Hello Fundraisers,

Welcome to the November edition of Voluntary Support's Fundraising newsletter!

This month we have a round-up of training opportunities and new funding options:

Fundraising News:

• Get ready for Giving Tuesday 2026
• Crypto donations: decide before they arrive
• Extending Christmas giving campaigns
• The Giving Record launched to highlight the impact of philanthropy

Training & Events: 

• Building relationships for greater community impact
• Grants and Trusts Fundraising Applications Training
• Trustee Roles and Responsibilities Training
• Creative Approaches to Living Well in Surrey - Free Conference, January 2027

New Funds: A range of funds with deadlines coming up this autumn.

If you need support with fundraising, please get in touch with Wendy at: wendy@voluntarysupport.org.uk. 

Kind regards,

Wendy McGeachy

Get ready for Giving Tuesday 2026

Giving Tuesday – which this year takes place on Tuesday 1st December – is a global movement encouraging people to do good. There are so many ways people can give, from giving time by volunteering, donating money or goods, campaigning for a good cause or even just buying something from a charity shop.

It may be just one day, but this is a great opportunity for charities and community groups to involve people in the work you do. Here are some ideas for ways you can make the most of the day:

1. Say thank you

Set aside some time to be active online during the day. Starting with your organisation, you can say thank you for the support people give you.

If you have businesses or individual supporters, you could ask them in advance to post supportive messages on the day too.

And don't forget your trustees and volunteers - if they're active online, encourage them to do the same.

2. What do you need?

What do you need? Whether it’s funding for a project or piece of equipment, or regular donors or volunteers, think about how people could help your organisation – and then ask for their help on the day. Could you create a crowdfunder which you launch on the day? Or hold an event where people can help sort through donations for a half hour? Whatever you need, see how you can make it fit as a micro-giving or micro-volunteering opportunity.

3. One message for people to share

If there was one message you would like people to take away– about how your organisation helps or how it raises awareness of a particular issue – what would it be? Turn that message into a social media post and encourage people to share it on the day.

For more ideas and support, look at Giving Tuesday’s how to participate page for ideas.

Crypto donations: decide before they arrive

New guidance from the Fundraising Regulator says charities should have a position on crypto before anyone offers them any. You may never have been offered a crypto donation, but one could turn up unexpectedly. The Fundraising Regulator has published a guide to help charities decide how to respond to a crypto donation.

Start with trustees

The Fundraising Regulator recommends that charities don’t accept any crypto, directly or through a third party, until:

• the charity has carried out a risk assessment
• it has considered whether crypto fits its purposes and values, and
• trustees have made a deliberate decision to accept it.

The risk assessment should be written down, as it could help explain your actions if a complaint is ever investigated.

Know the risks

The guide highlights four main concerns:

• Donor identity. A crypto donation can’t always be traced to a named person, so you may not know who has given.
• Financial crime. Anonymity can increase the risk of links to fraud, money laundering or sanctions evasion.
• Proscribed organisations. It can be hard to spot a connection to one.
• Environmental and social impact. Crypto’s footprint may clash with your values.

Crypto isn’t recognised as UK currency and isn’t eligible for Gift Aid. The Fundraising Regulator says it needs stronger due diligence than most other gifts, along with careful records of what you accept, refuse or return.

Check your platforms

If you use an online fundraising platform, find out whether it processes crypto by default. You remain responsible for due diligence, even when a third party handles the donation. The Fundraising Regulator also points out that a new UK regulatory regime for crypto providers begins in 2027, so make sure any service you use meets UK legal requirements.

Even if the answer is no

You still need a policy, whatever the likely value of donations. The FR advises charities that don’t plan to take crypto to read the guide anyway, so they can accept, refuse or return an unexpected gift in line with their policies. If you do accept it, be open with donors about your approach, and keep the decision under review.

The Giving Record launched to highlight the impact of philanthropy

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Rory Brooks CBE has launched The Giving Record, a national initiative to showcase the impact of philanthropy and encourage more charitable giving across the UK.

