This week's Funding Bulletin (October 13th - October 17th 2025)

A short summary of funding opportunities that have came to our attention this week.

Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants programme

Artists, cultural organisations and community groups across England are being invited to apply for new funding through Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants programme.

The open-access scheme offers financial support for creative and cultural projects, with grants ranging from £1,000 to more than £100,000 available to support work lasting up to three years.

The programme aims to boost arts, museum and library activities, with funding available for everything from producing new creative work to organisational development, research, partnerships and sector support. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, meaning there is no fixed deadline, and decisions are usually made within six weeks for smaller grants and 12 weeks for larger awards.

Both individuals and organisations are eligible to apply, provided their projects demonstrate artistic quality, public engagement, sound financial planning, and strong management. The fund is designed to widen access to arts and culture while supporting innovation and sustainability across England’s creative sectors.

To read more: Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants

The National Lottery Community Fund's Climate Action Fund – Our Shared Future

The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) has announced that the Climate Action Fund – Our Shared Future is open for applications. This fund is part of a broader, ten-year £100 million commitment to supporting climate-related activities at the community level and aims to support projects that integrate climate action into everyday community life, particularly targeting groups and individuals who have not previously engaged with environmental issues.

A central aim of the initiative is to increase participation among communities that have historically faced barriers to involvement, including those experiencing poverty, discrimination, or other forms of disadvantage.

Grants available through the programme range from £500,000 to £1.5 million for most projects, with the possibility of up to £3 million for exceptional initiatives running over a period of up to seven years.

The fund anticipates supporting up to 25 projects, prioritising formal partnerships between community, voluntary, and public sector organisations.

Organisations eligible to apply include:

• Voluntary and community organisations

• Registered charities

• Charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs or SCIOs)

• Schools, colleges, and universities (provided the project benefits and involves the wider local community)

• Statutory bodies (including local authorities, town, parish, or community councils)

• Other not-for-profit organisations

Current deadline: 17th December 2025

To read more: Climate Action Fund - Our Shared Future

The Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation

The Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation has announced that it is currently accepting applications for grants of up to £10,000 for UK registered charities that are helping people experiencing hardship or from underserved groups to access housing or improve financial wellbeing.

Key areas of support include helping people experiencing hardship and/or underserved groups to:

Access a Place to Call Home:

• Assisting people in need to find safe and secure permanent or temporary accommodation.

  • Supporting individuals in crisis situations, such as homelessness or health emergencies.

  • Funding community spaces that provide help and wellbeing support.

Financial Wellbeing:

• Providing guidance on money management and improving financial literacy.

• Supporting charities that offer financial education programmes.

• Enhancing digital competence related to financial management.

Eligible organisations must be registered charities established for at least three years with three or more trustees. The funding can cover core costs including salaries, rent, utilities and training, or project expenses such as equipment, materials, venue hire and small capital contributions.

Current deadline: 31st October 2025

To read more: Skipton Charitable Foundation

UK Government's Green Heat Network Fund

Public, private, and third-sector organisations in England can now apply for capital funding to assist new and existing heat networks in transitioning to low and zero-carbon technologies.

This funding, provided through the Government's £288 million Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF), aims to support the deployment of low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps, solar energy, and geothermal energy. The goal is to enable heat networks to supply clean heating to homes, offices, commercial establishments, and public buildings.

The GHNF is a capital grant fund that supports:

• The commercialisation and construction of new low and zero-carbon (LZC) heat networks, including the provision of cooling.

• The retrofitting and expansion of existing heat networks.

Its objective is to develop and expand the heat network market, addressing challenges associated with decarbonising the UK's heating sector.

Grant amounts for individual projects will vary, with an upper limit of £1 million for commercialisation support.

Current deadline: 7th November 2025

To read more: Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF)

The Maurice & Hilda Laing Charitable Trust's Warm Spaces Fund

Funding is available for churches in deprived areas of England that are running warm spaces the winter of 2024/25

The Maurice & Hilda Laing Charitable Trust (MHLCT) is offering up to 25 grants of £1,000 each to churches running ‘Warm Spaces’ in church buildings, parish halls, or other church-run buildings.

