Aims/priorities: The funding is for charities and community groups whose projects address one of the Focus Foundation’s three core pillars:
- Underprivileged children and young people - Helping socially and economically disadvantaged children and young people thrive (UK wide).
- Mental health charities and initiatives - Funding and supporting impactful mental health charities and initiatives (UK-wide).
- Charitable or community projects - Backing charitable and community projects near Focus Group’s regional offices across the UK.
Charities that do not fit into either the mental health or underprivileged children pillar may apply for a grant under the Community project pillar as long as they are located within the same county as a Focus Group office.
There is a focus on grassroots charities where even small grants can make a huge difference to people's lives.
Who can apply? Charities and community groups can apply.
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Have an annual income of less than £1 million.
- Have core running costs of less than 35% (this does not include professional costs).
- Should primarily support one of the Foundation’s three core pillars.
- Charitable or community-based projects should be located in the same county as one of the Focus Group offices: Turo, Exeter, Portsmouth, Shoreham, Basingstoke, Bristol, Merthyr Tydfil, Witney, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Birmingham, Manchester, Derby, Carlisle, Melrose, Glasgow and Inverness.
- Mental health and underprivileged children’s charities can be located anywhere within the UK.
Grant amount: There is no set amount. Most grants range from £2,000 to £8,000.
Last year, the Foundation awarded around 48 grants in year, totalling £244,870, with an average of £5,100.
Application process: The grant application portal has reopened after applications were paused in late September 2025.
The Foundation has a two-stage application process:
- The first stage is to submit an Expression of Interest. Groups should receive a response within a month.
- Those who are successful will be invited to submit a full application form. The Foundation aims to respond with two months.
The eligibility criteria, FAQs and online Expression of Interest form can be found on the Foundation's website.
Applications are considered four times a year. Currently, the meeting dates are set as 8 December 2025, 2 March 2026, 8 June 2026 and 7 September 2026, though these dates can vary.
Please note the Foundation may close the online application portal to assess incoming applications or if funding is low.
Deadline: Not specified.
Contact information: Email: grants@focusfoundation.org.uk
Website: https://focusfoundation.org.uk/apply/apply-for-a-grant/