The Giving Record collects and shares stories of charitable initiatives and organisations which show how philanthropy changes lives and strengthens communities. It has launched with twenty stories from around the country - and non-profits, communities and individuals are invited to contribute their own.

The Giving Record has been set up in response to a worrying trend. While the total donated by individuals has risen, it is coming from a smaller pool of donors, with six million fewer people giving to charity compared to ten years ago. Rather than concentrating on famous donors, large one-off gifts and individual fortunes, the initiative deliberately shifts attention to where the money goes and what it achieves. It is intended to become a national resource for charities, funders and the wider sector, and a call to action to put more private wealth to public good.

Building relationships for greater community impact

17 November 2026, 9.30am - 12 noon, Enterprise Egham

Enterprise is delivering free training for charities on relationship-building - timed to coincide with the formation of the new West Surrey Council. The session will explore stakeholder mapping, helping organisations identify their key stakeholders, understand their influence and interest, and consider where new relationships or connections need to be developed. It will also look at ways to approach new contacts.

The training aims to strengthen collaboration and sharing of resources and build more productive relationships with supporters, generating greater visibility for funding opportunities, a better service for clients, and improved retention of staff and volunteers. 

There are ten places available. Email Jo Buckell to find out more.

Grants and Trusts Fundraising Applications Training

19 November, 9.30am - 3pm, VSNS Chertsey Office

We are running our popular Grants & Trusts Fundraising Applications Training on Thursday 19 November.

This one-day introductory training session will guide attendees 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 by email:alison@voluntarysupport.org.uk.

Trustee Roles and Responsibilities Training

24 November, 10am - 2pm, Rangeford Villages Homewood Grove, Ottershaw, KT16 0AU

Voluntary Support North Surrey is offering a half‑day course to help trustees and charity leaders strengthen governance, understand legal responsibilities, and improve financial confidence.

Led by charity law expert Helen Harvie, the session covers:

• Trustee duties & recruitment
• Board roles and effective meetings
• Governing documents & Charity Commission requirements
• Financial health, accounts & reporting
• Serious incident reporting & key legal essentials

Perfect for new or experienced trustees, CEOs and senior leaders who want to keep their charity compliant, confident and well‑run.

Creative Approaches to Living Well in Surrey - Free Conference, January 2027

Creative Approaches to Living Well is an interactive, collaborative day bringing together people with first-hand knowledge of Surrey’s health and wellbeing challenges alongside researchers and creative practitioners to explore innovative approaches to addressing them. Whether your work tackles loneliness, supports independent living, improves access to services, reduces inequalities, or helps people feel healthier and more connected, this event is designed for you.

The conference will be facilitated by Laura Evans-Hill of Nifty Fox Creative, in partnership with Surrey County Council and the NIHR Health Determinants Research Collaboration in Surrey. The conference will bring together charities, community groups, schools, health and care organisations with creative practitioners, artists, designers and storytellers who are using creativity to bring about change. Through creative activities and networking, the day aims to help participants turn shared interests into meaningful partnerships and collaborative projects.

📅 Thursday 28 January 2027 | 9.30am - 4.30pm
📍 Surrey County Council, Reigate
🎟️ Free: refreshments and lunch included

Following the event, collaborative teams will be able to apply for pilot project funding of up to £10,000 to test creative ideas and approaches.

Crisis and Resilience Fund Small Grants

Crisis and Resilience Fund small grants funding is available to organisations that help Surrey residents who are living in poverty, or at risk of poverty and are part of a priority population group that may face extra barriers to getting support.

The aim is to help people access support earlier, avoid financial crisis where possible, and build longer-term financial resilience.

Between £1,000 to £30,000 is available for small grass roots organisations and up to £100,000 for larger organisations for up to two years.

Applications opened on Monday 9 November at 10am and will close on Wednesday 9 December at 5pm. The application is available via the Council’s online grant management system.

