This week's Funding Bulletin (October 5th - October 9th 2026)
A short summary of funding opportunities that have come to our attention this week.
Closing Monday: Wirral CVS' Board Building Fund
Eligible Wirral charities have until Monday 12th October to apply for up to £1,000 towards external training for volunteer trustees or the full board.
Funding could support training for an individual trustee, a Chair, Vice-Chair or Treasurer, several trustees or a full board. It may cover an external course, commissioned board training, e-learning or another appropriate format. Applicants must be registered charities and members of Wirral CVS.
Closing date: 12th October 2026
The Leathersellers' Foundation's Small Grants Programme
The Leathersellers’ Foundation has announced that the next round of its Small Grants Programme is now open. The programme offers unrestricted grants of up to £5,000 to support registered charities and Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) improving the lives of people and communities across the UK.
The Leathersellers’ Foundation is a grant funder that supports individuals and communities through charities, education, and the leather industry.
Applications are open to registered charities and Charitable Incorporated Organisations that have been active for at least one year. Applicants must have annual income and expenditure below £200,000, no more than six months’ running costs in free reserves, published annual accounts, and a public website.
Current deadline: 22nd October 2026
To read more: Small Grants - The Leathersellers
The Forte Charitable Foundation
The Forte Charitable Foundation provides grants for voluntary sector organisations delivering family support services across the United Kingdom. These grants range from £10,000 to £100,000, with an annual maximum of £50,000, and can be awarded for project periods spanning one to three years.
Funding can be allocated towards core operational expenses, including salaries, running costs, and project-specific activities, with project costs limited to 50% of the total project budget. The foundation specifically targets organisations with annual incomes up to £500,000, prioritizing those working in the most economically disadvantaged areas - defined as the most deprived 15% of urban regions or 50% of rural areas, as measured by the Index of Multiple Deprivation.
The programme has a particular interest in supporting initiatives addressing complex family challenges, specifically:
Early intervention programmes
Support for families struggling with addiction
Assistance for families of prisoners
Applicants who can demonstrate a track record of successful family support work are especially encouraged to apply. The application process involves two stages: first, completing an online Expression of Interest form, with successful candidates then invited to submit a comprehensive application.
To read more: Major Grants | Forte Charitable Foundation
Rosa's Voices from the Frontline Fund
Rosa has announced that its Voices from the Frontline Fund is open for applications, offering grants of £500 to £10,000 over 18 months for campaigning and influencing work led by women and girls. Rosa is the UK’s only nationwide funder dedicated to investing in women-led organisations supporting women and girls.
Funding can support:
Campaigning for policy or legal change
Influencing decision-makers
Evidence gathering
Media campaigns
Training in advocacy, lobbying and public speaking.
Projects should help women and girls challenge inequality and influence issues affecting their lives.
Current deadline: 16th November 2026
To read more: Voices from the Frontline - Rosa
Barchester's Charitable Foundation
Barchester's Charitable Foundation is a grant-giving charity that helps older people and other adults with disability across England, Scotland & Wales lead more fulfilled lives and reach their full potential.
The Foundation focuses on connecting or re-connecting people with others in their local community, helping combat isolation and loneliness and enabling people to be active and engaged.
Funding of between £100 and £2,500 is available for individuals, charities and small community groups to help improve people's mobility, independence and quality of life. Applications for individuals must be completed by a third-party sponsor such as a health care professional, social worker or charity/support group representative.
Groups and organisations can apply for grants to help with:
Activity projects
Equipment and materials for use by members
Member transport
Day trips, outings and group holidays in the UK
Applications are assessed on a case by case basis, with funds allocated to those who demonstrate greatest need.
Current deadline: 31st October 2026
To read more: Apply for a grant | Barchester Charitable Foundation
The Arnold Clark Community Fund's Cost of Living Support Programme
The Arnold Clark Community Fund has opened its Cost-of-Living Support programme to organisations helping people experiencing financial hardship. The fund supports projects such as food and hygiene banks, accommodation and homelessness services, poverty relief, and practical help with household and utility costs.
Arnold Clark is the UK’s largest independently owned car retailer and operates the Community Fund to support charities and community organisations. Eligible applicants include UK charities, community groups, social enterprises, CICs and other voluntary-led organisations operating within 50 miles of an Arnold Clark branch.
