WCIT Charity Grants: Funding Available for Innovative IT Projects

Educational institutions, charities, CICs and constituted not-for-profit organisations across the UK can apply for funding from The WCIT Charity to support innovative IT-related projects.

Grants are usually available up to £15,000 for projects that use technology to create positive impact, improve inclusion, support education, strengthen charities, or improve public understanding of IT. The next application deadline is 5pm on Friday 14 August 2026.

About the fund

The WCIT Charity supports projects that make innovative use of technology and have the potential to be sustainable and scalable. This could include new digital services, solutions, training programmes, apps, analytics, artificial intelligence, robotics, or custom-made accessibility features and hardware.

The charity is particularly interested in projects that:

• use IT in an innovative way
• have clear benefits for UK communities
• can be replicated or scaled
• are sustainable beyond the funding period
• demonstrate strong outcomes and value for money
• may benefit from pro bono IT support

Applications are more likely to be successful where WCIT is the main or sole funder, or where WCIT is funding the IT element of a wider project

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include registered charities and organisations with a formal not-for-profit constitution, such as community interest companies. The fund does not support individuals or private companies.

The guidance also explains that the charity does not usually fund start-up organisations under one year old, organisations with annual income or reserves over £1 million, local authorities, councils, schools other than existing partner schools, core running costs, existing services, or work already delivered.

What could be funded?

This opportunity may be particularly relevant for organisations looking to develop or pilot technology that improves services for beneficiaries. Examples could include:

• digital inclusion projects
• accessibility tools or adapted technology
• new apps or digital platforms for service users
• data, analytics or AI projects
• digital skills training
• technology that helps charities work more effectively
• projects that improve understanding of technology

The fund is not intended for standard off-the-shelf products, routine websites, income-generating apps, staff administration systems, networking costs or telephony costs, unless there is a clear beneficiary-focused purpose.

What makes a strong application?

The WCIT Charity asks applicants to focus on outcomes rather than just outputs. In other words, organisations should explain not only what they will deliver, but what difference the project will make.

A strong application should clearly set out:

• the need for the project
• how technology is central to the solution
• who will benefit
• the expected outcomes
• how impact will be measured
• how the project will be sustained
• whether the idea could be shared, repeated or scaled
• how any risks will be managed

The funder’s guidance notes that value for money, evidence of need, innovation, scalability, organisational size and measurable outcomes are all considered when applications are assessed

Key deadline

The next deadline for applications is: 5pm, Friday 14 August 2026

Decisions are expected by the end of September. Applications can be submitted through the WCIT Charity online application portal.

Find out more and apply

Organisations interested in applying should read the full eligibility criteria and application guidance before submitting an application.

Original funder source: WCIT Charity – Apply for a grant.