If you are interested in this funding, Surrey County Council will be holding two online briefing events on Thursday 12 November 12pm to 1pm and Monday 16 November 12pm to 1pm. Please email CRF@surreycc.gov.uk to be sent an online invite.

Henry Smith Foundation Announces New Enterprise Gateway Fund

Henry Smith Foundation has announced a new £6 million, three-year fund which opened on 28 October. This funding opportunity is for organisations who want to become Intermediary Partners for the Fund, which is designed to help small voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and social entrepreneurs develop new sources of earned income and strengthen long‑term financial resilience.

The Intermediary Partners will recruit and support a cohort of eligible organisations and social entrepreneurs and with the funding be able to offer a package of support that combines grant funding; practical enterprise development support; opportunities for peer learning and mutual support; connections, networks and other support that can help participants develop their enterprise ideas.

Enterprise Gateway aims to reach organisations and individuals working in the Henry Smith Foundation's strategic priority areas:

• Getting started (Families and Early Years)
• Building Independence (Young people)
• Safer Futures (People leaving prison
• Refugees and asylum seekers
• Domestic abuse survivors.

Intermediary organisations can apply for between £500,000 and £1.5 million to administer onward grants and deliver capacity building activities with:

• £4 million ring fenced for asset-locked organisations in England
• £2 million for UK wide non-constituted organisations and individuals.

Eligible applicants will:

• Have an established track record of supporting organisations or social entrepreneurs to develop enterprise or trading activity.
• Have experience of managing onward grants, including appropriate grant making processes, financial controls and data management.
• Be able to design and deliver practical enterprise development support alongside grants.
• Be able to facilitate opportunities for participants to learn from and support one another.
• Have established networks that enable you to reach organisations or social entrepreneurs that have traditionally had limited access to enterprise support.
• Be able to contribute to learning about how enterprise support for smaller organisations can be strengthened.
• Have an annual income of at least £500,000 per year.

Applications are welcome from organisations with strong reach into specific communities or geographic areas where enterprise support is limited.

There is a two-stage application process. Expression of Interest close 25 November.

Allen Lane Foundation Celebrates 60 Years of UK Grant Giving

The Allen Lane Foundation is celebrating 60 years of funding small charities. In the past six decades, it has provided more than 9,000 grants (worth over £26.5 million), supporting volunteer-led groups, charities and communities facing prejudice and isolation, funding work that brings people together and challenges stigma and discrimination across the UK.

It supports small organisations who work:

• In a relatively local area, such as a village, or estate or small town, with an income/expenditure of less than £100,000. 
• Across the UK with an income/expenditure of less than £250,000.

Although the maximum grant is £15,000, the average grant is £5,000 to £6,000 with about 130 to 150 grants awarded each year. The grant is to help organisations become sustainable. The funding will support running and core costs to enable them to have flexibility, security and longevity.

Applications should be focused on adults in the following areas:

• Asylum seekers and refugees - support work to benefit refugees, asylum seekers, and refused asylum seekers, including those held in detention. The focus is on women only. The focus is on those women who are seeking asylum in the UK, and female refugees who have been through the asylum system; rather than people who arrive in the UK through community sponsorship or via resettlement schemes.
• Offenders and ex-offenders - support for penal reform and fund groups working with offenders in prison and out in the community. The focus is solely on organisations supporting female offenders, and those in prison for violence against women.
• Older People - funding is focused on projects that benefit isolated elderly people (generally aged 70+) including those with dementia and especially for elderly people in rural and more deprived areas.
• People affected by violence or abuse - work that supports both men and women who are, or have in the past been, affected by violence or abuse. This includes projects supporting people affected by rape and sexual abuse, domestic abuse, stalking, trafficking, prostitution and modern slavery, honour-based abuse, female genital mutilation, and forced marriage. The funding can also support work with perpetrators aiming to lessen isolation and prevent the risk of further abuse.
• Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities - support groups within these communities and organisations that work to benefit them. Funding can support work that raises awareness of the issues Gypsy and Traveller communities face, and work to combat hate crime, stigma, discrimination and inequalities, including the lack of appropriate accommodation or other service provision.
• People with mental health issues - support for mental health charities and projects that benefit people with moderate or severe mental health issues.
• Young people aged 12-21 years who are vulnerable, socially excluded or marginalised - with a focus on those who are persistently absent from school; school leavers with no qualifications; and young people in/leaving care.

