Funding Available for Charities Supporting the Armed Forces Community

Charities working with serving personnel, veterans and military families can now apply for grants of up to £10,000 through the BFBS Big Salute Grants Programme.

Delivered by the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS), the programme provides funding for projects that address the unique challenges faced by members of the armed forces community both in the UK and overseas. The fund aims to support initiatives that improve wellbeing, strengthen community connections and enhance quality of life for military personnel, veterans, reservists and their families.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to registered charities with an annual income of less than £1 million. Any charity may apply, provided the project being funded directly benefits the armed forces community. Eligible beneficiaries include:

• Serving personnel (Regular and Reserve Forces)
• Veterans
• Military families
• Other individuals connected to the armed services community

Charities must have up-to-date records with the Charity Commission or OSCR to be eligible.

How Much Funding Is Available?

Organisations can apply for grants of up to £10,000 for specific projects that deliver a clear and measurable impact. Funding cannot be used for general running costs, staff salaries or training costs. Instead, applications should focus on activities, equipment or projects that create tangible benefits for beneficiaries within twelve months of receiving the award.

What Types of Projects Could Be Funded?

Previous grants have supported a wide range of initiatives including:

• Mental health and wellbeing programmes
• Community activities tackling isolation
• Veteran employability projects
• Support for military families and children
• Rehabilitation and recovery programmes
• Social connection and peer support initiatives

Recent recipients have included projects supporting veterans following brain injury, homeless veterans, military care leavers and memorial projects honouring those who have served

Key Dates

Projects funded through this round must begin after January 2027 and demonstrate measurable outcomes within one year.

Application deadline: 31 July 2026

Successful projects will be selected by the BFBS Big Salute Committee based on their impact, value and ability to improve the lives of members of the armed forces community

How to apply

The original funder is the BFBS Big Salute, the charitable fundraising programme of the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS). Every pound raised through the campaign is directed towards supporting projects benefiting serving personnel, veterans and military families

Click here for more information

Why This Matters for the VCSE Sector

Across Hull and East Yorkshire, many charities and community groups already support veterans, service families and reservists through wellbeing activities, employment support, social groups and community-based services. This funding could help organisations develop new projects, expand existing support or reach more members of the armed forces community who may be facing isolation, poor mental health, financial pressures or challenges transitioning to civilian life.

This is a particularly valuable opportunity for smaller charities that may struggle to access larger military-focused funding streams.

For the accompanying image, I would recommend a realistic documentary-style photograph showing:

• A veteran and younger service family members sitting together at a community hub
• A charity volunteer supporting a veteran with employment or wellbeing advice
• Natural lighting, authentic community setting
• No uniforms dominating the image – focus on people and community support
• Diverse ages including a veteran, military spouse and young person
• Professional charity-sector photography style similar to Royal British Legion or SSAFA campaign imagery

This tends to perform much better for VCSE audiences than images featuring soldiers marching or overly staged military scenes.