Fundraising news, upcoming training opportunities and the latest funds!
Hello Fundraisers,
Welcome to our February Fundraising Newsletter.
In this month's issue:
Fundraising News:
- Making the most of cashless donations
- Third Sector Trends Report 2025 reveals charity challenges
- JustGiving's 2026 event fundraising snapshot
Training & Events:
- Getting started with legacy and in-memory programmes & how to use video - 12 February
- Grants & Trusts Fundraising Applications training - 10 March
New Funds: We've found a variety of new funds for you to take a look at. You can see the list of funds below.
If you require any support with fundraising, please get in touch with Alison at: alison@voluntarysupport.org.uk.
Kind regards,
Alison Morey
Making the most of cashless donations
We are becoming an increasingly cashless society, with more than 94% of in-store transactions now paid by contactless cards. In 2025, fewer than 12% of donations were made in cash. It’s clear that providing easy, contactless ways for people to donate is the future of fundraising.
There are three main ways to make contactless donations:
Tap-on-Phone: an app allows fundraisers to accept contactless donations through their phone
Tap-to-Give/ NFC Donation Terminals: people can tap from a contactless card or their phones to a card-present device (portable handhelds, fixed plinths, or countertop stands). This technology typically works through mobile data or Wi-Fi.
QR-to-Donate: Donors scan a printed or digital mobile QR code that opens into a branded mobile donation page. Donors can pay with Google/ Apple Pay or by entering card details.
It is worth thinking through how you might collect donations - whether this is at an event, through local businesses, through posters, leaflets or newsletters, or via your online channels. The Chartered Institute of Fundraising has some top tips for how to get started promoting cashless donations, looking at getting the message out to existing and potential donors. JustGiving also provides some practical steps for collecting contactless donations at events, from training volunteers and testing equipment, to debriefing after the event.
Finally, it is a good idea to update your fundraising policy to reflect contactless donation practices. The Fundraising Regulator has specific guidance for handling cashless donations.
Third Sector Trends Report 2025 reveals charity challenges
The Third Sector Trends in England and Wales 2025 report reveals a voluntary sector facing significant financial challenges and inequalities.
Grant funding remains highly valued, with some positive trends including 56% of organisations receiving unrestricted funding and 40% securing long-term investment. However, there's a concerning withdrawal from public service contracts, with participation among the largest organisations falling from 64% in 2019 to 50% in 2025, primarily due to contract values failing to cover rising costs. Income, distribution is also deeply unequal: micro organisations, representing 36% of the sector receive less than 1% of total income, while the largest 5% command 74%.
Financial vulnerabilities are concentrated in deprived areas, where 27% of organisations have used reserves for essential costs like rent and wages. Only 28% of organisations expect income growth over the next two years, down from 36% in 2019.
The research, conducted by Community Foundation North East and St Chad's College Durham University, surveyed over 8,680 organisations and highlights the need for strategic agility, fair-value public contracts, and renewed focus on private giving to ensure the sector's sustainability.
JustGiving's 2026 event fundraising snapshot
If you work in event fundraising, this probably feels familiar: demand is there, supporters are still stepping up, and results are coming in, but the pressure on your time, energy and capacity hasn’t eased.
The good news is that the latest JustGiving 2026 Event Fundraising Snapshot shows events fundraising is not just holding steady, it’s delivering real value again, both financially and strategically, for charities of all sizes.
Grants and Trusts Fundraising Applications Training - 10 March
Our Grants & Trusts Fundraising Applications Training is a one-day introductory session that will guide you through structuring and writing charity applications for national and local grants and trusts.
During the session, we will cover:
- Researching the need for your project
- Planning
- Measuring impact
- Finding the appropriate funder
- Application structure
- Funding strategy
If you have any questions about the training, please contact Alison at alison@voluntarysupport.org.uk
Getting started with legacy and in-memory programmes & how to use video - 12 February
Legacy and in-memory giving can be some of the most meaningful, impactful, and sustainable areas of fundraising yet many charities aren’t sure where to begin. In this practical online session, The Saltways team will guide you through the foundations of building or strengthening your legacy and in-memory programmes, with a focus on compassionate communication and storytelling that truly resonates.
The session will explore:
- What legacy and in-memory giving really mean for supporters
- How to create safe, sensitive messaging that honours emotion and experience
- The role of storytelling and video in deepening long-term supporter relationships
- Simple first steps for small teams getting started
- How to speak confidently about legacies without feeling uncomfortable
- Opportunities to introduce these programmes across your existing comms and touchpoints
Innovation Fund: Supporting local ideas that make a difference
The Innovation Fund began as a simple idea from a local resident: a fund to give communities the opportunity and support to turn innovative ideas - big or small - into projects that improve the health and wellbeing of local people.
