GrantRadar

Ford Britain Trust (Ford Motor Company Limited)

Ford Britain Trust

Small capital grants from Ford's UK charitable trust, running since 1975, for registered charities, state schools and PTAs, and non-profit clubs and societies anywhere in the UK. Grants help buy equipment, furniture and computers, contribute to refurbishments, or go towards a new vehicle. Small grants are up to £250 and large grants £251 to £3,000. Projects near Ford sites (Essex including East London, Bridgend, Southampton, Daventry, Manchester, Liverpool) are weighted more highly. Applications are by emailed form in fixed windows; the small grant window is open until 31 October 2026, while large grant applications are paused until a new form is published in October.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £3,000
Closes in
13 days left
31 October
Effort
Light
short form, little evidence needed

Who can apply

  • Registered charities; non-fee-paying state schools and their PTAs; and non-profit organisations, including smaller clubs and societies, anywhere in the UK
  • Individuals, Community Interest Companies, local councils and government bodies cannot apply, and independent or fee-paying schools are not funded
  • Projects near Ford Motor Company / FCE Bank sites are given extra weight: Essex (including East London), Bridgend, Southampton, Daventry, Manchester and Liverpool
  • The Trust especially encourages organisations supported by Ford employees, but all qualifying organisations can apply
  • The organisation must be able to receive a grant cheque in its own name (cheques cannot be made payable to individuals)
  • Past recipients can reapply 12 months after a small grant, or 3 calendar years after a large grant

What it funds

  • Capital items and contributions for work that clearly benefits the local community or environment, activities for children and young people, mainstream education and schools, special educational needs, and projects for people with disabilities
  • Grants can go towards large projects such as refurbishments, towards important items such as furniture, equipment or computers, or towards a new vehicle
  • Small grants are up to £250; large grants are £251 to £3,000
  • The maximum for a new Ford vehicle is £3,000, and the applicant must show it has already raised at least two-thirds of the price from other sources
  • IT equipment is capped per item: colour laser printer £200, projector £250, iPad or iPad mini £400, desktop PC or laptop (including software) £500, MacBook £1,000, 3D printer £1,250, smart board £2,200

What it will not fund

  • Everyday running costs, such as salaries, venue hire or general bills (core funding)
  • Training costs, including staff training or hiring trainers
  • Major construction or building works
  • Sponsorship or advertising
  • Research
  • Overseas projects or travel
  • Religious or political projects
  • Second-hand vehicles
  • Fundraising for third parties (unless it is a fundraising event organised by Ford employees or retirees)
  • Individuals
  • Community Interest Companies
  • Local councils, government bodies and government departments
  • Independent or fee-paying schools

How to apply

  1. Read the eligibility criteria and the Guidance Notes for Grant Applications
  2. Download the small grant (up to £250) or large grant (£251 to £3,000) application form from the Ford Britain Trust application form page
  3. Complete every question, entering N/A where a question does not apply
  4. Email the completed form with supporting documents to fbtrust@ford.com within the application window
  5. The Trust checks the application against its criteria and acknowledges eligible applications
  6. Trustees review accepted applications in the review period (November for the September–October small grant window; February for the October–November large grant window)
  7. The Trust writes to successful applicants; if awarded, confirm receipt of the grant within three months

Small grant windows are 1 March to 30 April (reviewed in June) and 1 September to 31 October (reviewed in November). Large grant windows are 1 May to 30 June (reviewed in September) and 1 October to 30 November (reviewed in February).

At the time of checking, large grant applications were paused while the form is updated; the Trust says the new form will be published on the website in October.

Failing to confirm receipt of a grant within three months can make the organisation ineligible for further grants for up to five years. The Trust may visit applicants, and the trustees' decision is final.

Have ready

  • Completed small or large grant application form
  • Supporting documents such as budget details, project plans or quotations for equipment
  • The organisation's most recent annual report and accounts (large grants only; schools are exempt)
  • Proof that at least two-thirds of the price has been raised from other sources (vehicle requests only)

Send copies, not originals; documents are not returned.

More like this

Other grants open to organisations like yours.