Deadline: 31-Dec-2026
The Randal Charitable Foundation Fund provides grants to support small grassroots organisations working to improve the lives of people across Northamptonshire. Delivered through a partnership between the Randal Charitable Foundation and Northamptonshire Community Foundation, the programme supports community-based initiatives addressing some of the most pressing social challenges facing vulnerable individuals and communities.
The fund is designed to strengthen the capacity of local organisations and enable them to deliver meaningful support through projects, services, and activities that create positive social impact.
About the Randal Charitable Foundation Fund
The Randal Charitable Foundation was established by Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL and Moni Kotecha with a mission to save and significantly improve lives in the United Kingdom and around the world. Through its partnership with Northamptonshire Community Foundation, the fund supports locally managed organisations that are addressing critical social issues within Northamptonshire.
The programme recognizes the important role grassroots organisations play in supporting vulnerable populations and responding to community needs. By providing small grants, the fund helps organisations expand their reach, strengthen their services, and deliver direct benefits to local communities.
Funding Priorities
The Randal Charitable Foundation Fund focuses on projects that align with the foundation’s core charitable objectives.
Priority areas include:
- Healthcare support for vulnerable people
- Tackling mental ill-health
- Poverty alleviation and hardship reduction
- Supporting women at risk of violence or exploitation
- Supporting children at risk of violence or exploitation
- Prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration
- Education and opportunities for disadvantaged individuals
Projects should clearly demonstrate how they contribute to improving lives and supporting vulnerable groups within Northamptonshire.
Grant Amount
Successful applicants may receive:
- Grants of up to £3,000
- Flexible funding for a range of organisational needs
- Support for projects delivering measurable community impact
The grant is intended to help small organisations strengthen their services and respond to local challenges.
What Can the Funding Be Used For?
The fund offers flexibility in how grant funding can be used.
Eligible costs may include:
- Core operating costs
- Project delivery expenses
- Capital costs and equipment
- Community programme activities
- Organisational development costs
- Direct support services for beneficiaries
Organisations must spend the awarded grant within 12 months of receiving the funding.
Eligible Organisations
The programme is open to small, locally managed voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations operating within Northamptonshire.
Eligible applicants include:
- Registered charities
- Constituted community groups
- Community Interest Companies (CICs)
- Companies limited by guarantee with charitable objectives
- Voluntary and community organisations
- Social enterprise organisations
Applicants must demonstrate a clear commitment to supporting local communities and vulnerable groups.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, organisations must:
- Be based in Northamptonshire
- Be locally managed and community focused
- Have an average annual turnover of £50,000 or less over the previous three years
- Have a governing document or constitution
- Include a dissolution clause specific to Northamptonshire within their governing document
- Have appropriate safeguarding policies where relevant
- Have an Equality Policy or Equity and Diversity Policy in place
Organisations should ensure all eligibility requirements are met before submitting an application.
Who Should Apply?
The fund is particularly suitable for organisations that:
- Work directly with vulnerable individuals
- Deliver community-based support services
- Address poverty and social exclusion
- Support mental health and well-being
- Provide educational opportunities for disadvantaged groups
- Assist women and children facing risks of violence or exploitation
- Deliver rehabilitation and reintegration programmes
Small organisations that may struggle to access larger funding opportunities are especially encouraged to apply.
Assessment Considerations
Applications should clearly explain:
- The community need being addressed
- The target beneficiaries
- The activities that will be delivered
- The expected outcomes and impact
- How the funding will be used
- Why the project is important for local communities
Strong applications will demonstrate a clear understanding of local challenges and provide realistic plans for delivering meaningful change.
Application Process
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, allowing organisations to apply throughout the year.
Applicants are required to:
- Complete the application form
- Submit all required supporting documents
- Demonstrate eligibility and community impact
- Provide details of proposed activities and expenditure
Organisations should ensure that all information is complete and accurate before submission.
Funding Decisions
Following assessment of the application:
- Funding decisions are generally communicated within eight weeks
- Successful applicants will receive grant award information
- Funded organisations must use the grant within 12 months
- Grant recipients may be required to report on project outcomes and impact
The assessment process focuses on community need, organisational capacity, and potential impact.
Why This Fund Matters
Small grassroots organisations are often at the forefront of supporting vulnerable individuals and addressing local challenges. However, they frequently face resource constraints that can limit their ability to deliver services effectively.
The Randal Charitable Foundation Fund helps organisations:
- Expand community support services
- Reach vulnerable populations
- Improve health and well-being outcomes
- Address poverty and inequality
- Strengthen local resilience
- Deliver sustainable social impact
By investing in grassroots initiatives, the fund contributes to stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities across Northamptonshire.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much funding is available?
Eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to £3,000. - Who can apply for the fund?
Small voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations based in Northamptonshire, including charities, CICs, constituted groups, and companies limited by guarantee with charitable objectives. - What are the priority funding areas?
Healthcare for vulnerable people, mental health, poverty alleviation, support for women and children at risk, prisoner rehabilitation, and education for disadvantaged individuals. - Can funding be used for core costs?
Yes. Grants may be used for core operating costs, project expenses, and capital costs. - Is there a turnover limit for applicants?
Yes. Organisations must have an average annual turnover of £50,000 or less over the previous three years. - How long do organisations have to spend the grant?
Successful applicants must spend the funding within 12 months of receiving the award. - When will applicants receive a funding decision?
Funding decisions are generally communicated within eight weeks of application assessment.
Conclusion
The Randal Charitable Foundation Fund provides valuable support for small grassroots organisations working to improve lives across Northamptonshire. With grants of up to £3,000, the programme helps community groups address critical issues including poverty, mental health, healthcare, education, prisoner rehabilitation, and support for vulnerable women and children. By investing in locally led initiatives, the fund strengthens community resilience and creates lasting positive impact for those most in need.
For more information, visit the Northamptonshire Community Foundation.
