Grants for organisations
Seasonal Support Programme
The Seasonal Support Programme provides small, time-limited grants to community organisations to support access to food for families with children and older people living within our Area of Benefit. The programme is designed to respond to predictable seasonal pressures that can affect household food budgets during the summer and winter periods. At these times of year, costs may increase and usual services or activities may be reduced or paused, placing additional strain on people already experiencing financial hardship. Funding through this programme is preventative rather than crisis led. It aims to ease short-term pressure and help prevent financial difficulties from escalating.
What the programme supports
Funding must be used solely for the purchase of food or food ingredients provide directly to individuals or families who are already known to the organisation. Support is to continue access to food when regular services or activities are reduced or unavailable, such as during school holidays or winter closures.
Eligible support include:
- Food purchases or ingredients
- Supermarket food vouchers
Funding cannot be used for:
- Food served on site or meals requiring attendance at an organization
- Staffing, delivery, or venue costs
- Household essentials or non-food items
- Utility bills, travel costs, or debt-related support
Who the programme is for
The programme is for community organisations that work directly with families with children and/or older people, and that already have an established relationship with the people they support who live within our Area of Benefit. The programme is not intended for food banks or organisations whose sole purpose is food distribution.
Funding rounds and timing
The programme operates through two funding rounds each year, with the same deadlines annually.
Summer Support : Applications close 5pm 15th May - Funding decisions are made in June
Winter Support : Applications close 5pm 15th October - Funding decisions are made in November
Applications for each round are assessed together after the closing date, and funding is awarded based on alignment with the programme’s purpose and the funding available.
Meeting the eligibility criteria will not guarantee funding. Decisions will prioritise organisations where there is a clear link between seasonal pressure and food need, and where they provide a package of support.
Grant size and approach
Grants awarded through this programme are intentionally modest, allowing funding to reach a wide range of individuals and families. The grants provided to each organisation are relatively small and are intended to be distributed as direct support in the region of £30 per individual or £60 per family. Each funding round has an overall budget of £15,000. Reporting requirements are light-touch and proportionate, focusing on reach and learning rather than detailed outcomes. Our reporting form can be found here: link to reporting form
How to apply
To apply for funding, organisations must complete the Seasonal Support application form and submit it by the closing date for the relevant funding round. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered, to ensure a fair and consistent assessment of all applications. If you are unsure whether your organisation or proposal is eligible, you are welcome to email [email protected] for advice before applying.
Downloads
Application Form
Reporting Form