The grants listed on this page are under the value of £10,000. The length and method of application can vary hugely.

Smaller grant-making bodies often give little detail about themselves and the application process. It is always worth talking to them over the phone and clarifying what they expect from you before beginning an application.

Awards for All England

Awards for All gives grants of between £300 and £10,000. They want to fund projects which address the issues, needs and aspirations of local communities and people.

Awards for All funds a wide range of community projects aimed at developing skills, improving health, revitalising the local environment and enabling people to become more active citizens.

The application form is extensive and should be given plenty of time to complete. However, once you have applied you should receive a response within 10 weeks.

There are several useful documents on the website, including their ‘application scoring guidance’ and ‘common mistakes’. It is strongly recommended that you read these documents prior to starting an application.

Tesco ‘Bags of Help’ Fund

Bags of Help is Tesco’s local community grant scheme  where the money raised by the sale of carrier bags is being used to fund thousands of local projects in communities right across the UK.  Projects must bring benefits to their community – these range from improving community buildings and outdoor spaces to buying new equipment, training coaches or volunteers and hosting community events.

Administration of the local funding is being managed by the community charity, Groundwork, which specialises in transforming communities and the local environment for the better.

Successful applications to this fund will go through to an in-store voting round with two other projects and will recieve either £1,000, £2,000 or £5,000 dependant on how many votes they obtain.

Dischma Charitable Trust

The Dischma Charitable Trust offers grants to charitable organisations active in the UK, particularly London and Hampshire. The scheme provides grants between £500 and £5,000 to charitable organisations in the UK carrying out welfare, education, arts and conservation activities.
The Trustees normally meet in May and November to consider applications which should be received by the end of March and the end of November respectively.

Further details about the trust can be found here, http://opencharities.org/charities/1077501 and any enquiries should be directed to Linda Cousins at [email protected].

The Naturesave Trust

Naturesave Insurance donates 10% of certain insurance policies to generate funds, which they give out in the form of grants.

The Naturesave Trust give grants of up to £10,000 although the average grant is £1,500.

Grants are made to projects that specifically address the promotion and implementation of sustainable development, environmental and/or conservationist improvement and/or general ‘green’ issues.

There are no deadlines for applications and no limit to the number of applications that can be made. The trustees aim to make a decision six to eight weeks after the application has been made.

National Lottery Heritage Fund

The National Lottery Heritage Fund (used to be known as the HLF) is one of the largest grant-making bodies in the UK. It has a wide selection of programmes that cover many aspects of heritage. See their website for details.
Before starting an application for any of their programmes you are able to submit a Project Enquiry Form which allows them to review your project and tell you if it would be eligible for funding. This is not assessed and has no effect on any application you make.

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation was established in 1961 and is one of the largest charitable foundations in the UK, giving out millions in grants each year.

They will normally award grants between £5,000 – £500,000, but grants are occassionally given outside these limits.

They fund projects in the following categories:

• The arts
• Children and young people
• The environment
• Social change

The foundation operates a two stage application process. Stage one applications can be completed online via their website and, if successful, they will send out an invitation to complete the stage two application form.

For deadlines and more information see their website.

People’s Health Trust

The People’s Health Trust invest in local communities to help create fairer places to grow, live, work and age. They believe that where you live should not unfairly reduce the length of your life or the quality of your health.

They will award grants between £5,000 and £25,000.

The projects must:

• be small and local, for example, a few streets or a small village. They don’t give money to larger projects
• be designed and led by local people
• create stronger connections between people
• be in one or more of their fundable neighbourhoods
• enable people to feel they are doing something positive in their area, making a difference and feeling good about it

The current locations that are Wakefield, Leeds, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Stoke-On-Trent, Telford and Wrekin, Cardiff, Caerphilly, Newport, Torfaen, Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil, Vale of Glamorgan, Rhondda Cynon Taf although these locations may change in the future.

Morrisons Foundation

Morrisons Foundation will award grants to registered charities whose projects will improve the lives of people living in the UK.

The criteria is general and non-specific and no grant amounts are specified. However, previous grant awards have ranged from £5,000 – £20,000.

Applications can be made at any time and there are no deadlines and the application must be made using the downloadable application form on their website.

See their website for more details.

Ford Britain Trust

The Ford Britain Trust is run by Ford Motors and they fund community and environment projects. It will contribute towards capital projects, capital expenditure items, the purchasing and leasing of new Ford vehicles and general funds.

