Grants for small charities: how to find the right funders
There are thousands of UK funders, but only some will fit your work. Spending time choosing well saves you writing bids that were never going to succeed.
Where to look
- Local community foundations, which often fund small groups in their area
- National trusts and foundations with small grants programmes
- Your local council and local businesses
- 360Giving's GrantNav, which shows who funders have actually given to
- Your local CVS or voluntary sector support organisation
Check eligibility first
- Your legal structure (some only fund registered charities)
- Where you work and who you help
- Your income size and the amount you need
- What they won't fund — often core costs, buildings or work already started
Sign up free to read the full guide. Join the free beta
Questions people ask
Can unregistered community groups get grants?
Yes. Many local and small grants programmes fund constituted groups, but you will usually need a governing document and a bank account.
How many funders should I apply to?
Focus on a few well-matched funders rather than many poor fits.
Written by Jessie Joe Jacobs. Jessie has worked in the UK voluntary sector for around 25 years and founded the Teesside charity A Way Out. She founded Charity Builder to give small groups the support a local CVS would.