Applications Open: Matrix Causes Fund (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The Matrix Causes Fund by Matrix Chambers CSR provides grants to charitable and non-profit organisations working to improve access to justice, equality of opportunity, and environmental sustainability. The fund supports projects that create long-term positive change for communities in the United Kingdom and internationally.

The programme prioritises initiatives that benefit vulnerable groups, strengthen communities, and deliver sustainable outcomes through practical projects with measurable social impact.

What Is the Matrix Causes Fund?

The Matrix Causes Fund is a charitable funding programme administered by Prism that supports organisations developing projects with lasting community benefits.

The fund focuses on three main areas:

• Access to justice
• Equality of opportunity
• Sustainable environment

The programme aims to support projects that address social challenges, improve opportunities for disadvantaged communities, and create meaningful long-term change.

Since its establishment, the Matrix Causes Fund has committed more than £2 million to charitable causes across the UK and internationally.

Key Objectives of the Fund

The fund supports organisations that are working to:

• Improve access to legal support and justice services
• Reduce inequality and increase opportunities for vulnerable communities
• Support people facing social, economic, or personal challenges
• Promote environmental sustainability
• Create projects with benefits that continue beyond the funding period

Priority is given to projects that demonstrate clear community impact and the ability to support a significant number of people.

Who Is Eligible?

The Matrix Causes Fund is open to charitable and non-profit organisations that meet specific requirements.

Eligible organisations must:

• Have charitable or non-profit status
• Work on projects related to access to justice, equality of opportunity, or sustainable environment
• Demonstrate that the proposed project provides long-term benefits to communities

Additional eligibility requirements:

For UK organisations:

• Applicants must be registered with HMRC as an exempt charity or non-profit organisation.
• Organisations must have annual income of less than £500,000 from all sources.
• Organisations must have available financial resources of less than £500,000.

For international organisations:

• Organisations must have charitable or non-profit status.
• Organisations may apply for eligible project funding under the international application category.

Priority Groups and Communities Supported

Although applications from all eligible organisations are considered, priority is given to projects supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

Priority beneficiaries include:

• Children with disabilities
• Women living in refuges
• Refugees and asylum seekers
• People experiencing mental health difficulties
• Prisoners and people affected by the criminal justice system

Priority may also be given to organisations based in London.

Why It Matters

The Matrix Causes Fund helps organisations deliver projects that address important social issues and create lasting improvements for communities.

The funding supports:

• Greater access to justice for people facing barriers
• Improved equality and inclusion
• Better support systems for vulnerable groups
• Sustainable community development
• Innovative solutions to social challenges

By supporting targeted projects rather than short-term activities, the fund aims to create benefits that continue after the grant period ends.

Grant Amount and Funding Options

The level of funding available depends on the organisation type and location.

Funding options include:

UK registered charities:

• One-off grant of up to £8,000
• Multi-year grant of up to £5,000 per year
• Maximum multi-year support period: three years

Multi-year funding conditions:

• Funding for years two and three is released only after submission of a satisfactory grant report.
• Organisations must demonstrate appropriate use of previous funding before receiving additional payments.

International organisations and UK-based non-registered charities:

• One-off grant of up to £8,000

What Projects and Costs Are Supported?

The Matrix Causes Fund supports specific project-related costs that contribute to long-term community benefits.

Eligible costs may include:

• Project-specific equipment and services
• Costs connected to activities outside normal organisational operations
• Project-specific IT expenses
• Printing costs when printed materials are essential for project delivery
• Training costs that create long-term benefits for communities

Training support may be considered when:

• Individuals are being trained to become trainers
• A new type of training programme is being introduced
• Training is directly connected to a funded project
• The training benefits a large number of people over time

How to Apply

Organisations should prepare a clear project proposal that demonstrates eligibility, community impact, and effective use of funding.

Steps to apply:

1. Confirm eligibility
   • Check that the organisation has charitable or non-profit status.
   • Confirm income and financial resource limits.
   • Ensure the project aligns with the fund’s priorities.

2. Define the project clearly

   Applicants should explain:

   • The problem the project aims to address
   • The communities that will benefit
   • The activities that will be delivered
   • The expected long-term impact

3. Prepare a funding plan

   Include:

   • Detailed project costs
   • Explanation of how funding will be used
   • Expected outcomes and benefits

4. Submit the application

   Provide all required organisational information and project details according to the fund’s application process.

5. Report project outcomes

   Organisations receiving multi-year funding must submit satisfactory grant reports before receiving funding for future years.

What the Matrix Causes Fund Does Not Support

The fund does not provide support for general organisational costs or routine expenses.

Examples of excluded costs include:

• Core organisational expenses
• General overhead costs
• Administration expenses
• Insurance costs
• Membership fees
• Marketing materials
• Customer relationship management (CRM) software
• Travel expenses
• Accommodation costs
• Room hire
• Rent and utilities
• Legal fees
• Court fees
• Volunteer expenses
• Organisational start-up costs
• Research and development activities
• Construction works
• Building materials
• Non-specialist furniture
• Routine training activities
• Routine IT equipment or personal-use upgrades
• Services normally provided by public bodies

The fund also does not support costs that should normally be covered by:

• Schools
• The NHS
• Legal Aid services
• Local councils
• Government agencies

Retrospective funding is not available, meaning costs incurred before approval of the grant cannot be claimed.

Common Mistakes and Tips for Applicants

Applicants can improve their chances of success by ensuring their proposals clearly match the fund’s objectives.

Common mistakes:

• Applying for costs unrelated to a specific project
• Requesting funding for general organisational expenses
• Failing to explain long-term community benefits
• Not demonstrating how vulnerable groups will benefit
• Submitting applications without clear financial information

Tips for a stronger application:

• Clearly connect the project to access to justice, equality, or sustainability goals.
• Explain who will benefit and how many people may be reached.
• Provide realistic and detailed project costs.
• Focus on long-term impact rather than short-term activities.
• Demonstrate why the project requires external funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Matrix Causes Fund?

The Matrix Causes Fund is a charitable grant programme that supports non-profit organisations working on projects related to access to justice, equality of opportunity, and sustainable environmental outcomes.

Who can apply for the Matrix Causes Fund?

Charities and non-profit organisations can apply if they meet eligibility requirements, including appropriate charitable status and financial limits.

How much funding can organisations receive?

Eligible UK charities can apply for up to £8,000 as a one-off grant or up to £5,000 per year for up to three years through multi-year funding. International organisations may apply for a one-off grant of up to £8,000.

Does the fund support international organisations?

Yes. International charitable and non-profit organisations can apply for eligible one-off grants of up to £8,000.

What types of projects receive priority?

Priority is given to projects improving access to justice, equality of opportunity, and sustainable environments, especially those supporting vulnerable groups such as refugees, people with disabilities, women in refuges, people with mental health difficulties, and prisoners.

Can organisations use the funding for general expenses?

No. The fund does not support core organisational costs, overheads, administration, rent, utilities, routine expenses, or other general operational costs.

Are previous project costs eligible for funding?

No. The Matrix Causes Fund does not provide retrospective funding for costs that have already been incurred.

Conclusion

The Matrix Causes Fund provides targeted financial support to charitable and non-profit organisations creating meaningful social and environmental impact. By focusing on access to justice, equality of opportunity, and sustainable solutions, the fund helps organisations deliver projects that improve communities and create lasting benefits.

Eligible organisations should develop clear, impact-driven proposals that demonstrate how their projects address important social challenges and create measurable long-term change.

For more information, visit Matrix Chambers.