Donate

Grants to charities and organisations

Home / Need our help / Grants to charities and organisations

In addition to our individual grants programme, The Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) also makes grants to other charities and organisations that provide services and support to the Army family: serving soldiers, former soldiers, and their immediate families (including the bereaved).

 

Whilst our primary focus will always be on meeting individual need as it arises, we expect to be able to support up to 100 other charities and organisations annually.  Please note:

 

  • We do not normally fund specific (i.e. named) posts and salaries, but will consider contributing to an organisation’s core operating costs of which we recognise general salary costs will be a part of. This is primarily because grants are single-year commitments.
  • We will not fund full costs of any project or provided service.
  • We are unable to fund research projects, sporting activities, expeditions and similar projects.

 

We welcome applications from organisations that meet the following criteria:

  • Are a UK registered charitable organisation or Community Interest Company (CIC).
  • Provide a service that directly supports the Army family, meeting an evidenced need that is not currently being met by statutory or other, including other charitable, providers.
  • Are going concerns that can demonstrate financial sustainability – evidenced through a least one years audited accounts – good governance, and impact.
  • Preference for funding will be given to those charities and organisations that are members of Cobseo.

 

The next Committee will take place in June.  If you have received a grant from ABF in the last two years and are interested in applying for a further grant the application window for the June Committee opens on 24 March.   Note: ABF awards only one grant per charity in each financial year (Apr-Mar).

 

See below for application window details of the various Committees.  To apply please complete the eligibility checker at the bottom of this page during the application window for the relevant Committee.

 

  • June 2026 Committee – application window opens on 24 March and closes on 28 April.
  • November 2026 Committee – application window opens on 25 August and closes on 6 October.
  • February 2027 Committee – Applications from organisations we have not previously supported, or haven’t supported in the last two years, are considered at this committee.  Grants to new partners are unlikely to exceed £20,000.  The application window opens on 8 December 2026 and closes on 19 January 2027.

Who Should Apply

 We welcome applications from organisations that meet the following criteria:
  • Are a UK registered charitable organisation or Community Interest Company (CIC).
  • Provide a service that directly supports the Army family, meeting an evidenced need that is not currently being met by statutory or other, including other charitable, providers.
  • Are going concerns that can demonstrate financial sustainability – evidenced through a least one years audited accounts – good governance, and impact.
  • Preference for funding will be given to those charities and organisations that are members of Cobseo.

How to Apply

Grants Committee Applications

Our Board of Trustees consider applications three time per year: in June, November and February.

Applications from organisations delivering services solely in Scotland are considered at a separate committee, normally held in April.

Applications from organisations we have not previously supported, or haven’t supported in the last two years, are considered at the February committee.

The next Committee will take place in June.  If you have received a grant from ABF in the last two years and are interested in applying for a further grant the application window for the June Committee opens on 24 March.   Note: ABF awards only one grant per charity in each financial year (Apr-Mar).

 

See below for application window details of the various Committees.  To apply please complete the eligibility checker at the bottom of this page during the application window for the relevant Committee.

 

  • June 2026 Committee – application window opens on 24 March and closes on 28 April.
  • November 2026 Committee – application window opens on 25 August and closes on 6 October.
  • February 2027 Committee – Applications from organisations we have not previously supported, or haven’t supported in the last two years, are considered at this committee.  Grants to new partners are unlikely to exceed £20,000.  The application window opens on 8 December 2026 and closes on 19 January 2027.