Aims/priorities: The funding is intended to support charities and organisations with projects and activities that directly benefit the Army community in six key areas: independent living, elderly care, education and employability, mental fitness, families and housing.
Who can apply? All registered charities and other organisations which support the Army community, which includes veterans, serving soldiers, their families and immediate dependants, may apply.
The Fund supports a broad range of charities, with a preference for charities and organisations which are members of the Confederation of Service Charities (COBSEO) or Veterans Scotland.
When appropriate, applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis from:
- Not-for-profit organisations & Community Interest Companies (CICs)
- Community Projects
- Housing Associations
The Charity prefers to support those organisations working directly with beneficiaries at a grassroots level.
Any charity that has not been supported by the Fund in the previous 24 months must contact the Fund before making a formal submission.
Charities or organisations providing mental health services to members of the Army family would normally be expected to be a member or at least signed up to the Quality Network for Veterans Mental Health Services (QNVMHS) run by the Royal College of Psychiatrists on behalf of the sector.
Grant amount: Funding is at the discretion of the Grants Committee. The charity has not set a minimum or maximum amount.
Applications from organisations with which the charity has no established relationship are likely to be below £15,000.
Typically grants are made for a single year; however, the Charity’s Trustees may consider making a grant spread over a number of years at their discretion if they feel this would be appropriate.
Up to 100 charities can be supported each year.
Application process: The Main Grants Committee normally sits three times a year: in February, June and November.
The application form will be available to download during these dates.
The Scottish Committee (dealing with requests for activities and charities/organisations based solely in Scotland) is held in April. Applications have now closed for 2025 applications.
Application forms can be found on the Army Benevolent Fund website and must be submitted by email.
Contact the Army Benevolent Fund for further information.
Deadline: Friday 2 May 2025
Contact information: Email: externalgrants@armybenevolentfund.org