We manage hundreds of grant applications each year and in doing so, we’ve learned many of questions you often have for us.
Take a look below to see if we can help! If your question isn’t here, you can always contact us.
Skip to questions about:
Applying for funding
Our organisation needs funding but we don’t know if we’re eligible for the Trust's funding programmes?
Have you tried our eligibility checker?
It takes you through the basic eligibility for any of our programmes. It covers everything from how your organisation is set up, how your finances are managed and what type of activities you need funding for.
If it shows you could be eligible, you’ll then need to read the detailed guidance for the specific programme you want to apply for, to see if it’s right for your project.
We meet your standard eligibility but aren’t sure why we’re not eligible for this programme
Meeting our standard eligibility does not mean you are eligible for every programme. Each of our funding programmes has its own eligibility criteria and priorities. Make sure you check the full programme guidance for eligibility before making your application.
Our organisation needs funding but we don't know which programme to apply to - can I talk to someone at the Trust?
The aims and eligibility criteria differ for each of our funding programmes, so you need to read these and decide if your project is a fit. We can’t advise you about making an application, but if you still have questions after reading the programme guidance, you can email us.
Can I apply as an individual?
No. We are only able to fund projects led by organisations.
We are not eligible to apply to your funding programmes, can you tell us where else we can apply?
One of the following may have more information. Please note these links will all open external websites.
- NCVO for organisations based in England
- SCVO for organisations based in Scotland
- NICVA for organisations based in Northern Ireland
- WCVA for organisations based in Wales
- You could also visit https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/
Why are the programme guidance documents so detailed?
We pride ourselves on being a fair and inclusive grant maker. To give all applicants the best chance of submitting a great application for funding, we provide as much useful information as we can at the earliest stage.
It’s there to help you fully understand a programme’s planned outcomes and priorities, what makes a strong application, what we’re looking for when assessing an application and what comes next if you are funded. This should help you to decide whether this is the right programme for your proposed project.
All funds we distribute are public money, so we have to ensure that projects offer good value. We also include more standardised information about our ethical principles; on working with other organisations; and on showing the change that your project will make. While this information does make our programme guidance longer to read, it helps all applicants understand what we see as important elements of receiving a grant.
Is our ongoing support service counted as a project?
We usually cannot fund routine delivery of an existing service unless you are testing, expanding or adding something distinctly new.
Can I apply for something that is already taking place, or does it have to be something new?
The guidance for each programme will tell you this. However, we can’t award grant funding retrospectively, for something that has already taken place.
How long will I wait for a decision?
Our Board of Trustees makes decisions on grant applications at regular intervals throughout the year. Please refer to the specific programme guidance for programme deadlines and a timeframe for receiving a decision.
What do you mean by ‘reducing duplication’?
You must make sure your project isn’t doing the same thing as other local projects or initiatives that are taking place. Instead, your work should complement other local work. Working with others will help to reduce the risk of duplication.
Does using AI reduce our chances of funding?
Using AI will not disadvantage your application if your answers are accurate, honest and reflect your real work.
We aren’t experienced in applying for grant money, will our application be treated equally?
Yes. Our grants team produces an assessment from your application, which provides a standard approach to decision making – applicants aren’t measured by their ability to complete an application form. Our question set for each programme is consistent to ensure a fair decision can be made. It is vital that you fully read the application guidance for your chosen programme before applying, to give your application the best chance of success.
Can I have more than one award from the Trust at any given time?
Yes – although you should read the eligibility criteria for individual programmes, as some may have specific requirements on this.
How are decisions made?
Our Board of Trustees or Grants Committee members make decisions based on assessments our grants team produce from your grant application. Our experienced grants team looks at every application we receive, and all assessments are moderated prior to board to ensure balance. Every project is considered on its own merit in line with any programme priorities, geographical location, deliverability and value for money. Final decisions will be made by the Trustees of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust who will review the applications using balancing criteria in addition to the key criteria. The balancing criteria include the relative strength and value for money of the project when viewed as part of a national portfolio of projects.
Funds are limited. Therefore, Trustees will use their discretion to choose which projects to fund, ensuring a good spread of funded projects and to differentiate between projects that are considered fundable.
Does my organisation have to have signed the Covenant to receive a grant?
We do strongly encourage groups to consider signing the Armed Forces Covenant. This shows that your organisation is committed to supporting the armed forces community – find out more.
My application was unsuccessful, can I reapply?
There is sometimes an opportunity to reapply in future rounds of the programme. Once our Trustees have made a decision on which projects to award funding to under any individual funding round, this is final.
How will you use my information, if I have a grant from the Trust?
If you apply for, or are awarded, a grant, we’ll use the information you give us to assess and manage your grant. We will hold this information securely. For more information, please read our privacy policy.
Managing your grant
We’ve been awarded a grant. What happens next?
Head to our Grant Holders Hub to find everything you need to get started, manage your grant with us, report on your progress and shout about your work to the world.
We’ve been awarded a grant. When will we receive our initial payment?
If it’s been more than three weeks since you:
- Completed and returned your offer letter
- Completed your Terms and Conditions PDF Click and Sign document
- Received an email receipt confirming your PDF Click and Sign document is complete AND Submitted evidence of your bank account to docs@covenantfund.org.uk, if you had to complete bank details in the form, please contact us quoting your four-digit Grant Reference Number (found on your Offer Letter and Terms & Conditions).
If you are yet to submit either of the two requirements, please do so immediately.
What if we are awarded grant funding, but then discover a better way of delivering our work?
Sometimes a project will need to change as it develops, and we’re happy to work with you on this as long as your ideas continue to deliver the outcomes for the armed forces community that you originally told us about in your application. Please don’t make any significant changes until you have talked to us and we’ve agreed that you can. You can contact your Grants Officer to discuss this in more detail.
Do we have to pay at Living Wage rates?
What we've funded
How can I find out what awards have been made in my area?
We publish lists of all grants that we award. These are categorised by funding programme and each downloadable award table is broken down into regions. Check out our grant award pages for details of projects funded in your region. You can also use our map of live projects to see projects which are live at the moment.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide contact details for any specific project.
I have a concern about a project that the Trust has funded, what should I do?
Where can I find information about the impact of the Trust’s funding programmes?
Visit our Impact and Insights page to dive in!
You can also read stories from funded projects to meet some of the people behind our grants and those they support.
General Trust questions
Why is there no phone number for the Trust?
We receive a high volume of applications for funding each year. To maximise the funding available, we aim to keep our admin costs low and our support to all applicants consistent through:
- Detailed programme guidance, which all applicants can access, and which contains everything you need to know about applying for a grant from the Trust.
- Published assessment criteria and application questions, so you can spend time planning and considering your application in line with the detailed programme guidance.
- Our inbox info@covenantfund.org.uk for further support should you have queries after reading the programme guidance. This email address is checked daily, and enquiries are dealt with promptly.
How do I access and use the Trust’s logo?
Head to our branding page.
Where can I access the Armed Forces Covenant logo?
You can access the Armed Forces Covenant logo from the MOD’s Brand Portal (external link). Most projects prefer to use the version called AFC POS RBG in the PNG version.
Please note: you will need to create a free account to use the MOD’s Brand Portal.
Is this the Covenant Team?
No – find out About Us.
Visit the Armed Forces Covenant (external website)