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Supporting projects that seek to develop radical alternatives to current economic and social structures, that influence values and attitudes whilst promoting equity and social justice.

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Polden-Puckham Charitable Foundation (PPCF) is a grant giving trust with Quaker family roots in the United Kingdom.

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We want to tackle the root causes of a problem. Focus areas of Migrant Rights and Racial Justice, Social and Economic Rights

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About us
Disrupt is the Podjarny family foundation. We seek to disrupt the status quo of social injustice by supporting people, local communities and organisations working for positive change, and by amplifying their impact through technology.
Disrupt was established in 2021 and is incorporated and

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Priorities include supporting marginalised groups and tackling inequality, improving biodiversity and green spaces, poverty, mental health, arts and physical activity

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People's Postcode Trust supports smaller charities and good causes in Scotland to make a difference to their community for the benefit of people and planet.

Players of People's Postcode Lottery have funded good causes in every postcode area in Britain.

Find out which trust to apply to for funding using the postcode trust finder.

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The People's Postcode Trust aims to support smaller charities and good causes in the Scotland to make a difference to their community for the benefit of people and planet.

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We provide direct and unrestricted investment to individuals, at different stages of their lifecycle, committed to creating alternative systems and visions, generating new knowledge and cultivating community.

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Thirty Percy - An independent foundation

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Thirty Percy is an independent foundation. We’re here to contribute to the future security and wellbeing of our world.

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The Open Society Foundations give grants to a diverse array of groups and who work in different ways to promote democratic practice, human rights, equity, and justice.

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Skip to main content

Learn more about who we are

How we work

Every year, the Open Society Foundations give grants to a diverse array of groups and individuals who promote our values-through a unique network that is guided by local voices and global expertise.

$19.1B Total expenditures

Over the past three decades, our giving has focused on supporting people who are trying to make their communities fairer, freer, and more harmonious.

Our decentralized and bottom-up approach allows us to focus on long-term strategies while also remaining nimble and flexible enough to respond to sudden crises.

50,000+ Total Grants Awarded

Our grants-ranging from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars-are awarded to organizations and activists in over 120 countries.

Learn more about how we work

What we do

The Open Society Foundations are active in more than 120 countries around the world, using grant-giving, research, advocacy, impact investment, and strategic litigation to support the growth of inclusive and vibrant democracies.

Where We Work

Africa

Asia Pacific

Europe and Central Asia

Latin America and the Caribbean

Middle East and North Africa

United States

George Soros

George Soros is the founder of the Open Society Foundations. He has given away more than $32 billion of his personal fortune to fund the Open Society Foundations' work around the world.

Learn more about George Soros

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One of the largest philanthropic organizations in the world, we care about freedom, democracy, and human rights.

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We are dedicated to supporting organisations to help people and communities thrive in just societies, where everyone is safe and has the opportunity to succeed. This also includes safeguarding our natural environment for future generations.

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Oak Foundation has seven global and four country programmes. Through these programmes, we support others to make the world a safer, fairer, and more sustainable place to live. Visit the programme pages to learn about our grant-making strategies.

Our grant-making in 2022

Founded in 2010 by Argentine conservationists, Rewilding Argentina seeks to reverse the extinction of local species, to recover the functioning of ecosystems and to promote the wellbeing of local communities. Working with veterinarians, park rangers, governments and residents, "rewilding" is one of its most important tools.

​No Means No Worldwide (NMNW) is an international not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to end sexual and gender-based violence against women and children globally. The No Means No programme was set up in 2021 in Mukaraba, a small community in Kikuube District, 20 kilometres from Hoima District in Western Uganda.

La Asociacion de Propietarios Forestales Valle del Arrago (the Association of Forest Owners of Valle del Arrago), based in the Cáceres province of western Spain, aims to plant more than 130,000 trees over 216 hectares of forest land to help stop forest fires in the region.

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We aim to advance the wellbeing of people, society and the natural world by focusing on the arts, environment and social action.

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Independent charity using all its resources for social justice. We seek long-term solutions by looking at root causes of inequality. Criminal Justice, Migration and Economic Justice

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Learn how our work creates long term structural change. Get news and our latest publications. Find links to our work on criminal and economic justice, migration, social investment, and the poverty premium, speaking truth to power.

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Black Feminist Fund | Funding Black Feminist Movements

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The first global institution of its kind, we are ambitiously funding movements doing powerful, transformative, and intersectional work. We support movements that are fighting against systems of oppression and building another world that is affirming of Black women and gender expansive people. We are changing the way Black feminist groups are supported.

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Local Collaborations Programme (seeking change around accommodation, social security and refugees and asylum seeker support) and Racial Equity Programme

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We work in partnership with small and local charities, people and communities, changing lives and working towards a more just and compassionate society. The needs and aspirations of people drive our work. We strengthen the small and local charities that support them and the communities they live in, and advocate for a better future.

Through unrestricted funding, support to develop and influencing policy and practice we help small and local charities thrive, communities grow stronger, and people overcome complex issues and barriers so they can transform their lives.

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We partner with small and local charities, people and communities across England and Wales working towards a more just and compassionate society.

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Our new funding policy, launched in March 2025, focuses on changing the systems that keep people marginalised, while also addressing the issues communities face right now. We aim to launch the first of our new funding programmes in autumn 2025.

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City Bridge Foundation is a world class bridge owner responsible for five Thames crossings,
and London’s biggest independent charity funder.

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Promotes human dignity and defends the human rights of marginalised and excluded people.

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A B Charitable Trust promotes human dignity and defends the human rights of marginalised and excluded people.

We don't support individuals directly - instead, we pursue our purpose by funding partner organisations and initiatives. We have three grant-making programmes.

Open Programme

(by application)

This programme aims to support and strengthen small to medium sized charities, and the wider 'eco-system', in our priority areas.

Special Initiatives

(by invitation)

Working with others, this programme aims to identify and address gaps and opportunities in our priority areas.

Anchor Programme

(by invitation)

This programme aims to support specialist infrastructure organisations that are indispensable to their sector.

Grants awarded 2023/24

For details of the grants awarded to each charity, see our grants awarded page

Funding total for 2023/2024

£6,351,400

What we plan to give in 2024/2025

£7,500,000

Find out more about our priority areas below, or check your eligibility in our Apply section

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The A B Charitable Trust, an independent grant-making organisation

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An independent charitable grant-making organisation that provides money to UK registered charities and to organisations with charitable status, mainly operating in England, Scotland and Wales

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Gives grants to groups working towards a fair and sustainable economic system that serves people and planet. Yon don't need to be a registered charity or constituted to apply

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This year we were delighted to hold our conference at Toynbee Hall, in London.

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Friends Provident Foundation supports initiatives for a fairer economy. Discover our grants, investments, and resources.

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An open database of funding organisations and grants supporting a better and healthier democracy in the United Kingdom.

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The UK Democracy Network contributes to the upkeep and promotion of a UK-wide funding and grants directory, an open database of funding organisations and grants supporting a better and healthier democracy in the United Kingdom. This database was developed in collaboration with the Civic Power Fund.

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Up to £20,000 for community-led projects that:

bring people together to build strong relationships in and across communities

improve the places and spaces that matter to communities

help more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage

support people, communities and organisations facing more demands and challenges because of the cost-of-living crisis.

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National Lottery Awards for All England | The National Lottery Community Fund

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The National Lottery Community Fund gives grants to organisations in the UK to help improve their communities. The money awarded comes from the UK National Lottery.

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Aiming to improve our natural world, secure a fairer future and strengthen the bonds in communities in the UK.

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Esmée Fairbairn Foundation aims to improve our natural world, secure a fairer future and strengthen the bonds in communities in the UK. Founded with an endowment in 1961, the Foundation is one of the UK's largest independent funders, making grants and social investments.

