Philanthropic Community Benefit Society The Edge Fund supports endeavours to achieve social, economic and environmental justice and to end imbalances in wealth and power. It aims to be a resource for small organisations with an annual income of £25,000 or less that struggle to secure funding from other sources and supports those taking action for a just, equitable and sustainable world (please note that registered charities, CICs and social enterprises are rarely funded).
Work should challenge abuses of power and aim to bring an end to the systems that cause injustice. This could be the economic system, political system, or any system that discriminates against people based on their identity or background, such as class, ability, gender, race, nationality, religion, sexuality, age or other factors. It also gives those it aims to help a say in where the money goes. The Fund is open to all groups that are working towards systemic change, and whose work is in line with Edge Fund's values.
Grants are available for:
o All types of non-profit organisations, including groups that are not formally registered.
o Groups based in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.
o Groups who have a religious purpose are welcome to apply, but financial support for any activity, initiative or project where the primary aim is to promote religion cannot be funded.
o Smaller groups that struggle to get funding elsewhere, particularly if other funders might consider them to be too radical. The average income of groups funded is approximately £2,500.
o Work addressing issues facing a particular community that is led by that community, and
o Work that creates long-term change in society by addressing the causes of injustice and inequality.
Applicants (who do not need to be a formally constituted group to be able to apply) that meet the following criteria below may apply for a grant of up to £1,000. Around 40 applicants are expected to be funded. There is no matched funding requirement.
o A not-for-profit organisation.
o Addressing issues facing a particular community (for example racism) to be led by that community (for example people of African and Asian heritage), and
o Small groups with a small annual income that struggle to get funding elsewhere. (To date, funding has not been awarded to any group with an annual income of more than £25,000.)
Listings of previous grant recipients can be found on the Fund’s website.
Funding is not available for:
o Any activity, initiative or project where the primary aim is to promote religion.
o Any major financial changes to the group between applying and the funding day.
o Applications from individuals.
o Commercial or business activity.
o Groups or individuals outside of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.
o Groups that have several paid staff.
o Groups that receive funding from mainstream sources e.g. National Lottery Community Fund or local council.
o Groups which have been formed within six months of applying to Edge Fund.
o International groups or issues; however, groups that are targeting the UK for its role in an injustice outside the UK can apply e.g. a campaign against a UK-based corporation for their operations overseas.
o Organisations with an income exceeding £25,000.
o Political parties.
o Registered charities, CICs or social enterprises are rarely funded.
o Service user groups of larger charities, or
o Traditional charity work that only aims to, for example, improve health and well-being, relieve financial hardship and unemployment, improve social inclusion and harmony, conserve the environment, advance education and training.
Further information, guidance and details about how to apply is available on the Edge Fund’s website.
The Fund will open to applications on Monday 3rd October 2022 and close on Monday 31st October 2022.