The Trust will only fund projects in five areas. These are Essex (including East London), St Albans, Bridgend in South Wales, Southampton and Daventry although exceptions may be made for initiatives in which Ford Motor Company Limited employees and retirees are involved.

There are two grant schemes which Ford Britain Trust promote:

Small grants: for amounts up to £250, available four times each year.

Large grants: for amounts over £250 and usually up to a maximum of £3,000. Large grants are considered by the Trustees twice a year.

Charlotte Bonham-Carter Charitable Trust

The Charlotte Bonham-Carter Charitable Trust offers grants to registered charities working the UK, with preference being given to those active in Hampshire.

Applications should be submitted to the Trust in writing detailing the funds required, the amount already raised and a project timescale.

The Trustees meet twice per year to consider applications. Applications should be received by 1 January and 1 September each year. This may be liable to change so always check the website for the latest information.

Skinners Company – Lady Neville Charity

The Skinners’ Company Lady Neville Charity gives grants of between £500 – £1,000 to small, registered charities and not-for-profit organisations.

The charity supports local heritage projects which help to conserve and restore landmarks, landscape, traditions and culture. They will fund capital purchases such as equipment and wish for the grant to make a significant contribution to the project.

Application can be made via a downloadable application form which is submitted by post.

Duke of Devonshire’s Charitable Trust

The Duke of Devonshire’s Charitable Trust is a small grant-making family charity providing assistance to local capital projects. Preference is generally given to charities in North East Derbyshire, North Yorkshire and the Eastbourne area but support further afield may be agreed at the Trustees discretion.

Grants in the last few years have typically ranged from £250 – £10,000.

Application can be made via a downloadable application form which can be submitted as an email or posted to their address.

Golden Bottle Trust/Bulldog Trust

The Golden Bottle Trust/ Bulldog Trust partnership will award grants between £1,000 – £30,000.

They have very lenient eligibility criteria, stating that they prioritise projects that utilise the grant to gain great charitable value, preferably long-term effects and showing value for money. Projects of many types, covering many different areas are accepted.

Each funding period will close once it has received a certain number of applications. Therefore it is reccommended you check the website and apply as early as possible in the funding period to ensure your application is accepted.

There is no application form. Instead they request that you write no more than 3 pages of A4 describing the charity, the project and why you require funding.

The Charles & Elsie Sykes Trust

The Charles & Elsie Sykes Trust is a small charitable trust that donates smaller grants to projects in a wide range of categories.

No grant amounts are specified but over £300,000 was given in grants in total in 2010 and grants have previously been awarded up to £25,000.

Apply by downloading an application form from their website.

Gannet Foundation

The Gannett Foundation is the charitable arm of Gannett Co Inc., owner of the Newsquest Media Group, one of the UK’s largest publishers. It aims to support local organisations in areas where Newsquest operates.

It typically gives grants between £5,000 and £10,000 towards projects that creatively address problems such as neighbourhood improvements, environmental conservation and local problem solving. The foundation values projects that bring lasting benefits to communities served by Newsquest newspapers.

The locations of Newsquest operations (and thus the locations of eligible projects) can be viewed here.

Grants are given once a year in the Autumn and you can apply by downloading an application form and sending it to your local newsquest office.

Woodroffe Benton Foundation

A grant making trust that gives grants of between £250 – £2,000 to any UK-based charity.
They will fund projects under the categories of environment & conservation and education & youth development.

They will not fund applications from local branches of national charities therefore any applications to this trust will need to be in the name of IWA and not the Branch.

You can submit an application online via their website, which also lists their eligibility criteria.

IGas Energy Community Fund

IGas Energy Community Fund is run by IGas Energy and gives grants up to £20,000 for a wide range of different projects.

The project areas they support are:

• Community
• Children and Young People
• Vulnerable People
• Community Regeneration
• Self-help Groups
• Environmental and Wildlife Projects
• Education and Skills Development
• Health
• Heritage
• Sustainability

They will only support projects that are within 5 miles of their operational facilities. The full list of locations can be found on their website, along with their other eligibility criteria.

You can apply via their downloadable application form which they prefer to be submitted electronically.

ASDA Foundation Community Grants Programme

ASDA Foundation Community Grants Programme awards grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 to support community projects.

