Groundworks and Tesco, are helping schools, registered charities and not-for-profit organisations improve access to fruit and vegetables for children and young people across the UK.
From breakfast clubs and holiday clubs to growing initiatives and cooking projects, Tesco Fruit & Veg Grants offers funding of up to £1,500 to support local projects that help children and young people access healthy food.
Examples include:
- Breakfast/after school clubs that provide fruit and veg for pupils
- Sports clubs that provide healthy food as part of the project or a much-needed half time boost
- Growing initiatives to grow your own fruit and veg or cooking classes using the food to learn
- Holiday clubs that provide healthy meals and snacks
- Projects providing SEND provision with healthy snacks/meals
- Youth clubs that provide a healthy meal/snack
- Addressing holiday hunger amongst children outside of school time
- Healthy eating projects that support families to cook healthy meals on a budget
- Foodbanks to provide food support to families
A £500,000 pot for grassroots sport, shared as flat grants of £2,000 (€2,000 in Ireland). The money is unrestricted and can go on anything that helps a club keep going or grow its sports activities for adults, such as venue hire, utilities, equipment, coaching or insurance.
Where: UK wide. The scheme supports clubs and organisations across the UK and Ireland.
Deadline: Opens Thursday 1 October 2026 and closes Friday 1 January 2027.
Eligibility: Community sports clubs and organisations using sport for social purpose. One grant per club; read the scheme’s FAQ for full eligibility.
Grants for the repair and conservation of rural historic buildings and structures, their gardens, grounds and outbuildings, and for conserving paintings and sculpture in historic house collections open to the public. Grants run from £1,000 to £250,000, with the top end only in exceptional cases and most under £50,000. The work must be needed within two to three years, be ready to start within one to two, offer public access and show financial need. Routine maintenance, alterations, running costs and most churches are excluded.
Where: England and Wales.
Deadline: Rolling. Applications can be made at any time.
Eligibility: Owners, including charities, institutions, local authorities and private individuals, with legal responsibility for repairing the building, normally through ownership or a full repairing lease with at least 20 years left.
Grants of £10,000 to £40,000 per application for trees and supporting capital items outside woodland: street trees, parks, playgrounds, hedgerows and orchards. The pot is £2.5 million and applications are reviewed in order of arrival, so apply early.
Where: England only.
Deadline: 31 October 2026, or earlier if all the money has been allocated.
Eligibility: Local authorities and registered charities. Check the fund page for the income threshold that applies to charities.
About Us: The Wildlife Trusts Green Community Grants programme supports grassroots, not-for-profit organisations in England, Scotland and Wales to deliver outdoor nature projects. The programme provides flexible one-year grants aimed at supporting nature recovery, responding to the climate emergency, and improving nature-rich spaces and access to them.
Criteria:
- Open to not-for-profit organisations in England, Scotland and Wales.
- Organisations must have been operating for at least 12 months.
- Main aims must align with one of the two funding themes:
- Contributing to nature recovery and responding to the climate emergency.
- Improving nature-rich spaces and access to them.
Funding can also support wider environmental activities such as recycling, litter picking, beach cleans and sustainable transport.
Priority will be given to:
Organisations with annual incomes of £250,000 or less.
Organisations working in the most deprived communities or supporting marginalised groups.
Organisations whose governing objectives focus on protecting or restoring habitats or species.
Grant Size: £10,000–£25,000 for one-year flexible grants.
Deadline for Applications: 21st October 2026
About Us: The Great British Energy (GBE) Community Fund provides £20 million in grants to help community-based organisations develop and build community-owned clean energy projects in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Criteria:
Applicants must be based in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Applicants must be legally incorporated as one of the following: Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), Community Benefit Society (CBS/Bencom), Community Interest Company (CIC), Co-operative Society, Development Trust, Pre-commencement society, Incorporated registered charity, Registered Social Landlord, Registered Society or Town or Parish Council
Applicants must have a bank account with two signatories.
Joint applications are permitted where all partners are eligible organisations.
Projects developed through the funding must be at least 50% community-owned.
