Deadline: 31-Jan-2026
The Maypole Fund provides small grants of up to £1,000 to support feminist, non-violent activism that challenges militarism, war, the arms trade, and nuclear weapons. It funds creative, locally relevant actions led by individual feminists and feminist groups working internationally to promote peace with justice through feminist perspectives.
The Maypole Fund is a small grant-giving organisation dedicated to supporting feminist activism that actively opposes militarism and war.
Its mission is to promote peace with justice through non-violent, imaginative, and feminist-led action that challenges militarised systems and structures worldwide.
What Is the Maypole Fund?
The Maypole Fund is a values-driven feminist funding organisation that supports grassroots activism aimed at dismantling the causes and impacts of militarism and armed conflict.
It recognises that feminist perspectives are essential for understanding how militarism operates and for building sustainable, just alternatives to war and violence.
Key Focus Areas
The Maypole Fund prioritises projects that focus on one or more of the following areas:
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Action against militarism and military systems
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Action opposing war and armed conflict
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Action challenging the global arms trade
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Action against nuclear weapons and weapons systems
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Action supporting disarmament policies, movements, and processes
All activities must be grounded in a feminist, female-focused perspective that is locally relevant and culturally appropriate.
Feminist and Non-Violent Approach
Projects supported by the Maypole Fund must be explicitly non-violent and clearly demonstrate how feminist analysis shapes both the approach and the objectives.
The fund places strong emphasis on creativity and imagination in activism, encouraging methods that confront militarism in meaningful, innovative, and context-sensitive ways.
Who Is Eligible?
The Maypole Fund provides financial support to:
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Individual feminists
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Feminist groups and collectives
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Feminist activists working internationally
Applicants must show a clear commitment to challenging militarism and war through feminist, non-violent action. Projects that promote violence or lack a feminist framework are not eligible.
Grant Amount and Funding Conditions
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Maximum grant available: Up to £1,000
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Funding use: Only for the approved project or activity
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Retroactive funding: Not permitted
Projects must not begin before the grant decision is made. Funding is intended to directly enable future activities, not reimburse actions that have already taken place.
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
The Maypole Fund typically supports:
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Feminist direct action initiatives opposing militarism or war
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Creative campaigns challenging military systems or weapons industries
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Grassroots feminist projects supporting disarmament
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Community-based actions linking peace, justice, and gender equality
Each proposal must clearly explain how feminist perspectives inform the project’s goals, methods, and expected impact.
Why It Matters
Militarism and war disproportionately affect women and marginalized communities, reinforcing inequality, violence, and injustice.
By supporting feminist-led activism, the Maypole Fund helps amplify alternative visions of security rooted in care, justice, non-violence, and equality, while strengthening local resistance to militarised systems.
How the Maypole Fund Works
Step-by-Step Process
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Design a non-violent feminist project that challenges militarism, war, or related systems.
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Ensure the project has not yet started and requires funding to proceed.
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Submit an application clearly outlining objectives, activities, feminist perspective, and budget.
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Receive a funding decision from the Maypole Fund.
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Use the grant exclusively for the approved activity.
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Complete the project as planned.
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Submit a report within six months of project completion.
Reporting and Acknowledgement Requirements
Grant recipients must provide a report within six months of completing their project.
The report should explain what activities were carried out and how the funds were spent.
Wherever possible, recipients are also expected to acknowledge the support of The Maypole Fund in publications, websites, or other relevant project materials.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Starting the project before receiving the grant decision
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Submitting proposals without a clear feminist analysis
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Proposing activities that involve violence or militarised methods
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Failing to clearly link the project to opposition to militarism or war
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Using funds for purposes not approved in the application
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the maximum grant amount available?
The Maypole Fund offers grants of up to £1,000 per project.
Can individual activists apply, or only organisations?
Both individual feminists and feminist groups or collectives are eligible to apply.
Are funded projects required to be non-violent?
Yes. All supported activities must be explicitly non-violent.
Can funding be used for projects that have already started?
No. Projects must not begin before the funding decision is made.
What kind of feminist perspective is required?
Projects must clearly show how feminist analysis informs their approach, objectives, and impact, particularly in relation to militarism and war.
Is reporting mandatory after receiving a grant?
Yes. All grant recipients must submit a report within six months of completing the project.
Do projects need to acknowledge The Maypole Fund?
Yes. Acknowledgement of The Maypole Fund’s support is expected wherever possible.
Conclusion
The Maypole Fund plays an important role in supporting feminist, non-violent action against militarism, war, and the arms trade.
By providing small but strategic grants, it empowers individual feminists and feminist groups to challenge militarised systems, promote disarmament, and advance peace with justice through creative and locally grounded activism.
For more information, visit The Maypole Fund.