Funding For Charities Working in Mental Health

The Wolfson Foundation provide funding for charities working in mental health. They award grants towards capital projects, with an emphasis on projects which focus on training, employment and supported housing.

The minimum amout is £25,000, with grants typically between £40,000 to £75,000. If the project cost is between £50,000 to £80,000, some match funding may be required. Projects costing above £80,000 should have at least 25% of match funding (required when submitting a Stage 2 application).

Decisions are made June and December annually. Projects must not be completed before a funding decision is made.

They run two funding rounds each year. The key dates are:

Round 1:
Open to Stage 1 applications: 20 November, 00.01
Stage 1 application deadline: 5 January, 23.59
Stage 2 application deadline: 1 March, 23.59
Funding decision: June

Round 2:
Open to Stage 1 applications: 14 May, 00.01
Stage 1 application deadline: 1 July, 23.59
Stage 2 application deadline: 1 September, 23.59
Funding decision: December

If a deadline date falls during a weekend, they are happy to accept applications that arrive by 9:00am on the following Monday.

Grants are not made retrospectively, and so your project must be ongoing at the time that a funding decision is made (i.e. June or December).

Who can apply: Registered or exempt charity (or equivalent) or a local authority. If applicable, should have at least a ‘Good’ rating from a regulator such as CQC or Ofsted.

Funding covers: New build, refurbishment and equipment

Minimum grant amount: £25,000

Usual grant range: £40,000 to £75,000

Match funding required: If project cost is between £50,000 to £80,000, some match funding may be required. Projects costing above £80,000 should have at least 25% of match funding (required when submitting a Stage 2 application)

Decision dates: June and December annually. Projects must not be completed before a funding decision is made.

Your organisation should:

• be a registered charity or a local authority
• if applicable, have at least a ‘Good’ rating from a regulator such as CQC or Ofsted

Your project should:

• be for a new building, refurbishment work or equipment
• include capital costs of at least £50,000
• have a shortfall in capital funding of at least £25,000

Your project should also address at least one of the following aims:

• Increased access to services for new and existing users
• Improved quality and range of services
• Improved future sustainability of the organisation

There are specific projects and costs which are not eligible for funding from this programme:

• Charities where support for people with mental health problems or disabilities is only a minor part of the services provided
• Support and therapy centres (e.g. cancer support centres, MS therapy centres)
• Facilities or equipment in hospitals, particularly where it relates to clinical care
• Carers’ organisations
• Respite accommodation and services
• Ex-armed forces charities, unless they are specifically serving people with physical disabilities or mental health problems
• Projects seeking funding for sports, leisure, arts or music facilities.

They also do not fund:

• Purchase of land or existing buildings (including a building’s freehold)
• Grants direct to individuals
• Grants through conduit organisations
• Overheads, maintenance costs and VAT
• Non-specific appeals (including circulars) and endowment funds
• Costs of meetings, exhibitions, concerts, expeditions, conferences, lectures, etc.
• Salary costs
• Running costs, including vehicle fuel and maintenance
• Film, websites or promotional materials
• Repayment of loans
• Projects that have already been completed or will be by the time of award.