Funding is available through three stages:
Stage 1 – Feasibility: test whether a project idea is viable.
Stage 2 – Development: develop a viable idea into an investment-ready project.
Stage 3 – Capital: support construction-ready projects to address remaining funding gaps.
All grant funding must be defrayed and claimed by 31st March 2028, except Stage 1 projects that have requested payment in advance.
Grant Size:
Stage 1 – Feasibility: Up to £40,000
Stage 2 – Development: Up to £100,000
Stage 3 – Capital: Up to £3 million, or 50% of the total project value
Deadline for Applications: 12th November 2026
About Us: The Matthew Good Foundation’s Grants for Good Fund supports small charities, not-for-profit groups and social entrepreneurs working to make a difference for people, communities and the environment. The fund also welcomes innovative ideas from people seeking funding to get new projects started.
Criteria:
Open to small charities, not-for-profit groups and social entrepreneurs.
Applicants must have had an income of less than £50,000 in the last 12 months.
Both established projects and new, innovative ideas can apply.
Five shortlisted projects are selected every three months and voted on by John Good Group employees.
Funding can support projects benefiting people, communities and the environment.
Grant Size: £2,000–£5,000
Deadline for Applications: 15th December 2026
Funder: The Wildlife Trusts, with support from Postcode Lottery players. Programme: Green Community Grants Programme. Purpose: To support community-led organisations working to restore nature, tackle climate change and improve access to nature-rich spaces across the UK. Funding available: Grants of up to £25,000. Funding type: One-year flexible funding that can support both project delivery and certain organisational costs.
Geographical area: England, Scotland and Wales. Who Can Apply? Registered charities, Community organisations, Voluntary groups, Other not-for-profit organisations.
Organisations must have been operating for at least 12 months and have signed annual accounts.
Income Eligibility
Organisations must have an annual income between £10,000 and £1 million.
The maximum grant request cannot exceed 25% of annual income shown in the organisation’s latest accounts.
Funding Themes
Organisations must have a primary purpose aligned to one of the following themes:
- Contributing to nature recovery and responding to the climate emergency.
- Improving nature-rich spaces and access to them.
Funding Priorities
Priority will be given to organisations:
- With an annual income below £250,000.
- Working within communities in the top 15% most deprived areas.
- Supporting marginalised communities.
- Supporting disabled people.
- Supporting communities experiencing racial inequity.
- Supporting LGBTQ+ communities.
- Working on habitat and species restoration or protection.
Key Dates
Current funding round opens: 30 September 2026.
Application deadline: 21 October 2026.
This is the final application window for the 2026 programme.
The The Wildlife Trusts Green Community Grants Programme provides flexible grants of up to £25,000 for charities and community organisations working to protect nature, tackle climate change and improve access to green spaces. The programme prioritises smaller organisations operating in disadvantaged communities and those supporting marginalised groups. With funding available for a wide range of environmental and community-led activities, this is an excellent opportunity for organisations delivering practical projects that improve both the natural environment and community wellbeing.
The Connecting Communities grants offer up to £20,000 to charities who provide placed-based services to the entire community or specific groups.
Funding is available to support capital projects that:
- Breathe new life into local spaces: Upgrade and revitalise buildings and outdoor areas.
- Bring people together: Reduce social isolation and foster a strong sense of belonging.
- Secure the future: Ensure vital local services remain open and accessible for generations to come.
There is no fixed deadline to apply for a Connecting Communities grant, they process applications monthly.
Let’s Celebrate Towns returns in 2026 as a joint initiative between Visa and Nationwide, recognising the communities driving stronger, more vibrant local economies across the UK – reflecting a shared commitment to thriving high streets and local communities. There’s a £20,000 grant for each winner to put toward a community project or initiative.
Five towns will be recognised across the following categories:
High Street Revival
Backing Local Business
Protecting Valued Places
Connected Places
Community Pride
They’re inviting entries from across the UK, from:
MPs and local leaders
Local authorities and town councils
Community groups and organisations
Entries close on 25 October 2026.
