Latest Funding Opportunities
Music for All
Schools and community groups that are not-for-profit and based in the UK, including educational establishments, community organisations and similar not-for-profit groups that are bringing music-making activities to their communities, are eligible to apply for schools and community group awards providing their project fits the relevant award category description.
Round 2 is now open for applications, offering awards in the following categories for schools and community groups:
- Electro Acoustic Guitars (entry level & advanced level guitars available)
- Pbuzz instruments
- Ukuleles (by Gear4Music, Natural)
- Drum kits (acoustic or electric) plus drumsticks
- Orange Crush Mini amps & cables
Applications for award Round 2 close on Thursday 7 May, 12pm. Details here.
Police and Crime Commissioner - Grassroots Innovation Fund
Funding is available for projects between £100 and £5,000 for new crime prevention and community safety projects. Groups are encouraged to put forward innovative and even experimental ideas, particularly those that focus on prevention, early intervention and stopping harm before it escalates.
Deadline 12pm, 15 May. Details here.
‘To support potential applicants, the Commissioning Team at the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire warmly invites you to attend our upcoming Grassroots Innovation Fund Information Online Sessions for you to understand more about the Grassroots Innovation Fund.’
The online drop in events will be held on the following dates:
- Tuesday 5 May at 2:00pm
- Thursday 7 May at 6:30pm
- Friday 8 May at 10:00am
Bedford Refuge for Women Fleeing Domestic Violence
Bedford Borough Council invites applications to tender for a contract to provide accommodation-based support and operation of one domestic abuse refuge in Bedford Borough.
Deadline 12pm, 20 May. Details here
Barclays Community Sport Fund
This fund (Access Grant) provides £1,000 to not‑for‑profit groups delivering football, tennis, or cricket activities for women and girls. Eligible organisations must operate in areas of high deprivation, though projects supporting women and girls with disabilities or rural isolation may also be considered.
Deadline 5pm, 27 May. Details here.
The Panacea Charitable Trust 2026
The Panacea Charitable Trust's social-related grants fund seeks to award 15-20 grants of £5,000 - £10,000 from a total funding pot of between £150,000 and £200,000. The grants fund is designated to support Bedford and its surrounding local community across a broad range of initiatives and recipients, to provide a range of valuable work and support in the area.
The aim of this grants programme is to provide financial support for projects run by charities and community groups based in, or working for, the benefit of people in the Bedford Borough.
The 2026 funding window opens on 1 May and closes at 11:59pm on 31 May.
Applications submitted prior to 1 May will not be accepted.
The Henry Smith Foundation Holiday Grants Programme
‘offers one-off grants for schools, youth groups and non-profit organisations to take children aged 13 and under on recreational day trips or short residential trips.’ Priority is given to disabled children and those in deprived areas. Grants range between £500 and £3,000.
- Applications for trips between 1 May and 30 September 2026 are open from 20 March and 19 August 2026.
- Applications for trips between 1 October and 31 December 2026 are open from 20 August and 19 November 2026.
The Big Bike Revival
The Summer 2026 programme offers grants of up to £3,500 for cycling events for adults who cycle little or not at all. Activities must follow the fix–learn–ride model and run between 3 April and 30 October. The programme aims to build cycling confidence, encourage new and returning cyclists, and reach underrepresented groups.
Deadline 1 June. Details here.
The National Churches Trust’s Large Grants Programme
Up to £50,000 for urgent structural repairs (projects over £80,000) and for installing essential facilities such as kitchens and accessible toilets (projects over £30,000). Grants cover up to 50% of total costs and are open to listed and unlisted Christian places of worship across the UK.
Stage 1 application deadline 7 July. Details here.
Children’s Alliance – Water Activities Grants
Grants of up to £15,000 to deliver water‑based activities to children under 18 years old who do not have access to swimming lessons or water activities due to a lack of funding.
Details here.
The Veterans’ Foundation provides grants to eligible organisations that provide assistance to serving and former members of the armed forces community, operational qualified seafarers and their immediate families.
Four funding programmes are available:
- Small Grants - £500 - £5,000
- Standard Grants - £5,001 - £30,000
- Salary Grants - Up to £25,000 per year for up to three years (Max £75,000)
- Major Grants - £200,000 - £500,000 (spread over one to two years)
easyfundraising – Impact Fund
The easyfundraising Impact Fund is offering 20 unrestricted grants of £500 to UK not-for-profit organisations. The grant is unrestricted, so it can be used wherever the money is needed most to support your work.
Details here.
easyfundraising is a simple way for your organisation to raise extra funds from everyday online shopping. When your community shops with over 8,000 retailers through easyfundraising, the retailer makes a donation to your organisation at no extra cost to anyone. From a weekly grocery shop to booking a holiday, it all helps generate free donations.
Sign up here.