To read more: Cost of Living Support | Arnold Clark Community Fund
The Speech Language and Hearing Foundation
The Speech Language and Hearing Foundation has announced funding to support education, therapy and research aimed at improving the lives of children facing communication challenges and complex developmental needs across the United Kingdom.
The Foundation provides grants to small UK-based charities that work with children with hearing impairments, speech delays, language and communication difficulties, or broader complex needs. In addition to direct educational and therapeutic support, funding is also available for medical innovation and research initiatives that advance understanding and treatment in these areas.
The Foundation prioritises projects that:
Support children with hearing impairment, speech and language delay, or complex developmental needs
Advance medical innovation and new developments relevant to these children
Promote research across topics related to childhood deafness, communication disorders and associated conditions
Recent awards have ranged between £500 and £15,000, although no fixed grant ceiling has been formally specified.
By targeting small charities and focused initiatives, the Foundation aims to deliver practical, measurable improvements in access to specialist support and inclusive education for vulnerable children.
To read more: Home | SLHF
The Will Charitable Trust
The Will Charitable Trust has announced that it is now accepting applications through its grants programme. Grants, normally worth £20,000 or more, are available to support charities providing services for blind people, people with learning disabilities, and people affected by cancer.
Established in 1990, the Trust funds charitable activities that reduce isolation and help people develop meaningful connections and a sense of belonging.
Following a strategic review, the Trust is prioritising projects based primarily in England. Funding is available for services supporting blind people, long-term residential care, supported living and day activities for people with learning disabilities, and care and support for cancer patients and their families. Both project funding and, in certain circumstances, unrestricted funding for core costs are available.
Current deadline: 20th November 2026
To read more: The Will Charitable Trust: about us
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Common Ground Award 2026–2027
The Common Ground Award is offering up to £2.5 million in funding to voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations across England to strengthen community connections, reduce prejudice and bring people from different backgrounds together. The programme supports organisations creating welcoming spaces and opportunities for people to meet, build trust and develop stronger relationships within their communities.
Individual organisations can apply for grants of £20,000 to £50,000, with awards of up to £100,000 considered in exceptional circumstances where significant need and impact can be demonstrated. Consortium applications can receive between £100,000 and £250,000. Funding is available exclusively for capital costs, including the construction or renovation of community facilities, improvements to shared spaces and the purchase of equipment that enables greater community participation.
Applications are open to VCSE organisations based and operating in England with charitable, benevolent or philanthropic purposes. Projects must demonstrate how their proposed investment will encourage understanding between different communities, reduce social divisions and strengthen local relationships. Successful applicants are expected to be notified in December 2026, with funding payments anticipated in January 2027.
Current deadline: 12th October 2026
Read more: Common Ground Award 2026–2027 – GOV.UK
easyfundraising’s Impact Fund
The easyfundraising Impact Fund is offering £1,000 unrestricted grants to UK-based charities, community groups and not-for-profit organisations through its second funding round. The programme aims to support organisations with the costs and activities that matter most to them, with grant amounts doubled from the £500 available in the first round.
Funding can be used flexibly to cover running costs, purchase equipment, deliver projects or invest in organisational development and sustainability. Applications are open to registered charities, not-for-profit organisations, sports clubs and teams, schools and educational settings, social enterprises, Community Interest Companies (CICs), youth groups, churches and other religious organisations.
The application process is straightforward, with organisations asked to explain how they would use the £1,000 grant and the difference it would make. Organisations that applied during the first round are welcome to apply again, regardless of whether their previous application was successful.
Current deadline: 8th November 2026
Wirral Council’s Ethnic Minority Health and Wellbeing Services [TENDER]
Wirral Council is inviting suitably qualified and experienced organisations to tender for the delivery of services aimed at improving health and wellbeing outcomes for ethnic minority communities across Wirral. The procurement is divided into four separate lots, allowing providers to bid for the services that best align with their expertise, experience and capacity.
The four lots cover Asylum Seekers and Refugees, focusing on understanding health and wellbeing needs and reducing inequalities; Community Outreach and Engagement, improving connections with ethnic minority communities through dedicated outreach services; Community Health and Wellbeing, delivering health promotion and wellbeing support; and Cultural Awareness and Inclusion Training, strengthening culturally competent and inclusive practice across local services.
The tender aims to secure high-quality, outcome-focused services that address health inequalities, improve access to support and strengthen engagement with Wirral's diverse communities. Organisations can apply for one or multiple lots depending on their capabilities.
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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