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Funds focus on arts, education and learning, migration and young people.

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Three years after the first national lockdown began, it has become commonplace to think in terms of before and after Covid. Whilst the pandemic may no longer be as front of mind as more present concerns such as the cost of living crisis, its long-reaching impacts continue to be felt. In addition to bringing unprecedented challenges in the sectors we work in, Covid has also been a catalyst for...

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One of the largest independent grant-makers in the UK, we focus on the Arts, Young people, Education & Learning and Migration.

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Eligible non-profit groups, organisations or charities must be led by representatives of Black and racially minoritised communities and work within Black and racially minoritised communities, have annual income of up to £150,000 per year.

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The Phoenix Fund was launched in 2020 in order to put racial justice at the heart of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund was devised and led by Black and racially minoritised community group leaders from across England and established with the support of The National Lottery Community Fund and Global Fund for Children.

The fund was targeted at Black and racially minority-led community groups impacted by COVID-19. £2.4 million was distributed (£0.4 million in infrastructure support and £2 million in grants to 184 community groups) across all regions of England. Around 1400 applications were received, demonstrating the high demand for this targeted funding opportunity.

In response to this unmet demand, the Phoenix Way Partnership was formed in 2021 by the community members who led the development of the Phoenix Fund as a way of building on this work and creating a process which would support systems change.

Aims of The Phoenix Way

The Phoenix Way exists to drive transformational change at regional and national levels by adopting a racial equity and social justice lens and creating learning which impacts the wider funding ecosystem and Black and racially minoritised communities and community organisations.

The wider aims of The Phoenix Way are to:

In 2023, The Phoenix Way will launch and begin disseminating targeted funding to Black & racially minoritised community-led groups impacted by the Cost of Living Crisis across England. The partners will establish a regional infrastructure support to deliver The Phoenix Way's funding opportunities.

What you can apply for now

The Phoenix Way 2023 Round 1: Emergency Grants for Groups Working with Black and Racially Minoritised Children and Young People

The first round is open to applications now. It is a £1m emergency grant funding round for Black and racially minoritised community organisations who may already have or will suffer disruption to their programmes due to current inflation and the Cost-of-Living Crisis.

Successful organisations will be working with young people or women and girls who are at risk.

TPW will also award Regional Infrastructure Grants to the following 6 English regions: North West, North-East and Cumbria, South West, The Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber and London and South East.

The Phoenix Way's future funding rounds, including multi-year funding, will open in the summer of 2023 and will also include organisations and groups located in Wales. To register your interest in future funding rounds, please click here.
Round 1 was launched on the 30th of March 2023. Applications will be accepted until midnight on the 8th of May.
Eligibility criteria

The Phoenix Way 2023 - Round 1 Emergency Grants will support non-profit groups, organisations or charities that:

Work with participants and communities that are primarily 18 or under and are at high risk of becoming involved in violence.

Have annual operating budgets of up to £150,000 per year.

Are located and work in England.

Applicants can beregistered, unregistered, incorporated, unincorporated, and/or unconstituted or newly formed groups.

Who we are looking to fund in this round:

meeting young people where they are

using trust-based, relationship-driven ways of working

amplifying and partnering with children and young people to shape your organisation and the work you do

recognising and valuing the strengths and possibilities of the children and young people you work with

the care or youth justice systems

abusing or misusing substances

abuse, maltreatment or neglect

negative educational experiences such as exclusion

Grants given through this round can be used flexibly to cover core and/or project costs that the cost-of-living crisis has impacted. Grants made in this Phoenix Way round will be one-off payments of £20,000.

The Phoenix Way is not able to support:

What is the Phoenix Way?

The Phoenix Way is a national collaborative partnership created during the Covid-19 pandemic as a response to the structural inequalities faced by Black and racially minoritised communities in influencing and accessing grant funding. Its principal aims are to transform the relationships between funders and Black and racially minoritised organisations, tackle systemic race inequalities and develop shared leadership, which actively invests in these communities and empowers them to make decisions about funding processes, priorities and allocations.

How much is available in this round of funding?

There is £1,000,000 available in this round of funding for one-off emergency grants. Future Phoenix Way rounds of funding will also offer multi-year grants.

Can I apply for a Cost-of-Living grant if my organisation does not have a bank account?

Yes. You can apply if your organisation does not have its own bank account. Another organisation that can hold funds on your behalf can serve as your fiscal sponsor.

Does my organisation have to be a registered charity to apply for a Cost-of-Living grant?

No. Both registered and unregistered groups are eligible to apply.

Does my organisation have to work with children and youth to be eligible for this grant?

Yes. For this round, the main work of your organisation or group must be focused on children and young people under 18 and at risk of becoming involved in violence. Future Phoenix Way rounds will have different thematic focuses.

Can an organisation that has been around for less than a year apply for this grant?

Yes. Any organisation impacted by the cost-of-living crisis can apply, regardless of when it was established.

My organisation is not eligible for this round, what should we do?

You can still register on our application site and add a few details about your organisation - we will get in touch when future Phoenix Way funding rounds open. If you don't want to register, keep an eye on , Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn or YouTube.

What can my organisation use a Phoenix Way grant for?

The Phoenix Fund provides core emergency funding. This means you can apply for funding for whatever you need. For example, this may include staff costs, running costs, activities, equipment, and other resources needed to support your organisation with the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.

What is the maximum amount my organisation can apply for through the Phoenix Fund?

This grant round provides one-off emergency grants of £20,000.

I do not understand a question in the application form, what should I do?

Check out our application guidance! It has lots of helpful hints and tips about what our panels will be looking for. You can also join us for our application webinar on Wednesday 12th April at 10am to learn more about the process and ask the Phoenix Way team questions. Keep an eye on our social media to register for the webinar!

Where do we apply for funding?

You can apply for funding by clicking on this link. We are using an application platform called Evalato and the application process will be supported by Global Fund for Children. We have created a video that explains how to use our application platform, which you can watch here.

Where can my organisation seek outside help to complete my Phoenix Fund application?

Information on fundraising and grants for voluntary organisations, as well as how-to guides, is currently available for free for all organisations on the NCVO Knowhow centre.

Who is funding this round of the Phoenix Way?
Do you have another question?
This round is being funded by the Youth Endowment Fund, Fondation CHANEL and supported by Global Fund for Children.

Please email us at thephoenixway@globalfundforchildren.org and we will be happy to respond.

How to apply

To apply, please follow the link below to the application platform.

If you have any questions, please use one of the following contacts.

Global Fund for Children: thephoenixway@globalfundforchildren.org

The Ubele Initiative: thephoenixway@ubele.org

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The Phoenix Fund was launched in 2020 in order to put racial justice at the heart of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund was devised and led by Black and racially minoritised community group leaders from across England and established with the support of The National Lottery Community Fund and Global Fund for Children.

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Do it Now Now is an open-innovation organisation committed to the empowerment of Black people through the provision of access to opportunities for social mobility through financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and employment. Provides £1m in funding. 

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https://www.doitnownow.com/

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What is a Thug? Euphemisms in the time of UK’s Riots

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Do it Now Now is an open innovation organisation committed to the empowerment of Black people working with organisations, black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs.

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Resourcing Your Community - how to sustain social movements through community provision

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Resourcing Your Community - how to sustain social movements through community provision

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Sample constitution from Seeds for Change

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Sample constitution from Seeds for Change

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Legal structures for social justice groups

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Legal structures for social justice groups

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Podcast: Community Organisers in Conversation (Seeds for Change)

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Podcast: Community Organisers in Conversation (Seeds for Change)

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A Seeds for Change podcast, in conversation with community organisers. From stopping immigration raids on their streets to starting food co-ops on their estates, people are organising in their communities to take collective action against poverty, policing and the hostile environment.

