Grants of Up to £5,000 Available to Support Vulnerable and Disadvantaged People

The Schroder Charity Trust has reopened for applications, offering grants of up to £5,000 to UK charities supporting disadvantaged children, young people and vulnerable communities.

The Trust provides one-year grants that can be used for core running costs or specific projects, making this a flexible funding opportunity for charities delivering measurable impact in areas of high deprivation.

Applications are open now and close at 5:00pm on Friday 28 August 2026.

Who can apply?

Eligible organisations must:

• Be a UK registered charity
• Have an annual income of between £150,000 and £1 million
• Be working within the UK
• Deliver measurable outcomes
• Primarily operate in areas that fall within the top 20% of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) across England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

What will the Trust fund?

The Trust focuses on two key themes.

Helping children and young people achieve their potential

Funding is available for projects that:

• Improve school readiness in the early years
• Develop reading and literacy skills
• Build financial literacy
• Support vocational learning and apprenticeships
• Improve employment outcomes for young offenders aged 18–25
• Provide tutoring to improve educational attainment.

Strengthening communities

The Trust also supports organisations that improve the wellbeing and life chances of vulnerable people through:

• Advice and support to reduce financial hardship and poverty
• Improving outcomes for children in care
• Reducing loneliness and promoting independence for older people
• Delivering youth work that builds confidence, resilience and life skills
• Supporting people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness into sustainable housing
• Supporting young carers

Funding at a glance

• Grant value: Up to £5,000
• Funding period: Up to one year
• Eligible costs: Core costs and project costs
• Eligible organisations: UK registered charities with an income of £150,000–£1 million

Application deadline: 28 August 2026 at 5:00pm

Is this fund right for your organisation?

This programme is particularly well suited to established charities delivering practical support that helps people overcome disadvantage, improve life opportunities and build stronger, more resilient communities.

As demand is expected to be high, eligible organisations are encouraged to review the guidance and begin their application as soon as possible.

Find out more and apply

For full eligibility criteria, guidance and the online application process, visit the Schroder Charity Trust website