This week's Funding Bulletin (September 29th - October 3rd 2025)

eloisehallwcvs
Oct 3
6 min read

Updated: Oct 6

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

The Strategic Legal Fund for Vulnerable Young Migrants

Not for profit organisations and private law firms assisting young migrants can apply for grants from the Strategic Legal Fund (SLF) for Vulnerable Young Migrants.

These grants aim to support strategic legal work that benefits disadvantaged migrant children and young people (under 25 years old) who are living in poverty and facing significant disadvantage or discrimination due to their immigration status.

The SLF only supports strategic legal work carried out in the UK. This is defined as work where the impact is likely to go beyond an individual case, and to result in changes to law, policy and practice that will benefit a wider group of people. Applications must be to fund one of two kinds of strategic legal work:

The SLF funds two types of strategic legal actions:

the research and development of cases pre-litigation, including gathering evidence to test a hypothesis or research to establish authorities' policy and practice, identifying potential plaintiffs/applicants/appellants, researching whether to proceed, translating relevant material, and evaluating a litigation strategy.

third party "interventions" in existing cases, which allow a non-party intervener to assist the court in arriving in its decision in a case, acting as an amicus curiae, a friend of the court.

The maximum grant amount is £30,000, but applicants are encouraged to request lower amounts due to limited funding. The average grant size is approximately £12,000 - £15,000.

Current deadline: 27th October 2025

To read more: About the SLF - Strategic Legal Fund

Hospice UK's Dying Matters Community Grants Programme

Funding is available to support innovative community arts and culture projects that open up conversations about dying, death and grief in new and creative ways.

Hospice UK’s Dying Matters Community Grants Programme will award grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 to hospices for community-led projects that support hard to reach groups including:

Ethnic minorities
Homeless people
Prisoners
People with learning disabilities
LGBT+ people
Those living in remote and rural areas
People living in poverty, deprivation and with lower socioeconomic status

Funding can be used to cover:

Artist fees
Exhibition/installation costs
Materials
Facilitator costs
Translation & marketing
Refreshments
Craft materials
Sound and light
Venue hire

Previously funded projects have included:

A video game that supports young people to think about death and grief
Theatre productions
A community mural
Comedy nights
Workshops and courses

Current deadline: 5th December 2026

The Tree Council's Trees Outside Woodland Fund

The Tree Council's Trees Outside Woodland Fund aims to support projects that establish trees outside of woodlands to enhance green spaces in England using a range of tree types and planting methods.

The grant aligns with the Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan to increase England's tree canopy from 14.5% to 16.5% by 2050.

Local authorities in England and registered charities with a turnover exceeding £100,000 can apply for grants ranging from £10,000 to £40,000. Applicants must have public liability insurance and obtain written permission for each planting site.

Projects could include but is not limited to:

Planting trees in urban areas to improve air quality and provide green spaces for communities.
Establishing tree-lined avenues to enhance the visual appeal and biodiversity of public spaces.
Creating community orchards to promote local food production and engage residents in sustainable practices.

The application process involves a two-stage approach. Interested groups must first submit an expression of interest, with a rolling review. Shortlisted projects will then proceed to a full application.

Current deadline: 31st October 2025

Home Instead Charities Grants

Community groups and small charities working with older people can now apply for grants from Home Instead Charities.

The charity provides funding to projects that enhance wellbeing or reduce social isolation among people aged 55 and over. Grants are available to grassroots organisations, small local charities and registered charities, with Community Interest Companies also eligible.

Funding levels depend on the type of organisation. Grassroots groups can apply for up to £500, while small local registered charities may receive up to £1,500. Registered charities are required to provide a copy of their constitution and the latest accounts.

Projects typically supported include social clubs, day trips, yoga sessions, and guest speakers. Funding cannot be used for salaries, operating costs, capital projects, or repeat applications for the same project within the same year.

Applicants must demonstrate inclusivity and hold a bank account in the same name as the applying group. Organisations with more than three months’ reserves may only be awarded up to 50% of their request.

Home Instead Charities said it aims to support small groups making a direct difference in local communities.

Current deadline: 31st October 2025

The Adamson Trust

Families and groups of children, schools, organisations, and other registered charities can apply for financial assistance from the Adamson Trust for the cost of holidays or respite breaks for disabled children with physical, mental, or emotional impairments.

To be eligible, the child must be a resident of the UK and between the ages of 3 and 17. The Trust requires evidence of their disability or illness from a medical or social services professional. Grants from the Trust usually only cover a portion of the holiday expenses.

Current deadline: 31st December 2025

The Charles Plater Trust's Small Grants Programme

The Charles Plater Trust is currently offering grants of up to £5,000 through its 2025 Small Grants Programme.

Open to registered charities in England and Wales, the programme supports year-long initiatives that tackle needs and problems in parishes, deprived communities, and marginalised groups. It focuses on issues such as poverty, social exclusion, economic inequality, and environmental challenges.

To be eligible, organisations must have annual incomes below £100,000.

While applicants are not required to be of the Catholic faith, their applications must align with the Trust's Catholic Social Teaching values.

Collaborative applications are also encouraged.

Previously supported projects include an ex-offender employment club to help integrate BAME young people back into society, a pastoral ministry for those living with HIV, and a charity which trains first responders to provide life-saving aid to victims of knife crime.

Current deadline: 9th October 2025

To read more: The Charles Plater Trust

Commonwealth Foundation Grants Programme

Applications are invited from registered not-for-profit civil society organisations from eligible Commonwealth Member States for the latest round of the Commonwealth Foundation Grants Programme.

Grants of between £15,000 and £30,000 are available per year for up to two years for civil society projects that encourage engagement between civil society and government around policy and decision-making relevant to three themes:

Health
Environment and climate change
Freedom of expression

This could include, for example:

Advocating for universal health coverage.
Developing, reviewing and improving laws, policies and practices aimed at addressing environmental and climate threats.
Advocating for a legal and regulatory environment that protects and upholds freedom of expression for all.

UK organisations are eligible to participate in this call for proposals but are ineligible to apply as lead applicants.

Current deadline: 23rd October 2025

VSNW / NfE's Legacy Grant

Network for Europe (NfE), which has supported the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector across the North West for almost 40 years, has announced a one-off legacy grant as part of its closure. Delivered in partnership with Voluntary Sector North West (VSNW), the grant will provide £500 to a small not-for-profit organisation to celebrate and share an activity that brings people together and strengthens community life.

The funding is unrestricted, meaning the successful organisation can use it in the way that best supports their work and the people they serve.

The activity should demonstrate community cohesion and social integration. Examples might include:

Supporting newcomers such as refugees and asylum seekers to feel part of society
Encouraging volunteering
Helping people take the next steps to improve their lives

The grant is open to small charities, social enterprises, co-ops and voluntary/community organisations across the North West of England with a turnover of less than £100,000. Applicants must also be willing to share their story with the wider VSNW membership, for example through social media, events or a free publication.

Organisations should submit an application of no more than 750 words, covering:

An overview of the organisation
Its purpose
The activity they wish to highlight
What makes this activity effective
How others could learn from it

Applications must be submitted to info@vsnw.org.uk

The successful organisation will be announced and presented with the grant at the VSNW Annual Conference in Manchester on Thursday 27 November 2025.

Current deadline: 3rd November 2025

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.