Community businesses across England can now apply for funding of between £10,000 and £150,000 to help reduce their energy costs. The funding, which is a mix of grants (up to 40%) and loans at 6.5% interest, can be used to cut energy use, lower bills, and improve the sustainability of community buildings. Support is available for projects such as installing solar panels or heat pumps, upgrading insulation, lighting, or heating systems, and fitting energy monitoring technology. Eligible applicants must own their premises or hold a lease of at least 12 years and have been declined by a bank for commercial finance. Energy audit grants of £500–£2,500 are also available to identify potential improvements. The fund is delivered by Key Fund and financed by Power to Change through the Energy Resilience Fund. Funding to Help Community Businesses Cut Energy Costs (England)
Grants of up to £5,000 are available to registered charities to support projects that equip people (18 or older in order) from disadvantaged groups with the communication skills necessary to gain employment. Priority will be given to projects that target people experiencing multiple deprivation or other groups facing major hurdles to employment, especially women, people with physical, mental, or learning disabilities, refugees and asylum seekers. The funding is being made available through the Thomas Wall Trust, and the deadline for stage 1 applications is 22 December 2025. Applicants successful at this stage will be invited to submit a stage 2 application. Grants of up to £5,000 Available to Increase Employment Opportunities for Disadvantaged Adults (UK)
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is committed to building cohesive and resilient communities. The Common Ground Resilience Fund was launched in September to support local places, and a key part of this is promoting the important role of the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.
The UK government’s Common Ground Award will invest capital funding into VCSE sector organisations that are bringing people together from different backgrounds, supporting the cost of constructing or renovating facilities, or the purchasing of equipment to deliver services.
Funding available: Up to £1.7 million capital funding within the 2025/2026 financial year, distributed in payments of up to £10,000 per successful applicant. Applicants will be able to set out how capital investment could be scaled up beyond £10,000, up to a maximum of £50,000, which may be considered in exceptional cases – where there is a clearly demonstrated need, supported by a strong application. Deadline: 21st November 2025.
Common Ground Award: prospectus – GOV.UK
Grants are available for UK registered charities whose work supports vulnerable and marginalised people experiencing mental health issues, particularly those affected by bereavement, suicide, and online bullying. For its current grants round, the Kristina Martin Charitable Trust is offering a total of £400,000 in funding, which will be allocated across the following themes: homelessness and mental health; the impact of social media on mental health; reducing social isolation; and supporting the mental health of children and young people. Charities with an annual income of under £1 million are eligible to apply. The level of funding awarded for most grants will be determined by the Trustees. Applications open on the 24th October 2025 and close on the 12th December 2025. Funding to Improve Mental Health Support for Vulnerable & Marginalised People (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 £2,500 per socket. There is a limit of 40 sockets per institution. Academy trusts can apply for up to a maximum of 40 sockets for each institution within the academy trust. Successful applicants will receive a voucher that is valid for 180 days from the date of issue. The installation must be completed by an authorised installer within this time. The closing date for applications is the 31st March 2026. EV Charging Scheme for Schools & Education Institutions (UK)
UK charities can apply for funding of up to £2,500 to enhance their online digital presence. The funding is available to charities with an average annual income of less than £1,000,000 to support digital expenditures that other funders may not cover. The funding will help organisations build websites and apps, digitise services, and purchase digital products. The funding is being made available through the Fat Beehive Foundation, and trustees are particularly keen to support traditionally hard-to-fund organisations, such as those supporting prisoners, refugees, or disadvantaged youth. Applications can be submitted at any time and are reviewed at trustee meetings in April and October. The deadline for applications is the end of September for the October meeting and the end of March for the April meeting. The closing date for the next round of applications is 31 March 2026. Funding to Improve Online Digital Presence for Small Charities (UK)
The Racial Justice Fund supports projects working for long-lasting systemic change rather than immediate relief or service delivery. To date, the fund has awarded £2 million to 13 organisations, with an average grant of just over £150,000. Applicants can typically request up to £250,000, though there is no formal maximum.
A pre-application call with the Trust for London team is highly recommended. The Fund lead is available to discuss your idea and application. While there is currently no formal deadline, it’s advised to progress your application sooner rather than later.
What’s funded:
- Projects tackling the root causes of racial injustice and poverty, aiming for systemic change rather than service delivery
- Activities may include campaigning, research, closing the racial wealth gap, creating Black-led co-operatives, equitable contracting, increasing access to housing and good jobs, and more
- The focus is on economic empowerment and addressing root causes
Eligibility:
- Organisations must have at least three trustees or directors
- Work must be based in London or directly benefit Londoners
- Open to charities and groups undertaking charitable activities, including CICs
- Priority for organisations with majority leadership by Black and minoritised communities and a strong track record in racial justice or economic empowerment
Small grants of up to £600 are available to support vulnerable older people living on low incomes in England and Wales. The funding which is being made available through the charity Friends of the Elderly assists individuals and couples who are of or over the state pension age, have savings of less than £5,000, and do not meet the criteria for other funders. The funding aims to assist with various needs such as purchasing a new fridge, paying unexpected bills, obtaining food and clothing, or covering gas and electricity costs. To apply for these grants, individuals must submit their applications through a third-party Referral Agent. Acceptable Referral Agents include charities, local authorities, housing associations, community organisations, Information, Advice and Guidance providers, as well as social services representatives. Applications can be submitted at any time. Grants for Older People on Low Incomes (England & Wales)
We are a safe place away from the urban world around us. Yet we are urban. We are URBAN WILD…a wild walled kitchen garden in the heart of Shepherd’s Bush. Our projects support the community. The garden is a sanctuary for wildlife and tackles the pressing issue of climate change. We are kind to the environment and to the wildlife and we are kind to each other. WE WANT TO KEEP OUR GREAT WORK GROWING…https://www.spacehive.com/white-city-garden-extended-access
The Paul Hamlyn Foundation is making grants of up to £60,000 per year (over 3 to 5 years) available to support not-for-profit organisations working towards migrant justice in the UK. The Migration Fund aims to support organisations to build on their services to strengthen relationships with migrants and diaspora communities, and help them plan for positive change. The Foundation will consider applications for core funding and funding dedicated to specific programmes and partnerships. Potential applicants need to contact the Foundation to discuss ideas before submitting applications related to this focus area. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Funding to Support Migrant Justice (UK)
sobus
20 Dawes Road, London, SW6 7EN
Telephone 020 7952 1230
Email info@sobus.org.uk
Registered Charity No.1071089
and Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No.03471416
Sobus is a new Community Development Agency for Hammersmith & Fulham. It has been created through the merger of the Community and Voluntary Sector Association Hammersmith & Fulham (CaVSA) and the Fulham Community Partnership Trust (FCPT). Building on the strengths of both organisations, sobus aims to provide a wider range of support services for local charities, community groups, social enterprises and start up businesses.