In this podcast we discuss the theory and practice of community organising, and its role in bringing about political transformation. With Amardeep Singh Dhillon from We Keep Us Safe Lewisham and Lesbians & Gays Support the Migrants; Shiri Shalmy from Cooperation Town; and Mea Aitken from Kids of Colour and the No Police in Schools campaign.

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A Seeds for Change podcast, in conversation with community organisers. From stopping immigration raids on their streets to starting food co-ops on their estates, people are organising in their communities to take collective action against poverty, policing and the hostile environment.

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An emerging Black Feminist resourcing and community initiative based in the UK.

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Our journey began in late 2019, when a group of us came together to dream about what a ‘fund’ that is by us, for us, and with us…could be. Throughout 2020 and into 2021 we had deep, extensive individual and group conversations with our incubation group, and with other Black / Global Majority women and non-binary people. We also spoke with allies, including folk who work in the donor space who were able to share their wisdom with us. Our conversations were focussed on everything from ‘what should this look like?’ to ‘how should we articulate impact?’.

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Up to £10,000 to groups working on Animal Protection, Environment and
Human Rights (incl. social justice, peace & equality)

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What is funded?

Charity Pot grants provide targeted funding to small, grassroots groups. Not just because they are often best placed to make a real difference with limited resources; but also, because they often struggle to find funding. Almost all the groups funded by Charity Pot have an annual income of less than £350,000 (most are substantially less) and run entirely or predominantly by volunteers.

Charity Pot grants prioritise projects that aim to create long-term change - because it's crucially important to fund projects that aim to prevent and address the root cause of the problem. That's why, for example, priority would be given to a project that aims to stop deforestation (e.g. by challenging the palm oil industry) over one that aims to plant trees to restore an area that's already deforested.

Charity Pot grants will support 'non-violent direct action' groups, i.e. those which have no intention of physically harming others or threatening to do so. This includes protests, demonstrations, non-cooperation, non-violent interventions, or, occasionally, facilitating (e.g. communication costs) peaceful civil disobedience; because Lush recognise that these non-violent actions can play an important part in bringing about social change. However, although free speech is a core Charity Pot value; groups or projects that support, incite or promote violence, aggression or oppression towards others would not be funded. Charity Pot grants do not fund or facilitate law-breaking.

Charity Pot grants also recognise that there is an absolute need for delivering basic life needs and care to those in need (people, animals or the planet). So, projects that provide aid and support, such as animal shelters and refugee support and advice groups, have also been funded. However, those groups providing welfare that reaches beyond basic life needs, such as therapies, community social groups, and counselling, would not be prioritised.

Charity Pot grants do not fund animal farming projects, culling for conservation, the captivity of wild animals (incl. captive breeding programs), or overseas rehoming of animals. However, Charity Pot grants have funded vegan, vegetarian and animal rights campaigning, anti-vivisection groups, TNR projects, wildlife sanctuaries that home animals no longer able to be released, and animal sanctuaries with a no-destruction policy and where the animals are not 'used' (e.g. in animal assisted therapies, being ridden, or as part of a petting zoo etc). We will therefore only fund food costs where these are vegetarian/vegan.

Environmental responsibility is central to Lush, so Charity Pot grants only fund printed materials where recycled resources are used unless there is a justifiable reason that prevents it (e.g. availability in certain countries is limited). Similarly, flights aren't funded, however, alternative travel costs would be considered. Charity Pot grants do not support market-based solutions to climate change, such as carbon trading, carbon offsetting, clean development mechanism or Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD). Similarly, Charity Pot funding is not offered for social enterprises, growing projects or reforesting, however, projects working in this area might like to explore the Lush Spring Prize as an alternative.

Significant asset purchases (e.g. land) would generally not be considered, and applications for legal challenges, are only very occasionally successful. If applying for a legal challenge you will be required to demonstrate the national importance of the case and provide evidence of a favourable barrister's opinion.

It is rare for film projects, theatrical productions or arts-based projects to be funded. This is because we favour campaigning. If you wish to apply for an arts-based project, it must be campaigning-focussed and demonstrate it will actively engage the audience's participation in campaigns within the sectors we fund. If successful, this would be a donation, and not an investment, and the production would need to be not-for-profit.

Similarly, events and parades would only be considered where there is a clear campaigning goal, and, as Charity Pot grants are prioritised to projects in most need of funding, large attendance events, which have a greater audience and funding opportunity, would be less of a priority.

Funding is also not available for student expeditions, schools, councils, volunteer-tourism projects, academic studies, sponsored activities (e.g. walks, runs, challenges etc), fundraising initiatives, or event sponsorship.

Charity Pot grants are generally directed towards campaigning project costs; however, core costs are occasionally considered where a detailed budget and explanation is provided. However, salary costs would not be funded as Charity Pot funds are targeted to support underfunded voluntary groups and could not sustain the large-scale costs of campaigning salaries, and it would not be fair to fund some and not others.

Who can apply?

Charity Pot grants are looking for organisations that take on issues that others don't, those that push the boundaries and challenge the mainstream opinion.

To apply, your group should have annual incomes of less than £350,000 and be run entirely or predominantly by volunteers. You don't have to be UK based, but, in the case of overseas projects, these should be run by local people and with their direction.

Charity Pot grants do not fund individuals, only organisations and groups. Your group does not need to be a registered charity, Charity Pot grants support all kinds of groups, including new organisations and start-ups. However, your group should be not-for-profit. Applications from non-secular, religious or military organisations are not accepted.

Charity Pot grants prioritises those projects/organisations that best match the Lush values and ethics. This means applications are NOT accepted from organisations that:

Deny the human rights of others

Are involved in cruelty/subjugation of animals (incl. farming, testing or research)

Coerces or forces others to change their beliefs or proselytizes

Harbour racism or prejudice

Prevents or impedes the free-speech of others

Judge others on anything other than their actions

Have not made every effort to be environmentally responsible

Promote/support violence, aggression or oppression towards others (we will only support direct action groups if they are non-violent)

Charity Pot grants try to direct funding towards causes that are often overlooked by other funders. This means less popular issues, which are more difficult to raise funds for, are likely to be prioritised over an organisation that has, for example, many supporters, corporate sponsors, or has sufficient profile to be able to secure mainstream funding such as government grants. Typical popular causes tend to be health charities (medical research, hospices etc.), social welfare, religious causes, children/ young people and military-related causes, so that normally make these less of a priority for a Charity Pot grant.

What do I need?

Organisation Details

You will need to tell us a bit about your group. Some basic information, such as the groups' name, address, and charitable status etc., as well as some detailed information, such as your total annual income and expenses, if you have staff, how many you have, and your groups' background and mission statement. If you are a new organisation, you should provide a background for the main individuals in the organisation.

Project Details

Think carefully about what you are planning, as you will need to submit a clear, focused and well-defined project plan. You will need to know how much funding you need, and when you need it by, and whether you could accept a partial award, if we were unable to fund the full amount. You will also need to tell us what you want to do, why you think it's needed, where and when your project is going to take place, and who or what your project benefits, and to think about what other groups you might be overlapping with or working alongside. You can also include any web address links to any supporting documentation - for example, film trailers, photo's, online articles.

Budget

You will need to submit a budget for your project in pounds sterling (UK currency) that clearly demonstrates in detail how you will spend the funds. Your budget should match the amount you are asking for, and clearly show the individual costs you would like Lush to fund. If you are providing extra budget details (e.g. costs that are not being applied for), ensure that these are clearly separated and identified as not to be considered).

Avoid generalised costs, for example 'admin costs' or 'campaigning costs' - this needs to be broken down into the constituent costs that make up this total (e.g. £300 for the printing of 5000 leaflets, £50 postage of legal documents to service users). If you are budgeting to purchase an asset (e.g. a heater, a tent, a bicycle) indicate how many you are buying, and what will happen to all assets once your project is complete. If you are purchasing travel, indicate who is traveling, why and to where, and how (e.g. train, car etc.).

