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Children in Need Core Grants

Background

BBC Children in Need’s focus is firmly on children and young people experiencing disadvantage. They fund not-for-profit organisations working to combat this disadvantage and to make a real difference to children and young people's lives.

BBC Children in Need, a registered charity, operates across the UK, with grant-making teams based locally and informed by sector discussion and research relevant to the local area.

As a ‘broad-based funder’ it aims to support projects that are reaching disadvantaged children and young people not strongly represented through its funding programme. It does this by geographical and thematic areas of interest to achieve a comprehensive and inclusive portfolio of grants, representing the diversity of communities and need across the UK.

Objectives of Fund

The funding is intended for not-for-profit organisations that work with disadvantaged children and young people, under the age of 18, living in the UK.

This stream offers core funding to organisations whose work aligns with the principles set out in the Children in Need Grantmaking Strategy 2022-2025:

  • Sharing power with children and young people.
  • Acting flexibly.
  • Using its voice to build awareness and empathy around issues.
  • Building partnerships to bring communities and investors together.

Value Notes

The core grants stream can support organisations for up to three years. The maximum grant is £120,000 (or £40,000 over three years), though most grants made are for much less than this. Applications for more than £15,000 per year will only be considered from organisations registered with the appropriate regulatory body.

Who Can Apply

Registered charities and not-for-profit organisations who work with disadvantaged children and young people of 18 years and under living in the UK, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands are eligible to apply.

The following organisations can apply:

  • Community interest companies (CIC).
  • Companies limited by guarantee (CLG) including social enterprises.
  • Housing associations.
  • Industrial and provident community benefit societies.
  • Registered charities.
  • Religious institutions.
  • Special schools (These are provisions for children with learning difficulties or disabilities which cannot be met within a mainstream setting).
  • Hospices.

To be eligible, applicants must be:

  • Working with children and young people aged 18 years and under.
  • Working in the heart of their communities, particularly in times of crisis.
  • Putting children and young people at the centre of everything they do, from design to delivery.
  • Addressing challenges faced by children and young people, building their skills and resilience.
  • Empowering children and young people, and extending their choices in life.
  • Keen to keep learning about and developing their work with children and young people.
  • Committed to making a difference in children and young people’s lives.

Priority will be given to applications from smaller, local organisations with an annual turnover of more than £1 million in the most recent, complete financial year.

In recognition of the fact that there are some organisations with a higher income delivering vital work for children and young people, the following types of organisations can apply regardless of their turnover:

  • Hospices (including children's hospices).
  • Housing Associations.
  • Groups delivering nationwide (across a whole nation) or UK-wide work (across multiple nations within the UK).

Location

UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands

Eligible Expenditure

Core Costs grants are awarded as restricted funding and must be used to cover the organisation’s essential running expenses.

The funding is to be used for an organisation's central day-to-day operations, including:

  • Management and administration.
  • HR and payroll.
  • General office expenses.
  • Accountancy and audit.
  • Communications and outreach.
  • Monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
  • Governance, regulatory, and compliance costs.

How To Apply

Applications can be made at any time. There are no deadlines.

Groups requesting £15,000 or less will receive a quicker decision and be able to start sooner.

There is a two-stage application process:

  • An initial Expression of Interest form can be found on the Children in Need website.
  • Successful applicants will receive a link to the full application form and have 120 days to complete it.

Organisations can only apply for and hold one grant at any time.

Organisations with a current BBC Children in Need grant that is due to end within 12 months can usually reapply. However, the new funding will not be released until the current grant has ended.

Contact BBC Children in Need for more information.

Funder



No Min - £120,000
no deadline
Go to grant page