Army Benevolent Fund

Charity Number: 1146420

Annual Expenditure: £15.6M
Throughout England And Wales

Contact Info

Website: www.armybenevolentfund.org

Phone: 020 7901 8900

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £9.2 million (2023/24)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 2-4 months (depending on committee cycle)
  • Grant Range: Up to £15,000 (new applicants); higher for established partners
  • Geographic Focus: UK national with international reach (52 countries)

Contact Details

  • Website: www.armybenevolentfund.org
  • Email (General): info@soldierscharity.org
  • Email (Charity Grants): externalgrants@armybenevolentfund.org
  • Phone: 020 7901 8900
  • Address: Head Office, Victoria, London

Note: Organizations not supported in the previous 24 months must contact externalgrants@armybenevolentfund.org before making a formal submission.

Overview

The Army Benevolent Fund (charity number 1146420) is the national charity of the British Army, providing lifetime support to soldiers, veterans, and their immediate families. Founded to support the Army community, the organization distributed over £9.2 million in charitable expenditure in 2023/24, helping 80,000 people across 52 countries worldwide and funding 86 other charities and organizations. Led by Chief Executive Major General (Ret'd) Tim Hyams CB OBE, the charity focuses on six key areas: independent living, elderly care, education and employability, mental fitness, families, and housing. The charity follows COBSEO Funding Principles in its grant-making and prioritizes grassroots organizations working directly with Army beneficiaries.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Organizational Grants: Variable amounts (typically under £15,000 for first-time applicants)

  • Application method: Email application following initial contact requirement
  • Three annual deadlines (February, June, November committees)
  • Scottish-specific applications considered in April

Individual Grants Programme: Takes priority over organizational grants

  • Delivered through caseworking organizations (SSAFA, Regimental Associations)
  • 48-hour payment turnaround from receipt of case

Priority Areas

The Fund supports projects in six key areas:

  • Independent living: Mobility aids, home adaptations, specialized equipment
  • Elderly care: Nursing, dementia, and palliative care support
  • Education and employability: Training and employment support programs
  • Mental fitness: Mental health services and PTSD support (must meet COBSEO standards)
  • Families: Support for Army families including children's needs
  • Housing: Housing-related assistance and adaptations

Recent grant examples include:

  • £250,000 to Combat Stress for Army veterans battling mental ill-health
  • £150,000 for nursing, dementia, and palliative care for Army residents

What They Don't Fund

  • Government bodies and/or Councils
  • Organizations not supporting soldiers, veterans, and immediate families
  • Repeat applications within 12 months of previous outcome (successful or unsuccessful)
  • Educational/training activities as standalone projects
  • Specific named posts or full salary costs
  • Full project cost recovery
  • Umbrella organizations (preference for grassroots delivery)

Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive: Major General (Ret'd) Tim Hyams CB OBE (appointed 2021)

  • Also serves as Colonel of the Regiment, The Royal Dragoon Guards
  • Emphasizes: “ensuring those who fall into need are supported, so that they can live with independence and dignity”

Chief Operating Officer: Brigadier (Ret'd) Peter Monteith MBE

Chair of Trustees: Simon Heale

Recent Trustee Appointments (2024): Caitlin Hayden, George, and Anna joined the Board in August 2024

Major General Hyams has highlighted the "increasingly complex nature of beneficiaries' needs and the changing demographics of the Army veteran cohort, with some 44% of veterans now being below the age of 65."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For New Applicants (not supported in previous 24 months):

  • Most recent Annual Report
  • Audited Accounts
  • Supporting documentation (case studies, project plans)

For Existing Partners:

Submit applications ahead of June or November committee meetings

Decision Timeline

  • Grants Committee meets: Three times yearly (February, June, November)
  • February: New partners and existing charities/organizations
  • June & November: Existing partners
  • April: Scottish Committee (Scotland-based activities only)
  • Process timeline:
  • Initial contact response: “As soon as possible”
  • February committee for new applicants (deadline typically mid-January)
  • Decision confirmed by Trustees if appropriate
  • Terms & Conditions issued with award letter
  • Typical timeframe: 2-4 months from initial contact to decision

Notification Methods

  • Email notification regarding formal application eligibility
  • Award letters with Terms & Conditions for successful applicants
  • Communication through caseworking organizations for individual grants

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. In 2023/24, the Fund supported 86 charities and organizations, representing a selective but significant grant-making program.

Reapplication Policy

12-month restriction applies to all applicants: Funding requests made within 12 months of the outcome of a previous application are not normally funded, whether a grant was received or not. This applies to both successful and unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

What the Grants Committee Looks For

Evidence of Impact and Reach (highest priority):

“The Committee looks for indicators including the level of local commitment to the project, evidenced by fundraising activity, volunteer effort, local authority support, and most importantly the number of Army veterans, family members or serving soldiers the project will reach, or has reached, and the outcomes achieved.”

Financial Viability:

“Organizations that are relatively stable financially tend to be in a better position to run effectively and deliver the quality of services for which the charity was created. The Committee reviews applications in light of the financial health of the organization, including costs incurred in relation to expenditure on meeting charitable objectives.”

Effective Management:

“The Committee will look closely at evidence provided to prove that the organisation is effectively managed and has in place satisfactory operating and risk management procedures. This includes ensuring that core services are adequately resourced and stable before expanding into new projects, locations or services.”

Reasonable Administration Costs:

“The Committee expect that administration costs are kept at a reasonable level and they consider these in light of the type and size of the organisation.”

Additional Requirements

For Mental Health Services:

  • Must be COBSEO member and signed up to COBSEO guiding principles
  • Expected to be member of Quality Network for Veterans Mental Health Services (QNVMHS) run by Royal College of Psychiatrists

For All Applicants:

  • Demonstrate ability to secure additional funding
  • Show potential for recognition of the Fund's contribution
  • Follow COBSEO Funding Principles
  • Preference for COBSEO/Veterans Scotland members

Standing Out

  • Demonstrate direct grassroots work with Army beneficiaries (not umbrella organizations)
  • Provide clear evidence of outcomes achieved, not just activities delivered
  • Show strong local support through fundraising, volunteers, and local authority backing
  • Emphasize number of Army community members served
  • Ensure core services are stable before proposing expansion
  • Highlight financial sustainability beyond the grant period

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • First contact is mandatory: Organizations not supported in the previous 24 months must email before applying - no exceptions. This allows the Fund to assess basic eligibility before formal application.
  • Expect modest initial grants: First-time applicants should anticipate awards below £15,000. Building a track record can lead to larger grants in future years.
  • Outcomes trump activities: The Committee prioritizes “the number of Army veterans, family members or serving soldiers the project will reach, or has reached, and the outcomes achieved” above all else.
  • Financial health matters significantly: Demonstrate organizational stability and keep administration costs reasonable. The Committee reviews your overall financial position, not just the project budget.
  • Plan for the 12-month rule: Whether successful or unsuccessful, you cannot reapply for 12 months from the decision date. Make your application count.
  • Align with COBSEO principles: Applications are assessed against COBSEO Funding Principles. Membership in COBSEO or Veterans Scotland is strongly preferred, and mandatory for mental health services.
  • Timing is critical for new applicants: The February committee is the primary route for new partners. Missing the January deadline means waiting until the following year for consideration.

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References