How to apply for charity grants in the UK

Get grant-ready

Funders reject applications from organisations that look risky on paper. Before you fill in a single form, make sure you have:

• A governing document (constitution, articles or trust deed)
• At least two unrelated trustees or directors
• A UK bank account in the organisation's name
• Signed accounts for your most recent financial year
• Safeguarding and equality/diversity policies
• A one-paragraph description of what you do and who benefits

Find the right funder

A tailored application to three well-matched funders beats twenty scattergun submissions. Match on four things:

• Purpose — does the funder's priorities list your cause?
• Region — many UK funders only support specific local authorities.
• Grant size — apply for the amount the funder typically awards, not the maximum.
• Organisation type — some exclude CICs, faith groups or unregistered associations.

Use the VCFSE Connect funding database to filter live opportunities by region and organisation type.

Plan the project on paper first

Before drafting an application, write a one-page project plan covering:

1. The need — evidence with local data (Census, JSNA, Indices of Deprivation).
2. The beneficiaries — who, how many, and how you'll reach them.
3. The activities — what you'll actually deliver, week by week.
4. The outcomes — the change you expect, and how you'll measure it.
5. The budget — a realistic total, itemised (staff, sessional, room hire, materials, overheads).

Write a strong application

Assessors read hundreds of applications. Make theirs easy:

• Answer the question that was asked — do not paste from a previous bid.
• Mirror the funder's language: if they say "outcomes", do not write "outputs".
• Show cause and effect: need → activity → outcome → measurement.
• Quantify wherever possible (e.g. "40 young people, 20 sessions").
• Include one short beneficiary quote or case study — real, anonymised.
• Have someone outside your organisation read it before you submit.

Submit, follow up and report

Submit at least 48 hours before the deadline — portals crash on the day. If the funder emails a query, reply within 24 hours. Once awarded, diarise the reporting date and keep evidence (registers, photos with consent, quotes) as you go, not at the end.

UK grant providers to know

Well-known funders that regularly support VCFSE organisations. Always check current guidelines before applying.

• The National Lottery Community Fund

  £300 to £500k+, England-wide.

• The Tudor Trust

  Small, grassroots, community-led organisations.

• Henry Smith Charity

  Core costs for disadvantaged-area groups.

• Comic Relief

  Themed funds, UK and international.

• Garfield Weston Foundation

  General grants, welfare, youth, arts.

• Power to Change

  Community businesses in England.

• Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

  Social change, arts, environment.

• Forever Manchester

  Grassroots activity across Greater Manchester.

Frequently asked questions