FAQs
What can I apply for?
We offer a flexible Grants Policy that allows people, who are in financial hardship or need, because of poverty, deprivation, or disadvantage, to apply for any goods or services that would better their circumstances and situation.
People can apply for funding to help them access education or enter employment, through courses or resources. They could also apply for financial assistance towards essential household items or disability equipment. Please see the list of Exclusions in our Grants Policy to see what we will not fund.
I am a support worker. Can I apply on behalf of my client?
Yes, our online grants system allows support workers to submit enquiries and applications on behalf of their clients. At the start of the Enquiry Form, you will be asked if you are enquiring on behalf of someone else, so please choose No and enter your details.
For applications and enquiries submitted by support workers, all automated emails from the online grants system will go to the email address provided by the support worker. Please ensure that your client is aware that you have submitted an application on their behalf.
How long does the application process take?
We aim to review all enquiries within five working days. If your enquiry is eligible, you will be invited to submit a full application form. After you have submitted an application form, we will aim to make a decision on it within three weeks. During this time, we may contact you for additional information by telephone or email.
How much can I apply for?
You can apply for up to £500. However, our average grant size is between £200 and £250, so please bear this in mind when submitting an enquiry or application.
What if the good or service I need costs more than £500?
We can consider match funding requests, where you can apply to multiple organisations for the total amount of funding that you need. However, please note that our average grant size is between £200 and £250, so please bear this in mind when applying to other funding organisations.
How are your grants paid out?
We pay suppliers or retailers directly for the goods or services awarded to you, by bank transfer or cheque. Sometimes, we may ask local charities that are supporting to you to receive funds and purchase the goods or services that you need. We never make cash payments to beneficiaries.
Am I eligible if I do not fit into one of the social groups in your Grants Policy, but I am still struggling to make ends meet?
Whilst we prioritise those social groups, anyone who is in financial hardship or need, because of poverty, deprivation, or disadvantage, can apply for financial assistance.
Can I apply if I am already receiving benefits and/or support from other funders?
Yes, we will ask you which benefits you are receiving and if you have been awarded funding from any other organisations.
Do you help with day-to-day expenses, such as food, heating, utilities, or rent?
Our preference is to provide specific goods or services that will improve a person’s circumstances or situation. However, we will consider a request for day-to-day expenses, such as food, heating, utilities, or rent, if you are able to show how this one-off support will help you break out of the vicious cycle of poverty. Funding applications for day-to-day expenses will also be lower priority than those for specific goods or services, so it is dependent on which other applications we have received at that time.
How often can I apply for a grant?
If you have received financial assistance previously, you cannot apply for 12 months from the date that grant was awarded. Otherwise, there is no restriction on how many times you can apply for a grant. However, if your application was rejected, please note that you will need to have taken the rejection reasons into account when submitting another application.