Grants for small UK Charities

Grants of £2,000 to £15,000 are available for small charities that are improving life for people and places in lasting ways.

A little help
for the helpers

Our grant scheme application page will reopen August 2026.

Purpose

Our desire is to have a positive impact on people’s lives.

This grant scheme is designed to assist the work of small UK charities in particular; who often provide high impact services with very limited resources. We hope to provide funding to a large number of charities each year, whilst minimising the administrative burden on those who apply.

These grants are available to UK Registered Charities with a reported total gross income of up to £500,000.

Typically, gifts will be between £2,000 and £15,000, though larger grants may be awarded on occasions where we feel an exceptional impact is being made.

The grants are made as personal gifts by the Founder of Downland, which makes them eligible for enhancement under the UK Government’s Gift Aid scheme.
Funding decisions and payments are made in June and November each year.

Applications can be made online throughout the year using our online form.

Requirements

  • We are looking for projects which have clear intent to improve places and lives.

  • Open to UK Registered Charities and CICs.

  • Eligible charities may have a Total Gross Income of up to £500,000.

  • Applications must be made by a registered Trustee or authorised employee (commission and fee-based applications cannot be accepted for this scheme).

  • We are particularly motivated to assist disadvantaged, suffering, poorly treated or neglected groups of people.

  • We favour projects which demonstrate lasting impact that will continue to help over time.

  • We give priorty to UK registered charity entities such as CIOs, Charitable Trusts and Charities Incorporated by Guarantee.

Application Proccess

  • Applications require just one short form and a set of published accounts.

  • There are no formal ongoing reporting requirements or special usage restrictions once a gift has been made however we value and appreciate progress updates however informal.

  • Charities can apply for Gift Aid to increase the size of the donation by 25% under the UK Government’s scheme.

  • We decide upon and issue grants in June and November of each year. In exceptional circumstances such as funding crises or match funding, we act spontaneously.

Frequent questions answered

  • Open to Registered Charities in England. We also support Community Interest Companies and other structures on a case by case basis but priority is given to charities.

    Eligible charities may have a Total Gross Annual Income of up to £500,000.

  • Applications must be made by a registered Trustee or authorised employee (commission and fee-based applications cannot be accepted for this scheme).

  • We are looking for projects which have clear intent to improve lives. We are particularly motivated to assist disadvantaged, suffering, poorly treated or neglected groups of people.

    We favour projects which will have a lasting impact that will continue to help people or places over time.

  • Typically, gifts will be between £2,000 and £15,000, though larger grants may be awarded on occasions where we feel an exceptional impact is being made.

    Please try to request an amount that suits your specific project needs rather than requesting the largest amount possible.

  • No, we are not a charity. We are family owned company with benevolent goals.

    Once grant allocations are decided, our Founder, David James Bailey makes the donations personally on behalf of himself and his family.

  • A charity can apply once per year

  • We review applications in groups, twice each year. We typically decide upon and issue grants in June and November of each year. In exceptional circumstances such as funding crises or match funding, we act spontaneously. Whilst we try to respond to everybody due to limited resources we cannot promise this and encourage you to contact us directly if you have any questions or concerns.

  • Yes. We look favourably on match funding applications as well as on applications to reach a “stretch goals” for community fundraising.