You will not be able to send your budget as a separate document. Instead you will need to type it in the relevant answer box on the application form. Use a new line for each line in your budget.

Bank Account

Grants cannot be paid into personal bank accounts, for example, an account held in the name of an individual (Mr. B Smith). Grants can only be paid into an organisations' bank account. This is an audit requirement and demonstrates your commitment as a group/project.

However, if there is an issue preventing you from obtaining a group bank account, in exceptional circumstances you may be able to nominate an affiliated organisation to receive transfers on your behalf as a fiscal sponsor - please email [email protected] to discuss options.

You will need to take extra care inputting the details for your bank account, as errors can significantly delay your application, and can result in failed payments, or application rejection.

Referees

Each application must be submitted with the full details of two referees. A referee must be independent of you/your group, but able to comment with experience and expertise on the activities, successes, and challenges your group faces. Your referee cannot be a funder, employee, volunteer, founder, or trustee in your group. Their email address should be an organisational one (e.g. @greenpeace.org), and not a private email address (e.g. @gmail.com, @yahoo.co.uk). They also cannot be financially dependent on your group or know you only because of providing funding. However, providing referees from groups working in a similar field who have a good vision of your work, is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate how connected your group is to the wider community.

If your group is not based in the UK, at least one of your referees must be an international NGO. Examples of international NGOs include - International Rivers, Amazon Watch, Friends of the Earth International (including member groups), Indigenous Environmental Network, Rainforest Foundation, Survival International, War on Want, Global Justice Now, Oil Watch, World Society for the Protection of Animals, International Animal Rescue. Their email address should be an organisational one (e.g. @greenpeace.org), and not a private email address (e.g. @gmail.com, @yahoo.co.uk).

When can I apply?

Applications are accepted at any time, and there are no cut-offs. However, you should allow at least 3 months from application to when you need the funds. Applications are assessed on a first-come-first-served basis, however, if your funding is exceptionally urgent please email [email protected] for advice.

How do I apply?

Once you have read these guidelines, if you'd like to apply, you can click here to access our online application form (or, here for a sneak peek of what the form looks like).

What happens when I apply?

When you submit your application form it is processed and checked for any missing information or additional details. It is then submitted for panel review. Our funding panel assesses applications on a rolling basis and a decision is usually made within 8-12 weeks. However, sometimes a funding decision may take longer.

You may be contacted at any time during the process, should additional details or clarifications be needed for a decision to be made. Decisions are made by a panel made up of campaigners, activists, and experts. The panels assess and shortlist the applications to those that most closely meet the Charity Pot grant guidelines, prioritising grassroots campaigning. If your application is shortlisted your referees will be contacted, and their feedback will contribute towards a final decision.

If your application is not successful, you will be emailed and informed. Unfortunately, given the application volumes, it is not possible to offer feedback on rejected applications. However, a rejection does not prevent you from re-applying (see below), as it may be funding was over-subscribed and other projects have been prioritised.

If your application is shortlisted your references will be contacted, and their feedback will contribute towards a final decision.

Please consider letting your referees know that the speed of their response directly impacts the time it takes to make a final decision. However, if successful, you will be emailed a confirmation together with the value of your grant. Payment is then usually made within 7-10 days.

Please note, if your project is overseas and close to a regional Lush Charity Pot team, your application may be referred to a more local team. Lush have Charity Pot teams in 35 different countries, including, Europe, USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, and Hong Kong. You can find contact details for them at www.lush.com.

What is required if I am successful?

If successful, your group name, project description, and website link will be listed on our website, to provide transparency to Lush customers and staff. We do not publicise the value of any grant. If you are concerned about this, please contact [email protected] to discuss.

You will be required to provide feedback on your project, either when it is completed or within a year of receiving the funds (whichever is soonest). You should be prepared to provide links to any supporting documents such as news articles, local press, social media videos or receipts for significant assets. A link to the report format will be provided once your funding is agreed, or you can access it here.

Sometimes informal outreach visits are arranged so that the Charity Pot team can get to know your group and project better. These will be arranged at your convenience but will involve a visit to the location of your project.

Finally, if successful, we prefer any grants not to be publicly acknowledged or promoted. As a result, we do not do logo placements and do not offer sponsorships or partnerships. Any platforms you have access to should be utilised to talk about your project, rather than any funding we have provided. If you have questions about using the Lush logo, please email [email protected] .

FAQs

Can I apply for more than one project?

Yes. However, as groups can only be funded once per year, you will need to submit all the projects within the same application form, ensuring that each has a detailed budget, and the total is under £10,000. Funding panels may then decide to fund all or only some of the projects you've submitted.
Can I apply again if I have been unsuccessful?
Yes. Charity Pot grants are often over-subscribed, therefore if your application has been rejected, it may be indicative that other projects better fit the funding criteria. If you wish to reapply for the same project, you should consider demonstrating a sufficient change in your project to better fit the funding criteria.
Can I apply for a second grant?
Yes. A group can be funded up to once per year (allowing a full 12 months between funding). Review of subsequent applications would also factor in the success of prior projects and feedback. You must submit a full report from your prior grant before applying again. This can be completed here.
Can I apply for partial funding?
Yes. You can apply for partial funding of up to £10,000 where a project budget exceeds £10,000. You would need to evidence your plans to raise any remaining required funds, and if you are seeking significant additional funders, you might be asked to wait until these funds have been secured. However, typically, smaller projects would be prioritised.
Who can I contact to ask a question?
You can contact the Charity Pot grants administration team at [email protected] .

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Charity Pot Funding Guidelines - We are Lush

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Charity Pot is a Lush hand and body cream where 100% of all sales (minus local taxes) are distributed as grants, to groups working in the areas of Animal Protection, Environment and Human Rights (incl. social justice, peace & equality).

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The Community Action Fund exists to support grassroots campaigning and community organising in the UK.

It will provide one-off grants between £2,500 and £20,000.

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Definitions

Democracy. Democracy means people working together to identify problems, co-design solutions, and win change. It thrives when people have the power to hold their elected representatives to account beyond participating in elections.

Power. Power is the ability to act. Civic power means people coming together to win lasting change that matters to them. When members of a community stand in solidarity with each other and with those outside their community, they can build a base of people power capable of holding decision-makers to account. This requires people knowing how to influence and engage with democracy over the long-term.

Lived experience. First hand experience - past or present - of injustice.

Justice. The five commonly understood principles of social justice are 1) work grounded in human rights; work focussed on 2) the fair distribution of both resources and 3) opportunities; 4) ensuring all groups have equal capacity to participate in democracy; and 5) action to prevent discrimination based on age, class, gender, race, sexuality, ethnicity and disability.

Grassroots. Organisations that are rooted within a specific community or area.

Community. Community can apply to your local area, or the particular group you represent. For example: people living with disabilities, people with experience of the immigration or asylum system, people of colour, working class communities, women, and LGBTQI communities.

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The Civic Power Fund team brings together people with expertise across campaigning, policy, advocacy, fundraising, organising and leadership. Learn more.

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RadHR | Cos humans are more than resources...

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Working together to create radical, anti-oppressive approaches to HR & operations...

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RadHR is a space for social change organisations to share the nuts and bolts-the policies, processes, practices and stories-of how to organise ourselves based on our values and challenge oppression within our groups.

Most activist groups, not-for-profit organisations, community groups, workers' cooperatives and social enterprises are committed to fighting against oppression and inequality in the wider world. But when it comes to how we organise internally, we often end up replicating all sorts of crap-classist, racist, sexist, ableist, homophobic and transphobic norms, as well as the individualistic, competition-based values of the wider systems we oppose.

