Association Of Nhs Charities

Quick Stats

• Annual Distribution: £1.2+ million daily through member charities
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Varies by program
• Grant Range: £10,000 - £100,000+ (varies by program)
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide through NHS charity network
• Member Network: 230+ NHS charities

Contact Details

• Website: www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk
• Phone: 0300 303 5748
• General Email: hello@anhsc.org.uk
• Grants Email: grants@anhsc.org.uk
• Address: Pure Offices (Suite 68), Lake View House, Wilton Drive, Warwick CV34 6RG

Overview

NHS Charities Together, officially registered as the Association of NHS Charities (charity number 1186569), is the national charity caring for the NHS. Founded as the umbrella organization for NHS charities across the UK, they work with over 230 member NHS charities who collectively give more than £1.2 million to the NHS every day. The organization gained significant prominence during COVID-19 when they launched the first ever national NHS appeal, raising over £160 million. Their strategic approach focuses on three core impact areas: patient experience, staff wellbeing, and community health, using a blend of grants funding, partnership working, evaluation and learning, and awareness raising to drive systemic improvement.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Community Emergency Response Programme: £426,000 awarded in 2024, £1.4m expected in 2025
• Greener Communities Fund: £2.2+ million distributed for green space projects
• Volunteering For Health Programme: £10 million program (applications closed February 2024)
• Innovation Challenge: Flagship funding for children and young people healthcare inequality projects
• Workforce Wellbeing Programme: Partnership with NHS England including grants fund

Priority Areas

• Projects supporting NHS patients, staff and communities
• Healthcare inequality initiatives, particularly for children and young people
• Community emergency response and resilience
• Environmental health and green spaces
• NHS workforce wellbeing and support
• Innovative healthcare partnerships between NHS and community organizations

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations that are not NHS charities or NHS charitable funds
• Direct applications from non-NHS charities (must work through NHS charity partners)
• International projects outside UK NHS system

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Governance and Leadership

The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees with diverse backgrounds spanning commercial media, education, public and charity sectors. Key leadership includes trustees with extensive NHS experience, including directors who have led major NHS initiatives and communications strategies. The organization emphasizes that trustees “share the ultimate responsibility for the charity” and bring expertise from across healthcare, communications, and charity management sectors.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important: NHS Charities Together only makes grants to its member NHS charities. External organizations cannot apply directly but may benefit through partnerships with local NHS charities.

For NHS member charities:

• Access applications through Member Connect portal
• Contact grants@anhsc.org.uk for grant enquiries
• Multi-stage process typically involving Expression of Interest followed by full application

Decision Timeline

• Varies by program
• Community Partnership Grants typically 2-year funding periods
• Year two funding subject to satisfactory monitoring and review of year one

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The organization works exclusively with its 230+ member NHS charities.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified in public materials - NHS member charities should contact grants@anhsc.org.uk for specific program policies.

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Requirements

• Must result in measurable improvement in health outcomes
• Strong partnership between NHS bodies and community organizations
• Direct, positive impact on NHS service delivery
• Alignment with one of three impact areas: patient experience, staff wellbeing, or community health

Strategic Guidance

The organization emphasizes that successful projects should “help the NHS go further for staff and patients” and support the health service to go “above and beyond what would otherwise be possible.” They particularly value innovation, partnership working, and initiatives that create sustainable, long-term change rather than short-term fixes.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• NHS Partnership Essential: Must work through NHS charity partners - cannot apply directly as external organization
• Focus on Going Beyond: Projects should enable NHS to exceed normal provision, not replace core services
• Demonstrate Measurable Impact: Strong emphasis on measurable health outcome improvements
• Partnership Approach: Multi-organizational partnerships between NHS and community groups strongly favored
• Sustainability Focus: Two-year funding model suggests preference for sustainable, long-term impact
• Innovation Valued: Flagship programs specifically target innovative approaches to healthcare challenges
• Contact Strategy: For external organizations, identify and build relationships with relevant local NHS charity partners first

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Devon Community Foundation
• FOCAL POINT
• HELP FUND
• NHS Employers

References

• NHS Charities Together official website: nhscharitiestogether.co.uk
• Charity Commission Register entry for Association of NHS Charities (1186569)
• NHS Charities Together Programs page: nhscharitiestogether.co.uk/about-us/our-programmes/
• Community Partnership Grants documentation from regional NHS charities
• NHS Charities Together Contact page: nhscharitiestogether.co.uk/about-us/contact-us/
• Accessed: September 2024