The Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales has increased the number of grants it has made by 25 per cent in the first half of 2012.
    
Between January and June 2012 it supported 508 charities up from 402 over the same period in 2011. It also increased the value of funding to £11.2m invested, up from £10.9m the previous year. Most grants are awarded over two or three years and are designed to support core costs.

A full list of the grants awarded so far is available on the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales’ website.

Linda Kelly, chief executive of the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales said: “As one of only a few grant makers to provide support for much needed core costs, we are delighted to be able to continue to provide a consistent and high level of assistance to those most disadvantaged in society during 2012 and beyond."

The Foundation’s income will be the same for 2012 as it was in 2011 - £25m, said a spokeswoman for the Foundation.

In 2011 it handed out £21m in grants through its Community Programme and expects to spend a similar amount through this programme in 2012.

Earlier this year the Foundation announced an additional £2m fund for charities supporting older people. The closing date for applications to this fund is 20 September.