Eligible projects include those that involve the following points:

• Will make a significant difference benefitting the wide local community.
• Addresses the needs of the local community.
• Tackles the underlying issues in the local community.
• Has used evidence of community needs and aspirations to develop an existing model.
• Will transform the community, improving the lives of those who live there.

Your project should be located within 5 miles of an ASDA store.

You can apply online but must first complete the online Eligibility Checker.

Please check the website for the latest deadlines and eligibility criteria of the grant.

The MacRobert Trust

The MacRobert Trust has donated millions of pounds since it began. It awards bewteen £5,000 and £25,000 to registered charities under the following themes:

Services and sea, education and training, children and youth, science engineering and techology, agriculture and horticulture, tarland and the local area.

More details about what is eligible under each theme can be downloaded from their website.

You can apply via a downloadable application form which must be submitted by post.

Aviva Community Fund

The Aviva Community Fund was set up to help award grants to community projects.The project must make a positive difference to the community and be underway by the end of the year. There are four eligible categories for the project to fall under, including community support.

They invite submissions in which you can give details about your project.
A round of voting will follow and members of the public can vote on the projects they think are most deserving of the money. Once the voting closes a series of finalists will be selected and the judges will decide how much money to give each project.

Projects must be submitted online.

For more information and current deadlines their website.

The Robert Clutterbuck Charitable Trust

The Robert Clutterbuck Charitable Trust supports charities in England and Wales, giving grants between £1,000 and £3,000 to projects that include natural history and wildlife.

The trust has a preference for projects in Cheshire and Hertfordshire but will give grants anywhere.

Applications should be made in writing. Check the website for the latest deadlines.

Lord Barnby’s Foundation

Lord Barnby’s Foundation offers grants to charitable organisations for, general charitable purposes, the advancement of health or saving of lives, disability, the prevention or relief of poverty, animals, environment, conservation and heritage.

The application process is ongoing and interested applicants may apply at any time. The Trustees meet in February, June and November.

Application should be made in writing and include a brief description of the organisation and project and a copy of the organisation’s most recent accounts.

Grants of £1,000 to £5,000 are available
Contact the Foundation in writing for further information.

Persimmon Community Champions

Persimmon Community Champions give one-off grants of up to £1,000 to local community organisations across the UK.

To be eligible the project must have already secured match funding i.e. already raised £1,000. If less than £1,000 is raised as matched funding, Persimmon will match what has been raised.

Applications can be made online.

See the website for how to apply and up to date deadlines.

John Rayner Charitable Trust

The John Rayner Charitable Trust awards grants to registered charities across the UK although they give priority to small charities and charities based in Merseyside and Wiltshire.

They give grants between £1,000 – £3,000 for projects in a range of categories including community projects.

Applications should be made in writing.

See the website for more details.

John Anthony Floyd Charitable Trust

Grants up to £5,000 for charities who work in either the Arts, Animal Welfare or Heritage. Applications must be made in writing, contact the trust for more information.

Tel: 01507 606111

The Leach Fourteenth Trust

The Leach Fourteenth Trust makes grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 to UK charities.

They support social welfare related projects in the UK but especially in the South West.

Applications must be made in writing and for further information please contact the trust directly.

Hilden Charitable Fund

The Hilden Charitable Fund is available to small charities throughout the UK.
They give an average of £5,000 funding and will consider funding projects for more than one year.

Amongst the eligible project categories is “Community Initiatives for young people aged 16-25”. This can include volunteer work.

To apply complete the application form on their website and submit it via post.

For latest application deadlines please see the website.

10 Minute Fund

Fund My Venture helps social organisations raise grant funding, through Grant Bid Writing and Fundraising Strategy, Impact Evaluation Writing, Social Organisation Formation and Project Development services.

The 10Minute Fund is aimed at charities and social organisations that are looking for small grants, through a 10 minute online application process, which fit the Fund My Venture aims including  building communities and improving the environment.

If successful you will be required to submit for evaluation/monitoring purposes a maximum 50 second video (eg, using a smartphone) explaining what they did with the grant and how it benefitted their project/beneficiaries.

Please see the website for up to date information on the application and its deadlines.

Keep Wales Tidy (Wales)

This scheme gives grants of up to £500 and is open to constituted, community groups to help cover the costs of tools, safety equipment, project materials and training.

These grants are available to support voluntary groups to undertake practical environmental projects to improve their local community such as clean ups, planting and food growing projects, vegetation management, access improvements and habitat/biodiversity improvements.

