Aims/priorities: The funding is for projects that benefit armed forces families impacted by service-related separation. This programme aims to mitigate the impact of separation for families of serving personnel and reservists through a place-based (location focused) portfolio project. By ‘place-based’, is meant “targeted investment in defined geographic areas, that is, a package of support that may comprise: multiple grants; particularly large investments; grants and additional activity (capacity building, networking, influencing work) – within a defined place.”
Applicants will need to say how they will deliver a targeted package of support, delivered through extensive collaboration with the community, in UK locations where serving families experience particular challenges.
Projects will be expected to meet all of the following outcomes:
- Families feel more able to manage the impact of loneliness or isolation during periods of separation.
- Improved mental health and wellbeing for serving families.
- Improved understanding of effective models of support for serving families.
- Families experience fewer challenges during reintegration after deployment or extended separation
- Enhanced collaboration and streamlined support pathways for the serving community through stronger partnerships and improved service integration.
Who can apply? Applications will be accepted from:
- A registered charity, registered in the UK for at least three years at the time of application, with substantial recent experience of supporting Armed Forces communities.
- A local authority.
A successful Portfolio Lead will:
- Be an established organisation with experience in delivering complex projects
- Have sound mechanisms for governance of complex projects and experience of multi-agency working
- Demonstrate strong knowledge of the serving armed forces community
- Have clear governance and financial processes in place
- Have the strong, publicly facing support of the armed forces community.
The Portfolio Lead should work with both statutory and non-statutory partners as well as the local base/(s), reflecting the diverse needs of the service community.
Applicant organisations must be based in the UK. Under this programme, delivery must take place in the UK only.
Grant amount: Portfolio grants of up to £300,000 are available to support a project delivered in a specific location over a period of up to three years.
Depending on the number and quality of applications received the Trust intends to make more than one award in different locations where serving families may be experiencing particular challenges.
Projects to start from Summer 2026
Application process: There is two-stage application process:
- Stage one - Expressions of interest (EOI) to act as the single grant holder and lead the portfolio. The deadline for Expressions of Interest is 23 July 2025 (12 noon). Decisions are expected by end of September 2025.
- Stage two - Successful applicants will be invited to submit a full application detailing the work the portfolio will undertake. The deadline for stage two applications is 7 January 2026 (12 noon), with decisions by the end of March 2026.
The programme guidance, faqs, application questions and the new online application portal can be found on the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust website.
Deadline: Wednesday 23 July 2025, (12 noon).
Contact information: Email: info@covenantfund.org.uk
Website: Apart, not alone: Local Impact grants : Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust