Guide to applying: Main Fund

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Exclusions - what we do not fundAudio version of guide to applying

We do not support the following, please do not apply if your organisation or work falls into any of these categories:

  1. Work that does not have a direct benefit in the UK
  2. General appeals or circulars
  3. Grants to individuals or to causes that will benefit only one person, including student grants or bursaries
  4. Work that is common to many parts of the UK such as:
    • Mainstream or core activities of local organisations which are part of a wider network of others doing similar work (e.g. YMCA, MIND groups, Age UK), even if they are constituted as separate organisations
    • Services that are provided in similar ways in many locations such as refuges, hostels, night shelters and standard services for homeless people, sports associations, playgroups, play schemes, out of school clubs, supplementary schools, playgroups, youth clubs and general capacity building/ professional development
    • Routine work to improve employability skills such as training on CV writing, interview skills, literacy, numeracy, communication, ESOL courses and activities to increase self confidence
    • Routine information and advice work
  5. Recreational activities including outward bound courses and adventure experiences
  6. Capital costs including building work, renovations, and equipment
  7. Energy efficiency or waste reduction schemes such as recycling or renewable energy schemes unless they have exceptional social benefits
  8. Healthcare or related work such as medical research, complementary medicine, hospices, counselling and therapy, education about and treatment for drug and alcohol misuse
  9. Work that is primarily the responsibility of central or local government, health trusts or health authorities. This includes residential, respite and day care, housing provision, individual schools, nurseries and colleges or a consortium of any of these, and vocational training
  10. We will not normally replace or subsidise statutory income although we will make rare exceptions where the level of performance has been exceptional and where the potential impact of the work is substantial
  11. The independent education sector
  12. Animal welfare, zoos, captive breeding and animal rescue centres
  13. The promotion of religion
  14. Retrospective funding, meaning support for work that has already taken place
  15. Work that is not legally charitable

We very rarely fund research.

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Other sources of funding

If you come under one or more of our exclusions you may find the information on other sources of funding useful.

FAQs

Q:

You say you only fund work that is ‘legally charitable’ - what does this mean?

A:

The Charities Act 2006 defines a charitable purpose, explicitly, as one that falls within one of 13 descriptions of purposes and is for the public benefit.  The 13 areas are listed at the Charity Commission website.

We fund registered charities and other forms of organisations - however, when funding non registered charities we would still expect the work to fall within the definition of what is charitable.  When funding non registered charities we also need to see a copy of the applicant organisation's constitution.

Q:

Do you fund for profit organisations if the work proposed is charitable?

A:

The work you are applying for must be legally charitable and your constitution must allow you to do the work.  We provide funding for a range of types of organisation (not just registered charities) though in practice the majority or organisations we fund are charities or non-profits.  If you are not a registered charity then we will want to see a copy of your constitution, to check that there is sufficient public benefit and protection against private benefit (such as what happens if there are any surpluses or if the organisation closes down).