‘Warm spaces’ provide regular, welcoming places where vulnerable people can come together and stay warm in a friendly, non-judgemental environment open to everyone.

To be eligible for the MHLCT Warm Spaces Fund, churches must be registered as a Warm Space with the Warm Welcome Campaign, and be operating in one of the top 20% of deprived areas in England. Priority will be given to applicants who did not receive a grant for the 2024/25 season.

Current deadline: 31st October 2025

To read more: Maurice & Hilda Laing Charitable Trust

The Clothworkers’ Foundation

The Clothworkers’ Foundation offers grants to UK registered charities, community interest companies (CICs), special schools and other not-for-profit organisations that support disadvantaged or marginalised people. These grants help organisations pay for capital costs such as buildings, equipment, and infrastructure they need to deliver vital services. Funding can be used for a range of purposes, including buying, constructing, renovating, or refurbishing community spaces and facilities. It can also cover fittings, fixtures, and equipment such as office furniture, IT and digital equipment, sports or gym equipment, garden tools, or specialist therapeutic equipment (though not medical equipment).

Grants can support one-off digital projects too, such as digitising services, developing or updating websites and apps, or adding digital tools to existing services.

Funding may also be available for vehicles, such as a minibus, car, people-carrier, caravan, or 4x4, although brand new vehicles are unlikely to be funded.

To be eligible, organisations must show that their work supports one or more of the following groups:

• Communities facing racial inequality

• People with disabilities (including mental health or visual impairments)

• Survivors of domestic or sexual abuse

• People experiencing economic hardship

• Those who are homeless

• LGBT+ communities

• Older people facing disadvantage

• People leaving prison or in rehabilitation

• Those affected by substance misuse or addiction

• Disadvantaged young people

At least 50% of the people benefiting from the project must belong to one or more of these groups.

The amount of funding an organisation can apply for depends on its size and the scale of the project. Organisations with an annual income of under £2 million can apply for grants of up to £15,000. Those with an annual income of under £10 million can apply for grants over £15,000. The final amount awarded will depend on the size of the organisation and the cost and scope of the capital project.

To read more: Capital Funding for UK Charities at The Clothworkers’ Foundation

UK Government's Common Ground Resilience Fund

Organisations in England can now apply for a new £1.7 million government fund designed to help strengthen local communities and build long-term resilience.

Through the Common Ground Resilience Fund, organisations can apply for grants of up to £10,000 to improve their buildings, facilities, or equipment. In special cases, larger grants may be available.

The fund is designed to:

• Support and reward projects that bring people from different backgrounds together and build strong community connections.

• Invest in buildings, spaces, and equipment that make these activities possible.

• Create a network of organisations to share knowledge, ideas, and good practice — and to work more closely with government.

Funding can be used for a range of purposes, including:

• New building projects, renovations, or expansions of spaces that help connect people.

• Essential equipment, such as laptops, furniture, or other items that support community activities.

Organisations that receive funding will also become part of a national network of community groups. This network will provide opportunities to collaborate, exchange ideas, and learn from others, helping to build stronger, more resilient communities over the long term.

Current deadline: 21st November 2025.

To read more: Common Ground Award - GOV-UK Find a grant

The Naturesave Trust

The Naturesave Trust, a charity funded by premiums from Naturesave Insurance, has announced its latest funding round for environmental projects in the UK. The Trust offers grants of up to £5,000 for small projects run by charities, social enterprises, and grassroots community organisations.

For this funding window, the Trust is looking to support organisations who are working to connect communities to nature to improve people's physical and mental wellbeing as well as create positive action for climate change.

Activities supported through the Trust could include:

• Arts and cultural activities

• Community gardening

• Green gyms

• Eco anxiety and mental health

• Training a community with green skills

• Conservation volunteering

• Urban nature programmes

• Social prescribing

• Access to nature

• Community wildlife surveys

• Nature mindfulness

Current deadline: 27th November 2025

To read more: Naturesave Trust - Naturesave

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Our past Funding Bulletins will also have grant opportunities that are still open!

Check our 'Funding' tab on our News page to see other funding opportunities you could be eligible for.

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.