Sources of grant funding – September 2026
Children and Young People
*NEW* THE UNIVERSAL UK SOUND FOUNDATION: THE SCHOOL FUND – Applications in by 7 October 2026
Grants of up to £800 are available to schools in the UK and Ireland that are teaching the national curriculum to support music education for young people in all its forms, specifically for school music projects and the purchase of instruments and equipment.
https://www.umuksoundfoundation.com
*NEW* THE PAUL HAMLYN FOUNDATION: TEACHER DEVELOPMENT FUND – Applications in by 11 November 2026
Grants of up to £165,000 over 2 years are available to arts organisations and state primary schools in the UK to develop arts-based approaches that create equitable classrooms and enhance learning for all children.
Environment and Sustainability
*NEW* THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS: GREEN COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAMME – Applications open on 30 September and close on 21 October 2026
One-year flexible grants of up to £25,000 are available to not-for-profit groups in England, Scotland and Wales with an annual income between £10,000 and £1 million for projects that contribute to nature recovery, respond to the climate emergency, improve nature-rich spaces and widen access to them.
Green Community Grants Programme | The Wildlife Trusts
*NEW* NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME: COMMUNITY GARDEN GRANTS – Applications open on 29 September and close on 30 October 2026
Grants of between £1,500 and £5,000 are available to fully set up community groups, registered charities and Community Interest Companies for existing or proposed community garden projects that benefit local communities, support health and wellbeing, encourage sustainable gardening and biodiversity, and may include community orchards, food banks or social prescribing settings.
Community Garden Grants – National Garden Scheme
*NEW* THE TREE COUNCIL: TREES OUTSIDE WOODLAND FUND – Applications in by 31 October 2026, or until funding is allocated
Grants of between £10,000 and £40,000 are available to local authorities and registered charities in England with an annual income or turnover of more than £100,000 for projects that establish trees outside woodland, creating or enhancing green spaces using a range of tree sizes, species and planting types.
Trees Outside Woodland Fund – The Tree Council
*NEW* GREEN ALLOTMENTS: NEW ALLOTMENT SITE FUND – Applications may be made at any time
Support is available for permanent residents in England aged 18 or over who want to create a new non-profit, community-managed allotment site. Green Allotments can fund the purchase of suitable allotment land up to £50,000 per acre, retaining ownership and offering the new allotment society a 30-year peppercorn lease with the intention to renew. This is not a cash grant, and applicants must be willing to help self-manage the new allotments on a voluntary basis.
The New Allotment Site Fund – Green Allotments
*NEW* DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS: CAPITAL GRANTS 2026 – Applications currently open until funding is allocated
Capital Grants are three-year agreements that help farmers, land managers and rural businesses in England invest in practical environmental improvements such as hedgerow planting, water storage, farmyard drainage, improved water and air quality, natural flood management, boundaries, trees, orchards, assessments and other infrastructure supporting long-term productivity and environmental outcomes.
Capital Grants 2026 now open – Farming
Grants that Cover a Wide Range of Needs
*NEW* THE UK FUND (THE NATIONAL LOTTERY COMMUNITY FUND) – Applications may be made at any time
Revenue grants of between £500,000 and £5 million over 2–10 years (although most awards are likely to be for between 2 and 5 years) are available for a range of organisations, including registered charities, Community Interest Companies and local authorities, for projects that enable communities to come together, help create a better-connected society, and help children and young people use their voice to influence change. Partnership proposals are welcomed.
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/funding-programmes/the-uk-fund
Heritage
*NEW* THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES: PROJECT GRANTS – Applications in by 16 November 2026
Grants of up to £30,000 are available for substantial collaborative projects between at least one GLAM or heritage organisation and one community group. Projects should be co-designed and community-led, supporting in-depth research, skills development and the creation of lasting resources that reflect diverse voices and experiences, with a focus on inclusion, sustainability and long-term impact.
