Grants for Good
Supporting small organisations.
Grants for Good is funded by the John Good Group and is designed to direct funding only to small and growing local charities, voluntary groups or social enterprises that are making a big impact on communities, people or the environment. To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a UK-based local community group, charity, voluntary group or social enterprise
- Have an annual income of less than £50,000.
- Have a bank account in the organisation’s name.
An easy applications process.
We appreciate that it can be really hard work and a steep learning curve when you are starting out a new charity or project. A funder that is right for you can often be difficult to find and manage due to demanding applications processes and inflexible funding restrictions.
This programme, funded by the John Good Group, offers unrestricted funds that you can use for any of your organisation’s costs, including core running costs, and our applications process is a short and as simple as possible, which is great for those looking to make their first steps into applying for their first funding opportunity. We do get a lot of applications though – so please read though our advice section – which will help you give your application the best chance of being shortlisted.
How it works
The Grants for Good Fund awards £60,000 of funding annually between twenty charitable organisations. The applications cycle runs quarterly, meaning every three months, we will share £15,000 between five shortlisted projects.
Shortlisted projects will receive one of the following amounts, dependant on the result of John Good Group’s employee vote:
1st
PLACE
£5,000
2nd
PLACE
£3,500
3rd
PLACE
£2,500
4th & 5th
PLACE
£2,000
When is it awarded?
Charities and organisations are welcome to apply all year around – and your application will be considered in the next funding round. Our annual cycle always looks like this:
16 December – 15 March
Applications for funding announced in May/June
16 March – 15 June
Applications for funding announced in August/September
16 June – 15 September
Applications for funding announced in November/December
16 September – 15 December
Applications for funding announced in February/March
Please note – we receive a lot of applications, and it can take our small team a long time to process these, so we cannot commit to a specific date the funding will be awarded, but we aim to do this within three months of the deadline for each round.
Step 1: Longlisting
At the end of each applications window, the Grants for Good panel process applications into a longlist. Longlisted organisations will be contacted for the next stage of the process.
At this stage we get to know your organisation a little better by approaching your named referee for a reference, holding a very informal, short meeting with you (usually by video call) to discuss your project further, and conducting our due diligence checks.
Step 2: Shortlisting
The panel will decide on the final five projects to receive a share of £15,000. At this point we will let you know you have successfully made the shortlist and will be awarded an amount between £2,000 and £5,000.
If you did not make our shortlist – we will email you to let you know. You will not need to re-apply, as your application will still be considered in future rounds. However, you may apply again later if your project requirements change, and you are still eligible.
Step 3: Member Voting
We will use all the information we have gathered on your project to build a feature page on our website (which we will send to you for approval), which will be shared with employees of the John Good Group who will then vote for their favourite. Voting takes place internally at the John Good Group and the results will not be visible until the end of the vote.
Step 4: Results
As soon as the vote closes, we will let you know the outcome of the vote and transfer your funding award. The Foundation and the John Good Group will also announce the shortlist and winners on their public platforms.
Step 5: After the results
After the results have been announced – your project page will remain on the Grants for Good section of our website. We will contact you a few times in the years following your funding award to check on the progress and impact your project is making. This helps us measure the impact of our funding, and we also love to help you to share any good news from your organisation.
Making the most of your application
Whilst applying is a quick and easy process – you will still need to make your application stand out amongst the many applications we receive for every round. Here are some tips from us for how you can make your application shine:
Demonstrate innovation
We know that the emerging needs of a community begin to be addressed by grassroots initiatives like yours, the people who are close to the issue and know how to help. A project that is being proactive in finding new and innovative ways to solve problems is more likely to stand out and be shortlisted.
Prove scalability
One of the major reasons we target funding at small charities is because of the potential they have to grow their impact. We are as excited about your big aims as you are, and we want to help you get started on that path. Tell us what your aims are and prove to us that there is a need for your charity to grow, and that will help push you up the shortlist.
Show strong leadership
Don’t be afraid to tell us exactly why you personally are going to make a success of your project. Maybe you have a deep personal reason for starting out this project, or maybe you have a wealth of experience that makes you very effective at what you are doing. Whatever it is, don’t be shy, let us know. When we can see the leadership of an organisation is highly effective, your application is more likely to be shortlisted.
Tell a compelling story
The reasons behind forming a small charity are often based on very authentic personal experiences. Do not underestimate the power of your own story. When we can see the genuine reasons a charity began and how things have developed from that to where you are now, we can see how powerful your cause is and you are more likely to get shortlisted.
Highlight the impact
Many funders will ask for a lot of detail about impact in their application processes. The reason for this is that they have to prove the return they get on their investment. Whilst complicated impact statistics are not required for Grants for Good – the more clearly we can see what the outcomes will be from receiving the grant, the more likely your project is to be shortlisted. Be as specific as you can, and try to give actual amounts that relate to the funding amounts we award (£2,000 – £5,000). For example, if helping one person might cost £100, you could help 20 people with our smallest grant or 50 with our largest.
Ready to apply?
Please click the button to head over to our online application form! Applications cannot be saved and returned to later – so please make sure you are ready to complete it in one go. You will be sent a copy of your application, and any updates using the email address you give us.
