The Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund: Small Grant
PWCF considers small grant applications from UK registered non-profit organisations supporting grassroots projects in diverse and deprived communities. The small grants programme awards single or multi-year grants to a maximum value of £5,000 and £15,000 respectively. The average single award is £1,500.
The small grant programme is a rolling programme. Therefore, you may apply for a small grant at any time. However, applications submitted one month before the small grant committee meeting will be considered at the next meeting.
Please note that the Small Grant Committee considers applications in February, May, July and October.
Our current funding themes and some examples of the projects we fund are:
Heritage & Conservation
Heritage conservation and restoration projects at places of worship. We are interested in funding non-capital projects which improve the fabric of buildings for the benefit of local communities. Some of the projects we have funded have included the restoration of a church window and conservation of a cemetery wall.
Education
We welcome applications from organisations that seek to deliver education and training projects outside of The Prince’s Trust scope and age-range including support for people with special educational needs. PWCF has funded beekeeping apprenticeships through the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, as well as tertiary education in Zambia with Zambia Orphans of AIDS (UK)
Health & Wellbeing
Community projects and initiatives which support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of people with disabilities or life limiting illnesses in disadvantaged communities. We would consider applications for respite care, young carers and complementary therapies. In Scotland, PWCF awarded funds to Erskine Hospital, which were spent on the purchase of appropriate personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. An award to BIGKID in London encouraged girls from disadvantaged communities to improve their health and fitness through football.
Social Inclusion
Community and art projects that aim to relieve poverty, loneliness and other social issues or support the welfare of the elderly, veterans and interfaith cohesion. PWCF supported Streetwise Opera, a Nottingham-based initiative which provides weekly performing arts workshops to those who are at risk of homelessness. The Good Companions befriending scheme was awarded funds through the PWCF COVID-19 Recovery Fund, and helped vulnerable people through lockdown by delivering care packages and regular phone conversations.
Environment
Community environmental projects (including the circular economy), economic sustainability initiatives and conservation of the natural environment. PWCF supported the Friends of Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to collect data on local biodiversity and facilitate wildlife workshops. Larger organisations such as the Atlantic Salmon Trust have also been awarded funds by the Fund.
Countryside
Most of the projects we fund in support of the fabric of the countryside is administered by The Prince’s Countryside Fund (PCF), a subsidiary of PWCF. PCF is committed to creating a sustainable future for the British countryside. PCF provides grants to support rural communities alongside business training, bespoke support for farmers and practical workshops on the environment. PWCF will consider supporting projects that are not currently supported by PCF, such as Rural Support’s ‘Across the Hedgerow’ programme, which connects isolated older men in rural areas across Northern Ireland.