But things are shifting! In the wake of BLM and #MeToo, social justice organisations have started acknowledging that the ends don't always justify the means - and that we can't keep organising in oppressive, top-down ways and expect a better world to emerge. RadHR helps groups to challenge these damaging practices and become more supportive, caring and anti-oppressive organisations.

A couple of example policies uploaded by the RadHR community...

As well as policies, we have a growing set of guides and briefings...

Work-in-progress

We recently launched a community forum. We'll also be looking to host events and introduce new ways of collaborating within the RadHR community...

We're continuously updating and improving the site, so all feedback is much appreciated.

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RadHR | Because humans are more than resources...

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A free, open, collaborative library of radical HR & operations policies...

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At Children's Funding Project, we envision a nation where all children and youth thrive because all communities maintain equitable, coordinated, and sustainable funding for comprehensive programs and services.

Who We Are

Children's Funding Project is a nonprofit social impact organization that helps communities and states expand equitable opportunities for children and youth through strategic public financing. Through our hands-on technical assistance and collection of resources, we help advocates, policymakers, public agencies, and funders identify and align existing funding, generate new revenue, and implement strategies to administer funds in ways that maximize their impact.

What We Do

Communities come to us with all levels of need and at all levels of readiness to tackle strategic finance planning. Consequently, we offer a range of services to help local and state leaders understand the multiple sources that fund programs for children and youth. We equip advocates with the skills and resources to build support for children and youth services and assist communities in planning their long-term funding needs and generating new and sustainable revenue sources.

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At Children's Funding Project, we envision a nation where all children and youth thrive because all communities maintain equitable, coordinated, and sustainable funding for comprehensive programs and services. Children's Funding Project is a nonprofit social impact organization that helps communities and states expand equitable opportunities for children and youth through strategic public financing.

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Practical steps to take to effectively achieve and maintain good governance in your charity

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© 2021 NCVO (The National Council for Voluntary Organisations), Registered in England as a charitable company limited by guarantee. Society Building, 8 All Saints Street, London N1 9RL. Registered company number 198344 | Registered charity number 225922.

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A simple explanation of types of not-for-profit organisation, and what to consider when choosing a legal structure (or whether you want to at all).

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This page provides simple explanation of different types of not-for-profit organisation, and what to consider when choosing a legal structure.

What is a not-for-profit organisation?

"Not-for-profit organisation" is a broad term for all independent organisations whose purpose is something other than to make private profit for directors, members or shareholders. Many different types of organisation can be "not-for-profit". It is not a legal structure in and of itself. Not-for-profit organisations choose a legal structure based on a variety of factors, including:

Just want a straightforward community group?

Many community groups are run entirely by volunteers, to benefit their own members, improve their local neighbourhood, or run campaigns.

If you are simply a group of people wishing to get together to organise something on a small budget, and don't plan to employ staff or lease premises, you probably don't need to read the whole of this page!

You are likely to find that an unincorporated association is the structure for you. This is a simple structure which you can set up yourself, without registering with anyone. All you need to do is write and agree a constitution.

Find out more:

Things to consider when choosing a legal structure

How will your organisation be funded?

Some organisations receive income from grants and donations, while others generate all their own income by selling goods and services. Knowing how you will generate income is important when choosing a legal structure, because some types of structure are less likely to attract grants and donations.

Income from grants and donations

Organisations that make all or part of their income through grants and donations are usually controlled by a team of volunteers. Because the people running the organisation do not make any personal financial gain, they can manage the grants and donations without any conflict of interest. Most community groups and charities are run in this way. They usually adopt one of the following structures.

Income from selling goods and services

Instead of relying on grants and donations, some not-for-profit organisations generate their income by selling goods and services. They often start off by receiving investment from members or external organisations, which they pay back once up and running. These organisations are called social enterprises.

Social enterprises can be controlled by volunteers, but they can also be controlled people who have invested in them, people who are paid to work for them, or people who benefit as customers.

"Social enterprise" isn't a legal structure - social enterprises can adopt different legal structures depending on their needs and the way they work. They generally adopt one of the following legal structures:

All these structures are incorporated - social enterprises are generally incorporated.

Which structure is best depends in part on who will control the organisation (e.g. will it have voting members, and if so, who will they be?) and whether the organisation meets the legal requirements to be a charity.

Will your organisation have voting members?

Many not-for-profit organisations have members who take part in running the organisation by voting. In many large organisations, the role members play is primarily to elect the directors, trustees or management committee of the organisation. In smaller organisations members might play a more active role. Some organisations (particularly companies) may have a very small number of members, while others may have a large membership.

Membership organisations are accountable to their members, and the members can vote to change the people who are in control. Charities often have members who are service-users of the organisation. Some social enterprises have members who have invested money in the organisation, and/or are customers of the organisation.

The following structures have voting members (although the number of members can be small):

The following structures do not have voting members. They are controlled by a small group of people who are appointed without election by members.

Will your organisation incorporate?

Incorporation is a process through which an organisation goes from being a collection of individuals, (in the eyes of the law), to a single entity which is legally separate from the individuals involved.

An incorporated organisation has "legal personality" which means it can enter into contracts, buy or lease property, and employ people in its own right. Any debts or obligations belong to the organisation, rather than to the individuals running it. This gives the trustees, directors or committee members some protection, although they still have liability for debts caused by negligence or poor financial management.

An unincorporated organisation is, in legal terms, a collection of individuals. Any debts or obligations are the responsibility of the trustees or management committee themselves. Although this might sound scary, many small organisations actually have very few financial obligations. For example, most community groups do not employ staff or run premises, and there is little money involved in running the group's activities. This means the risk is often very low.

Organisations with incorporated legal structures are more closely regulated than those with unincorporated structures. They take longer to set up, require more ongoing work to keep running, and are more likely to incur costs for services from accountants and solicitors.

The following structures are incorporated:

The following structures are unincorporated:

Will your organisation be charitable?

A charity in England and Wales is defined, by law, as an organisation which has exclusively charitable purposes, and is regulated by the High Court's charity law jurisdiction. As part of this, charities must prove they exist for the public benefit. These definitions are explained on the Charity Commission website. If an organisation meets these criteria it is, by definition, a charity, even if it is not registered with the Charity Commission. If an organisation does not meet these criteria then it is not a charity, cannot register with the Charity Commission, and is not subject to charity regulation.

"Charity" is not a legal structure in and of itself. Most charities adopt one of the following legal structures:

The following structures cannot be charities:

Rules that affect charities

Charities must govern themselves in accordance with the Charities Act. Detailed information about regulations affecting charities are available from the Charity Commission.

Some basics include:

Payment of trustees: In order to ensure the public benefit requirement is met, charities are generally not permitted to pay their trustees. There are exceptions to this rule, but new organisations intending to pay their management committee as a matter of course are likely to find it easier to set up as a non-charitable organisation. Structures to consider include Community Interest Company , Community Benefit Society or Cooperative Society.

Governance, accounts and record keeping: Charities must keep good records, which should include details of their finances, charitable activities, and trustees. They must adhere to to rules in their governing document (e.g. constitution). Registered charities must send information to the Charity Commission each year.

Political campaigning: Charities are prevented by law from taking part in certain political and campaigning activities that other organisations are free to engage in.

For more information about responsibilities of charities, see our sheets Responsibilities of Registered Charities and Charity Reporting and Accounts.

Registering with the Charity Commission

Almost all charities should register with the Charity Commission if their income is higher than £5,000 per year. Charitable Incorporated Organisations should register even if their income is less than this. For information about registering a charity, see our page on Charity Registration.

Once a charity is registered, the Charity Commission can check to see that the organisation is being run properly. Being a registered charity gives an organisation recognition that it is run for the public good, and this can help with getting grant funding and other benefits available only to registered charities.

