Deadline: 31-May-2026
The Shears Foundation is offering small grants of £3,000 to £6,300 to UK charitable organisations with annual incomes under £1.5 million. The funding supports core costs and projects in arts, education, environment, community development, and health, with priority given to organisations in specific UK regions.
Programme Overview
The grant programme is designed to strengthen small and medium-sized charities across the UK by supporting both project delivery and core operational sustainability.
The foundation focuses on improving:
- Cultural and artistic development
- Educational opportunities for children and adults
- Environmental protection and sustainability
- Community strengthening and resilience
- Health and medical research and education
Funding Details
- Grant size: £3,000 to £6,300
- Eligible organisations: Charities with annual income under £1.5 million
- Funding types: Core costs and project costs
- Not eligible: Capital projects (buildings, vehicles, major equipment, refurbishments)
Priority Geographic Areas
The Shears Foundation prioritises funding in:
- Tyne & Wear
- Northumberland
- Former Harrogate District
- City of York
- City of Bradford
- Greater Manchester
Eligible Activities
Funding may support:
- Arts and cultural programmes
- Educational initiatives for children and adults
- Environmental conservation projects
- Community development and social cohesion work
- Health-related research and education activities
- Staff salaries and core operational costs
- Organisational running costs
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Registered charitable organisations in the UK
- Organisations with annual income below £1.5 million
- Small and medium-sized community-focused charities
What Is Not Funded?
The foundation does not support:
- Capital building projects
- Property purchase or refurbishment
- Major infrastructure repairs
- Vehicles or large equipment purchases
- Outdoor construction works
Application Approach
Applicants are encouraged to:
- Contact the foundation via phone or Zoom before applying
- Provide clear financial information
- Demonstrate collaborative partnerships
- Show diversified funding sources
- Submit detailed and accurate project descriptions
Key Objectives of the Fund
The programme aims to:
- Strengthen small charity sustainability
- Improve access to arts and education
- Protect the natural environment
- Support community wellbeing
- Enhance health research and education
- Increase local impact in priority regions
How to Apply
Applicants should:
- Confirm eligibility based on income and location
- Identify whether funding is for core or project costs
- Prepare financial and organisational details
- Highlight partnerships and sustainability plans
- Engage in pre-application discussion (recommended)
- Submit a detailed application to the foundation
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying for capital or infrastructure funding
- Missing financial eligibility threshold
- Weak explanation of community impact
- Lack of partnership or co-funding evidence
- Incomplete financial documentation
FAQ
Who funds this programme?
The Shears Foundation.
What is the grant size?
Between £3,000 and £6,300 per organisation.
Who can apply?
UK charities with annual income below £1.5 million.
What can the funding be used for?
Core costs, staffing, and project delivery in approved sectors.
What is not eligible?
Capital projects such as buildings, vehicles, and major equipment.
Conclusion
The Shears Foundation grant programme provides essential financial support to small UK charities working in arts, education, environment, community development, and health. By funding both core operations and project delivery, the programme helps strengthen organisational stability and improve local community impact, especially in priority regions across northern England.
For more information, visit The Shears Foundation.
