Deadline: 31-Dec-2025
The Clothworkers’ Foundation’s Open Grants Programme provides capital funding to support the infrastructure needs of small and medium-sized charitable organisations. These organisations must work with disadvantaged and marginalised people or communities. The Foundation places a strong emphasis on supporting organisations that are either led by or significantly influenced by individuals with relevant lived experience. It prioritises projects that will significantly expand an organisation’s reach, impact, or sustainability.
Grants are available for work with a variety of groups and causes. These include communities experiencing racial inequalities, where organisations may provide specialist services or general support to those facing racism or discrimination based on ethnicity or faith. Funding is also available for organisations working with people who have physical or learning disabilities, including those with mental health challenges, and for those supporting their families and carers.
The programme supports organisations helping individuals affected by domestic or sexual abuse, including survivors and perpetrators. Those applying for perpetrator-focused work must be accredited by Respect or working towards it. Grants also go to those addressing economic disadvantage, helping communities experiencing poverty through both immediate and long-term support.
Support extends to organisations working with homeless people or those at risk of homelessness. Those assisting young people in this category should also apply under the relevant youth programme. LGBT+ communities experiencing disadvantage or discrimination can also receive funding.
Older people facing challenges such as poverty or social isolation are another focus, as are organisations supporting prison rehabilitation. This includes work with people in prison, their families, and those re-entering the community. Those working with young people at risk of offending should apply under the youth-focused category.
Funding is also available for organisations helping those affected by substance misuse and addiction. Support is extended to young people facing disadvantage, particularly those in care, leaving care, or not in education, employment, or training. Applications from educational organisations will only be considered if over 50% of the project’s beneficiaries fall within the programme’s priority groups.
The programme funds both small and large projects. The amount awarded depends on the size of the organisation and the scale of the project. Eligible projects include buildings and refurbishments, fittings and equipment, digital infrastructure, and vehicles.
To be eligible, organisations must be based in the UK and be registered charities, Community Interest Companies (without share capital), or Community Benefit Societies. For large grants over £15,000, the organisation must have an annual income under £10 million. For small grants (£15,000 or less), the turnover must be under £2 million.
The programme does not fund organisations that have already received a grant in the past five years or had an application declined in the last six months. It also excludes organisations with an income over £10 million, those that promote religion or political parties, or that restrict services to members of a particular faith.
For more information, visit The Clothworkers’ Foundation.