ABF the Soldier’s Charity provides grants to individuals and organisations. Organisational grants, which are the subject of this feature, provide grant support for registered charities and organisations for projects and activities that directly benefit the Army Community in the following 6 priority areas:

1. Education and employability.
2. Elderly care.
3. Families.
4. Housing.
5. Independent living, and
6. Mental health.

For the purposes of the Charity’s grant support, the term, “Army Community” includes veterans, serving soldiers, their families and immediate dependants.

While there is no minimum or maximum award level, the vast majority of grants made to organisations are for less than £15,000, particularly for applicants with which the Charity has no previous grant-making relationship. For applicants with an established relationship, awards can be for significantly higher amounts. The Charity normally expects a matched funding contribution from applicants.

During the year ended 31st March 2023, the Charity awarded grants from its General Fund totalling £2,788,000  (2022: £2,028,000). Further awards were made from Designated Funds and Restricted Funds. Awards ranged from £2,000 to £200,000.

Funding is not available for:

o Core operating costs.
o Specific posts and salaries.
o Study trips, gap years, fundraising expeditions or sponsorship, or
o Umbrella and infrastructure organisations.

Further information, guidance and details about how to apply is available on the Charity’s website. Applications must be submitted by email using the address below.

Meetings to consider grant requests are normally held in February, June and November annually. The deadline for applications to the June meeting is Tuesday 12th March 2024.  The deadline for the November 2024 meeting is likely to be in August or September.

There is a separate, annual, application process for eligible organisations in Scotland. Please check the Charity’s website for further information.