Unrestricted grants, generally for between £10,000 and £30,000 for 1-3 years, are available to small to medium-sized UK registered charities and Community Interest Companies.
The A B Charitable Trust (often referred to as ABCT) is a major UK grant-making charity, regularly awarding grants totalling several £ million each year, that places its focus on promoting and defending human dignity and human rights. It supports unpopular causes reaching the most vulnerable and marginalised in society, and particularly UK charities working in the areas of:
- Criminal justice and penal reform.
- Human rights, particularly where this involves access to justice, and
- Migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum.
The Trust favours applications from UK registered charities that can demonstrate the following:
- Are well run, make best use of resources and follow best practice in all aspects of their work.
- Deliver effective work and can demonstrate the difference it makes.
- Engage the talents of people who have experienced the problems the organisation exists to address.
- Listen to the people they seek to support about their needs, and amend their work accordingly.
- Share knowledge where possible (eg with colleagues in the sector, or to influence attitudes to an issue or to influence policy).
Work well with others in the geographical or policy area (are happy to combine knowledge and resources where helpful and avoid duplication), and
Would make best use of a grant (for example, where the grant would make a demonstrable positive difference).
Grant awards can be for between £10,000 and £30,000 for between 1 and 3 years. Where possible, the Trust will provide unrestricted funding.
A list of all grants awarded during the year can be viewed on pages 28-34 of the Trust’s Annual Report and Accounts.
Further information, guidance and an online application form is available on the Trust’s website.
The next deadline for applications is Friday 24 October 2025 for decisions to be announced in January 2026.
Application deadlines in 2026 are scheduled for:
- 30 January for decisions in April 2026.
24 April for decisions in July 2026, and
31 July for decisions in October 2026.