# More funding opportunities in February 2026

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2026/02/17/more-funding-opportunities-in-february-2026/
- Published: 2026-02-17T12:26:29+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**Our second selection of funding opportunities and developments in February 2026
include the Spring Funder from Black Funding Network, new grants and strategy from
the Quilter Foundation, a major grants programme from the Veterans’ Foundation, 
a new fund from the SP Energy Networks, and an independent evaluation of the impact
of the £11.8 million Commonwealth Games legacy fund.**

## **£10,000 trust donation saves disabled children’s charity’s drama club from closure**

The future of Friends for Leisure’s Macclesfield drama group has been secured thanks
to a £10,000 donation from The Pastest Charitable Trust, the result of a chance 
family conversation.

## Advertisement

Hugh Campbell, a trustee of The Pastest Charitable Trust, found out about the drama
club’s situation from his daughter, Isla, who is a volunteer at Friends for Leisure,
and has stepped in with the generous donation.

![Amanda Hunt, Friends for Leisure](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2026/02/
Amanda-Hunt.jpeg)

Amanda Hunt

Amanda Hunt, General Manager at Friends for Leisure, said: “The Macclesfield group
has been running for over 20 years, and it would have been incredibly sad to have
shut its doors. Thanks to this donation we’re able to plan for the future and the
kids can continue building on the friendships they’ve already made while attending
the drama sessions.” 

## Heart of the Community Awards

![Making A Difference Locally logo](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2026/02/
image-11.png)

_Making a Difference Locally_

The [Making a Difference Locally Heart of the Community Awards](https://www.nisalocally.co.uk/community/)
funding giveaway closes on Friday this week. If you know a community group or local
project that could benefit from £1,000 towards their great work, now’s the time 
to act. Nominations can be made by anyone, including those who work or volunteer
for the local group.

Call into your [local Co‑op Wholesale](https://www.nisalocally.co.uk/stores/search)
supplied convenience store and ask them to enter on your behalf.

## Applications open for Spokesperson Leadership Programme 2026

![Quote from Valerie Lolomari about the impact of the Sound delivery Media's Spokesperson
training programme](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2026/02/image-9.png)

Image: Sounddelivery Media

Sounddelivery Media’s seven-month Spokesperson Leadership Programme supports grassroots
leaders to amplify their lived experience and expertise with purpose. People receive
tailored training, one-to-one support, peer learning, and media and public speaking
opportunities, building the confidence and skills to drive meaningful change. **
The programme is free to take part in.**

They are looking for 14 new grassroots leaders who are advocating for their communities
and are ready to grow their reach and influence.

You may want to apply if you:

 * Run or are part of a user-led organisation, charity, CIC or collective
 * Use your lived experience to raise awareness and advocate for change
 * Want to speak more publicly, particularly in the media and with policymakers
 * Are ready to take on new opportunities and expand your impact

Applications for [Sounddelivery Media’s Spokesperson Leadership Programme](https://www.sounddelivery.org.uk/spokesperson-network/leadership-programme/)
close on** Friday 20 March 2026 at 12pm**.

## Black Funding Network’s Spring Funder

![Black Funding Network](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2026/02/image-3.png)

Image: Black Funding Network

Applications for the Black Funding Network’s Spring Funder are open to eligible 
organisations with an annual income of under £100,000.

The funding is for “Black-led grassroots organisations doing meaningful work within
UK communities”.

If you apply you need to be able to show your impact, your leadership, and the future
that you are focused on and how your change will last.

If your organisation is shortlisted you will need to be available for a virtual 
introduction session, two online pitch practices, as well as the Spring Funder event
itself (mid-April, 3pm–9:30pm, London).

You can download the Black Funding Network’s guide for [applications](https://www.canva.com/design/DAGdGlmFZME/u0N8T9oyATUbqP0heSotjQ/view).
The deadline for applications is **22 February 2026 at midnight GMT**.