The Surrey Heath and Farnham Small Grants Programme is open to community groups and organisations across both boroughs, with funding available from £500 to £2,000.
We’re keen to hear from you if:
- you have an idea that could make a real difference to the health and well-being of local people
- your project could help reduce health inequalities in your community
- you are supporting children and young people.
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.
So far, we’ve received over 25 applications, with funding awarded to almost half of these projects. Successful initiatives include:
- training for organisations supporting people living with dementia
- the Staywell Programme, focused on improving heart health
- a one-stop hub providing support with domestic abuse, housing, finances, crime, mental health, addiction and more.
One of our grant recipients, Briars Field, shared their experience:
“Briars Field Forest School and Mindfulness for SEN are thrilled to receive a grant from the Innovation Fund through Voluntary Support North Surrey. This funding will enable us to support a new group of young adults aged 19–21 by purchasing suitable activity equipment, expanding our provision to meet their needs.”
If you’d like to find out more about the Innovation Fund and how to apply, click on the button below.
Big Give's Small Charity Week - applications open until 11 February
Applications are now open for the Big Give's Small Charity Week 2026 match funding campaign, which provides a valuable opportunity for small charities to secure vital unrestricted income.
Coordinated by Big Give, Global’s Make Some Noise, and NCVO, the campaign is expanding in 2026 to include UK-based organisations working internationally, alongside increased funding for charities in Scotland and Wales.
The Campaign timeline is:
- 11th February (5pm): Applications close
- 6th May: Offer deadline
- 22nd – 29th June (Starts midday and ends at 5pm): Campaign
The Foundation offers small grants of up to £5K for groups based within 5 miles of Arora hotel locations (this will be most applicable for Spelthorne and Runnymede groups). There are two rounds this year - the first is open 2nd March - 10th April, with another round in September. This is a new fund, so the criteria may evolve, but for now they welcome applications for organisations/projects that do one or more of the following:
- Fostering community development and participation
- Improving health and wellbeing
- Reducing poverty and hardship
To check eligibility, groups can use the postcode checking tool on their website.
The Foux Foundation supports grassroots charities delivering practical, frontline help to people and communities in need. It focuses on work that improves quality of life, reduces hardship and strengthens community resilience — particularly where organisations are providing direct support rather than large-scale programmes.
Grants are typically small to medium in size and can be used to support project delivery, activities, equipment or services that make a clear and tangible difference. The Foundation mainly funds registered charities, though organisations must clearly demonstrate public benefit and strong governance.
There’s no fixed deadline, with applications considered on a rolling basis — making this a useful option for groups needing flexible, timely funding.
Hospital Saturday Fund Opens for 2026 Applications
Registered charities with medical/health objectives, hospices and medical organisations based and operating within the UK can apply once per calendar for funding to assist with medical projects, capital projects, medical care or research, hospice/respite care, and in support of medical training. Applications for running costs may also be considered.
There are two levels of awards:
- Standard Grants of £2,000
- Larger Grants of up to £10,000 to be used towards specific projects, research or equipment rather than running costs.
The 2026 deadlines for:
- Standard grant applications are 13 April, 14 July, 8 October 2026, and 5 January 2027
- Large grant applications are 16 March, 16 June, 10 September, and 2 December 2026
Aviva Foundation – Financial Futures Fund and Communities Fund
The Foundation offers grants to organisations which help people build financial resilience and support community-led climate action. There are two grants available:
- Financial Futures Fund: multi-year grant funding for large organisations with incomes of more than £1m. Deadline: 15 April.
- Communities Fund: Match-funding through a crowdfunding platform for small charities and not-for-profits with incomes of less than £1m. They will match each individual donation of up to £250, to a maximim of £25,000. You can submit up to two applications per year, and there is no deadline.
The Trust offers grants of between £250 and £2,000 in the areas of the environment, medical causes and with people who are disadvantaged in the UK and/or overseas. The application deadline is 1st April.
The KFC Youth Foundation's Community Grants Programme supports grassroots organisations that provide safe spaces, mentoring, early intervention support, wellbeing activities and practical skills development. They are looking to support small, youth‑focused organisations working with young people aged 11–25. Grants of up to £6000 over two years are available. The deadline is 27th February.