Applications can be made at any time and are considered three times a year, generally in February, June and October.

Paddle Trust

Formerly known as the Canoe Foundation, the Paddle Trust aims to help protect the environment and offers grants for projects that:

• Increase or enhance existing public access points to water for all forms of paddlesport.
• Create launching and landing sites, to and alongside water, for all sectors of the community and all abilities, that are designed to be durable and use sustainable materials when applicable.
• Protect and enhance natural blue spaces such as rivers or coastline.
• Are "ready to go".

Grants of between £500 and £10,000 are available and will support:

• Public launch and landing platforms, steps, ramps or other physical access points
• Improvements to pathway and/or accessible routes to the water's edge
• Signage or information that promotes positive behaviour (Countryside code, "Check, Clean, Dry", take litter home etc).
• Designated or additional parking for water users
• Works to address erosion and/or create more sustainable access points
• Helping protect the waterway environment
• Multi-user projects that can benefit more than one user group
• Public projects rather than private members-only facilities.

Past projects include improving access to urban waterways in Birmingham, addressing environmental access issues, such as fallen trees and river vegetation on the River Waveney in Norfolk, the redesign and reconstruction of a walkway and jetty head on Lough Henney, near Belfast, a new accessibility hoist on Wistlandpound Reservoir in Exmoor and a new pontoon at Cardiff International White Water Centre.

Applications deadline: 7 December. 

Historic England Neighbourhood Heritage Grants

Historic England is offering 21 grants of up to £15,000 to deliver projects and activities that help local communities to use local heritage to build community confidence, strengthen local identity, develop relationships and influence decisions about neighbourhoods.

The Neighbourhood Heritage Grants Programme will support projects that help communities identify stories connected to local places, buildings and sites, then inform planning, regeneration or other neighbourhood priorities.

Proposed projects must be co-created with underrepresented communities, including:

• Communities experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.
• Communities who are less likely to participate in heritage activity.
• Minority ethnic communities.
• Disabled people.
• Neurodivergent people.
• LGBTQ+ communities.
• Communities experiencing barriers to participation in local planning, regeneration, or civic processes.

The proposed project must also be in one of the following deciles:

• Decile 1: Among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England.
• Decile 2: Among the 10–20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England.
• Decile 3: Among the 20–30% most deprived neighbourhoods in England.

Funding projects should use local heritage as a starting point for community discussion, learning and action about an area's future. Projects may include community mapping, local research, creative activity, oral histories, workshops or heritage audits. Heritage assets do not need to be listed by Historic England, but buildings, places and sites must have local significance. Projects should be completed by 11 August 2028.

The deadline for applications is 27 November.

Cash4Clubs

Cash4Clubs offers grants up to £2,000. The programme is focused on supporting adult participation in sport. Priority will be given to applications from groups working in areas of high deprivation and engaging adults from specific under-represented groups. That means those who:

• Are supporting adults living in an area of high deprivation (using the Government Indices of Multiple Deprivation and the Pobal HP Deprivation Index).
• Increase access to sport for one or more under-represented groups, including women, people from racially diverse communities, people with disabilities and people from the LGBTQ+ community.
• Encourage adults who would not usually engage in sport to take part. Examples include activities that support physical and mental wellbeing or tackle issues such as loneliness and rural isolation.
• Address broader social issues for the local community, for example tackling crime and anti-social behaviour or supporting community cohesion.

The funding is unrestricted and can be used for anything that will support the organisation to continue and/or grow their sports activities for adults. The funding should be spent within a six-month period.