A few types of charity are exempt from the requirement to register with the Charity Commission, and are regulated by alternative organisations instead. This includes Charitable Community Benefit Societies, which are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Legal structures to consider

Here are details of a range of legal structures available to community groups and not-for-profit organisations. To understand the difference between the various structures, and decide which suits you best, you will need to read the previous section, Things to consider when choosing a legal structure.

Unincorporated Association

An unincorporated association is a membership organisation. It can be whatever its members want it to be, and carry out whatever activity the members choose. It is the easiest, quickest and cheapest way for a group to set itself up. It is ideal for many small groups, especially those without staff or premises. A large number of groups fall into this category (sometimes without knowing it). To set up an unincorporated association, your group simply needs to draw up a constitution, setting out the rules under which it will be run.

An unincorporated association can be a charity, but it does not have to be. Many unincorporated associations primarily benefit their own members, and are therefore not considered to be charitable and are not regulated by charity law. For an unincorporated organisation to be a charity it must have charitable aims and be run for the public benefit. If your group is not charitable you do not need to register with or report to anyone. If your group is charitable, you will need to register with the Charity Commission if your annual income is over £5,000 per year.

An unincorporated association is not incorporated, so it cannot enter into contracts or own property in its own right.

To set up an unincorporated association, all you need to do is write and agree a constitution in your group. If you do not plan to become a charity, your constitution should lay out whatever aims you want for your group. If you wish to be a charity, it is best to base your constitution on the model constitution on the Charity Commission website.

Charitable Trust

A charitable trust is a type of charity run by a small group of people known as trustees. The trustees are appointed rather than elected, and there is no wider membership.

A charitable trust is not incorporated, so it cannot enter into contracts or own property in its own right.

Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

A CIO is a type of charity which is incorporated. It is quite a new legal structure - it was introduced in 2013.

The are two types of CIO: Association Model and Foundation Model. Association Model CIOs are membership organisations and hold elections, whereas Foundation Model CIOs are run by a small group of appointed trustees.

Registration of a new CIO takes up to 40 days. You will need to use a model constitution approved by the Charity Commission, and apply online via their website to register your organisation. We have created editable versions of the two CIO model constitutions (in Microsoft Word), which you can download here:

Other types of organisation can convert to being a CIO.

Charitable companies can convert directly by adopting a CIO constitution and completing an online application form.

Community Interest Companies can convert directly by adopting a CIO constitution, passing a resolution to convert and then applying to register the new CIO with the charity commission. The Charity Commission have step by step guidance on this process.

Unincorporated charities such as unincorporated associations and charitable trusts can also become CIOs, but this involves setting up a new CIO, transferring all assets, then closing down the old organisation. This can take up to 18 months.

For more information on how to convert to a CIO structure see the Charity Commission guidance "Change your charity structure".

Company limited by guarantee

A company limited by guarantee is a type of company which does not distribute income to shareholders. This means it can be not-for-profit, if all surplus income is reinvested back into the organisation.

A company is incorporated, and has voting members. It is controlled by a group of directors, who can be paid or unpaid.

Companies are registered with and regulated by Companies House. To establish a company, you must adopt a governing document called a Memorandum and Articles of Association, and submit it to Companies House. It is a legal document, so it is sensible to get it checked by a solicitor.

Charitable company

Establishing a charitable company involves registering with the Charity Commission as well as Companies House, and then submitting your annual report and accounts to both organisations annually.

If you are setting up a new organisation, it is worth considering whether a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) would suit your needs instead. CIOs do not need to report to Companies House, so they are simpler and cheaper to run than Charitable Companies.

Community Interest Company

A non-charitable company can still be a not-for-profit organisation: many social enterprises are non-charitable companies. If your organisation is not charitable, you can guarantee your not-for-profit status by becoming a Community Interest Company (CIC). CICs commit their assets and profits permanently to the community by means of an "asset lock", ensuring that assets are used for the benefit of the community. CICs can have paid directors.

To register a new CIC, you have to apply to Companies House to register a company, and include with your application form CIC36, which you will use to describe how your company will benefit the community.

To apply for CIC status for an existing company, use application form CIC37.

Applications are assessed by the CIC Regulator (a department at Companies House).

Other types of company

A company can be not-for-profit without being either a charity or a CIC, but it may be harder to prove and guarantee the not-for-profit status to interested parties such as supporters, investors or funders.

Community Benefit Society

A Community Benefit Society is owned by its members, who hold shares and control the society democratically, on a one-member one-vote basis.

The society must exist primarily for the benefit of the wider community, and members may not receive preferential treatment. Profits must be used for the benefit of the community (although interest on shares can be paid to members, up to a maximum rate).

A Community Benefit Society can apply for a Statutory Asset Lock, which will allow it to guarantee its non-profit status.

A Community Benefit Society can register as a Charitable Community Benefit Society with the Financial Conduct Authority if it has:

aims that are exclusively charitable; and

a Statutory Asset Lock specifying that any assets would be transferred to another charity if the organisation wound up.

This allows the organisation to call itself a charity, although it is not regulated by the Charity Commission.

A Community Benefit Society is a useful structure if your community wishes to take control of an asset, such as a building. You can fund your organisation by selling "Community Shares", and run the service to benefit the wider community.

A Community Benefit Society is incorporated and can have paid directors.

To find out how to register a Community Benefit Society contact the Financial Conduct Authority. There is also very useful information about setting up these Societies on the Community Shares website.

Cooperative Society

A Cooperative Society is a similar structure to a Community Benefit Society, but its main purpose is to provide services to its members rather than the wider community. Cooperative Societies must be based on the co-operative values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In general, membership to a Cooperative Society is open to people who use the services provided by the society, or work for the society, and profits may be distributed to members providing this is not the primary purpose of the organisation.

A Cooperative Society cannot be charitable because its beneficiaries are its own members, rather than the public.

A Cooperative Society is incorporated and can have paid directors.

To find out how to register a Cooperative Society contact the Financial Conduct Authority. There is also very useful information about setting up these Societies on the Community Shares website.

More information

For more help deciding which legal structure is right for you, have a look at our RouteMap.

If you are setting up a community group or charity, you may find more of our information useful, especially:

If you are setting up a social enterprise, the Resource Centre is not able to offer more detailed guidance. For more help, see our list of other organisations that provide information for social enterprises and cooperatives.

Updated November 2018

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Legal structures for community groups and not-for-profit organisations

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This page provides simple explanation of different types of not-for-profit organisation, and what to consider when choosing a legal structure. "Not-for-profit organisation" is a broad term for all independent organisations whose purpose is something other than to make private profit for directors, members or shareholders. Many different types of organisation can be "not-for-profit".

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Sex Worker Advocacy & Resistance Movements

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Sex Worker Advocacy & Resistance Movements

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How We Ran A Mutual Aid Fund

In response to COVID-19, SWARM started up a Hardship Fund to support sex workers affected by the pandemic. This report details what we did and how we did it. It is a clear eyed detailing of the logistics, funding sources and process of delivering the fund, incorporating reflections from the organisers on the experience. We hope this report can be helpful to others who wish to run a similar project.

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Briefing Documents & Publications - SWARM Collective

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Focus their work on three key areas, activating public support, strengthening belonging and ensuring a just system.

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Unbound Philanthropy | Welcoming Newcomers. Strengthening Communities.

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We are exploring the intersections of climate and migrant justice.
Join us.

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They fund a wide range of organisations working to support positive changes in people’s lives and in their communities around the UK.

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The Tudor Trust is an independent grant-making trust which supports voluntary and community groups working in any part of the UK.

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They use resources to enable civil society to work with people experiencing discrimination and disadvantage and to act strategically to tackle the root causes of injustice and inequality.

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An independent grant-giving foundation improving the quality of life of people facing disadvantage & discrimination.

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https://rosauk.org/

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They fund a variety of charitable and non-charitable projects, each sponsored by a member.

