Background

The Aviva Foundation supports people across the UK by funding practical solutions to today's challenges. It operates two funds: the Communities Fund for smaller organisations (income under £1 million) and the Financial Futures Fund.
The Financial Futures Fund partners with medium and large organisations to drive transformational change in financial resilience. It aims to help people feel more secure, confident, and in control of their finances, now and in the future. The fund builds open, collaborative relationships with partners, offering access to skilled volunteers, networks, and an annual learning day alongside financial support.

Objectives of Fund

The fund supports initiatives with the potential to create lasting, transformational change in financial resilience. This includes work that helps individuals and communities prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from financial challenges.
The fund’s five key priorities are for initiatives to be:

1. Transformational: Testing new approaches, developing scalable solutions, or building new partnerships.
2. Impact and evidence: Committed to demonstrating impact through clear evaluation and collaboration with researchers.
3. Inclusive: Reaching those with low financial resilience, particularly those facing inequality and discrimination.
4. Community-rooted: Embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion, with communities shaping solutions.
5. Learning-focused: Sharing insights to influence policy, practice, and how Aviva and the wider sector support financial resilience.

Value Notes

The fund has a total grant-making budget of up to £3 million for 2026, distributed across two funding rounds.

• Minimum grant size: £100,000.
• Typical award: The average grant is between £250,000 and £300,000, usually spread over three years.
  There is no upper limit, and the fund is open to different timeframes and funding core costs.

Who Can Apply

Eligible organisations must:

• Be a UK-registered charitable, non-profit, or social enterprise. For-profit organisations may be considered if they demonstrate clear public benefit.
• Have a minimum annual income of £1,000,000, evidenced by at least one year’s filed accounts.
• Deliver a project with impact within the UK.
• Align with the fund's mission and share its values on inclusion and non-discrimination.
  Organisations with an income under £1 million are directed to the Aviva Communities Fund instead.

Location

United Kingdom. Applications from communities near Aviva’s main employee hubs are welcomed.

Restrictions

Projects must not discriminate against individuals based on background, identity, or beliefs. Faith-based projects must ensure participation and outcomes are open to all.

Eligible Expenditure

Funding can cover a wide range of costs linked to a project that improves financial resilience. This can include:

• Building financial capability and confidence.
• Expanding access to fair and inclusive financial services.
• Helping people overcome financial shocks and hardship.
• Tackling systemic barriers like debt, housing insecurity, and digital exclusion.

Core costs and overheads can be included as part of the overall funding request. The fund supports multi-year projects.

How To Apply

The fund operates a two-phase application process:

1. Phase 1 - Short Application Form: Eligible organisations must contact the fund at financialfutures@aviva.com to request the form.
2. Phase 2 - Interview: Shortlisted applicants are invited to an interview with the Advisory Panel, receiving questions in advance.

Applications are assessed by an Advisory Panel of Aviva colleagues and external experts, with final decisions made by a Financial Futures Decision Panel. Feedback is provided to all applicants.

Application deadlines for 2026:

• Round One: Closed 15 April 2026.
• Round Two: Closes 7 October 2026.