Who’s Funding: MHCLG, London Catalyst and more

24 Aug 2026 News

In this fortnightly column, Civil Society rounds up funding pots available to the UK charity sector…

By Olivier Le Moal, Adobe

LNER – Customer & Community Investment Fund

Grants available: Up to £10,000.
Deadline to apply: 31 August.
Who is the funding for: Small and medium-sized charities based within 15 miles of the LNER route. A range of initiatives, including mental health, environmental sustainability, equality, diversity and inclusion, and education and employability will be funded.
When will you hear back: Up to four months from application.

Find out more information here.

MHCLG – Democratic Engagement Fund

Grants available: Most projects will receive around £25,000. The maximum award is £50,000 per project.
Deadline to apply: 31 August.
Who is the funding for: Civil society organisations with experience of, or demonstrable capacity to deliver, community based, politically neutral projects in England.
When will you hear back: Funding awarded and paid in January 2027.

Find out more information here.

BBC – Lifeline Appeal

Support available: The opportunity for charities to have an appeal broadcast on BBC Radio 4 or BBC One Lifeline to audiences across the UK.
Deadline to apply: 4 September.
Who is the funding for: Registered charities operating either UK-wide or internationally with an income of more than £100,000. 
When will you hear back: Approximately three months after the application deadline.

Find out more information here.

London Catalyst – main grant programme

Grants available: Grants of up to £10,000 a year for up to three years. Two-stage applications apply for multi-year funding. Total funding available in 2026 is £181,000.
Deadline to apply: Opens on 31 August, deadline 30 September.
Who is the funding for: Registered charities with an income of £500,000 or less, based and operating in London. Organisations can apply for grants for unrestricted costs, core costs or project costs.
When will you hear back: Not specified.

Find out more information here.

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