The Julia Rausing Trust announced a £1.5 million grant to the National Garden Scheme for their Community Garden Grants programme. Funding began in 2025.
The Community Garden Grants programme focuses on support for community groups to create or improve gardens for the benefit of local communities, many of which play an important health and social welfare role through providing community orchards, food banks and settings for local GP social prescribing.
The funding for the Community Garden Grants programme will aid the development of community garden projects with a purpose focussed on demonstrating the health benefits of gardens, and gardening, not only to health and wellbeing, but also to the environment and communities surrounding them.
Individual grants are between minimum £1500 and maximum £5000. The deadline for applications is 30 October 2026.
The charity supports projects that improve, repair and maintain buildings and facilities used by people in need throughout the UK.
The Screwfix Foundation currently offers local registered charities and not for profit organisations funding in the region of £5,000.
The types of projects they fund are:
Improved energy efficient lighting & heating
Installation of new kitchen, bathroom etc.
Installation of a sensory room
General painting & decorating
Improving safety and security of a building
The next deadline for applications is 10 November 2026.
The Fat Beehive Foundation awards small grants of up to £2,500 to help charities improve their digital presence.
They support UK-based charities with an annual turnover of under £1 million, offering funding for a wide range of digital projects. Whether that’s building a new website, developing online resources, or improving digital accessibility, our aim is to help you reach more people, raise more funds and deliver more impact.
The Foundation can only support a limited number of projects based on the funding available for distribution in any given year. The Trustees are particularly keen to support traditionally hard-to-fund organisations, such as those supporting prisoners, refugees, or disadvantaged youth.
The next deadline for applications is the end of March 2027.
Grants are available to individuals, organisations and institutions carrying out projects of significance to horticulture, gardening or botany with a strong horticultural element.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of typical projects.
restoring gardens of historic interest;
developing new gardens, or new garden areas within existing gardens, for public access and enjoyment;
exhibitions, book publications, research and educational programmes relating to horticulture;
expeditions and travel to study, collect and protect plants of scientific and horticultural value;
study-visits by horticulturists or botanists with strong horticultural links, and
gardeners’ training schemes run by appropriate organisations (but not to individuals, see Training and Traineeships).
Grants are normally awarded twice a year, in April and September (following application deadlines of 15 February and 15 August). The maximum grant is £5,000 but some organisations only require modest sums and applicants are welcome to apply for grants of less than £500. Typical grants are usually in the range of £3,500- £5,000.
About Us: eBay UK’s Up and Running Grants competition supports emerging businesses and young entrepreneurs to develop their businesses, achieve growth and create employment opportunities for young people. Up to 20 winners will receive financial support alongside business development benefits, including dedicated account management, premium customer support and access to a Young Entrepreneur community and selected events during 2027.
Criteria:
Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for one of the two categories:
– Category A – Young Entrepreneurs:
- Business sellers must be aged 18 to 30, inclusive.
- Applicants must be registered on ebay.co.uk.
- They must have maintained active listings on the platform for at least three months before entering.
– Category B – Businesses Creating Employment:
- Applicants must be UK-registered companies with a business seller account on ebay.co.uk.
- They must have maintained active listings for at least six months before entering.
- The grant must be used to employ someone aged 18 to 24 in a UK-based role.
- Applicants must explain how the proposed appointment will contribute to business growth.
- Applicants must explain how the grant will be spent and provide a clear roadmap demonstrating how it will support their business plans.
- Funding may be used for business development, planned growth or creating employment opportunities for young people.
Grant Size:
- Cash grant: £10,000 per successful applicant.
- Number of awards: Up to 20 winners.
Deadline for Applications: 30th October 2026
About Us: The National Garden Scheme (NGS), supported by a £1.5 million award from the Julia Rausing Trust, offers Community Garden Grants to strengthen local communities by transforming outdoor spaces into shared community resources. Launched in 2019, the scheme supports projects that promote access to green spaces, biodiversity, and physical and mental wellbeing through horticulture.
Criteria:
Open to community groups, charities and Community Interest Companies (CICs) across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands.
