Who Can Apply for Funding?

We welcome applications from Black-led, community-focused organisations that meet the following criteria:

• Annual Income: Your organisation must have an annual income of £100,000 or less.
• Location: You must operate within the UK and directly serve UK-based communities.
• Legal Structure: You should be a registered charity, CIC, or social enterprise (or equivalent) with a clear governance structure.
• Leadership: Your organisation must be majority-led by Black individuals (defined as people of African, Caribbean, or other Black heritage).
• Focus: Your work should address social, economic, or cultural inequalities, with a strong emphasis on community engagement, empowerment, and long-term impact.

What We Do Not Fund

To ensure clarity, here’s what we cannot support with our funding:

• Individuals: We do not provide bursaries, scholarships, or grants for personal use, including education bursaries for children or adults.
• Large Organisations: Organisations with an annual income exceeding £100,000 are not eligible.
• Property or Capital Assets: Funding cannot be used for purchasing property, vehicles, or other capital investments.
• Endowments or Reserves: We do not contribute to endowment funds or financial reserves.
• Academic Research: Projects focused solely on research (without direct community application) are not eligible.
• Residential Courses: Funding is not available for residential training, retreats, or similar programmes.
• Loans or Debt Repayment: We do not provide loans or cover existing debts.
• Overseas Travel: Activities or expeditions outside the UK are excluded.
• Religious Institutions: While we respect faith-based work, we do not fund organisations whose primary purpose is religious.
• Grantmaking or Lending: We do not support organisations that redistribute funds to other groups or individuals.

If your request falls into any of these categories, we unfortunately cannot consider it. We encourage you to explore other funding avenues that may align with your needs.

Our Funding Model: Unrestricted Support Through Collective Giving

At Black Funding Network, we believe in the power of community-driven funding. Twice a year, we host crowdfunding-style events in London, where three selected Black-led organisations present their projects to an audience of donors, philanthropists, and community members.

• How it works: Each organisation has the opportunity to pitch their work live, sharing their vision, impact, and funding needs. Attendees then pledge unrestricted funds directly to the organisations they believe in.
• Who can attend: Our events are open to everyone. We welcome high-net-worth individuals, professionals, companies, and anyone who wants to contribute – no matter the amount. Philanthropy is not just for the wealthy; it’s for anyone who wants to be part of the change. 
• Why unrestricted funding? We trust the organisations we support to use the funds where they are needed most. This approach allows for flexibility, innovation, and responsiveness to community needs.

What We Look For in Applications

When reviewing submissions for our Funders, we prioritise organisations that demonstrate:

1. Societal Impact & Community Engagement

• How does your organisation address a specific need within Black communities in the UK?
• Can you share examples of tangible outcomes (e.g., programmes, events, or initiatives) that have created positive change?
• How do you involve the community in your work? (e.g., co-design, feedback loops, volunteer participation)

2. Leadership & Expertise

• Who are the key leaders in your organisation? What are their skills, experiences, and connections to the community you serve?
• How does your leadership team reflect the diversity of the people you support?
• What is your track record in delivering similar projects?

3. Future-Proofing & Sustainability

• How will your organisation continue its work beyond this funding? (e.g., partnerships, income generation, or other funding streams)
• What steps are you taking to adapt to challenges (e.g., economic changes, policy shifts, or community needs)?
• How will you measure and report the success of your project?

How to Apply

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Review the criteria above to ensure your organisation qualifies. If you’re unsure, you’re welcome to contact us before submitting.

Step 2: Prepare Your Submission

Gather the following information to complete the form:

• Organisation Details: Name, registration number (if applicable), address, and contact information.
• Financial Overview: Annual income, key funding sources, most recent accounts (if in draft format, this can be accepted, too) and a brief budget for the project you’re seeking support for. If you are in your first year of trading you must share at least 3 months’ worth of bank statements with the organisation’s name, as well as additional financial reporting if you have it. Without the minimum bank statements in PDF format, we cannot accept your application at this time.
• Project/Initiative: A clear description of what you’re applying for, including goals, mission, timeline, and expected impact.
• Leadership & Team: Bios or summaries of key team members (focus on their relevance to the project).
• Community Connection: How your work is rooted in and responsive to the needs of Black communities in the UK.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Complete our online form with the details above. Once submitted, our team will review your application.

• If selected, you’ll be invited to pitch live at an event in London. This is a unique opportunity to connect directly with donors and secure unrestricted funding for your project.
• We sadly do not provide funding outside of these application rounds and funder events. 

Please note: Due to high demand, we are unable to provide individualised feedback on unsuccessful applications. While we will do our best to provide feedback where we can. 

After You Apply

• Acknowledgement: You’ll receive an email confirming we’ve received your submission.
• Review Process: Our panel assesses applications based on alignment with our criteria, impact potential, and feasibility.
• Decision: If successful, we’ll contact you to discuss next steps and confirmation you wish to & can present. If not, we’ll notify you via email.

Common Misconceptions

“Do you fund education bursaries for individuals?”
No. Our funding is for organisations, not individuals. We do not provide scholarships, bursaries, or personal grants.

“Can we apply if we’re based outside the UK?”
No. We only support organisations operating within the UK.

“We’re a small organisation with no formal registration. Can we still apply?”
Organisations must have a clear structure (e.g., charity, CIC, or social enterprise) to be eligible. If you’re unregistered, we recommend exploring legal structures that fit your work.

“Can we use the funding for a one-off event?”
We prioritise sustainable, long-term projects with measurable impact. One-off events may be considered if they are part of a broader strategy.

“Is your funding restricted to specific projects?”
No. The funding raised at our crowdfunding-style events is unrestricted, giving organisations the flexibility to use it where it’s most needed.

Still Have Questions?

Contact Us

For further clarification, email us at admin@blackfundingnetwork.org. We’re happy to help!

Please note: We cannot pre-assess applications or provide individual advice on eligibility beyond what’s outlined here.

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