Apart, not alone: Local Impact grants : Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust

Under the Apart, Not Alone: Local Impact grants programme, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust will award portfolio grants of up to £300,000 for projects that provide targeted support for serving families facing challenges in specific locations in the UK, due to service-related separation.

This is one of two, complementary 2025-26 programmes which aim to address the unique needs of serving armed forces families facing separation, which can have significant impact on different aspects of family life. If you want to apply for the main Apart, Not Alone programme, please use the link below.

Back to the main Apart, Not Alone programme page

Eligibility

We invite applications from:

A registered charity, registered in the UK for at least three years at the time of application, with substantial recent experience of supporting Armed Forces communities.
A local authority.

There is more detailed information about eligibility in the programme guidelines available below. It is important that you read the programme guidance carefully before you apply.

What’s available

You can apply for a portfolio grant of up to £300,000 towards a project delivered in a specific location over a period of up to three years.

We may make more than one award in different locations under this programme.

Themes and priorities

We are looking for projects that benefit armed forces families impacted by service-related separation. This programme aims to mitigate the impact of separation for families of serving personnel and reservists through a place-based (location focused) portfolio project.

By ‘place-based’, we mean “targeted investment in defined geographic areas, that is, a package of support that may comprise: multiple grants; particularly large investments; grants and additional activity (capacity building, networking, influencing work) – within a defined place.” ~ Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR), Working in Place, Collaborative Funding in Practice

You will need to tell us how you will deliver a targeted package of support, delivered through extensive collaboration with the community, in UK locations where serving families experience particular challenges.

Projects will be expected to meet all of the following outcomes:

Families feel more able to manage the impact of loneliness or isolation during periods of separation.
Improved mental health and wellbeing for serving families.
Improved understanding of effective models of support for serving families.
Families experience fewer challenges during reintegration after deployment or extended separation
Enhanced collaboration and streamlined support pathways for the serving community through stronger partnerships and improved service integration.

Deadlines and dates to note

This programme has a two-stage application process. At stage one, we’re looking for expressions of interest (EOI) to act as the single grant holder and lead the portfolio.

The deadline for Expressions of Interest is 12 noon on 23 July 2025. You’ll receive a decision by the end of September 2025.

Successful applicants will then be invited to submit a full application detailing the work the portfolio will undertake. The deadline for stage two applications is 12 noon on 7 January 2026, you’ll receive a decision by the end of March 2026.

Guidance and resources

Before making your application to this programme, we strongly recommend you use the helpful resources below to ensure you make the best application you can.

Download the Apart, not alone Local Impact grants guidance

Apart Not Alone 2025-26 eligibility flowchart

We encourage you to take a look at the application questions before beginning your online application to the Apart, not alone: Local impact grants programme.

You can also view the terms and conditions to receiving a grant.

Application Questions in Word

Please note, this is for reference only and applications can only be made via our online application portal.

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Frequently asked questions

Please note, we will add to this list if and when we receive queries from applicants.

Yes, projects are expected to achieve all five outcomes through their portfolio.

We mean targeted investment in defined geographic areas, that is, a package of support which may comprise: multiple grants; particularly large investments; grants and additional activity (capacity building, networking, influencing work) – within a defined place.” IVAR, Working in Place, Collaborative Funding in Practice

This approach can help to build strong lasting connections which can help to ensure effective long-term support. Portfolio leads should plan to work with statutory and non-statutory partners and aim to share insights and co-ordinate efforts to develop and deliver lasting and sustainable impact for the serving community.

No, the Trust expects that the lead organisation will work with both funded and un-funded partners, to support areas such as capacity building, encourage local buy in and support sustainability efforts which may take time to establish. Funds should not be solely retained by the lead organisation.

The information you need to provide us with at this first stage is not extensive. At the Expression of Interest stage we are not looking for detail about the partnerships, projects, activities or long term relationships which you hope to establish in your area. We are looking for your evidence and explanations of the needs of the serving families, information about what consultation/discussions have contributed to your thinking so far, and your vision of what could be achieved should the project be successful.

Depending on the number and quality of applications received the Trust intends to make more than one award in different locations where serving families may be experiencing particular challenges

Your project must clearly benefit currently Serving Armed Forces families, which includes Reservists & other personnel recognised under the Covenant such as RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) who have served on a civilian vessel while it was supporting HM Armed Forces.

Projects should be focused on supporting serving families impacted by separation, for example deployment, weekending, or military exercises.

No, Trust funds cannot be used for the benefit of only one person, or for making grants or donations of money or items of value to individuals or families. Please refer to the programme guidance for further information on how funding can and cannot be used.

Applicants should ensure that their project meets the needs of their intended beneficiary group which requires them to understand their specific needs. You will be asked to demonstrate consultation with serving families within your application form, and ongoing consultation is expected throughout delivery. You may also wish to use the latest community needs analysis to help inform this. Continuing to address needs as they emerge will be a fundamental part of delivery.

Under this programme delivery must take place within the UK, only.

There is only one deadline for Expressions of Interest, and you will not be able to re-apply for a place-based project in this financial year if un-successful. However, this programme is one of two complementary 25-26 programmes under the “Apart Not Alone” strand, you may therefore be eligible to apply in time for round 2 of this programme (add link) for a pilot project for example.

We’re updating the way you apply for grants!

Our new grants portal makes the application process simpler and more user-friendly. Click here for a step-by-step guide and tips to help you get started.

Ready to apply?

If you’ve read the guidance and ready to begin your application, please click below