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 charitable organisations and community interest companies 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.
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.
Grants to new partners are likely to be below £20,000.
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: Application forms can be found on the Army Benevolent Fund website and must be submitted by email.
Deadline: The next application windows for Main Grants for organisations that have received an ABF grant in the last two years are:
- 24 March 2026 to 28 April 2026 for consideration at the June 2026 meeting.
- 25 August 2026 to 6 October 2026 for consideration at the November 2026 meeting.
Applications from organisations that have not been previously supported, or haven’t supported in the last two years, are considered at the February committee. The application window will be 8 December 2026 to 19 January 2027 for consideration at the February 2027 meeting.
Contact information: Email: externalgrants@armybenevolentfund.org
Website: Grants to charities and organisations - Army Benevolent Fund