Better Community Business Network Grant Initiative

Background

Launched in 2014, the Better Community Business Network (BCBN) Grant Initiative aims to provide small third-sector grant awards to empower charities and local community projects in the UK.

Objectives of Fund

Funding is intended to improve the quality of life and expectations of people and their communities, especially those who come from disadvantaged or socially deprived backgrounds.

Value Notes

One-off grants of up to £3,000 are available.

There is a total funding pot of £36,000 each year, with 12 grants awarded annually.

Who Can Apply

The following types of organisation may apply:

• Community, self-help or voluntary groups.
• Charities, including local branches of national charities.
• Organisations with charitable aims.

To be eligible, all organisations and community interest groups must:

• Be registered with a recognised governing body (such as the Charity Commission or Companies House) for a minimum of 18 months (they should have annual accounts available and submitted).

If selected for a grant award, applicants will also need to provide their organisation’s articles of association or constitution, demonstrating clear objectives related to community interest and improvements.

Location

UK

Restrictions

The following are not eligible for funding:

• Overseas projects.
• For-profit initiatives.
  
• Party political activity.
• Individual sponsorship.
• Travel and accommodation.
• Multiple applications: successful applicants may only apply once per year and unsuccessful applicants may apply in the next quarterly term.
• Retrospective funding.
• Part-funding of projects.
• Core/Running costs and expenses (on-going venue hire, staff cost and salary, bills, printing).
• Professional associations or training of professionals.
• Endowments, loans, deficits, general appeals.
• Organisations that do not have charitable aims (such as companies limited by shares and commercial companies).
• Organisations that have been operational for less than one year or are unable to provide governance documents and independently reviewed or audited financial account.

Eligible Expenditure

Causes supported by the funders include,but are not limited to:

• Education
  • Schools
  • Extra-curricular clubs
• Health
  • Hospitals
  • Cancer research
  • Healthy eating
  • Mental health and wellbeing
• Ex-offenders
  • Mentoring
  • Rehabilitation
• Homelessness/Poverty
  • Shelter projects
  • Food banks
• Arts and Culture
  • Sport activities
  • Library funds
• Environment
  • Natural disasters
  • Regeneration projects
• Elderly
  • Befriending
  • Social clubs
• Disability
  • Help lines
  • Inclusion
• Social cohesion
  • Committee programmes

How To Apply

2026 application deadlines:

• Term 1: 17 April 2026
• Term 2: 7 September 2026
• Term 3: 9 November 2026

The guidelines, grant eligibility quiz and application form can be found on the BCBN website.

The application form must be downloaded, completed and submitted by email to BCBN before the deadline in order to be considered.

Only successful applicants are contacted.

Contact Better Community Business Network for more information.