Friends of the Foundation was launched in May 2010 and its aim is to bring like-minded businesses and individuals together into a ‘circle of giving’. Each member of the initiative donates a regular amount each year and part of this donation was used to launch the Friends of the Foundation Fund.

The Fund's theme for 2024 is United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty: 'End poverty in all its forms everywhere'.

Groups can apply for a maximum of £4,000. The projects must commence in Spring 2025. We welcome proposals that address poverty in a variety of different ways. Some of the types of projects could include:

• Providing food support -  this could include food parcels, purchasing stock for food banks, community fridges or larders and projects that are identifying and working with the most vulnerable residents in Northamptonshire who may be struggling to access affordable and nutritious food, including those who have no recourse to public funds and projects that promote diversity, equity and inclusion such as projects providing culturally appropriate foods.
• Providing essential items - this could include toiletries, blankets, hot water bottles, clothing
• Provide advice services - advice on energy consumption and payments, benefit eligibility checks or debt advice
• Providing support for those looking to enter the workforce - CV writing workshops, support with essential skills such as literary and maths

Applications for this fund closed on Tuesday 3rd December 2024.

Follow this link to make an application: Friends of the Foundation Fund

The Friends of the Foundation panel will meet in January 2025, and you will receive an outcome in February 2025 for projects that commence no earlier than 1st March 2025. 

Is my group eligible?

• Revenue and Capital Funding is eligible
• Your group must be a small, locally managed, voluntary, community or self-help group. Please note that as a general exclusion we do not fund social enterprises with persons with significant control (PSC).
• We wish to fund small projects – we will offer grants of up to £4,000. Your total budget for the project you are applying for cannot be more than £20,000
• You must have people volunteering to help with your activity, who are not part of your management committee
• You must have a set of written rules or constitution that your group adheres to. We can help advise you on how to do this especially if you are a new group
• You must take care to ensure that young people or vulnerable people taking part in your activity do not come to any harm whilst in your care. To this end, you must have written procedures for keeping young people and/or vulnerable people safe otherwise known as a Child Protection or Vulnerable people’s policy.
• You must also have an equalities policy in place. This will be needed as a condition of funding. This will be needed as a condition of funding. You must also have an Equity and Diversity Policy. If you do not have these policies, visit our Help for Groups section.

Go to grant deadlines for all upcoming closing dates.

If you are interested in becoming a Friend of the Foundation, please call the Foundation on 01604 230033. 

Please click here to view our Diversity Statement applicable to our grant awards.

Our funds and programmes are working towards the 9 UN SDGs we have adopted into our charitable activities. For more information please click here