Funding Opportunities June 2026

Top picks for funding opportunities open to charities, community groups, schools and social enterprises

Click on the fund heading for more information

Co-operative Bank Customer Donation Fund
Community groups across the UK can apply for grants of up to £1,000 to support local projects, activities and fundraising. This fund is only open to organisations that hold a Charity and Community Bank Account with The Co-operative Bank. Applications are open all year, with applications received between 1 April and 30 September entered into the October prize draw.

The Outward Bound Trust Adventure Fund
Schools, youth groups and young people can apply for support to help make outdoor learning and residential adventure programmes more affordable. This may be useful for Merton schools or youth organisations supporting young people who face financial barriers to taking part. Early applications are encouraged, as support is limited.

Arts Council England Supporting Grassroots Music Fund
Grants of between £1,000 and £40,000 are available for grassroots music projects in England, lasting up to three years. The fund is aimed at music venues, festivals, promoters, recording studios, rehearsal spaces and sector bodies. It could support Merton-based grassroots music organisations looking to improve access, develop artists, strengthen live programming or build sustainability. At least 10% match funding is required.

Music for All Awards
Music for All offers grants and instrument awards to help more people take part in music-making. Schools, community groups and educational organisations can apply for support with instruments and equipment, making this a useful opportunity for Merton groups working with children, young people or communities who face barriers to accessing music.

Charles Hayward Foundation Social & Criminal Justice Grants
UK registered charities with annual income between £350,000 and £4 million can apply for funding for work that helps prevent people entering the criminal justice system or supports people to rebuild their lives after contact with it. This may suit Merton charities delivering targeted early intervention, youth diversion, rehabilitation, mentoring, accommodation support or alternatives to custody. The next listed deadline is 18 September 2026.

Rewilding Britain Rewilding Innovation Fund
Grants of up to £15,000 are available for rewilding projects in England, Scotland and Wales. This is a specialist fund and will only be relevant to Merton organisations or partnerships working at sufficient scale, usually at least 40 hectares of connected land, or with a marine project. Funding can support work such as feasibility studies, community engagement, planning and innovation that helps unlock larger-scale nature restoration. Applications are open until 5 September 2026.

The Wildlife Trusts Green Community Grants Programme
Not-for-profit organisations in England, Scotland and Wales can apply for grants of up to £25,000 for nature, climate and community access projects. Organisations must usually have been operating for at least 12 months and have annual income between £10,000 and £1 million. This could support Merton projects focused on nature recovery, improving green spaces, climate action, litter picking, recycling, sustainable transport or helping communities access nature. The current deadline is 15 July 2026, with another window expected from 30 September to 21 October 2026.

AI and Social Mobility Challenge Prize
Early-stage startups, social enterprises, nonprofits and companies can apply if they are using AI or emerging technology to improve education, skills, employment or long-term opportunities for young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Eight shortlisted ventures receive funding and support, with additional awards for the winner and runner-up. This may be relevant to Merton-based social enterprises or nonprofits with a working prototype and a clear social mobility focus. Applications close on 20 July 2026.

Movember Men’s Health Community Fund
Voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in England can apply for grants of £150,000 to £300,000 for community-led, non-clinical work supporting young men aged 16 to 35. The fund is focused on strengthening social connection, improving mental health and encouraging earlier help-seeking among underserved young men. This may suit Merton organisations already working with young men through peer support, sport, gaming, creative activity, faith-based support, family work or nature-based programmes. Expressions of interest close on 15 July 2026.

Places of Worship Renewal Fund
Listed places of worship in England can apply for capital funding for urgent repairs and essential improvements that keep buildings safe, open and in public use. Grants range from £10,000 to £1 million. This may be relevant to listed churches, mosques, temples, synagogues or other active faith buildings in Merton, particularly where the building also provides community benefit. The first round has closed, with a second round expected in September 2026.

British Council Connections Through Culture
Grants of £5,000 to £15,000 are available for artistic and cultural collaboration between UK-based partners and partners in eligible countries. The fund supports creative practitioners, arts organisations, festivals, hubs and cultural professionals to develop international partnerships through co-creation, exchange, residencies, research and public engagement. This may suit Merton arts or cultural organisations with a clear international collaboration. Applications close on 12 August 2026.

Armed Forces Families Fund: Early Years Programme
Early years and childcare providers can apply for grants of £5,000 to £80,000 to improve support for children aged 0 to 5 from Armed Forces families. The fund can support projects that increase childcare capacity, improve learning environments, strengthen staff skills, build shared resources or help settings respond to the needs of service families. This will only be relevant to Merton providers or local authority-led work where there are eligible service children and families. Applications close at 12pm on 15 July 2026.

Baily Thomas Charitable Fund General Grants
UK charities, voluntary organisations and eligible schools can apply for funding to support children and adults with learning disabilities. The fund can support capital costs, equipment, project costs and core costs, including work linked to residential care, respite, employment schemes, play schemes, family support, independent living and community-based support. Organisations should note that the fund focuses on learning disabilities, also described as intellectual disabilities. Autism-only projects are not usually eligible unless the people supported also have learning disabilities. Applications for grants over £5,000 close on 31 August 2026. Applications for £5,000 and under can be made at any time.

GLA Sites of Memory Community Grants
Constituted community groups and not-for-profit organisations based in Greater London can apply for grants of up to £10,000. The fund supports community-led research and public engagement exploring London’s connections to the transatlantic slave trade and its legacies. Projects could include oral histories, local history research, storytelling, walking tours, exhibitions, digital work, workshops or creative activity. Organisations must have a registered address in Greater London, have been active for at least one year, have a bank account in the organisation’s name and have annual turnover below £100,000. Expressions of interest close on 6 July 2026 at 12pm, with full applications closing on 3 August 2026 at 12pm.

Nuffield Foundation Racial Diversity UK FundUK-based organisations, including voluntary sector bodies, universities and research organisations, can apply for research grants of £15,000 to £500,000. The fund supports research that helps understand barriers and pathways to a racially just and inclusive UK society. The 2026 priority theme focuses on inter-generational changes, continuities and challenges in a racially diverse UK, including belonging, exclusion, participation and life chances. This is most likely to suit Merton organisations with research experience or those working in partnership with a research body. Outline applications close on 5 October 2026.