Where to Find Charity Grants in the UK
Securing grant funding is essential for charities of all sizes across the UK. In 2025, thousands of grants are available from trusts, foundations, lottery distributors, and government bodies. This guide covers the main sources and how to access them.
The National Lottery Community Fund
The National Lottery Community Fund is the largest funder of community activity in the UK. Key programmes include:
Awards for All: Grants of £300 to £10,000 for community projects
Reaching Communities: Larger grants for projects lasting up to five years
Together for Our Planet: Funding for community-led climate action
Applications are rolling, meaning there are no fixed deadlines for most programmes.
Government Grant Programmes
Several government departments provide funding to charities:
DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sport): Funds arts, heritage, and community organisations
DEFRA: Environmental and conservation grants
Department for Education: Youth services and education-focused charities
UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Replacing EU structural funds, available through local councils
Charitable Trusts and Foundations
Trusts and foundations remain the largest source of charity grant funding in the UK. Notable funders include:
The Tudor Trust: Supports smaller organisations working with marginalised communities
Garfield Weston Foundation: One of the largest UK grant-makers, funding across all charitable purposes
The Henry Smith Charity: Awards around £30 million annually to charitable organisations
Lloyds Bank Foundation: Focuses on small and local charities helping people overcome complex social issues
The Wolfson Foundation: Funds excellence in education, health, heritage, and science
Corporate Foundations
Many large companies operate charitable foundations:
The Tesco Community Foundation: Local community grants through Groundwork
The John Lewis Foundation: Supports community wellbeing initiatives
Nationwide Foundation: Focuses on decent, affordable homes
How to Find the Right Grants
Finding relevant grants requires a structured approach:
1. Define your project clearly: Know exactly what you need funding for, including specific costs and timelines
2. Research funder priorities: Each trust has specific areas of interest and exclusions
3. Check eligibility carefully: Many funders restrict by charity size, geography, or charitable purpose
4. Review annual reports: Understanding what a funder has previously supported helps you assess fit
Writing a Strong Charity Grant Application
Demonstrate Need
Use evidence to show why your project is necessary:
Local statistics and data
Feedback from beneficiaries
Research from credible sources
Waiting lists or unmet demand figures
Show Clear Outcomes
Funders want to know what difference their money will make. Define:
How many people you will help
What changes beneficiaries will experience
How you will measure success
What happens after the funding ends
Present a Realistic Budget
Your budget should be:
Detailed and itemised
Based on actual quotes where possible
Include both direct project costs and a fair proportion of overheads
Show any match funding or income from other sources
Provide Strong Governance Evidence
Funders want confidence that their money will be well managed:
Up-to-date accounts filed with the Charity Commission
A clear safeguarding policy
Appropriate insurance cover
Trustee board with relevant skills and diversity
Common Reasons Charity Grant Applications Fail
Poor fit with funder priorities: Always check guidelines before applying
Vague outcomes: Be specific about what you will achieve
Weak evidence of need: Support claims with data, not assumptions
Incomplete applications: Answer every question and provide all requested documents
Unrealistic budgets: Costs that seem too low or too high raise concerns
Key Dates for 2025
While many trusts accept applications year-round, some have fixed deadlines:
Arts Council England: Programme-specific deadlines published on their website
Sport England: Rolling applications for most programmes
Heritage Fund: Multiple rounds throughout the year
Comic Relief: Typically opens funding rounds annually
Small Charities: Where to Start
If your charity has an annual income under £1 million, focus on:
Local community foundations: Often have funds specifically for smaller local charities
Awards for All: Quick decisions with a straightforward application
Local council grants: Many councils have small grants programmes
Themed grant rounds: Smaller trusts often run specific themed programmes
Next Steps
Finding the right charity grants takes research and preparation. Use GrantBridge to match your charity with relevant funding opportunities and streamline your grant search.