## Quilter Foundation announces new strategy and grants

[The Quilter Foundation](https://www.quilter.com/about-us/quilter-foundation/?Region=uk&Role=cust)
has announced a refreshed strategy and the launch of new charity grants, marking
a shift from traditional short-term grant-making to developing deeper, strategic
partnerships focused on building financial capability at key life stages.

![Quilter colleagues taking part in a charity walk round London to raise funds for
the Quilter Foundation. Image: Quilter Foundation](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.
cloud/2026/02/image-4.png)

_Quilter colleagues taking part in a charity walk round London to raise funds for
the Quilter Foundation. Image: Quilter Foundation_

This change introduces two main funds:

 1. **New Financial Futures Fund:** This fund offers substantial multi-year grants 
    worth up to £1 million over five years. It is designed to support large-scale UK
    programs that deliver financial education to priority groups at critical life moments(
    e.g., entering the workforce, financial hardship, retirement planning). 
    This fund
    also underpins a volunteer-led ‘Financial Education in Schools’ initiative launching
    by the 2026/27 academic year, developed with partner Money Ready.[Expressions of interest](https://www.quilter.com/about-us/quilter-foundation/our-strategy-and-partners/financial-futures-fund/invitation-to-submit-an-expression-of-interest-eoi/)
    are invited by **13 March**, with a pre-application webinar on **23 February**.
 2. **Brighter Together Fund:** This has developed from the previous Local Community
    Fund and provides two levels of funding:
 3.  * **Initial Grants:** **Up to £5,000**, distributing funds raised by Quilter employees
       and advisers to trusted local organisations for tailored, impactful community
       support. These are not yet available for application as Quilter employees and
       advisers submit nominations for the grants.
     * **Growth Grants:** Up to an annual commitment of **£10,000 for three years**,
       [available only to organisations](https://www.quilter.com/about-us/quilter-foundation/our-strategy-and-partners/brighter-together-fund/)
       that have previously received Quilter Foundation funding or an initial Brighter
       Together grant, offering longer-term, higher-level support.

The Foundation emphasises a “[funder plus](https://www.quilter.com/about-us/quilter-foundation/funder-plus/)”
approach, combining financial grants with non-financial support to enable charity
partners to thrive and foster long-term, collaborative relationships. Since 2018,
the Foundation has donated **over £4.3 million**.

The Quilter Foundation was established by Quilter plc, the wealth management business.

## Major grants programme from Veterans’ Foundation for organisations supporting the military family

![New major grants funding opportunity, opening 2 March 2026 from the Veterans' 
Foundation.](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2026/02/image-5.png)

Image: Veterans’ Association

The Veterans’ Foundation is launching a new major grants programme next month, offering
grants of between £200,000 and £500,000 for “collaborative, partnership-led projects
that test new approaches, generate insight, or explore solutions to complex challenges
facing veterans and their families”.

Launched in its 10th anniversary year, the programme increases the charity’s investment
in organisations delivering real support to serving personnel, veterans and their
families across the UK. To date the Foundation has awarded more than £32 million
in grants to over 550 charities.

Grants will be available for projects running from 12–24 months, supporting work
such as:

 * Testing or piloting new approaches
 * Action learning or feasibility projects
 * Impact research
 * Cross-sector partnership working

The opportunity is for partnerships involving two or more organisations, with a 
registered charity or CIC (Ltd by Guarantee) as the lead partner.

The grants will support organisations working across the Foundation’s five key themes,
including: Community & Relationships, Employment Skills & Education, Health & Wellbeing,
Housing& Homelessness and Tackling Disadvantage.

**Stewart Macgregor**, Head of Grants at the Veterans’ Foundation, said:

“The programme will enable charitable organisations to test ideas, learn together,
and shape better long-term support. We welcome applications from those already supporting
veterans and their families, partnerships ready to explore new approaches, and groups
with the ambition to influence wider practice, policy or system change.”

Expressions of Interest in the [Veterans’ Foundation’s Major Grant](http://www.veteransfoundation.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant)
programme open on **Monday 2 March 2026 and close on Monday 20 April 2026**.

