Armed Forces Covenant Fund: Force for Change programme : The Armed Forces Covenant Trust

Introduction

In early 2020, the Trust ran an open consultation to explore how we should make small grants locally.

Using the feedback we received, we’ve designed a new local grants programme, awarding grants up to £20,000 to projects supporting Armed Forces communities to become less isolated and engage more in their local area.

We know that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact. The two rounds of funding we are running this year will support local Armed Forces communities as they address the needs that have arisen as a result of Covid-19. See below for more info.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, your organisation must be one of the following.

An established registered charity or Community Interest Company (CIC) with substantial recent experience of supporting Armed Forces communities.
An Armed Forces unit or base.
A local authority.
A school.

Under this programme, we cannot support:

individuals
academy trusts – you cannot apply for an overarching project across your academy chain, though individual schools can apply
a charity or CIC, which doesn’t have substantial recent experience of supporting Armed Forces communities.
other public sector organisations – but you could work with one of the types of organisation listed above as a delivery partner.

A full list of eligibility is available in the programme guidance below.

What’s available

One year grants of up to £20,000

Themes and priorities

We will fund a wide range of projects under this programme. However, you must be able to show us that your project fits under one of these two main themes.

Empowering Armed Forces communities to become more engaged in their local area.
Providing opportunities for isolated members of the Armed Forces community to take part in activities that improve general wellbeing.

This year, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, we will be particularly welcoming applications for projects that help Armed Forces communities move to the ‘new normal’ while continuing to support local needs and reduce isolation. There will be a particular focus on ensuring volunteers can carry out local projects, including supporting projects that:

give volunteers the resources they need to support more vulnerable members of the Armed Forces community
use volunteers to build on the work of the Veterans Should Not Be Forgotten and Forces Communities Together programmes
involve volunteers to help reduce isolation locally
offer digital support, using volunteers to work with people from Armed Forces communities to build their digital skills.

Deadlines and dates to note

This programme will remain open until noon on 30 November 2020.

To be considered in Round 1, you’ll need to have your application to us by noon on Friday 11 September 2020 and can expect to receive a decision in the week commencing 16 November 2020.

To be considered in Round 2, you’ll need to have your application to us by noon on Monday 30 November 2020 and can expect to receive a decision before the end of February 2021.

Please note, the online application portal is not yet open. In the meantime, take a look at the application questions below, to begin planning your application.

Take part in our programme webinar

Thinking of applying to this funding programme? Register to attend our webinar, 10.30am on 18 August, to find our more about the Force for Change programme. After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email.

Guidance and resources

Take a look at the application questions in this downloadable Word document. This is for info only. To apply, you must use the link below. You can also access your Terms & Conditions to grant here.