For the best chance of success the project should match one of the following priorities:

• Is the project taking place in a deprived area?
• Is the project taking place along the coastline of Wales?
• Is your project contributing to the Action Plan for Pollinators ?
• Does your project contribute to regenerating the Welsh economy? Do your activities help volunteers into employment, provide them with new skills or help them gain educational placements? Does your project generate income for the group or enable you to create new enterprises run by volunteers?

Northamptonshire County Council Grants (Northamptonshire)

The Northamptonshire County Council seed funding for innovative community projects programme will offer individual grants of £1,000 to £10,000 for projects that are all about improving health and wellbeing, helping people take charge of their life and making a difference.

Successful applicants must have match funding of at least 20% (which can include ‘in kind’ contributions) of the overall cost of the project and will be required to sign up to Localgiving.

Projects with some of the following outcomes are supported:

• Greater numbers of individuals will be supported with skills for life and will be offered opportunities that will make them as independent as possible.
• There will be a reduction in the number of individuals who are dependant upon statutory services.
• Greater numbers of people will have healthy lifestyles and have improved life chances.
• More people, especially those with a learning disability or mental health condition, will have the skills, training and education to enable employability.
• Greater numbers of people will be involved within the community as active citizens and volunteers.
• Successful applicants will create financially self-sustaining business models.

Oxford – Small Community Grants (Oxford)

The small community grants scheme is provided and administered by Oxford City Council. They offer grants of up to £1,000 for projects that benefit Oxford City Residents.

The project must fall under one of the following four themes:

• A vibrant and sustainable economy
• Strong and active communities
• Meeting housing need
• A cleaner, greener city

However they will not fund capital costs or equipment purchases.

Detailed application guidance can be found on their website.

Stepping Stones – Connecting People and Wildlife Grant (Leicestershire)

Connecting People and Wildlife Grant is for Applicants looking for funding of up to £2500 for larger projects that have significant community involvement and benefit for wildlife. Schemes are particularly encouraged where the applicant can demonstrate that the scheme helps connect existing green spaces and habitats.

The grants can award up to 75% of the total cost of the project. Applications must demonstrate and will be assessed against substantial community involvement at all stages of the scheme. The applicant must show clearly how the scheme will benefit the environment and community.

The project must take place within a specified area. A map of the eligible area can be viewed here.

For more information about the application process, deadlines and general grant guidelines, view their guidance notes.

Hertfordshire Community Foundation (Hertfordshire)

Hertfordshire Community Foundation has a small grants scheme and a large grants scheme for projects that provide benefit to communities within Hertfordshire.

The small grants scheme provides grants of up to £1,000 and the large grants scheme awards grants of up to £5,000 although they state that their average grant is between £2,000 – £3,000.

You can apply for:

• Running Costs e.g. salaries, rent etc.
• Capital items e.g. new equipment, building work etc.
• Capacity Building e.g. training, volunteer recruitment etc.

The group must be able to show that it is engaged in meeting the needs of a sector and the foundation will not fund solely environmental projects.

You can apply online.

Cotswolds AONB Sustainable Development Fund (Cotswolds)

The Cotswolds Area of Natural Beauty Sustainable Development Fund is a regional grants scheme, available to individuals, groups or businesses that have ideas of projects that will improve the Cotswolds both now and in the future.

They will contribute up to 75% of the total project costs. Grants ranging from a few hundred pounds up to £13,000 are awarded.

For the project to be eligible for funding it must address at least one of the following issues: Landscape and Geology, Biodiversity, Historic Environment, Sustainable Resources, Living and Working in the Cotswolds, Farming and Rural Land Use, Forestry Woodland and Trees, Tourism Recreation and Access, Transport, Planning & Development.

Applicants are initially encouraged to discuss their idea for a project with the Sustainable Development Officer to ensure the project is suitable for an SDF grant.

Applicants may have to submit a project proposal followed by an application form.

Essex Heritage Trust

The Trust provides funds to individuals or bodies who are helping to preserve and restore the heritage of Essex.

The smallest grant awarded to date is £100; the largest is £10,000.

The Trust will not completely fund a project except under exceptional circumstances. In many instances it acts as a “pump primer”, leading the way to encourage others to support a project.

The Trustees meet three times a year in March, July and November, when grant awards will be made.