Apply for a grant
We only accept applications via our online application portal.
You will need to register for an account, which will allow you to return to and edit your application at any stage before submission.
​
For guidance on our grant criteria please read the Grant Criteria section below carefully.
​
Please note: due to high volumes of applications in January 2025 our portal
for New Applications is now temporarily closed.
The people and projects we will fund are:
Socially or economically underprivileged children or young people
Mental health charities and initiatives
Charitable or community projects, local to one of Focus Group’s regional offices in the UK
Grant criteria
-
The charity or community group must support one of the three core pillars, which are: mental health initiatives, socially or economically underprivileged children or a community project.
-
If your charity does not fit into either the mental health or underprivileged children pillar, then you could apply for a grant under the Community Project pillar. If applying under this pillar, the charity will need to be located within the same county as a Focus Group office. Offices are situated in Turo, Exeter, Portsmouth, Shoreham, Basingstoke, Bristol, Merthyr Tydfil, Witney, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Birmingham, Manchester, Derby, Carlisle, Melrose, Glasgow and Inverness.
-
Mental health and underprivileged children’s charities can be located anywhere within the UK.
-
Focus Foundation primarily looks to provide Grants, to charities with an annual income of less than £1 million.
-
The grant application must be for a fully funded project that is tangible and has clear and measurable benefits for its recipients.
FAQ's
When do we hold our Grant Committee meetings?
Dates vary, but typically they are mid-March, mid-June, mid-September and mid-November.
​
Does the Focus Foundation have an application deadline for its online application portal?
-
Mid-March Grant Committee meeting – applications to be received by 31 January
-
Mid-June Grant Committee meeting – applications to be received by 30 April
-
Mid-September Grant Committee meeting – applications to be received by 31 July
-
Mid-December Grant Committee meeting – applications to be received by 31 October
If we are receiving high volumes of applications or we are low on funds the above dates may change or the application portal will be temporarily closed.
​
Do we close the portal for incoming grant applications?
When we are experiencing large numbers of incoming grant requests, we may be forced to close the portal.
​
What is the average grant amount?
Most grants range from £2,000 to £8,000.
​
If successful, how soon after will I be informed and receive the grant?
We aim to inform you and issue the paperwork and funds within 4 weeks of the Grant Committee meeting.
​
Can I reapply for a grant? If so, when?
Yes, you can reapply once your current project has ended, usually after one year.
​​​
What are some ways we can collaborate with the foundation?
As part of our mission we pride ourselves on building relationships with the charities we work with and are always looking for ways to support and assist them. Please do let us know about volunteer opportunities or events. We may also be able to introduce you to other charities to collaborate and strengthen the output of our grant.