Grants for Good Projects
Will Garvey Trust Foundation
The Will Garvey Trust Foundation, based in Derbyshire, was established following the death of Will Garvey. Its mission is to create ‘talking communities’ to prevent youth suicide. Through Wellbeing Libraries, Workshops, and Care Packs, the Foundation supports young people facing mental health challenges. Their impactful initiatives offer vital resources
Dad La Soul
Dad La Soul is reshaping the narrative of fatherhood with its unique Trojan Horse approach. By providing dads with a kick-ass social life and a ready-made, expert, peer-led support network, they create a space for fathers to talk about what they usually ignore. Many dads feel isolated and overwhelmed,
Boss & Brew Academy
Boss & Brew Academy is a Cardiff-based social enterprise empowering young people through the art of coffee. Focused on boosting confidence, enhancing employability, and promoting diversity in hospitality, the charity offers free barista training and work experience opportunities to young people who might otherwise struggle to access them. With
Fair Feast
By addressing both food insecurity and deer overpopulation, Fair Feast is creating a sustainable and impactful solution for local communities in Scotland. They process surplus deer into nutrient-dense venison products, reducing waste while providing low-carbon, healthier, protein-rich food to food banks. Through strategic partnerships and innovative operations, Fair Feast
Sussex Dolphin Project
Based in Brighton, Sussex Dolphin Project is a dedicated marine conservation organisation committed to understanding and protecting local dolphin species. Through research, education, and community engagement, they work to safeguard Sussex’s marine life and coastal ecosystems. Their team, made up of passionate volunteers and specialists, actively collaborates with local
South Yorkshire Charity Mentors
South Yorkshire Charity Mentors (SYCM) provides free, tailored mentoring to leaders of small charities, helping them strengthen their strategic direction and operations. With a network of 41 mentors from diverse sectors, SYCM has supported 60 leaders since its pilot programme, delivering £66,000 worth of free mentoring. After a successful
Thousand Year Trust
The Thousand Year Trust is committed to restoring the UK's Atlantic temperate rainforests, which once covered 20% of the British Isles but now occupy less than 1% of their original extent. Starting at Cabilla in Cornwall, the charity is part of a wider movement to increase rainforest coverage, addressing
Feed the Birds
Loneliness and social isolation significantly impact the elderly and vulnerable, especially those housebound due to illness or age. These individuals often lose connection with their communities and nature, contributing to declining health and mental well-being. Feed the Birds combats this by having volunteers visit clients weekly to refill bird
Halifax Wheelchair Rugby League Club
Halifax Wheelchair Rugby League Club, established in 2005, is a leading UK wheelchair rugby league team with a history of multiple titles. Founded by Malcolm Kielty MBE, the club champions inclusivity and disability sport, offering competitive play and community outreach. Based at Calderdale College, it runs school programs that
Bethel Trust Baby Bank
The Bethel Trust Port Talbot, founded in 2014, is a charity dedicated to alleviating poverty in one of Wales' most deprived areas. Its Bethel Baby Bank provides essential items such as formula, nappies, and clothing to families in need, focusing on marginalised groups and domestic violence survivors. Beyond material
FAQs
Projects that apply for Grants for Good are always unique projects with their own set of circumstances – so we know you will probably have some questions! We’ve tried to answer the questions we get most often below, but if you still don’t have your answer, please email us on info@matthewgoodfoundation.org
Have you received my application?
You should receive an automated email after submitting your application, confirming that your application has been recorded in our system. Please make sure you check your junk folder before getting in touch. If for any reason you did not receive the email, please email us letting us know when you applied and we will let you know if we received your application.
Can I get a copy of my application?
A copy of your application will be sent to you in your automatic confirmation email.
What is the result of my application?
We will email all applicants to let them know the result of your application. We aim to do this within two months of each deadline – but it can sometimes take our small team a little longer. Please make sure you have checked which funding round your application has gone into and when results are predicted by reading the “when is it awarded” section above.
Can I apply again if unsuccessful?
We receive hundreds of applications in each round, and many fantastic projects don’t make our shortlist. However, all applications from eligible organisations will remain in our applications pool and may be shortlisted on a future round, so you do not need to reapply. The only time we recommend reapplying is if the needs of your project change significantly and you would like us to consider your application with the new information.
Does my organisation have to be a registered charity?
Whilst it is really helpful to be a registered charity, we know that organisations like yours are at the start of their journey or may not be in a position to register. Unregistered organisations are very welcome to apply so long as they meet all our criteria. You must also have a bank account in the name of your organisation as we cannot provide funds to personal accounts.
Are CICs eligible?
Yes, Community Interest Companies are welcome to apply for Grants for Good.
Do you make grants to individuals?
Sorry, we do not make grants to individuals. Your application must be on behalf of a community group, organisation or charity.
Do you make grants to sports clubs?
We do not accept applications from private or amateur sports clubs, unless they meet one of the following criteria:
- The club helps those who may otherwise be excluded from mainstream sport due to cost, disability, lack of resource etc.
- The project the club is applying for extends the offering of the sports club to offer additional facilities that are for the wider benefit of the local community or environment
Do I need a bank account?
Yes, you must have a bank account in the name of your organisation. We cannot provide funds to personal accounts.
What if I don't have a full year of accounts?
If you don’t have a full year of accounts because your organisation is new, please let us know what income you have achieved so far in your first year and explain more in the notes section.
Is there any type of organisation that is not eligible?
Grants for Good does not grant funds to:
- Individuals
- Activities promoting political or religious beliefs.
- Sponsorship / fundraising events
- Amateur or private sports clubs
- Organisations with an income of more than £50,000 in the last 12 months
Do you support projects outside of the UK?
We cannot support organisations registered outside of the UK, but we actively encourage applications for UK registered charities that mare making a difference to people and planet with overseas operations.
How can I increase my chances of being shortlisted?
Firstly, make sure you have read all our eligibility criteria and can provide the evidence required. Secondly, read our “make the most of your application” section for tips on how to make your application stand out. Finally, you may wish to look at some of our previous shortlisted organisations to get an idea of what a successful project looks like.