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Funding principles

Through our charity, Network for Social Change Charitable Trust and our non charity, Funding for Social Change Ltd, we fund a variety of charitable and non-charitable projects, each sponsored by a member.

We look for projects that promote social change (broadly defined) and tend to favour projects which are innovative, highly leveraged, and/or difficult to fund (a category which may include core funding for an organisation). We like addressing the root causes of a problem, not the symptoms.

We do not fund responses to one-off disasters, most types of building, or direct contributions to political parties. Non-charitable projects are required to use our money for non-violent and legal purposes only.

We do not accept unsolicited funding applications, but if you have a project that you think a member might be interested in sponsoring for funding, go to our Project Noticeboard

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Funding principles - The Network For Social Change

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Through our charity, Network for Social Change Charitable Trust and our non charity, Funding for Social Change Ltd, we fund a variety of charitable and non-charitable projects, each sponsored by a member. We look for projects that promote social change (broadly defined) and tend to favour projects which are innovative, highly leveraged, and/or difficult to fund (a category which may include core funding for an organisation).

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A free, practical collection of toolkits, resources and guides we've written for organisers to accompany our courses on everything from organisational strategy to operations and media work.

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A free, practical collection of toolkits, resources and guides we've written for organisers to accompany our courses on everything from organisational strategy to operations and media work.

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Collection of resources, including parts of Campaign Bootcamp's training methodology, content and approach.

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Campaign Bootcamp closed in March 2022. This is a legacy website, intended to preserve the organisation's impact and training resources for organisers and campaigners. The website is no longer updated. Therefore, some of the content may be out of date. See the website footer for more details.

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Booska Paper exposes structural racism in the voluntary, community and social enterprise

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For indepth guidance on knowing your rights and protest law

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Know Your Rights | Green and Black Cross

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Know Your Rights | Green and Black Cross

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Videos on work and trade union organising

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Videos on work and trade union organising

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A collection of videos of IWGB leaders discussing strategy, organising and exploitation.

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Facilitators interview social movement organisers about their work and how they do it, along with a good chunk of geeking out about different tools in our training toolbox.

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Podcast The Resist+Renew podcast, where facilitators interview social movement organisers about their work and how they do it, along with a good chunk of

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Resources to help those new to abolition get to grips with the key ideas.

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This page helps you to navigate the resources we have collated for abolitionist learning and organising.

If you are new to abolition we suggest starting with our reading list or browsing the 'Introduction to abolition' resources below.

To search through the resources, you can go to our blog page and use the search function.

Introduction to Abolition

These resources are here to help those new to abolition get to grips with the key ideas. Use the arrows on the right to find more.

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This page helps you to navigate the resources we have collated for abolitionist learning and organising. If you are new to abolition we suggest starting with our reading list or browsing the 'Introduction to abolition' resources below. To search through the resources, you can go to our blog page and use the search function.

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Resourcing racial justice through Black & Global Majority communities.

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A new type of foundation Supporting, growing and strengthening Black and Ethnic Minority communities in the UK. Led by the community organisations it supports.

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Guides on campaign skills, consensus decision making, facilitation...

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The ideas, examples and tips in our guides are based on working with many different groups and projects, both as campaigners and as trainers. You may have very different experiences to ours - we'd really welcome your feedback so we can edit the guides to reflect a diverse range of campaigns and contexts.

All Seeds for Change guides are anti-copyright. Feel free to copy, adapt, use and distribute them, as long as the final work remains anti-copyright. If you translate any of our work please let us know so that we can link to your translation.

Campaign Skills

Campaign Strategy

Facilitating campaign strategy planning

This guide explores how you can make campaign planning work as a group. It includes a suggested process for your meetings and a set of facilitation tools you can use to help you agree your aims, analyse your situation, come up with creative ideas, draw everything together in a plan and evaluate how it is working.
○ PDF - 954k

Messaging Strategy

Good Publicity and Outreach

Door-knocking and Stalls

Using Mainstream Media

Organising public meetings

Venues and Accessibility

A big part of organising events is looking for a good venue that is accessible to anyone who might want to come. This guide offers tip and check lists to help you choose and prepare venues to meet everyone's access requirements. ( For a facilitator's guide to access issues see Making Meetings Accessible).
○ Web page | PDF - 390k

Raising Cash and Writing Funding Bids

Direct Action

What is direct action

Action Planning

Affinity Groups

Quick Consensus Decision Making

A guide to using consensus in fast moving situations, including actions and protests.
○ Web page | PDF - 635k

Impact of convictions

External resources:
Direct Action Handbook - Lots of ideas and info on taking direct action.
Delia Smith's Basic Guide to Blockading - lots of useful info, please note the legal info is out of date.

Skills for Organising in Groups

Effective groups

Online Decision Making

Organising Successful Meetings

Venues and Accessibility

Active Listening

Giving and Receiving Feedback

Working with Conflict in our Groups: a guide for grassroots activists.

This 40 page booklet, written by our sister co-op Navigate (previously called Seeds for Change Oxford) and published by EYFA is aimed at people and groups working for social change who want to develop an understanding of conflict and how to deal with it. There are sections on what conflict is, the benefits of addressing it, and tools to work though conflict and maintain healthy and effective social change groups.
○ PDF - 315k

Anarchic Agreements

Meetings and Facilitation

Facilitating Meetings

Facilitation is about making meetings as easy and effective as possible. This guide offers tips, techniques and concepts to help you create positive and successful meetings. If you are facilitating for the first time, or you've been doing it for a while and want a chance to reflect - this guide is for you.
○ Short guide - Web page | PDF - 714k
○ Long guide - Web page | PDF - 1.4MB

Facilitation Tools for Meetings and Workshops

Organising Successful Meetings

Online Decision Making

Venues and Accessibility

Active Listening

Taking Minutes at Meetings

Facilitating campaign strategy planning

This guide explores how you can make campaign planning work as a group. It includes a suggested process for your meetings and a set of facilitation tools you can use to help you agree your aims, analyse your situation, come up with creative ideas, draw everything together in a plan and evaluate how it is working.
○ PDF - 954k

Hand Signals

Some of the most commonly used hand signals used to make meetings run more smoothly, and help the facilitator spot emerging agreements.
○ PDF - 320k

Group Agreements for workshops and meetings

Consensus Decision Making

Consensus Decision Making

Consensus is a way of reaching agreement in a group that is creative and co-operative. It means working together to find solutions that everyone actively supports. This guide covers the values and principles of consensus, a common process for reaching consensus decisions, and tips for making it work. Also includes sections on core skills, using consensus in large groups and ideas for tackling common challenges.

A Consensus Handbook Co-operative decision-making for activists, co-ops and communities

Consensus Flowchart

The spokescouncil technique for large group consensus

The spokescouncil is a technique that enables consensus decisions with hundreds and thousands of people, with the maximum number of opinions and ideas being heard in an efficient way. It is used by many groups such as social centres, workers' co-ops, peace and environmental movements.
○ Web page | PDF - 105k

Consensus Videos

Watch our series of three short videos explaining what consensus decision making is, how to do it and some tips on making it work well. Total viewing time for all three videos: 5min 23s.

