Deadline: 31-Jul-2026
The Harry Payne Fund provides grants of up to £2,000 to support disadvantaged communities and smaller charitable causes where modest funding can make a meaningful difference. The fund supports eligible organisations with charitable objectives but does not fund projects involving or supporting the armed forces.
Overview
The Harry Payne Fund was established in 1939 as part of the Harry Payne Trust.
The fund supports smaller causes and community-focused organisations that work to help disadvantaged people or communities. It is designed for projects where a relatively small grant can have a practical and positive impact.
Key Details
- Fund name: Harry Payne Fund
- Established: 1939
- Parent trust: Harry Payne Trust
- Grant amount: Up to £2,000
- Purpose: Support disadvantaged communities and smaller charitable causes
- Ineligible area: Projects involving or supporting the armed forces
- Required governance: At least three unrelated committee, trustee, or director members
Focus Areas
The fund focuses on charitable work where small grants can create meaningful change.
Priority themes include:
- Disadvantaged communities
- Smaller charitable causes
- Community support
- Local charitable projects
- Social welfare
- Grassroots organisations
- Charitable objectives
- Modest grants with practical impact
Who is Eligible?
Eligible organisations may include:
- Registered charities
- Charitable incorporated organisations
- Constituted community groups
- Companies limited by guarantee with charitable aims
- Community interest companies
- Registered community benefit societies
- Registered industrial and provident societies
- Social enterprises
- Other eligible organisations listed in the fund guidelines
Community interest companies and other non-charities may receive funding with conditions that restrict the grant to charitable objectives only.
Governance Requirements
Applicants must have a formal management structure.
The organisation must have:
- A management committee, board of trustees, or board of directors
- At least three unrelated members
- Director or trustee details
- Bank authorisation information
This requirement helps ensure accountability, proper decision-making, and responsible use of charitable funds.
What the Fund Does Not Support
The Harry Payne Fund does not support projects that involve or provide support to the armed forces.
Applicants should ensure their project is clearly charitable and does not fall within this excluded area.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit key governance, financial, and policy documents.
Required documents include:
- Written constitution, articles, or set of rules
- Most recent annual accounts or financial records
- Records showing balance of funds, income, and reserves
- Available financial records and/or cashflow forecast for newer organisations
- Bank statement from the last three months
- Safeguarding policy
- Equal opportunities policy
- Quotes for capital items over £300
- Details of directors, trustees, or committee members
- Bank authorisation information
Financial Information Required
Applicants must provide evidence of their organisation’s financial position.
This may include:
- Most recent annual accounts
- Income records
- Expenditure records
- Fund balances
- Reserves
- Cashflow forecast, if the organisation does not yet have a full year of records
How to Apply
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Confirm that your organisation has charitable aims and fits one of the eligible organisation types.
Step 2: Review Project Fit
Make sure the proposed project supports disadvantaged communities or a smaller charitable cause where up to £2,000 can make a meaningful difference.
Step 3: Confirm Governance Requirements
Check that your organisation has at least three unrelated members on its committee, trustee board, or board of directors.
Step 4: Prepare Required Documents
Gather your constitution, articles, financial records, recent bank statement, safeguarding policy, equal opportunities policy, and any required quotes.
Step 5: Prepare Financial Evidence
Include your latest annual accounts or available financial records. If your organisation is new, prepare a cashflow forecast.
Step 6: Complete the Application
Provide organisation details, director or trustee information, bank authorisation details, and all required supporting documents.
Step 7: Review Before Submission
Make sure the application is complete, the project is charitable, and all documents are clear and up to date.
Why It Matters
The Harry Payne Fund helps smaller organisations access modest funding that can make a real difference.
It matters because it supports:
- Disadvantaged people and communities
- Grassroots charitable activity
- Small-scale community impact
- Organisations that may not need or qualify for larger grants
- Practical projects with clear local benefit
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Applying for more than £2,000
- Submitting projects linked to the armed forces
- Applying without three unrelated committee, trustee, or director members
- Missing governance documents
- Failing to include recent financial records
- Not providing a bank statement from the last three months
- Forgetting safeguarding or equal opportunities policies
- Not including quotes for capital items over £300
- Submitting unclear director or bank authorisation information
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants should:
- Clearly explain who will benefit.
- Show how the grant will help disadvantaged communities.
- Keep the request realistic and proportionate.
- Provide complete and current documents.
- Make sure the project has charitable objectives.
- Explain why a modest grant will make a meaningful difference.
- Check all governance and financial information before submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Harry Payne Fund?
The Harry Payne Fund is a grant programme established in 1939 as part of the Harry Payne Trust to support disadvantaged communities and smaller charitable causes.
How much funding is available?
Eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to £2,000.
Who can apply?
Registered charities, CIOs, constituted community groups, charitable companies limited by guarantee, CICs, community benefit societies, industrial and provident societies, social enterprises, and other eligible organisations may apply.
Does the fund support armed forces projects?
No. The fund does not support projects that involve or provide support to the armed forces.
What governance structure is required?
Applicants must have a management committee, board of trustees, or board of directors with at least three unrelated members.
What documents are required?
Applicants must provide governance documents, recent financial records, a recent bank statement, safeguarding and equal opportunities policies, and quotes for capital items over £300.
Can new organisations apply without full annual accounts?
Yes. Organisations without a full year of financial records must provide available records and/or a cashflow forecast.
Conclusion
The Harry Payne Fund offers small grants of up to £2,000 to support disadvantaged communities and smaller charitable causes. It is best suited for eligible organisations with clear charitable objectives, strong governance, basic financial records, and projects where modest funding can create practical community benefit.
For more information, visit Heart of England Community Foundation.
