The programme offers flexible, core funding, and is designed to support the good work of organisations, and not just projects. Funding is available for organisations with an annual income less than £250,000 and can be used for direct project costs or to support core running expenses, or a combination of both.
Whether help is needed with staff wages, materials, equipment, rent or training – this fund is flexible to meet individual organisation needs.
The Fund will support:
When assessing applications, Groundwork, who administers the grants programme on behalf of Comic Relief, will take into account the level of deprivation in the area where the organisation is working. Applications from areas that score higher on the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) may be given greater priority.
This will be the only funding round for 2025/2026, and it anticipated that it will be highly competitive.
To be eligible to apply, your organisation must be working in a local area to tackle the immediate impacts of poverty or build resilience to poverty and hardship. Projects must be completed by 30 September 2026.
Further information and full eligibility criteria can be found on the ‘How to Apply’ page.
Applications open on Monday 8 September 2025 and close at 12 noon on Monday 6 October 2025.
Grants are available to UK registered charities and charitable organisations that are seeking to help particular groups of people move towards paid employment.
Small grants for constituted VCSE organisations to support arts, cultural and heritage projects and activities that give residents opportunities to experience culture in their communities.
A fundraising competition for grassroots junior community sports groups to engage children and young people who are disadvantaged or disabled to be more involved in physical activities.
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