Aims/priorities: This is a two-stage programme, which will award a single grant of up to £1.8 million to an organisation which will lead a portfolio of support for the bereaved military community. (Portfolio of support here refers to a collection of organisations working cohesively to achieve the programme outcomes.)
The lead organisation will be responsible for building the portfolio, working in collaboration with interested organisations.
The successful bid will need to achieve long-term, transformational change in the non-statutory support provided to bereaved military families across the UK.
This includes achieving all of the following outcomes:
- Bereaved military families, including wider family members, feel it is straightforward to access mental health support throughout the stages of grief.
- Bereaved military families feel that support is equitable, inclusive and holistic, regardless of the nature of bereavement.
- Bereaved military families feel a sense of connection to the community, should they wish to retain that.
- Strong collaboration between organisations working to support bereaved military families, and commitment to this as a sustainable way of working together.
- Better access to holistic packages of support, combining peer-led and professional support.
Who can apply? Applications for the portfolio lead will only be accepted from UK registered charities.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have been registered in the UK (with one or more of the charity commissions for England and Wales, or Scotland or Northern Ireland for at least three years at the time of their application and able to provide published accounts for all three years if requested.
- Have a minimum of three unrelated trustees at the time of applying, and, if successful, throughout the life of the grant.
The portfolio needs to be a mix of organisations, including those with a deep understanding of the needs affecting members of the Armed Forces community, as well as other organisations with significant experience and expertise supporting those who are bereaved, which they can bring to this community. There may be funded and unfunded partners within the portfolio.
A successful portfolio lead will generally already:
- Be an established organisation with experience of delivering complex projects.
- Have sound mechanisms for governance of complex projects and experience of multi-agency working.
- Demonstrate strong knowledge of the needs of the bereaved military community.
- Have clear governance and financial processes in place.
- Have strong, sophisticated approaches to inclusion and equity, in how support is delivered to under-served groups.
Grant amount: One grant of up to £1.8 million is available towards a project being delivered over a period of up to four years.
The project should start by Autumn/Winter 2025. It is anticipated that elements of the project will run at varied paces and timeframes during the duration of the grant.
Application process: Guidelines, faqs and online Expression of Interest form can be found on the Trust's website.
There is a two-stage application process:
- The first stage is to submit an expressions of interest by the deadline of 2 April 2025 (12 noon). Decisions by before the end of May 2025.
- Successful stage one applicants will be invited to make a full application at stage two by the deadline of 6 August 2025 (midday). Decisions before the end of September 2025.
The Trust is hosting a lunch and learn webinar on 24 February (12-13:00) to provide an opportunity to learn more about this programme. Registration is required.
Contact the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for further information.
Deadline: Wednesday 2 April 2025 12.00pm
Contact information: Email: info@covenantfund.org.uk
Website: Empowering Bereaved Military Families Programme : Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust