Grants & Funding Opportunities for Schools
Arts
The Teacher Development Fund from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation aims to support primary school arts-based teaching. Offers around 6 grants of up to £150,000 each year to partnerships between arts/cultural organisations and 5 to 10 schools. Applications open in September.
All state-funded schools in England are eligible to set up an Into Film Club to gain access to thousands of free films, educational resources and access to exclusive events, including Into Film Festival.
Books
The Foyle Foundation offers grants to state-funded schools to buy books and equipment for libraries. It may also contribute towards the cost of library software, IT equipment and furniture. Grants generally range between £2,000 and £10,000.
Classics
The Roman Society offers funding to schools to promote the teaching of Latin and Roman studies. Grants are for purchasing textbooks and resources, but they can also be used for study days - especially if they benefit large numbers of children throughout the year and can be repeated in successive years. Grants from £50 to £600. Three deadlines per year: 1 February, 1 June and 1 November.
The Classical Association offers grants to schools to support the study of classical topics. It also provides CPD events for school teachers of classical subjects. Three types of grant: schools grant (up to £500), outreach grant (£2,500 or less) and a major projects grant (over £2,500). Applications for the schools and outreach programmes can be made at any time. Two deadlines for major project grants: 1 March and 1 September.
Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies usually offers grants to cover the costs of the development of new courses in Greek, teaching materials, Greek plays and Classics days or conferences. Grants usually range from £100 to £500. Two deadlines each year: 1 May and 1 October.
Charitable Organisations with an Education Focus
A list of charities based in the UK with contextual information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Educational_charities_based_in_the_United_Kingdom
Educational Trusts Forum: an association of educational trusts that work together and individually to give young people the best start in life through supporting their home circumstances and facilitating a good education. Each member charity is independent and has its own criteria for making awards. They can provide assistance to parents and guardians to support their children: https://educational-grants.org/find-charity/?all=1
Turn2Us: Turn2us is a national charity providing practical information and support to end financial insecurity. They support families and individuals: https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/
Charity Excellence: finds funders for small charities:
· https://www.charityconnect.co.uk/post/trusts-that-fund-education/4513
· https://www.charityexcellence.co.uk/
· https://www.charityexcellence.co.uk/Home/BlogDetail?Link=New_UK_Charity_Grant_Funders
Charity Choice lists charities that provide funds to students, schools, colleges and universities: https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/charities/education-and-training
London School of Economics: list of grant giving bodies who sponsor a range of students to complete university level study: https://info.lse.ac.uk/current-students/financial-support/grant-making-bodies
Grants Online: lists all grants available in the UK for education and training purposes. These can be accessed by schools, settings and education providers. Includes lists of regionally funded projects: https://www.grantsonline.org.uk/news/education-and-training/
Funds Online provides a list of funders to charities:
· https://www.dsc.org.uk/publication/the-directory-of-grant-making-trusts-2024-25/
Community Projects
The UK Community Foundations website has details and links to the 47 accredited community foundations in the UK, each of which has funding streams available that target particular issues in their geographical area.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) Mutual Charitable Trust provides grants for projects that impact rural communities. The trustees meet twice a year to consider applications. Deadlines for 2023: 26 May and 27 October
Tesco Stronger Starts Community Programme will provide £5 million in grants to help give school children across the UK a healthier, more active, stronger start in life. The programme will support 5,000 schools and children's groups every year. If you would like to nominate a school you can do so here,
Disadvantaged Children
BBC Children in Need - emergency essentials programme is for children and young people who are facing exceptionally difficult circumstances. It funds critical items such as clothing and bedding.
The Trussell Trust's foodbanks can be found using this searchable map.
Family Action runs Food On Our Doorstep (FOOD) clubs that provide low-cost groceries. Families can find their nearest club here.
The breakfast club programme run by The Greggs Foundation is open to all primary schools in the UK. The programme prioritises schools where at least 40% of pupils are eligible for FSM.
The charity Merlin's Magic Wand offers tickets to Merlin Group attractions for young people with disabilities, serious or long-term illnesses; those in care or foster homes or adopted; those impacted by domestic violence, abuse, bullying or serious crime; those with a terminally ill or recently deceased parent/carer or sibling; and young carers.
Educational Projects
Educational charities based in the United Kingdom
The Wolfson Foundation awards grants to state-funded secondary schools and sixth-form colleges to improve the teaching of GCSEs and A-levels in science, computer science, design and technology, art, languages, music and performing arts. Minimum grant amount is £15,000 and grants do not normally exceed £100,000, with some match funding required for projects over £50,000.
The Garfield Weston Foundation awards grants to educational projects. The foundation also supports arts, community, welfare, youth and environmental projects. 'Regular grants' for applications below £100,000 and 'major grants' for applications of £100,000 or more.
Blue Spark Foundation offers grants for educational, cultural, sporting and other projects that aim to improve the education and development of children. Many grants are under £2,000 and none more than £5,000.
