Funding for Charities working with Disability in the United Kingdom

The foundation supports organisations working with disability. They are particularly interested in projects which focus on training, employment and supported housing, especially when the project helps young people transition from children’s services to adults’ services.

Funding Information

• Usual grant range: £20,000 – £75,000
• Minimum grant amount: £15,000
• Funding covers: New build, refurbishment and equipment
• Match funding required: Yes, if project cost is >£50,000

Ineligible Funding

• There are specific projects and costs which are not eligible for funding from this programme:
  • Support and therapy centres (e.g. cancer support centres, MS therapy centres)
  • Playgrounds and play equipment, including sensory play
  • Equipment funds
  • Facilities or equipment in hospitals, particularly where it relates to clinical care
  • Carers’ organisations
  • Respite accommodation and services
  • Ex-armed forces charities, unless they are specifically serving people with physical disabilities or mental health problems
  • Charities where support for people with mental health problems or disabilities is only a minor part of the services provided
  • Projects seeking funding for sports, leisure, arts or music facilities
• They also do not fund:
  • Purchase of land or existing buildings (including a building’s freehold)
  • Grants direct to individuals
  • Grants through conduit organisations
  • Overheads, maintenance costs and VAT
  • Non-specific appeals (including circulars) and endowment funds
  • Costs of meetings, exhibitions, concerts, expeditions, conferences, lectures, etc.
  • Salary costs
  • Running costs, including vehicle fuel and maintenance
  • Film, websites or promotional materials
  • Repayment of loans
  • Projects that have already been completed or will be by the time of award

Eligibility Criteria

• Your organisation should:
  • be a registered charity or a local authority
  • if applicable, have at least a ‘Good’ rating from a regulator such as CQC or Ofsted.
• Your project should be for a new building, refurbishment work or equipment with the following aims:
  • Increased access to services for new and existing users
  • Improved quality and range of services
  • Improved financial stability of the organisation.

For more information, visit The Wolfson Foundation.