THE WOLFSON FOUNDATION: CAPITAL FUNDING FOR UK CHARITIES WORKING IN MENTAL HEALTH
Grants of between £25,000 and £75,000 are available for UK registered charities, exempt charities and local authorities working in the area of mental health for capital projects with a focus on training, employment and supported housing.
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o Application deadline: SUNDAY 5th JANUARY 2025 at 23:59 for Stage 1 Applications. The deadline for Stage 2 applications is SATURDAY 1st MARCH 2025 at 23:59.
o Funder: The Wolfson Foundation (founded 1955. Charity number 1156077. Total value of all grants awarded during the year ended 31 March 2023: £38,047,000 (2022: £37,516,946; 2021: £35,718,852)).
o Who can apply: UK registered charities, exempt charities and local authorities. Applying organisations should have at least a ‘Good’ rating from a regulator such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or Ofsted.
o Key Words: Capital, Mental Health, Training, Employment, Supported Housing, Increasing Access to Services, Improving the Range and Quality of Services, Improving an Organisation’s Financial Sustainability, United Kingdom.
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The Wolfson Foundation’s Funding for UK Charities Working in Mental Health programme awards grants towards capital projects, with an emphasis on projects which focus on training, employment and supported housing.
Grants of between £25,000 and £75,000 are available for projects that:
o Are for a new building, refurbishment work or equipment.
o Include capital costs of at least £50,000, and
o Have a shortfall in capital funding of at least £25,000.
A typical grant is usually for between £40,000 and £75,000. If the project cost is between £50,000 and £80,000, some match funding may be required. Projects costing above £80,000 should have at least 25% of match funding (this needs to be in place when submitting a Stage 2 application, which has a deadline of Saturday 1st March 2025).
Projects should address at least one of the following aims:
o Increased access to services for new and existing users.
o Improved quality and range of services, and
o Improved future financial sustainability of the organisation.
During the year ended 31st March 2023, the Foundation made around 200 grants totalling just over £38 million.
Details of all grants awarded during the year are provided on pages 28-52 of the Foundation’s Annual Report and Financial Statements. Grants awarded for disability, mental health and projects supporting older people are listed on pages 38-41.
Funding is not available for:
o Carers’ organisations.
o Charities where support for people with mental health problems or disabilities is only a minor part of the services provided.
o Costs of meetings, exhibitions, concerts, expeditions, conferences, lectures, etc.
o Ex-Armed Forces charities, unless they are specifically serving people with physical disabilities or mental health problems.
o Facilities or equipment in hospitals, particularly where it relates to clinical care.
o Film, websites or promotional materials.
o Grants direct to individuals.
o Grants through conduit organisations.
o Non-specific appeals (including circulars) and endowment funds.
o Overheads, maintenance costs and VAT.
o Projects seeking funding for sports, leisure, arts or music facilities.
o Projects that have already been completed or will be by the time of award.
o Purchase of land or existing buildings (including a building’s freehold).
o Repayment of loans.
o Respite accommodation and services.
o Running costs, including vehicle fuel and maintenance.
o Salaries, or
o Support and therapy centres (e.g. cancer support centres, MS therapy centres).
The Foundation has a 2-stage application process with the following key dates:
1. Stage 1 application deadline: Sunday 5th January 2025 at 23:59. Applicants are required to register for an account before starting the online application form.
2. Stage 2 application deadline: Saturday 1st March 2025 at 23:59.
Funding decisions are scheduled to be announced in June 2025.
Further information, guidance and details about how to apply is available on the Wolfson Foundation website.
All applicants who have a question about applying are invited to contact the Foundation at grants@wolfson.org.uk.