We can help with
support with finding funding
We can help you work out what funding you need and find the right funder. We can work with you on a one-to-one basis, or you can come along to one of our workshops or events.
We run a Funding Fair a couple of times a year, when we invite a range of funders, from the National Lottery to smaller local funders like One Community and The Loose Change Charity along for you to meet.
We also run regular workshops throughout the year on:
- Finding Your Funder
- Applying to Trusts and Foundations
- Bid writing
We also try to highlight new funding opportunities at our networking events and Members’ Meetings.
what can i apply for now?
You can find details of all the current funds that are accepting applications below. We also share these on social media and send them out in our monthly newsletter.
support with writing applications
We can also help you work on your applications, again either on a one-to-one basis or at one of our regular bid writing workshops. These cover things like:
- Writing Your First Bid
- Improving Your Grant Applications
If you haven’t applied for funding before you can start with one of our TSL Kirklees Small Grants Funds and we’ll support you through the process. See Current Funding Opportunities for ones that are open now, or speak to us to find out more.
Partnership bids
To access larger pots of longer-term funding, you may need to be part of a partnership of organisations all working together. We can help you make those connections, if you haven’t done already, and work on your application.
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FAQS
where do I start?
There are a few funders that we always signpost people to, so it’s always worth starting with these:
- TSL Kirklees Small Grants Funding – see Current Funding Opportunities below for any that are open now.
- National Lottery Awards For All
- One Community
- Kirklees Council Ward Budgets
- Kirklees Council/Kirklees Youth Alliance Healthy Holidays Funding
- The West Yorkshire Mayor’s Safer Communities Funding (formerly the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Safer Communities Funding)
- Kirklees 4 Community
- Crowdfunding
- Growing Great Places – a partnership between Kirklees Council and SpaceHive
what do I need to think about?
- BASICS
- How much do you need?
- What’s it for?
- Do you fit the criteria for this particular grant?
- GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
- Some funders may only fund registered charities
- Social enterprises may be eligible for both third sector and business grants (but will be excluded most grants from Charitable Trusts and Foundations)
- Social enterprises will be eligible for social investment funding and loans
- Most funders will only fund you if you have 3+ people on your board of trustees/directors or management committee and they may specify that some or all need to be unrelated
For more information about governance and legal structures for your organisation see:
- Setting up a community group or charity
- Creating a social enterprise
- Developing your charity or community group
- DETAILS
- Who will you be working with?
- Do you need staff or volunteers to deliver the project?
- What are your costs?
- Do you have a bank account?
- How will you keep a record of how you’ve spent the money?
- Do you have insurance and the correct policies and procedures that a funder might expect?
- How are you going to show what you’ve achieved/the impact you’ve had?
- STRATEGY
- Can I apply to more than 1 funder at the same time?
- Can I apply to more than 1 funder raise enough money?
- Can I rework the application and send it to someone else if we’re not successful?
- Can I rework my application and resubmit it?
- Do I need some independent help/feedback on my application?
If you need help or advice with any of this, please get in touch.
Where can I find new funders to try?
Kirklees for funding
Third Sector Team
Table
Current Funding Opportunities
Bentley Small Grants Support Charities Near 18 UK Locations
Launched in March 2026, in partnership with the Charities Aid Foundation, the Bentley Advancing Life Chances National Fund offers grants of between £2,000 and £4,000 to support charitable organisations working with vulnerable, disadvantaged or under-represented communities in areas where Bentley has a corporate presence. The funding can be used for project or core costs, or a mixture of both. The programme's areas of focus are:
- Access – Remove the barriers and improve access to services, education and employability.
- Empowerment – Development of the life skills that enable people to be more self-confident, successful and thrive in life.
- Quality of Life – Provide support to live a healthier life both physically and mentally.
- Better Future – Safeguarding the environment, improving nature-deprived areas, drive improvement to 'place' and boosting community spirit.
Across all the above pillars, the following groups have been considered particularly relevant for the aims of the Advancing Life Chances Strategy:
- Families and single person households living in poverty.
- Long term unemployed.
- People experiencing homelessness.
- People with disabilities and their support animals.
- Racially minoritised groups/communities.
- Refugees and asylum seekers.
- The elderly.
- Young people facing disadvantage, including school or college pupils, those Not in Education or Training, young offenders.
To be eligible, organisations must have been operating for at least 12 months, have an annual income of less than £500,000, and be based within a 20-mile radius of the eighteen specified Bentley locations across the UK, Jersey and the Isle of Man (includes Leeds).
There are two rounds in 2026.
Applications for round two open 13 July and close 14 September 2026 (decisions communicated by 28 October 2026).
Trusts & Foundations - National
Small Grants (Under £10,000)
