Frequently asked questions
We are specialist organisation, with a long history of working in our field of expertise, but we have not previously worked to address the needs of the armed forces community. Can we apply for funding from this programme?
This is a specialist programme designed to offer support to Veterans who may have particularly complex needs.
Under this programme, charities and CICs which do not have substantial recent experience of working with the armed forces community can apply. We recognise that some veterans who have had adverse experiences during their Service would prefer to access support from non-armed forces organisations. However, applicants must be able to demonstrate significant knowledge of the armed forces community, or the proposed project must be delivered in partnership with another organisation (or organisations) which have substantial recent experience of working with armed forces communities or which are armed forces-specific.
There is more information in the programme guidance.
Does my project have to meet all the programme outcomes?
It depends on the size of grant and project length that you are applying for. If you are applying for a grant of £50k-£100k for a project of between one year and 18 months in duration, your project will only need to focus on one outcome.
For larger applications of up to £300k towards projects lasting three to four years, applicants must address all the programme outcomes. Please see the application guidance for further information about the programme outcomes.
We have looked at a lot of reports in the preparation of our application to this funding programme. How will this evidence of need be assessed?
A strong application will have a clear link between needs identified in robust published research or reviews and the activities within the project that you are seeking funding for. In the application form we will ask you to tell us about the evidence you have looked at and provide links.
Our assessment process will include a review of this evidence in conjunction with your planned project to consider how close the correlation is between the evidence and your proposal and to see if the planned project activities would be an effective response to the current beneficiary needs identified in the research or equivalent evidence.
There is more information in the programme guidance document about the types of evidence we can accept under this programme.
The guidance states that you will not consider funding projects where a more appropriate route would be for the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS). Can you provide more information about this?
If a veteran’s needs can be addressed by the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) such as medical treatment, financial compensation, or services directly connected to a service-related injury or illness, those should be addressed through the AFCS, not this grant programme.
The projects funded under this programme will offer additional services or fill gaps not covered by the AFCS. If your project deals with issues already covered by the AFCS, it would be more appropriate to direct those individuals to seek help through that scheme. More information about the work of the AFCS can be found here: Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The guidance states that you will not consider funding projects which could encroach on the work of the Service Complaints Ombudsman. Can you provide more information about this?
Projects that focus on issues handled by the Service Complaints Ombudsman such as investigating complaints, offering legal advice on service conditions, or representing service members in the complaints process are not eligible for funding under this grant programme.
If your project addresses issues that the Ombudsman would typically handle, those concerns should be addressed under the established Service Complaints process. More information about the work of the Service Complaints Ombudsman can be found here: Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces | Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces.
I have an idea for a project but I’m not sure if it will be funded. Can I talk it through with someone at the Trust before I submit my application?
All the information you need to apply is included in the programme guidance and application resources published on our website. This will help you to decide whether to apply to this programme. To ensure that all applicants are treated fairly, we are unable to provide additional, individualised advice.
If there are any aspects of the guidance that are not clear, please contact us at info@covenantfund.org.uk
Awards made
| Year awarded | Programme | Funder | Organisation name | Project title | Project description | Project location | Grant amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Fulfilling Futures Programme | Covenant Fund | British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association | Therapeutic Activities for Limbless Veterans | Blesma will deliver a new, three-year therapeutic wellness programme to support limbless and injured veterans. Activities, support, and mentoring opportunities will break down barriers and help individuals progress positively through their recovery. This will reduce isolation, and improve quality of life, while supporting sustainable connections with the wider armed forces community | UK-wide | 300,000.00 |
| 2025 | Fulfilling Futures Programme | Covenant Fund | Service Dogs UK | New Training Hub in Buckinghamshire | The Hub will provide a dedicated space where armed forces veterans with PTSD can come together in a supportive environment, be paired with and train their assistance dog in a group alongside other veterans with similar complex needs, reducing isolation, improving their wellbeing, building connections and sharing their recovery journeys. | England/South East | 37,588.00 |
| 2025 | Fulfilling Futures Programme | Covenant Fund | DEFENCE MEDICAL WELFARE SERVICE (DMWS) | Improving NI Veterans’ mental health | DMWS will support veterans with special consideration and their families in Northern Ireland to access the mental health support they need. Providing clinical support through Registered Nurses, this new approach will help veterans and their families to manage complex mental health conditions such as PTSD and fulfil their futures. | Northern Ireland | 298,470.00 |
| 2025 | Fulfilling Futures Programme | Covenant Fund | The Bridge for Heroes | LGBT+ Veterans Voice | This project will support LGBT+ veterans, families and carers, and other minority groups, such as female veterans, in the East of England. By improving awareness, providing targeted services, and building connections with existing veteran organisations, the project will address specific needs, reduce isolation, and ensure long-term integration of support within veteran services. | England/East | 73,129.00 |
| 2025 | Fulfilling Futures Programme | Covenant Fund | Turn to Starboard | Project Vitamin Sea | Through project Vitamin Sea, Turn to Starboard will offer tailored, healing and recovery themed sailing retreats for women veterans with trauma-based mental health challenges, directly linked to experiences of Military Sexual Trauma (MST). This project has been developed and will be run in collaboration with charity, Salute Her UK. | England/South West | 50,000.00 |
| 2025 | Fulfilling Futures Programme | Covenant Fund | We Are With You | The Rebuild Project | The Rebuild Project is a women-centred pilot initiative designed to support women veterans who are facing challenges with drugs and alcohol, while also addressing trauma related to their experiences in the armed forces. The project will include evidence-based clinical therapy alongside broader drug and alcohol support. | UK-wide | 93,000.00 |
| 2025 | Fulfilling Futures Programme | Covenant Fund | Fighting With Pride | The Journey Home | The Journey Home will find, connect and support LGBT+ veterans, families and carers, specifically those most affected by the ‘gay ban’, linking them with reparations and the support they need. A volunteer programme will also be developed where veterans can contribute, providing peer support and further developing relationships with the wider military community. | UK-wide | 287,500.00 |
