A limited number of grants for up to £3,000 are available to UK registered charities and voluntary/community groups for revenue projects that aim to improve the quality of life of people in disadvantaged communities.
Each year, the Better Community Business Network earmarks a budget of £36,000 from which it awards up to 12 grants, with a maximum single grant of £3,000 (although higher awards are sometimes made) for initiatives across the UK that aim to improve the quality of life and expectations of people and their communities, especially those who come from disadvantaged or socially deprived backgrounds.
Although this is not an exclusive list, eligible organisations should be working in one or more of the following areas:
- Arts and Culture, including sport activities and seeking funding for libraries
- Disability, including help lines and social inclusion
- Education, including schools and extra-curricular clubs
- Elderly, including befriending and social clubs
- Environment, including natural disasters and regeneration projects
- Ex-offenders, including mentoring and rehabilitation
- Health, including cancer research, healthy eating and hospitals
- Homelessness and poverty, including Food Banks and shelter, and
- Social inclusion.
To be eligible to apply, organisations must meet the following criteria:
- Able to demonstrate that money awarded will be used for project-specific costs
- Be addressing a community issue or supporting a local community initiative
- Be UK-based, and
- Providing benefits to the local population.
The application deadlines for 2026 are:
Term One
- Application deadline: Friday 17 April 2026
- Finalists awarded: Monday 11 May 2026
Term 2
- Application deadline: Monday 7 September 2026
- Finalists awarded: Monday 28 September 2026
Term 3
- Application deadline: Monday 9 November 2026
- Finalists awarded: Monday 30 November 2026
Applicants are required to complete a '60 second' grant eligibility quiz prior to downloading the application form. For eligible applicants, the completed application form should be emailed. Further information, guidelines and an online application form is available on the Better Community Business Network website.