The National Lottery Community Fund offers funding to support community projects and also larger projects. Schools must show that their project will involve, and have a positive impact on, the wider community. Community project grants up to £10,000 and larger grants over £10,000.
Benefact Trust awards grants to Christian organisations, including schools, supporting projects that make a positive difference to people and communities. Small grants from £1,000 to £15,000.
Tesco Stronger Starts offers funding for projects that focus on food security, children and young people (e.g. breakfast clubs, food banks, library books).
Environmental & Outdoor Projects
The Metropolitan Public Gardens Association gives funding and practical assistance to community gardens and green sites across London. Grants availabe are up to £1,500. No deadline, but applications will be considered at the trustees' quarterly meetings at the end of February, May, August and November.
The Nineveh Charitable Trust offers grants to schools and other organisations for UK-based projects that benefit the general public. Education, access and preservation of the countryside are common themes. Applications welcome at any time, but are considered at the trustees' quarterly meetings
The Primary Awards for Green Education in Schools gives prizes to primary schools for work that promotes environmental education for children aged 5 to 11. Prizes between £100 and £2,000. Deadline is 3 May 2024.
School Garden Grants | School Food Matters provide funding for schools to grow their own fruit and vegetables.
The Learning through Landscapes: Local School Nature Grants Programme allows schools to apply for outdoor learning resources and a training session. The scheme doesn't give cash grants to schools - you select equipment and training at the application stage.
Gardening
The Woodland Trust invites schools to apply for trees to plant in their grounds. There are 2 delivery periods, in March and November.
B&Q runs a community reuse scheme across its stores, donating surplus gardening and DIY materials to be used by local schools and community groups. You can register through the online platform Neighbourly, selecting your nearest store and the items you're interested in receiving.
Geography
The Royal Geographical Society offer funding for geography teachers at secondary level to develop imaginative and creative educational resources with the help of a university collaborator: 2 grants of £1,000 a year. The deadline is 15 February each year.
MFL
State-funded secondary schools that teach Mandarin can apply to the Institute of Education's Mandarin Excellence Programme for funding to support developing the school into a centre of excellence for the teaching of Mandarin. Schools that participate receive at least £20,000 per academic year. S
The Goethe Institute offers free resources, training, and educational opportunities for schools teaching German. It also offers a range of grants and scholarships for German teachers and pupils studying the language.
Music, Heritage & Crafts
The Radcliffe Trust offers grants principally in 2 sectors: music, and heritage and crafts. Grants are generally between £2,500 and £7,500. 2 deadlines each year: 31 January and 31 July.
Youth Music Network offers a wide variety of grants that fund music programmes for children. Smaller grants (Trailblazer grant) between £2,000 and £30,000, and larger grants (Catalyser grant) up to £300,000.
Music for All offers both individual and community project funding to provide access to musical instruments and lessons.
RE
The Jerusalem Trust supports the teaching of Christianity within RE by awarding grants to state-funded primary, middle and secondary schools for the purchase of resources. Grants up to £600.
SEND
Special schools and colleges can apply to The Wolfson Foundation for capital funding for building refurbishments, new buildings and equipment. Minimum grant amount is £15,000 and match funding required for projects over £50,000.
The Clothworkers' Foundation offers capital projects. Grants can be used for building renovations, or to purchase fixtures, fittings, equipment or vehicles.
Variety, the children's charity, offers grants for specialist equipment that will directly benefit or support children with disabilities. Grants usually less than £5,000. Applications can be submitted at any time, but there is a limit of one application per year.
Sports
A number of grants are available to schools from Sport England.
The Football Foundation offers grants for a range of improvements and equipment for football pitches.
STEM
The Microbiology Society gives grants to schools to support relevant science teaching or promotion initiatives, or to support developments likely to lead to an improvement in the teaching of any aspect of microbiology.
The Royal Society offers grants to schools to carry out climate and biodiversity research projects in partnership with STEM professionals from academia or industry.
Trips & International Understanding
UK-German Connection gives funding to UK schools that have a partnership with a German school. Funding streams usually centre on work-focused programmes, project-based programmes and visits. Grants up to £1,000 (partnership visit fund and school partnership bursaries), up to £2,500 (instant impact fund), and up to £10,000 (flexible funding scheme). Applications for the 2023-24 school partnership bursaries are open. Flexible funding scheme has 3 deadlines a year: 31 January, 31 May and 31 October
The Daiwa Foundation offers grants to promote and support interaction between the UK and Japan. Grants between £2,000 and £9,000. 2 deadlines each year: 31 March and 30 September.
The YHA's Educational Breaks Programme can provide support to schools struggling to meet the costs of residential trips. To be eligible, your school must have 20% or more of pupils registered for free school meals or the pupil premium. It also offers similar support to special schools and alternative provision settings.
Happy Days Children's Charity has funding available for day trips and group activity holidays aimed at children and young people with additional needs.
The Henry Smith Charity runs a holiday grants programme that aims to provide access to recreational trips or holidays for groups of children aged 13 or under who experience disadvantage or who have disabilities.
Information correct as at July 2024