Applications deadline 1 January 2027.

Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation

Grants are offered to meet one or more of the Foundation's current priorities: 

• Victims of modern slavery: to provide facilities for and support to victims on their journey back to independent living, better mental health and employment.
• Victims of domestic abuse: to provide emergency safety and to support victims through associated poverty and mental health issues.
• Ex-offenders and their families: to support the ex-offenders back to work and contributing positively to society and to support their families whose lives can be severely impacted.
• Homelessness: to provide facilities for and support people, especially young people, on their journey back to independent living, better mental health and employment.
• Medical research: to support research that could lead to preventing or slowing the onset of a condition or to lessen the symptoms.
• Support for people with terminal illnesses / life limiting conditions and their carers: to provide hospice care to support individuals and give respite to their carers to assist them with their mental health and other ambitions.
• Drug and substance misuse: to support rehabilitation and the journey back to independent living and work.
• Support for people with intellectual disability: to provide support with personal care, job skills and supported living.
• Care leavers: to give them a chance to succeed on a par with other young people.
• Worship and associated community outreach: to ensure places of worship are energy efficient and watertight with an emphasis on wider community use of church halls or Church buildings where those buildings are redundant or too large and where the parish has a focus on non-conditional outward facing work.
• Amateur sport: to improve physical and mental health with a focus on sport provision for people with disabilities.

Funding is at the discretion of the Trustees who will consider funding requests for projects of between one and three years. Grant requests for over £5,000 are preferred.

The first step in the application process is to complete a short online form. Groups with eligible projects will be sent a link to the application form and given a deadline for submission for the next Grants Meeting.

Applications to the General Fund submitted from now will be considered at the February 2027 trustee meeting, for project costs incurred from 1 March 2027.

Veterans Foundation Adaptive Sport Grants

Access Unconquered, a UK-wide initiative from the Veterans' Foundation and Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, is offering grants to improve access to adaptive sport. The £250,000 fund will provide awards of between £1,000 and £15,000. Projects must support wounded, injured and sick (WIS) veterans and serving personnel, who must be the exclusive direct beneficiaries. Activities must contribute to improved physical and mental health.

Eligible work should include a clear adaptation, such as modified equipment, coaching, rules or delivery methods. Projects may form part of an established programme or operate independently. Delivery must take place between January 2027 and 31 May 2027.

Funding can cover fixed-term staff time, freelancers, sessional workers and professional coaching. Eligible equipment costs include sports materials, delivery tools such as phones and laptops, plus essential equipment hire or purchase. Awards may also support additional places at UK-based adaptive sport activities, event days, taster sessions, participation in events and trips, and reasonable travel costs for staff, volunteers or beneficiaries. Training for staff or volunteers on adaptive equipment and inclusive delivery is eligible when directly connected to project delivery.

Deadline for applications is 4 December.

Baily Thomas Charitable Foundation

The Baily Thomas Charitable Foundation supports research into learning disability and the care and relief of those affected by it, including severe learning difficulties and autism. Small grants of £9,000 and below are considered at any time. Applicants must be registered charities, as Community Interest Companies aren’t currently accepted.

Grants can support capital works, core and project costs, day and social activities, respite and independent living schemes. 

Deadline for general grants is 31 December 2026

Forrester Family Trust – Small Grants

Grants of up to £10,000 are available to charities with a turnover under £250,000, with priority for those that rely on volunteers and make an impact in their communities. 

Applications open from 5 January 2027, and applications must be in by 17 January. 

Matthew Good Foundation – Grants for Good

The Grants for Good Fund supports small charities, not-for-profit groups and social entrepreneurs making a difference to people, communities or the environment. Every three months, five shortlisted projects are voted on by John Good Group employees and share £15,000. The top project receives £5,000, second place £3,500, third £2,500, and fourth and fifth £2,000 each. Applicants must have an annual income under £50,000.

There are four award windows throughout the year. Next window ends 15 December.