Small Grants Scheme

Our Small Grants Scheme is designed to support smaller charities registered and operating in the United Kingdom, especially those working at grass roots and local community level, in any field, across a wide range of activities. Please note we are not able to support individuals.

Applications are welcomed from charities that have an annual turnover of less than £150,000 per annum. Larger or national charities will normally not be considered under this scheme. Nor will the Scheme generally support charities that are able consistently to generate operational surpluses or which have built up considerable unrestricted reserves.

School PTAs or Friends Groups are not eligible to apply to the Small Grants Scheme. The majority of funding for schools is allocated via the Foyle School Library Scheme (please see guidelines on our website). Please also see the specific section on school funding under the Main Grants Scheme guidelines, also available on our website.

Please note that competition for funding is intense and we receive many more applications than we are able to fund. Approximately 1 in 4 may receive funding.

How much can you apply for?

We plan to make one year grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 for core costs, equipment or project funding to charities which can show that such a grant will make a significant difference to their work. If you cannot demonstrate this, your application will be declined. Please note that demonstrating ongoing sustainability is also important, particularly if you have recently lost local authority or other regular funding.

Other Information

There are no deadlines for submission. Applications will be received at all times but it may take up to four months to obtain a decision from Trustees. Please apply well in advance of your requirements.

If applying for funding towards a capital project please apply towards the end of your fundraising campaign, when the majority of funding has been raised and you have an estimated start date for the works. If your application is successful, the pledged grant offer is only valid for 12 months. Please note that the Foundation does not fund feasibility studies.

If a grant is awarded it can only be used for purchases after the grant is approved. The Foundation does not offer retrospective funding.

Multi-year grants will generally not be made.

Please note that once you have received a grant from The Foundation you will not be a priority for funding in the following year.

All applications are acknowledged by email or by post within two weeks of receipt, including applications which do not qualify for consideration which will be rejected. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact The Foundation to confirm safe receipt of your request.

How to Apply

Applicants should complete the Small Grants Scheme Application Form and supply additional information requested.
A signed copy of your latest full annual accounts must be supplied.
Copy of your latest bank statement
Your current annual budget or expected income/expenditure for this current financial year.
If there is a gap year between the signed accounts supplied and your current annual budget, please provide your total and expenditure figures for that middle year.

Please also refer to the list of Frequently Asked Questions on the Foyle Foundation website under the How to Apply page.

Please send your application to:

The Foyle Foundation
Rugby Chambers
2 Rugby Street
London WC1N 3QU

At present, the Foundation does not accept applications electronically for the Small Grants Scheme and Main Grants Scheme.

Personal Information

The Foyle Foundation is committed to protecting all personal information you provide to us. We will only use contact information you provide for administration, evaluation and research purposes to facilitate our grant making and to further our charitable activities. Personal contact information will not be made public in anyway. Please also see our Privacy Notice.