Projects should create, improve or develop outdoor spaces for community use.
Eligible projects may include:
Developing communal and community gardens.
Creating safe outdoor spaces for children.
Establishing wildlife-friendly habitats.
Enhancing biodiversity and improving green spaces.
Priority is given to projects that improve access to green spaces for disadvantaged groups and promote physical and mental wellbeing through gardening and horticulture.
Applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility guidance and prepare proposals in advance.
Grant Size: Grants of £1,500 to £5,000 are available for eligible community garden projects.
Deadline for Applications: 30th October 2026, or earlier if the first 300 applications are received.
Barchester Healthcare Foundation
About Us: The Barchester Healthcare Foundation provides quarterly grants to small community groups and local charities across England, Scotland and Wales. The Foundation aims to reduce loneliness and social isolation, encourage group activities, and improve mobility and quality of life for older people and adults with physical, learning or mental disabilities.
Criteria:
- Open to small community groups and small local charities based in England, Scotland or Wales.
- Projects must benefit older people or adults with physical, learning or mental disabilities.
- Funding should help reduce loneliness and isolation, encourage social interaction, improve mobility or enhance quality of life.
- Eligible costs include:
- Activities and group sessions.
- Equipment and materials for members.
- Transport costs to help members attend activities.
- Day trips, outings and group holidays within the UK.
- Priority is given to innovative projects that help older people and people with disabilities become more active, meet others and reduce isolation.
- Groups with financial reserves exceeding £200,000 are unlikely to receive funding.
Grant Size: £100 to £2,600
Deadline for Applications: 31st October 2026
About Us: The Toy Trust provides small grants to small charities in the UK and Ireland that support disadvantaged and disabled children aged 13 and under. The programme aims to relieve hardship and suffering, improve children’s wellbeing, and provide opportunities for play, development and achievement. It focuses on practical projects and resources that make a positive difference to children and their families.
Criteria:
Applicants must be small registered charities operating in the UK or Ireland.
Organisations must have been operating for at least one year.
Charities should have an annual income below £500,000.
Unrestricted reserves must be below £200,000.
Applicants must provide two years of signed accounts.
Projects must clearly benefit disadvantaged or disabled children aged 13 and under.
Funding priorities include:
Relieving hardship and suffering.
Improving the lives of disadvantaged children.
Supporting disabled children.
Providing opportunities for play, development and achievement.
Meeting essential needs and improving wellbeing.
Eligible costs may include equipment, sensory resources, play equipment, specialist aids, direct services and activities benefiting disadvantaged or disabled children.
Grant Size: up to £5,000
Deadline for Applications: Mid-November 2026
About Us: The Theatre Trust, supported by the Lindury Trust, provides grants to not-for-profit theatres across the UK to fund small essential works that improve building resilience, sustainability and accessibility, and help diversify audiences. The programme supports capital improvements and repairs that protect theatre buildings, improve audience experiences and ensure theatres remain accessible and sustainable for their communities.
Criteria:
- Applicants must have a recognised UK charitable or not-for-profit legal structure.
- Organisations must be able to provide at least two years of audited accounts.
- Applicants must own or manage a theatre in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
- Organisations must hold the property title or have a signed lease with at least five years remaining.
- The theatre must be open and operate a year-round public programme of live performances, with at least 30 performances annually across theatre, dance, comedy or musicals.
- Applicants must obtain the property owner’s permission for the proposed work.
- Eligible projects include:
- Building fabric improvements and repairs.
- Purchase of essential plant and machinery.
- Capital items that improve physical access and the audience or participant experience.
- Equipment that improves digital access.
- Priority will be given to projects that protect buildings for continued theatre use and remove barriers to participation and attendance.
- Preference will also be given to projects with total costs below £250,000, or where the grant is the sole external funding source and/or the project can be delivered within the total funding awarded.
Grant Size: up to £7,500
Deadline for Applications: 25th January 2027
Thanks to Gecko Fundraising, Slough CVS, Involve, Rural Services Network for the information contained in this article.
