donations of £1,000 to £10,000. The Pledge Model supports campaigns seeking up to £100,000 in public donations, with matching funds from Big Give's funding partners and donors secured by the charity. Champion funding is capped at 10% of annual income.
Funding can support specific environmental projects or core running costs. Eligible activities include biodiversity conservation, climate action, sustainable communities, energy, transport and waste reduction.
Charities register through Big Give’s online charity portal, select the Earth Raise campaign, choose their match-funding model and submit an application outlining their organisation, fundraising plans and environmental work.
Current deadline: 15th January 2027
Read more: Earth Raise - Big Give
The Forte Charitable Foundation's Small Grants Programme
Charities and not for profit organisations in the UK can apply for small grants of up to £10,000 to address urban and rural deprivation in the UK. The funding is being made available through the Trusthouse Charitable Foundation’s small grants programme.
To be eligible for a grant, eligible organisations must have an annual income of less than £250,000. They must also demonstrate a clear need for funding and explain how the grant will be used to make a difference. In addition, the applicant's postcode must be located within the following areas on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation:
For projects located in an urban area, the applicant must be in the bottom 15% most deprived areas.
For projects located in a rural area, the applicant must be in the bottom 50% most deprived areas.
The funding is available to support project/salary/core running costs. Applicants must match fund 50% of the project costs. Applications for the small grants scheme can be submitted at any time.
Read more: Small Grants | Forte Charitable Foundation
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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