*NEW* THE CASTLE STUDIES TRUST – Applications in by 1 December 2026
Grants of up to £15,000 are available to UK organisations, including local authorities, and individuals for research and other projects that enhance the understanding and knowledge of castles in the UK and abroad.
https://castlestudiestrust.org/index.html
Arts
*NEW* (ADVANCE NOTICE) THE CHARLOTTE AITKEN TRUST – Applications in by 31 October 2026
A limited number of small-medium sized grants are available to UK registered charities and literary organisations that promote the creative arts for the public benefit, especially literature, whether fiction, non-fiction drama or poetry. The Trust opens to applications on Thursday 1 October 2026.
Community and Wellbeing
*NEW* MORRISONS FOUNDATION: CONNECTING COMMUNITIES GRANTS – Applications may be made at any time
Capital grants of up to £20,000 are available to registered charities providing place-based services to the whole community or specific groups, for projects that upgrade buildings and outdoor areas, reduce social isolation, build a sense of belonging, and help keep vital local services open and accessible.
Morrisons Foundation Connecting Communities Grant Request
*NEW* AVIVA FOUNDATION: FINANCIAL FUTURES FUND – Applications in by 7 October 2026
Grants of at least £100,000, typically between £250,000 and £300,000 over three years, are available to UK-registered organisations with an annual income of £1 million or more for long-term programmes that improve financial resilience, including building financial confidence and capability, improving access to fair and inclusive financial services, supporting people through financial shocks and hardship, and addressing systemic issues such as debt, housing insecurity and digital exclusion.
Financial Futures Fund – Aviva Foundation
*NEW* LET’S CELEBRATE TOWNS 2026 – VISA AND NATIONWIDE – Entries close on 25 October 2026
Five grants of £20,000 are available to towns across the UK for community-led projects or initiatives that support stronger local economies, thriving high streets and vibrant local communities. Entries are invited from MPs and local leaders, local authorities and town councils, and community groups and organisations across five categories: High Street Revival, Backing Local Business, Protecting Valued Places, Connected Places and Community Pride.
*NEW* ARMED FORCES COVENANT FUND TRUST: REVEAL AND RESPOND PROGRAMME – Applications in by 28 October 2026
Grants of £20,000 to £300,000 are available to UK-based registered charities, Community Interest Companies and local authorities to improve access to appropriate mental health and wellbeing support for underrepresented groups within the armed forces community. Two strands are available: £20,000 to £40,000 for discovery, pilot and learning projects, and £150,000 to £300,000 for projects that scale or strengthen tested approaches.
Reveal and Respond programme – Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust
*NEW* THE WISE MUSIC FOUNDATION – Applications in by 30 November 2026
A limited number of grants for between £500 and £5,000, averaging £1,500, are available to smaller UK charitable organisations with an annual turnover of under £500,000 that are working in the UK and/or overseas to support people experiencing hardship, distress and illness, with a focus on children, the homeless and people living in poverty.
https://wisemusicfoundation.com
*NEW* THE ROBERT CLUTTERBUCK CHARITABLE TRUST – Applications in by 31 December 2026
Grants of up to £3,000 are available to registered charities in England and Wales that are supporting Armed Forces and ex-service personnel, as well as natural history and wildlife projects. Projects in Cheshire and Hertfordshire tend to be favoured, but not exclusively.
Religious
*NEW* HISTORIC ENGLAND: PLACES OF WORSHIP RENEWAL FUND – Expressions of interest in by 2 October 2026
Grants of between £10,000 and £1 million are available for urgent repairs and essential improvements to listed places of worship in England, of any faith or denomination, provided they are active places of worship. Funding supports capital works that keep buildings safe, open and in public use, with priority given to projects in areas with greatest need for investment and those bringing strong community benefit.
Places of Worship Renewal Fund | Historic England
Animal Charities
*NEW* THE JEAN SAINSBURY ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST – Applications in by 1 December 2026
Grants, usually for between £2,000 and £10,000, are available for UK animal welfare charities for projects or activities in the UK and overseas that benefit and protect animals, relieve the suffering of animals, address the conservation of wildlife and/or encourage a greater understanding of animals.
