cardfactory Foundation – External Community Fund

Grants are available for UK registered charities working in the UK within one of the funder’s priority areas: families experiencing financial disadvantage; sudden hardship and crisis; and vulnerable children and young people.

There is a two-week application window which opens 22 June 2026 and closes 3 July 2026.

The funding is for UK registered charities working, either at the national or regional level within the UK, in one or more of the Foundation’s priority areas:

  • Families experiencing financial disadvantage – support families facing long-term, sustained economic hardship, rather than short-term or one-off events, that restricts their ability to meet essential needs like food, housing, or heating. The focus is on addressing immediate pressures while also supporting longer-term stability and resilience.
  • Hardship and Crisis Support (Acute) – provide time-bound support to individuals and families experiencing a recent triggering event or escalation in risk (e.g. fleeing domestic abuse, imminent homelessness, or sudden bereavement). There is particular interest in how organisations deliver sustained improvement and longer-term stability beyond the initial crisis response.
  • Vulnerable children and young people (0–25) – support young people facing circumstances that threaten their safety, wellbeing, or development. The goal is to protect these individuals, build their resilience, and help them achieve stability. This includes support for those with care experience, at risk of exploitation, young carers, or those with complex needs (SEND).

Fixed grants of £10,000 are available.

Note: applications for other amounts will not be accepted.

Who Can Apply

Registered charities with a valid registration number may apply.

To be eligible, charities must

  • Be working within one or more of the Foundation’s priority areas.
  • Have an income of less than £3 million per annum. There is particular interest in supporting smaller, local charities where a £10,000 grant will deliver real impact.
  • Have been actively operating for at least 18 months.
  • Be able to submit the previous year’s published annual accounts.
  • Operate within the UK, either at a national or regional level.

How To Apply

There is a two-week application window which opens 22 June 2026 and closes 3 July 2026. 

Funding decisions to be announced in September 2026. Grants paid approximately six weeks after decisions are announced.

Guidance notes and the online application form are available from the Foundation’s website.

Contact the cardfactory Foundation for further information.

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