Aims/priorities: The programme offers grants to registered charities and community interest companies with substantial recent experience of supporting Armed Forces communities. The funding aims to support community projects that reduce isolation and promote integration.
This year (2023), the programme will support ideas that need small amounts of funding to deliver changes or improvements for Armed Forces communities, particularly for those who are experiencing particular needs due to cost-of-living challenges.
Who can apply? To be eligible to apply, organisations must be one of the following:
- An established registered charity or community interest company (CIC) with substantial recent experience of supporting Armed Forces communities.
- An Armed Forces unit or base.
- A local authority.
- A school.
- A statutory body that delivers or co-ordinates NHS care.
The following apply:
- CICs must have been registered and operating for over a year and their Companies House details must show that they have a minimum of three unrelated directors.
- Registered charities must have been registered and operational for over a year and must be able to evidence that they have a minimum of three unrelated trustees at the time of applying.
- Other public sector organisations cannot apply but could work with one of the types of organisation listed above as a delivery partner.
- Schools will need to be able to show how their project will support children from Armed Forces families (and their wider families if appropriate).
- Schools that are run by Academy Trusts are eligible to apply; however the umbrella Trust itself is ineligible unless it is a registered charity. Academy Trusts that are exempt charities are not eligible to apply.
Grant amount: Up to £15,000 over one-year are available. Projects must start within one month of award.
Application process: The guidance notes, online application portal and other resources are available on the Trust's website.
Deadline: The deadlines for 2023 are as follows:
- Monday 17 July 2023, 5pm, decisions by the end of October 2023.
- Wednesday 13 December 2023, 5pm decisions by the end of March 2024.
Contact information: Email: info@covenantfund.org.uk
Website: Force for Change programme