GrantRadar

Shanly Foundation

General Grants (General Applications Fund)

The Shanly Foundation's main fund, which makes 90% of its grants. It is open all year to charities, CICs, CIOs and exempt or excepted charities that are at least 12 months old and work in the Foundation's local awards area around Buckinghamshire and the Home Counties. It gives single, project, capital, core and unrestricted grants across a wide range of local causes, preferring frontline organisations working directly with people in need. Trustees meet monthly. Most General Fund grants are under £10,000, and the Foundation usually funds part of a project rather than all of it.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Amount not specified
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Registered charities, Community Interest Companies (CIC), Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO), and organisations that are exempt or excepted under Charity Commission guidance
  • They must have existed for more than 12 months, have a dedicated bank account, and not have received a Shanly Foundation grant (or applied) in the last 12 months, except multi-year award holders in their final year
  • The organisation must deliver services in the Foundation's awards area, checked by postcode district on the How to apply page
  • Roughly, this covers Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey, most of Berkshire, south-east Oxfordshire, north-east Hampshire, northern West Sussex, west Kent around Sevenoaks, Luton and south Bedfordshire, Harlow and Epping Forest, and outer north, west and south London boroughs
  • Organisations based outside the area may apply if more than 50% of their beneficiaries live in it, with evidence
  • The Foundation prefers frontline organisations working directly with people in need

What it funds

Single, project, capital, core and unrestricted grants. Unrestricted core funding is normally up to 2% of annual budget. Capital projects cover building works, repairs or essential equipment, and planning permission must be in place before applying. Causes welcomed:

  • Organisations helping physically and mentally disabled people, older people, and local people disadvantaged through no fault of their own
  • Organisations that help rehabilitate people back into local communities
  • Local sports and social clubs
  • Local scouting, guiding, Rotary and similar community organisations
  • Outdoor activity centres for young people
  • Woodland and environmental conservation organisations
  • Social and community events that raise funds for local good causes

The Foundation's stated wider focus includes young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, homelessness, mental health, physical disability and life-limiting illness.

It usually contributes part of a project's total cost; most General Fund grants are under £10,000.

What it will not fund

  • Individuals
  • Research
  • Military charities
  • Single faith charities (religious organisations operating only for the good of members of that religion)
  • International awards, except in response to international disasters
  • Activities that have already taken place
  • Organisations in existence for less than 12 months
  • Organisations without a dedicated bank account
  • Organisations that have received a grant from the Foundation in the last 12 months
  • Capital projects that do not yet have planning permission

You may apply to only one of the Foundation's funds per year

How to apply

  1. On the How to apply page, enter the first part of your postcode to check you are in the awards area
  2. Complete the eligibility quiz (services delivered in the area; not an individual, research, military or single-faith organisation; over 12 months old; dedicated bank account; no application or award in the last 12 months)
  3. Choose the General Grants fund, then create an organisation account on the online portal (shanlyfoundation.benefactorcloud.co.uk)
  4. Complete the online application form (you can save and return) and upload your documents, clicking 'Attach' for each file
  5. The Awards Officer reviews the application and may ask for more information; trustees consider it at a monthly meeting
  6. You are told the Board's decision in writing via the portal within 10 days of the meeting; if successful, payment is normally made within two weeks of receiving your Award Confirmation Letter
  7. Complete a Monitoring and Evaluation Form when the project ends or after one year, whichever is first

Apply at least 10 weeks before you need a decision; apply earlier for time-sensitive projects or events

Online 'Meet the funder' sessions are offered if you have questions before applying; general enquiries to info@shanlyfoundation.com or 01494 671331

Have ready

  • Most recent financial accounts (audited if applicable), with a short explanation if your financial situation has changed significantly
  • One recent bank statement (within 6 months) showing bank name, account name, sort code and account number
  • Project delivery plan: detailed year-by-year budget, funding plan showing confirmed and targeted income, delivery timeline, and any shortfall still to be raised
  • For capital projects: proof of planning or relevant permissions, evidence of a minimum 20-year lease (if applicable), project management details and experience, contractor quotes, funds raised or pledged to date, and contingency for overspend

The project delivery plan is needed only for applications of £10,000 or more, multi-year grants or capital projects; upload files as PDFs with your organisation name in the file title

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