Funding News – 02 March 2026

Your weekly roundup of funding news and deadlines from GrantTracker.

Funding News

Aviva Foundation - a new chapter in supporting communities across the UK

Combining their Aviva Community Fund and previous grant-making programme, the Foundation represents an exciting step forward in their commitment to building stronger communities. The Aviva Foundation offers two distinct funding programmes designed to help strengthen communities, today and into the future. The Communities Fund is open to organisations with an annual income of £1 million or less for projects/organisations that promote financial wellbeing and climate action. Partnering with Crowdfunder, approved organisations can receive up to £25,000 in match funding per calendar year, with a maximum of £250 matched for each unique donation – applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Medium and large organisations with an annual income over £1 million can apply to the multi-year Financial Futures Fund for a minimum grant of £100,000 (no upper limit). Funding supports organisations driving transformational change in financial resilience. Open twice a year, next deadline 15 April 2026.  

Quilter Foundation - Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Financial Futures Fund 

The Quilter Foundation has launched their Financial Futures Fund offering strategic, multi-year grants of up to £1 million over five years to UK charities to deliver large‑scale financial education programmes. If your organisation is experienced in supporting people at key life moments (entering the workforce, financial hardship, retirement planning) as well as tailoring programmes for underrepresented communities such as women, disabled people, ethnic minority communities, care leavers, refugees, single parents, submit an Expression of Interest by 10.30am on 23 March 2026.

The Wellcome Mental Health Data Prize UK

Social Finance are accepting applications for the Wellcome Mental Health Data Prize 2026–2028, the UK-wide innovation programme funded by Wellcome that supports teams developing new data tools for mental health science. The Data Prize provides a combination of innovation funding and tailored support to set teams up for success in developing their tool. Support of up to £100,000 for six shortlisted teams to develop and test prototypes and an additional funding of up to £300,000 for three finalist teams to further develop and scale their tools. Lead applicant organisations must be based in the UK and either a higher education institution, a research institute, a non-academic healthcare organisation, or a not-for-profit organisation. Applications close on 8th May 2026.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Reconciliation Fund

Please Note: this year’s Annual Round will open in March and not February as in previous years. The exact opening date will be communicated in due course; however, they expect it to be around St Patrick’s Day. Strategic Partnership Applications will be by invitation only to eligible groups, with further details being made available at upcoming workshops.  In advance of the opening of the Reconciliation Fund Annual & Strategic Partnership Grant rounds and the launch of the new Reconciliation Fund Strategy 2026-2029 in March 2026, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Reconciliation Fund invites you to attend their series of Outreach Workshops over the course of March 2026.    If you intend to submit an application in this year’s round, they strongly recommend you attend one of the outreach workshops detailed here.  

The Schroder Charity Trust

The Schroder Charity Trust accepts applications towards two focussed grant programmes in two application windows each year. They will only consider applications under Objective (1): Enabling children and young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds to thrive and achieve their potential in education and employment and Objective (2): Strengthening communities through services and opportunities which enhance the wellbeing and life outcomes of vulnerable and disadvantaged people. The Schroder Charity Trust typically makes grants of up to £5,000 towards core and project (restricted) costs to charities registered in the UK. The eligibility questionnaire and application form for the next application window will go live at 9am on the 1 March 2026 and the window will remain open until 30 April 2026. ​

Upcoming Deadlines

J J Charitable Trust – Literacy Small Grants Scheme

The JJ Charitable Trust, part of The Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts, small grants scheme funds registered charities, exempt charities, and CICs that directly help children and young people develop literacy skills, with a focus on supporting those with learning difficulties such as dyslexia.  They are keen to see applications for projects that use volunteers and reading mentors and those that help during transitional points. You can apply for grants between £5,000 and £20,000 spread over a period of 1, 2 or 3 years. Spring grant round: applications by 4th March 2026.

Community Foundation for NI: Thomas Devlin Fund

The Thomas Devlin Fund accepts applications from gifted young people, aged 15 to 19 years, who would like to study, or pursue a career, in creative arts, performing arts or music. The fund was set up in memory of Thomas Devlin who, at the age of 15, was murdered in an unprovoked attack in 2005. Grants up to £1,750. Application deadline 1pm on 5 March 2026.

Planned Interventions Programme in Northern Ireland

Funding is made available each year from The Executive Office (TEO) for the provision of the Planned Interventions Programme.  This Programme is about supporting youth work interventions, on and/or near interfaces, those both physical and visible and those invisible, as well as new and emerging divisions. Applications are invited now for the 2026-2027 programme period for Planned Interventions being delivered from the 1 June 2026 until 6 November 2026. Each successful application will receive a maximum of £6,000.  Closing date 6 March 2026 at 4pm.   

eBay UK: Circular Fashion Innovator's Fund

The eBay Circular Fashion Fund looks to invest in businesses that push the boundaries of technology and services to drive circular fashion forward. 
The Circular Fashion Fund supports businesses from fashion start-ups and beyond as they scale innovative circular solutions, from production to end-of-life. Eight finalists will be selected and receive up to £50k in funding, mentoring support, and an opportunity to receive an additional $300,000 investment as the 'Circular Fashion Fund Global Winner'. Application deadline 23:59 on 8 March 2026.

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal Grants now open

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal Grant Rounds in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland centre around three themes: Addressing Essential Needs, Improving Wellbeing, and Creativity and Play. Children and young people charities working at local, regional and national level can apply.  Organisations that have an annual income of £20,000 – £500,000 must apply for a Community Grant and grants up to £10,000 will be awarded. Organisations that have an annual income of more than £500,000 must apply for an Impact Grant and grants up to £35,000 will be awarded. Application deadline is 13 March 2026 at 1pm. 

Events & Training 

FREE: Fundraising Lab 3: Making the most of corporate partnerships

The final Fundraising Lab from Enthuse's Digital Fundraising Labs series focuses on engaging and strengthening your corporate partnerships.

Guest Blogs

#FundingFebruary Guest blog: How Northern Ireland Charities Can Thrive in a Cashless Society

Vicky Hewlett, Head of Marketing Communications with Give A Little updates us on their fundraising solutions.

#FundingFebruary Guest blog: Growth in contactless donations at the Stroke Association

Paul Montgomery, Operations Lead, gives an overview of the Stroke Association’s cashless donations journey, from early testing in 2024 and use at staffed events in 2025, to getting the technology in the hands of the supporter in 2026.

#FundingFebruary Guest blog: How Leaders Can Turn AI Disruption into Direction

AI is reshaping work, but people remain the real advantage. This article explores how leaders can guide teams through disruption with clarity, soft skills and purposeful action, turning AI from a challenge into a meaningful opportunity. 

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