The Wolfson Foundation

Funding for special schools and colleges

Wolfson Foundation capital grants, under its Health & Disability programme, for special schools and colleges for children and young people with special educational needs, towards new buildings, refurbishment or equipment that help pupils at secondary level gain employment or live independently after school or college. Projects must cost at least £50,000 with a capital shortfall of at least £25,000; the minimum grant is £25,000 and grants are usually £40,000 to £75,000. The next round opens to Stage 1 applications on 20 November 2026 and closes on 5 January 2027, with invited Stage 2 applications due by 1 March 2027 and decisions in June 2027.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: £25,000 – £75,000
Deadline: 79 days left; 5 January
Effort: Heavy; budgets, references, often several stages

Who can apply

Special schools and colleges for children and young people with special educational needs in the UK (charities in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man can also apply)
The organisation should be a registered or exempt charity, or a local authority, and, if applicable, have at least a 'good' rating from a regulator such as CQC or Ofsted
Community Interest Companies cannot apply
The project must benefit pupils at secondary or post-16 level; facilities for primary or pre-school children are not funded
Maintained special schools do not need to provide accounts; others must provide signed, audited accounts for the past two years
If the building is leased, the lease should generally have at least 15 years to run for major refurbishment
Unless agreed otherwise, at least 25% of the capital costs must be raised before a Stage 2 application (no match funding is needed for projects costing up to £80,000), and any planning permission should be in place
Organisations given a Wolfson grant must wait five years (from the date of the offer) before applying again, for a different project; those turned down at Stage 1 can apply for a different project at any time, and those turned down at Stage 2 must wait at least a year

What it funds

Capital projects that support pupils at secondary level to develop skills which would help them to gain employment or live independently after school or college, addressing at least one of these aims:

Increased access to services for new and existing users at secondary/post-16 level
Improved quality and range of services
Improved future sustainability of the organisation

the project should be for a new building, refurbishment work or equipment, include capital costs of at least £50,000 and have a shortfall in capital funding of at least £25,000. Delivery costs for building work are eligible. Projects must still be under way when the funding decision is made, as grants are not made retrospectively.

What it will not fund

Playgrounds and play equipment, including sensory play
Charities which lend equipment to individuals and families
Facilities for primary or pre-school children
Purchase of land or existing buildings (including a building's freehold)
Grants direct to individuals
Grants through conduit organisations
Overheads, maintenance costs and VAT
Non-specific appeals (including circulars) and endowment funds
Costs of meetings, exhibitions, concerts, expeditions, conferences, lectures, etc
Salary costs
Running costs, including vehicle fuel and maintenance
Film, websites or promotional materials
Repayment of loans
Projects that have already been completed or will be by the time of award
Feasibility studies, or projects where the total cost is below £15,000

How to apply

Check the eligibility criteria and the Funding FAQs; you can phone or email the Foundation if unsure whether the project is eligible
Create an account on the Wolfson online application system (Blackbaud) and start a Health & Disability programme application
Submit the Stage 1 application between 00.01 on 20 November 2026 and 23.59 on 5 January 2027: a brief project description with total cost, current shortfall and timetable, confirmation of support from the head of the organisation, and audited accounts for the past two years
The Foundation carries out a financial appraisal and may ask further questions; successful applicants are invited to Stage 2
If invited, submit the Stage 2 application (a single PDF of no more than six pages plus cover letter, with any requested attachments such as a safeguarding policy) by 23.59 on 1 March 2027 for a June decision; invitations stay open for three funding rounds
Respond to any questions from independent reviewers (normally in April for a June decision); the expert panel then makes recommendations to the trustees

Wolfson asks you not to request a specific amount; it wants the total cost and the amount still to raise. If a deadline falls at a weekend, applications are accepted until 9am the following Monday. Wolfson does not comment on drafts or give detailed feedback on Stage 1 applications, but gives feedback on unsuccessful Stage 2 applications. If you cannot apply online, contact the Foundation for reasonable adjustments. The following round opens to Stage 1 on 14 May and closes on 1 July, for a December decision.

Have ready

Stage 1: signed, audited accounts for the last two years, uploaded as PDF or linked online (not needed for special schools maintained by the local education authority, but say so)
Stage 1: Care Quality Commission, Ofsted or equivalent inspection report, if applicable
Stage 2: cover letter addressed to Chief Executive Paul Ramsbottom, signed by your chief executive or equivalent, no longer than one page
Stage 2: application of no more than six pages covering the organisation profile (including regulator and latest inspection, safeguarding arrangements and any service evaluation), project details (need, up to three SMART aims and outcomes, timetable, drawings or floor plans, ownership or lease and planning permission) and finance (full cost breakdown with irrecoverable VAT shown separately, funding options, fundraising summary, running and maintenance costs, and assurance of competitive tender)
Stage 2: safeguarding policy, if you have one, and any other documents requested in the invitation (for example business plans or financial forecasts)

the Stage 1 form also asks for organisation and project details, the project location, ownership or tenure and planning permission, and…

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