Running Workshops

Facilitating Workshops

Running a workshop is a great way to share your skills or help people learn from each other. It can feel a bit daunting if you're new to it, but this briefing will help you put a good workshop together.
○ Short guide - Web page | PDF - 775k
○ Long guide - Web page | PDF - 1.2Mb

Facilitation Tools for Meetings and Workshops

Venues and Accessibility

Using Questions in workshops

Group Agreements for workshops and meetings

Resources for Co-ops

Co-operatives

Setting Up A Workers' Co-operative

How to Set Up a Workers' Co-op

Workers' co-ops give us a way to reclaim a small but significant part of the world - our working lives. In this book you'll find lots of information you need to set up your workers' co-op, including organising your workplace, making decisions, choosing the right legal form, business planning along with info on tax, insurance and other such details.
This is a guide Seeds for Change co-authored with Radical Routes (Hard copies available for £7 from them).
○ PDF - 3.6Mb
(See below for more co-op guides from Radical Routes)

Financial Literacy for Co-operatives

Timeline for setting up a Workers' Co-op

An overview of what you need to do to get your Worker's Co-op off the ground (A4 Poster).
○ PDF - 200k

Model Articles of Association for a Workers' Co-operative (Company Limited by Guarantee)

These articles (constitution) are for a workers' co‑operative registering as a company limited by guarantee. They are for a workers' co‑operative which is fully mutual, using either consensus decision making or voting and in common ownership.
Includes explanatory notes and sample secondary rules.
These articles are on the 'Approved Model List' of both the Co‑operative Enterprise Hub and Co‑operatives UK. This means that both bodies may will register your co‑op with these articles (or you can register yourself by following the instructions in the How To Set Up a Workers' Co-op handbook).
These articles are also suitable for use by co-operative consortia (service Co-ops) - instructions on how to adapt them are included.
○ ODT - 280k Libreoffice | PDF - 350k | DOC - 510k Microsoft Word

Sample constitution for groups (unincorporated associations)

This is a sample constitution for groups to adapt and use - you may need a constitution if your group wants to open a bank account or apply for funding.
○ ODT - 33k Libreoffice | DOC - 120k Microsoft Word.

Legal Forms for Co-operatives

The Co-operative Principles and Values

External resources:
Introduction to Radical Routes booklet introducing Radical Routes. Topics covered include Aims and princiles; How Radical Routes works; How to join; How we raise and then lend money to our Members; Other services we can offer to members.
Radical Routes: How to set up a Housing Co-op "We believe that everyone should be in control of their own housing, not at the whim of their landlord. Co-ops also provide secure homes, so that your housing is not dependent on your financial security."
Radical Routes: How to Set Up a Social Centre legal structures, business planning, property maintenance, licencing, policies, housing legislation, running a bar, etc, etc, etc.
Co-operatives UK: Simply Finance guide from Co-operatives UK, an excellent guide to finance in your co-op or other social enterprise.
Co-operatives UK: Simply Legal a comprehensive guide to the different options for financing a community enterprise.
Co-operatives UK: Simply Startup a guide for anyone involved in the creation of an enterprise that will be owned by, run by, and supported by the community in which it operates.
Co-operatives UK: From Conflict to Co-operation how to deal with conflict by improving communication, improving meetings and decision-making, managing the change caused by organisational growth and development and clarifying the role of the governing body.
Co-operatives UK: Simply Governance a comprehensive guide to understanding the systems and processes concerned with the running of a sustainable community enterprise.
Co-operatives UK: Worker Co-operative Code of Governance based on the seven co-operative principles this guide explains how to use these principles to both run your business and govern your co-operative successfully.
Select a Structure Tool from Co-operatives UK - to help you choose a structure and legal form for your co-operative, mutual or non-profit organisation.
More resources from Co-operatives UK.
The Hive - a business support programme from Co-operatives UK offering a mix of online resources, training and advice for new start and existing co-ops.

Translations and non-English language adaptations
These are translations of our work done by other groups. Please contact us if you translate or adapt any of our work so that we can link to it.
Chinese | 汉语
Translated by Chine Chan for The Rights Practice

Czech | Český
Translations by Green Action

French | Français
Translations by Agir pour la Paix

German | Deutsch
Translations by Kommunikations Kollektiv

Translation by Susanne Schindler

Italian | Italiano

Polish | Polski

Romanian | Română

Russian | Русский язык
Translated by Радикальная Теория и Практика

Serbian | Srpski | Cрпски

Spanish | Español
The views expressed in any linked site or third party resources are not necessarily those of Seeds for Change.

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So many resources and guides, designed to help you be more effective in your campaign, co-op or project.

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Collaborates with partners to change systems of injustice and oppression. Has a specific movements stream.

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Malik Gul, Director, WCEN network
Malik Gul is Director of Wandsworth Community Empowerment Network, which was a founder member of the Boroughs Local Strategic Partnership.

Over a career spanning 35 years in the frontline of community-public service, he has been election agent to the Handsworth Peoples Campaign in 1981 through to lead voluntary sector officer to Southwark LSP, before joining the Network in 2003. Malik is also undertaking PhD research at Imperial College London on public-health policy, systems and social networks.

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Lankelly Chase - Funding & Learning for Systemic Change

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Malik Gul, Director, WCEN network Malik Gul is Director of Wandsworth Community Empowerment Network, which was a founder member of the Boroughs Local Strategic Partnership. Over a career spanning 35 years in the frontline of community-public service, he has been election agent to the Handsworth Peoples Campaign in 1981 through to lead voluntary sector officer to Southwark LSP, before joining the Network in 2003.

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Funds work on public education, learning and knowledge in all aspects of the philosophy of Marxism, the history of socialism, and the working- class movement.

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Funds non-charities to redress political and social injustices.

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The objectives of the Trust are framed in general terms to work for a just and democratic society and to redress political and social injustices. It is a wide-ranging remit for reform, but the Trust will prioritise organisations that are ineligible for charitable funding because they are considered too political or radical to come within the Charity Commission's guidelines. The Trust's approach is similar to that of the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust with which it maintains informal links.

The Trust will support work undertaken at both regional and national level and may also consider pioneering projects operating on a more local basis that have a potentially wider impact.

The Trust normally gives grants only to groups or organisations, but in very exceptional cases it may consider an application from an individual with proven experience or skill in their chosen field or it may make a personal award to an individual in support of outstanding commitment and effectiveness relevant to the Trust's interests.

As a general rule the Trust provides either specific project funding or start up grants for a limited period to enable campaigns to get off the ground and attract alternative sources of finance.
What the Trust does not fund
The Trust does not fund:

applications from registered charities

activities that could be funded from charitable sources:

our decisions are informed by Charity Commission guidance on the descriptions of charitable purposes and permissible campaigning and political activities by charities

applications that meet all the Trust requirements, except that they are eligible for charitable funding, should therefore be sent to the Scurrah Wainwright Charity.

campaigns outside the UK

general appeals

activities that seek to promote a particular political party or parties, or to influence the outcome of an election

Size of grants
The Trust administers investments producing a grant budget that currently varies between about £90,000 and £110,000 a year

The majority of recent grants have ranged between £1,500 and £10,000. The Trust does occasionally make awards of larger amounts, but is constrained by the impact this has on its limited overall funds given the high numbers of applications received.
For this reason the Trust is also unlikely to support organizations with an annual income/expenditure that exceeds £250,000 approximately.

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The Wainwright Trusts - what the trust funds Andrew Wainwright Reform Trust

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The objectives of the Trust are framed in general terms to work for a just and democratic society and to redress political and social injustices. It is a wide-ranging remit for reform, but the Trust will prioritise organisations that are ineligible for charitable funding because they are considered too political or radical to come within the Charity Commission's guidelines.

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Small grants for grassroots groups

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On the right are some of the groups we have funded recently.

Visit our past grantees page to view a complete list.

Previous grantees

Just Education Matters

Just Education Matters was set up to tackle inequalities in education, particularly in the area of school exclusions. They want to see...

Lesbian Immigration Support Group

LISG is a support group for lesbian and bisexual women asylum seekers based in the Greater Manchester area. Their aims are: to provide...

London Roma Youth Network

London Roma Youth Network exists to raise awareness of, and to stop hatred towards, young Roma. They do public speaking...

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On the right are some of the groups we have funded recently. Visit our past grantees page to view a complete list. Previous grantees Just Education Matters Just Education Matters was set up to tackle inequalities in education, particularly in the area of school exclusions. They want to see...