This week's Funding Bulletin (October 6th - October 10th 2025)

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

The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation’s General Fund

Funding is available for registered charities that support communities in need across England, Wales, the Isle of Man, and the Republic of Ireland.

The Fund offers grants for projects that meet one or more of the following priorities:

• Supporting victims of modern slavery

• Supporting victims of domestic abuse

• Helping ex-offenders and their families

• Tackling homelessness

• Advancing medical research

• Supporting people with terminal illnesses or life-limiting conditions, and their carers

• Addressing drug and substance misuse

• Supporting people with intellectual disabilities

• Assisting care leavers

• Promoting worship and community outreach activities

• Encouraging participation in amateur sport

• Providing care for the elderly

Previous awards have ranged from £5,000 to £2.25 million. Charities with an annual expenditure below £10 million are eligible to apply.

Grants are awarded at the Trustees’ quarterly meetings. Applicants must first complete an eligibility test before submitting a full application.

To read more: Applications

SIB's Better Youth Spaces grants

Grants of up to £100,000 are available for youth organisations in England to purchase equipment that will help them better support the young people they work with.

This funding can cover a wide range of items, including new sports, music, or art equipment, vehicles, furnishings, IT or security equipment.

Funded by the UK Government and administered by Social Investment Business, the programme will support projects in 42 priority areas identified by the government using the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index.

Projects must meet at least one of the fund objectives:

• Improving the reach of activities provided

• Improving the safety of existing youth facilities

• Improve the youth sector’s capacity and quality to deliver a range of enrichment activities

• Improving the financial sustainability of youth facilities

The fund will support youth organisations working with disadvantaged young people aged 11 to 18, or up to 25 for those with additional needs or vulnerabilities.

For equipment to be considered capital and therefore eligible, each item within a grant totalling £5,000 or more must have a value of at least £2,000.

Current deadline: 6th November 2025

To read more: Better Youth Spaces - Social Investment Business

UKRI Local Innovations Partnership Fund

Local leaders from councils, universities, and businesses across the UK are being invited to bid for up to £20 million each through a new government initiative designed to support regional research and innovation.

Managed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the £500 million Local Innovation Partnerships Fund invites local authorities, businesses and universities to form ‘Triple Helix’ partnerships that drive innovation tailored to the needs of their communities.

To apply on behalf of a triple helix partnership, the applicant must be based at an eligible organisation:

• Higher education providers

• Research institutes

• Public sector research establishments

• NHS bodies

• Independent research organisations

• A Mayoral Strategic Authority, or other local government partner that has been granted non-standard eligibility for this funding opportunity

The fund seeks to turn cutting-edge research into practical solutions that create jobs, improve quality of life, and promote regional growth - from technologies that enable faster disease diagnosis to cleaner transport systems and the development of entirely new industries.

The primary objectives of the fund are to:

• Foster the growth of mature innovation clusters by deepening their capabilities and expanding their reach

• Support emerging clusters, to grow and mature their ecosystems enhancing their capability of generating substantial economic value

• Support the adoption, diffusion, and commercialisation of new technologies

• Strengthen local partnerships and governance to deliver place-based innovation

Current deadline: 12th February 2026

To read more: New funds for local leaders to unlock jobs and boost innovation across the country

The Arnold Clark Community Fund

UK registered charities and community groups are encouraged to apply for funding to support initiatives that improve wellbeing and strengthen local communities.

The fund is open to organisations providing services that address the needs of people living within 50 miles of an Arnold Clark branch.

This latest round supports projects focused on:

• Animal welfare

• Arts and culture

• Community development

• Disability

• Education

• Sustainability

• Mental health support

• Relief support

• Equality and diversity

• Youth groups and clubs

Funding is intended to help with operational costs, equipment purchases, or specific community programmes.

In some categories, no funding amount is given. However, for youth groups and clubs, grants of up to £750 are available for community trips, club costs, materials, venue hire and transport.

Applications are particularly encouraged from smaller voluntary and community organisations.

Current deadline: 31st October 2025

To read more: Our Communities Support | Arnold Clark Community Fund

Calisen Impact Charitable Trust

UK-registered charities are invited to apply for grants that support projects delivering positive environmental, social, or wellbeing outcomes for communities throughout the country.

This funding comes from the Calisen Impact Charitable Trust, which is dedicated to fostering economic and social development by backing initiatives that focus on at least one of the following goals:

• Helping the UK achieve its climate targets

• Moving the UK towards zero emissions

• Creating a more sustainable energy system

• Promoting inclusion and building safe, diverse educational and working environments

• Supporting economic and social growth in communities where Calisen operates, particularly in the North West and across the UK

Previous projects supported by the Trust include Eco-Schools, which helps schools earn Green Flag accreditation and engages children in environmental action and Youth Zones, which provide nutritious meals and support for disadvantaged young people.

While the Trust prioritises communities in the North West where Calisen operates, funding is open to eligible organisations across the UK.

The Trust does not specify a total fund value or a maximum grant amount for individual applications.

Current deadline: 31st December 2025

To read more: About funding - Calisen Impact

Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation's 'Small Change Big Difference' Fund

Members and colleagues of the Yorkshire Building Society can nominate UK Charities to apply to the Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation's Small Change Big Difference Fund. The Foundation aims to help alleviate poverty, improve health, and save lives.

Once nominated, organisations can apply for grants of up to £2,500 to support initiatives that benefit vulnerable groups in the UK, including children, the seriously ill, the elderly, the homeless, and people with disabilities.

Funding can be used for projects or items that make a positive difference, such as sensory toys for children with special needs, social activities for the elderly, or staff training for programme delivery.

Priority will be given to organisations with an annual income under £100,000 and those supporting marginalised communities.

To access the funding, charities should consider encouraging supporters who are members or colleagues of the Yorkshire Building Society to consider nominating them to access potential funding opportunities.

Current deadline: 31st December 2025

To read more: Charitable Foundation | Your Society | YBS

The Fat Beehive Foundation digital funding

UK-registered charities can apply for funding of up to £2,500 to improve their online digital presence.

The Fat Beehive Foundation awards small grants to charities with an average income of less than £1,000,000 yearly to support hard-to-fund digital expenditures that other funders often do not cover.

Funding will help organisations to build websites and apps, digitise services, and purchase digital products.

Trustees are particularly keen to support traditionally hard-to-fund organisations, such as those supporting prisoners, refugees, or disadvantaged youth.

Applications can be submitted at any time and are reviewed at trustee meetings in April and October.

To read more: The Fat Beehive Foundation

Soft Market Testing: Short Breaks for Adults with Disabilities, Learning Disabilities and/or Autism [TENDER]

Wirral Council has launched a Soft Market Testing (SMT) exercise to inform the future commissioning of Short Breaks services for adults with disabilities, learning disabilities and/or autism.

The Council is seeking views from potential providers to help shape the design and delivery of a new Short Breaks Service, ensuring it meets local needs, reflects current market capacity and offers value for money.

This is an opportunity for interested organisations to share insights that will inform the forthcoming procurement process. Providers of social care, respite or community-based support services are encouraged to take part.

Participants are invited to respond to a series of questions set out in Appendix 1 of the information pack. Feedback from this Soft Market Testing will help the Council develop the final service specification and procurement documents.

Current deadline: 20th October 2025

To read more: Soft Market Testing (SMT)

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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.