Hi there, here is March’s update!
Many of you will have been receiving emails about my Membership Programme so I’m not going to rattle on about it here too (although there is a link further down if you want to know more)!
Just a reminder – all these monthly newsletters eventually find their way to my website – so if you are looking for funds for specific projects, it might be worth heading over there too.
Here’s this month’s round up:
#Funding News
The BAGRI Foundation offers grants to non-profit arts organisations actively engaged in the cultural sector, supporting artistic projects.
Projects must fulfil all the requirements below to be eligible:
- Be hosted by established organisations with a track record of delivering artistic projects.
- Promote the sharing of traditional or contemporary Asian culture.
- Include established or mid-career level artists from Asia or the diasporas.
- Result in a tangible public outcome.
- Align with the Foundation’s mission
The Spring Round of Open Grants is now open. Stage 1 Expression of Interest: 9 February – 11 March, 11:59pm (GMT) Stage 2 deadline: 17 April, 11:59pm (BST)
Outcome: early July 2026
The Foundation will be awarding grants of up to £7,500 to more than 20 dementia clubs and memory cafés across the country. These organisations play a vital role in supporting people living with dementia and their carers within local communities.
Grant applications NOW OPEN. They will close on Friday 13 March.
- The Foundation team will carry out the initial shortlisting and due diligence.
- A sub-committee will meet in the week commencing 20 April to review shortlisted applications.
- Final recommendations will be agreed by the Trustees by 30 April.
- All applicants will be informed of the outcome within two working days of Trustee approval.
- Grant payments will be made by the first week of June.
Jerwood Foundation supports excellence and emerging talent in the arts in the UK, and welcomes funding applications from organisations with a focus on making art available for public benefit, and also organisations interested in working with Jerwood Collection.
Their 2026 funding round is now open for applications (closing 2pm 18 March). Decision at Trustee meeting on 29 April. All applicants will be contacted by 13 May.
Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund
VCFS organisations in England with a maximum annual income of £5 million that have been delivering support for at least 3 years to individuals at risk of, or currently experiencing, homelessness and rough sleeping.
Through targeted investment of £37 million, the EHCF will support VCFS organisations to expand community-based support, strengthen and transform existing day support offers, help individuals to live independently and prevent them from returning to rough sleeping. This includes supporting those who have experienced the longest periods on the streets, who rely on trusted relationships and flexible provision to move forward.
Grant objectives
- Increase community-based support to prevent and reduce the number of people experiencing rough sleeping
- Enhance or transform existing day support offers through staff, physical infrastructure, service development and partnership working
- Support individuals to live independently and prevent them returning to rough sleeping
Applications open: Midday Monday 23 February 2026
Deadline for applications: Midday Monday 31 March 2026
Metcalfe Smith Trust provides grants to individuals to significantly improve quality of life. The next meeting of Trustees will take place on 11th May 2026. In order, to be considered for this round of grants, applications need to be received by the end of April. The following meeting will take place on 5th October 2026.
Trustees give grants only to applicants from the Leeds area.
National organisations are supported only for projects specific to Leeds.
Grants are usually between £250 and £2500.
Sir Halley Stewart Trust is open to new applications. This round will close on 10 March 2026. * Meetings are ‘closed’ to new applications at the discretion of the Trust, and without prior warning, once the meeting capacity is reached.
Social grants – The Trust funds innovative and catalysing Social projects, where the Trust tends to be a ‘first funder’. Social grants are primarily awarded for under-funded causes, rather than those with higher profiles that gain a lot of public attention and may find it easier to attract funding.
Medical grants – The Trust funds medical projects that are practical and capable of clinical application within five-to-ten years. They may include a social or ethical element.
Religious grants – The Trust funds ground-breaking, practical ecumenical projects in the UK. The Trust is committed to advancing Christian religion, but also welcomes applications from other faith communities.
My plans for 2026…
If you are not already familiar with the
Straight Forward Funding Membership Programme
just click here to find out more.
#Just for Schools
Royal Geographical Society Fieldwork apprenticeships Grants of £1,500 are offered annually for first year undergraduate geography students to participate in a fieldwork project led by one of their university lecturers.
The Fieldwork Apprenticeships aim to give students the opportunity during the summer to work as a Fieldwork Apprentice for a number of weeks on a research project either in the UK or overseas, led by an academic member of staff at their university.
Applicants must be resident in the UK and be in the first year of an undergraduate geography degree at a UK HEI. Applicants must have the support of a lecturer at their UK HEI to participate in a fieldwork project.
Applicants should demonstrate how opportunities to get involved in fieldwork would not be available to them were it not for the Field Apprenticeship. Where possible they should demonstrate the challenging circumstance that prevents them from having access to such opportunities.
Deadline: 1 April 2026.
EV Charging Scheme for Schools & Education Institutions (UK)
To boost the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, the government has extended the Workplace Charging Scheme to support state-funded schools and education institutions to install EV chargepoint sockets at their sites.
Eligible institutions in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can receive 75% off the cost of purchasing and installing chargepoints, up to a maximum of £2500 per socket and 40 sockets across all sites (this includes any applications made previously through the Workplace Charging Scheme)
Academy trusts can apply for up to a maximum of 40 sockets for each institution within the academy trust. Independent schools may apply for funding through the Workplace Charging Scheme.
Successful applicants will receive a voucher valid for 180 days from the date of issue. An authorised installer must complete the installation within this time.
The closing date for applications is the 31st March 2026.
#Useful Stuff
Sounddelivery Media’s unique seven month leadership programme aims to diversify the voices we hear in the media and make it more representative of the society we live in. We developed our Spokesperson Leadership Programme collaboratively with leaders with lived experience. They told us that they felt excluded from the conversations that directly affect them in the media and other spaces. This programme tackles the barriers that prevent leaders with lived experience from engaging with the people and platforms that have the power to influence national conversations.
“We will equip a new cohort of 14 leaders with the skills, confidence and networks to share their experience, have their expertise heard more widely and ultimately drive change for their communities.”
The programme is free and travel expenses to any in-person workshops will be covered by Sounddelivery Media.
Application process closes: 12pm Friday 20th March 2026
A Million Acts of Hope Watching the news or looking at your social media feed, it’s easy to believe that the UK is more divided than ever. The voices of those who seek to spread hate, harm our communities and separate us are loud.
But the reality is millions of people across the UK show up for each other, their neighbours and their communities every single day. From litter picking in parks to donating stuff to food banks, coaching our kids’ football teams to working together to make our streets safer – acts of hope and kindness happen all the time.
These stories are too often left untold. So, in May 2026, community and faith groups, plus charities big and small, will come together to celebrate and inspire A Million Acts of Hope across Britain. There is far more that connects us than divides us. Click the link to sign up to hear more and/or get involved.
See you next month!
PS. Are you making the most of my free resources? Use these links to receive my:
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‘Straight Forward Funding Resources’ Facebook Group, where I post more info about funding, along with any useful information and resources.