This week's Funding Bulletin (September 28th - October 2nd 2026)
A short summary of funding opportunities that have come to our attention this week.
Wirral CVS' Board Building Fund
Registered charities in Wirral can apply for grants of up to £1,000 towards external training and development for volunteer trustees.
The funding can support training for an individual trustee, a Chair, Vice-Chair or Treasurer, several trustees or a full board. Eligible formats include external courses, specifically commissioned board training, online learning and face-to-face provision.
Applicants must be registered charities and members of Wirral CVS. The proposed training must be delivered by a reputable provider that is independent of the applicant organisation.
Closing date: 12th October 2026
Cash4Clubs Sports Club Grants
Cash4Clubs has reopened for applications, offering £2,000 (€2,000 in Ireland) grants to grassroots sports and community organisations across the UK and Ireland. Funded by Flutter UK & Ireland and delivered with Sported, the programme has £500,000 available to support 250 clubs.
The aim is to support grassroots sports and community clubs across the UK and Ireland, helping them remain sustainable and increase adult participation in sport.
The programme particularly aims to reach clubs in disadvantaged areas and organisations engaging adults who are under-represented in sport, including women, racially diverse communities, disabled people and LGBTQ+ people. It also supports projects that use sport to improve physical and mental wellbeing, reduce loneliness and isolation, strengthen communities, and address issues such
The unrestricted funding can support venue hire, utilities, equipment, coaching, volunteer expenses, kit, marketing, training, insurance and other costs that help organisations continue or expand adult sporting activities.
Current deadline: 1st January 2027
To read more: About Cash4Clubs
The Wildlife Trusts' Green Community Grants
The Wildlife Trusts has announced that its Green Community Grants programme will re-open for applications on the 30 September 2026. Not-for-profit organisations in England, Scotland and Wales can apply for one-year flexible grants of £10,000 to £25,000 for outdoor nature projects that support nature recovery, respond to the climate emergency, or improve nature-rich spaces and access to them.
Applicants must have operated for at least 12 months, and their main aims must align with one of the programme’s two funding themes.
Contributing to nature recovery and responding to the climate emergency
Improving nature-rich spaces and access to them
Funding may also support wider environmental activities such as recycling, litter picking, beach cleans and sustainable transport.
Priority will be given to organisations with annual incomes of £250,000 or less, those working in the most deprived communities or supporting marginalised groups, and those whose governing objectives relate to protecting or restoring habitats or species.
In its 2025 pilot, the programme funded 35 grassroots projects.
Current deadline: 21st October 2026
To read more: Green Community Grants Programme | The Wildlife Trusts
The Forbes Charitable Foundation Grants
The Forbes Charitable Foundation is offering grants to organisations supporting adults with learning disabilities across the UK. The Foundation aims to increase independence and social inclusion, especially where other sources of support are not generally available.
UK registered or exempt charities and community interest groups can apply. Funding supports people with mild to moderate learning disabilities through employment and training, financial inclusion, support networks and accommodation. Activities can include skills training, employment initiatives, advocacy, community support, respite services and supported living.
Between 6 -10 organisations will be supported. Main grants of up to £30,000 per year are available to charities with annual turnover between £1 million and £20 million. Awards can support capital or revenue costs for up to three years.
Organisations initially submit up to 1,000 words outlining their work, geographical coverage and turnover. Those considered for funding are invited to make a formal application and may receive an assessment visit before trustees make their final decisions.
Current deadline: 30th September 2027
To read more: Forbes Charitable Foundation - Grant Applications
Yorkshire Building Society'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.
Current deadline: 31st December 2026
To read more: Charitable Foundation | Your Society | YBS
The Wembley Stadium Foundation's Targeted Fund
The Wembley Stadium Foundation has opened its Targeted Fund, offering grants of up to £50,000 for projects increasing access to sport, movement and the performing arts for children and young people across England. The Foundation is a charity that uses funding linked to Wembley Stadium to create opportunities for children, young people and communities.
Registered charities with annual incomes between £100,000 and £1 million can apply for up to £25,000 per year for two years. Projects must engage children and young people aged up to 25 and address barriers to participation, including disability, gender, race or socio-economic disadvantage.
Funding can strengthen or expand existing activities or test new approaches. Projects could include sport, physical activity, movement, dance, drama, music or other performing arts activities. Full cost recovery is available, covering direct project costs and a contribution towards core running costs. Larger projects can also receive part-funding.
Current deadline: 11th October 2026
To read more: APPLY FOR OUR TARGETED FUND – Wembley Stadium Foundation
BBC Children in Need's Emergency Essentials Fund
BBC Children in Need has announced that its Emergency Essentials programme is open for applications. Through the programme, grants are available to support children and young people in the UK experiencing a crisis or emergency.
The grants support families with children up to the age of 17 who are living with financial, health and social difficulties by providing items that meet children’s most basic needs such as:
Cookers
Furniture
Kitchen equipment and small appliances
Children’s beds and bedding (including cots)
Washing machines and tumble dryers
Fridges, freezers and fridge-freezers
Baby equipment
Clothing
Applications must come through a registered referral agency supporting the family or young person. The programme is delivered by Family Fund Business Services. The aim is to process applications within 10 working days.
Applications can be made at any time.
The National Lottery Community Fund's UK 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 large scale 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
Only around 20 projects will be funded annually, with decisions typically made within six months of submission.
The programme operates on a rolling basis, with no fixed deadline. Decisions are usually made within 36 weeks.
To read more: The UK Fund | The National Lottery Community Fund
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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