## SP Energy Networks opens its new Community Benefit funding programme

![SP Energy Networks, in partnership with localgiving, is accepting applications
for the SP Energy Networks community benefit fund. ](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.
cloud/2026/02/image-6.png)

_Image: Localgiving_

Scottish Power Energy Networks has opened its new Community Benefit funding programme.
The first tranche of funding will offer grants from a pot of **£7.8mn** alongside
practical support to community groups based near eligible transmission infrastructure
in central and southern Scotland.

From creating opportunities for skills development and employability support to 
improving cohesion and enhancing green spaces, the funds aim to bring community-
led projects to life through grassroots, local and strategic grants.

SP Energy Networks and delivery partner Localgiving will also roll out a programme
of capacity-building support, including in-person upskilling events, online guidance
and tailored workshops to help communities develop impactful projects.

Applications for [Scottish Power Energy Networks Community Benefit fund](https://localgiving.org/sp-energy-networks-community-benefit-funding)
opened on 20 January and will **close on 8 May 2026**.

## Benefits of Commonwealth Games legacy fund revealed

![£11.8 million, 388 grants from the Inclusive Communities Fund](https://wfay6x.
infiniteuploads.cloud/2026/02/image-7.png)

_Inclusive Communities Fund announcement of funding made._

More than one in 10 people across the West Midlands and Warwickshire have benefitted
from a
major £11.8 million Commonwealth Games legacy fund, a new study has found.

An [independent report evaluating the impact of the Inclusive Communities Fund](https://www.heartofenglandcf.org/what-does-community-funding-look-like-in-practice/)(
ICF), which saw
over £11.8 million awarded to 388 organisations making a difference
to communities right across theregion, has been published.

It has revealed that 468,908 people benefitted from the ICF – amounting to 122 people
in every
1,000 of the West Midlands and Warwickshire population.

The ICF was set up by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) with funding from
the
Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS), and administered by the Heart
of EnglandCommunity Foundation in 2024.

The funding supported a variety of projects and initiatives, ranging from providing
accessible sports
activities for young people and community music classes, to funding
support for survivors ofdomestic abuse and help for those dealing with addiction,
with the report finding that more than athird of overall projects helped improve
mental health and wellbeing.

A total of 56% of projects helped reduce social isolation, 53% increased access 
to sport
and 51% supported vulnerable people.

The impact report has revealed that the largest amount of funding was spent on staff,
with £3.8
million helping to create 149 jobs and attract more than 5,400 volunteers.

A [full list of projects awarded funding through the Inclusive Communities Fund](https://www.heartofenglandcf.org/11-8million-awarded-from-the-inclusive-communities-fund/)(
ICF) can be found at the Heart of England Community Foundation.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games were held in Birmingham from 28 July to 8 August 2022,
involving 11 days of sport with over 6,600 athletes from 72 nations. It was the 
biggest multi-sport event in England since 2012.

## Rewilding Innovation Fund applications deadline nears

![Rewilding Britain logo](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2026/02/image-12.
png)

Image: Rewilding Britain

The Rewilding Innovation Fund aims to remove barriers to rewilding across Britain.
Whether your site or project is in the early planning stages or looking to try out
a new approach, you can apply to this fund.

From business plans to feasibility studies, community engagement to trialling the
latest technology, Rewilding Britain funds works that could potentially unlock further
funding for you or move you up the rewilding scale.

We choose the projects, which must be in England, Wales or Scotland, that they consider
will have the highest impact on people and nature, on land and sea, with opportunities
for shared learning with the Rewilding Network.

Projects have two opportunities to apply for funding through the Rewilding Innovation
Fund each year, in the new year and summer. Applications for our ** [Rewilding Britain Rewilding Innovation Fund](https://www.rewildingbritain.org.uk/how-to-rewild/funding-for-rewilding/rewilding-innovation-fund)**
are open until **28 February**.

 * **[Funding opportunities in February 2026](https://fundraising.co.uk/2026/02/09/funding-opportunities-in-february-2026/)(
   9 February 2026)**