This is the first blog in regular updates that we will share throughout the Summer in order to be as transparent as possible about the upcoming changes to Our Funds.
We announced last month we will be pausing Our Funds to applications from 12 noon on Friday 31st May, and re-opening with a new look version in September 2024. Please note that our current Work Pathways open call sits separately to Our Funds. The upcoming pause to Our Funds on 31st May will not impact this open call.
This comes in the context of high levels of need across the sector just now and as expected, we have seen a large increase in the number of applications, as well as an improving success rate. With demands for Our Funds significantly higher than our budget, we have to make increasingly difficult decisions on what we can fund.
Today, we are pleased to share details about the new income thresholds and award amounts that will be available through Our Funds from September.
We are making changes to the maximum award sizes available through our Wee and Small Grants, to ensure that our funding is meaningful and proportionate for smaller organisations. We are also adjusting the income thresholds we use to direct applicant organisations to the fund that is most appropriate for them.
From September 2024:
- Our Wee Grants will be open to registered charities and constituted community groups with an annual income of up to £30,000. Our maximum Wee Grant award will increase from £2,000 to £5,000.
- Our Small Grants will be open to registered charities with an annual income of between £30,000 and £200,000 and our maximum Small Grant award will increase from £15,000 per annum to £20,000 per annum.
- The changes to our Wee and Small Grants fund will have a knock-on effect on our Large Grants, meaning the minimum organisational income threshold will increase from >£100,000 to >£200,000 and the minimum award size will increase to £20,500 per annum.
Although we are increasing the maximum level of potential award available through these funds, our overall budget has not increased. This will mean that while we will be able to award higher levels of funding, this will be to fewer organisations.
While this update provides information on changes to our income thresholds and award amounts for Our Funds, we have more details to share in the coming months around what is in and out of scope for funding through our funding themes, ensuring we are clear externally for applicants on what is important to us.
As mentioned in our first update, it’s important to note that we are not changing our strategy, instead we are looking at where we can have the biggest impact with the resources that we have. Our purpose is to sharpen the focus of Our Funds to achieve our strategic aims, rather than changing those aims.
We will continue to share regular content and updates in the coming months ahead of Our Funds re-opening in September, but we hope this interim update will be a helpful guide for potential applicants to Our Funds in the meantime. If you wish to stay up-to-date with our news, please join our mailing list or follow our social channels.
Although this update provides all the information currently available, we understand that you may wish to get in touch and would recommend that you contact TRTComms@therobertsontrust.org.uk in the first instance.
