Open Call: Mental Health Scale-Up Fund (Round 6)

The Mental Health Scale-Up Fund by the Community Foundation for Surrey provides voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations with multi-year funding to expand proven mental health interventions. Grants of up to £75,000 per year for five years support projects that scale impact, reach underserved communities, and enhance mental health services across Surrey.

Overview of the Fund

The Mental Health Scale-Up Fund is designed to help organisations grow proven mental health interventions to meet rising needs across Surrey. The initiative prioritises projects that have already demonstrated measurable impact and are ready to scale by serving more beneficiaries, extending into new areas, or supporting groups facing multiple disadvantages.

Key Objectives

Expand access to effective mental health services across Surrey
Reach residents experiencing multiple disadvantages
Support sustainable organisational growth through long-term funding
Strengthen evidence-based interventions and community wellbeing

Who Can Apply?

Eligible organisations include:

Registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs), and charitable trusts
Voluntary and community groups
Faith-based organisations benefiting the wider community
Educational establishments delivering exceptional projects outside statutory provision
Community Benefit Societies with charitable status, CASCs, and CICs with clear social purpose
Newly formed groups under the umbrella of a suitable grant-holding organisation

Not eligible:

For-profit businesses or CICs limited by shares
County or borough councils, statutory bodies, or non-charitable housing associations
GP surgeries, NHS entities, hospital trusts
Animal welfare charities (unless therapeutic use for people is involved)
Individuals (except through specific separate programmes)

Funding Details

Grant size: up to £75,000 per year
Funding duration: up to 5 years
Supports expansion, scaling, and geographic extension of proven interventions
Multi-year funding provides organisational stability and capacity to widen impact

How the Application Process Works

Expression of Interest (EOI): Organisations submit an initial EOI detailing their project, impact evidence, and scalability plans.
Shortlisting: EOIs are reviewed to identify strong candidates.
Full Proposal: Shortlisted applicants are invited to submit a full application outlining detailed plans, budgets, and expected outcomes.
Assessment: Proposals are evaluated based on evidence of impact, scalability potential, organisational capacity, and alignment with fund priorities.
Funding Decision: Selected organisations receive multi-year grants to scale proven interventions.

Why It Matters

The fund addresses increasing mental health needs in Surrey by:

Helping organisations expand effective services to more people
Targeting underserved communities and those facing multiple disadvantages
Enabling long-term planning and sustainable growth for mental health providers
Strengthening local support networks and community wellbeing

Tips for a Strong Application

Provide clear evidence of existing impact and effectiveness
Demonstrate capacity to scale and manage multi-year funding
Highlight how the project addresses local mental health needs and multiple disadvantages
Attend Foundation-hosted Q&A sessions to clarify requirements and strengthen submissions
Ensure robust governance and financial planning are in place

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply? – Registered charities, CIOs, charitable trusts, voluntary and community groups, faith-based organisations, educational establishments with exceptional projects, and suitable umbrella arrangements for new groups.
2. Are for-profit businesses eligible? – No, the fund only supports non-profit organisations.
3. What is the maximum grant amount? – Up to £75,000 per year for a maximum of five years.
4. Can national organisations apply? – Yes, if their work delivers clear benefits to Surrey communities.
5. What types of projects are funded? – Projects that scale proven mental health interventions, expand reach, and support underserved or high-need groups.
6. How does the application process work? – Two-stage process: submit an Expression of Interest, then full proposal for shortlisted applicants.
7. Are individuals eligible? – No, except through specific separate programmes.

Conclusion

The Mental Health Scale-Up Fund offers Surrey-based organisations a rare opportunity to grow proven mental health interventions through multi-year support. By funding projects that scale impact, extend geographic reach, and support disadvantaged communities, the fund strengthens local mental health services and improves wellbeing across the county. This initiative provides long-term stability, strategic support, and a platform for organisations to expand their life-changing work in Surrey.