Better Community Business Network Limited

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £36,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Within grant term period
• Grant Range: Up to £3,000
• Geographic Focus: UK (excluding Northern Ireland)

Contact Details

Website: www.bcbn.org.uk

Phone: 020 7202 9129

Email: admin@bcbn.org.uk

Grant Applications: grants@bcbn.org.uk

Address: 50 Havelock Terrace, London SW8 4AL

Overview

Better Community Business Network Limited (BCBN) is a Muslim-led charity registered in 2013 (charity number 1151484) that mobilizes business networks to support UK-based charities and community projects. Founded by business professionals and entrepreneurs, BCBN launched its Grant Initiative in September 2014 and has since distributed over £1.4 million to more than 100 charitable initiatives across the UK. Operating on a unique funding model, BCBN's running costs are met entirely by its trustees, ensuring all funds raised go directly to community causes without seeking government funding. The organization's approach centers on identifying credible community projects that make tangible differences in their localities, with particular focus on disadvantaged communities. CEO Sabah Gilani OBE, who received her honor in 2020 for work with Muslim youth, leads initiatives spanning from ex-offender housing projects to the Muslim Fostering Network and the Muslim Mind collaborative.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Grant Initiative: Up to £3,000 per organization (one-off awards)
• Application method: Email application form to grants@bcbn.org.uk
• Annual budget: £36,000 distributed across 12 grants per year
• Schedule: Periodic grant terms throughout the year

Priority Areas

• Education: Schools, extra-curricular clubs, youth services
• Health: Hospitals, cancer research, healthy eating, NHS services
• Social Cohesion: Community programmes, refugee support, children services
• Ex-Offender Support: Mentoring, rehabilitation, housing initiatives
• Vulnerable Groups: Homelessness, poverty, elderly support, disability inclusion
• Arts and Culture: Community arts projects
• Environment: Environmental community projects

What They Don't Fund

• Political activity, fundraising, or campaigning
• Individual sponsorship or support
• Travel and accommodation costs
• Professional associations or training
• Non-charitable organizations
• Grant requests exceeding £3,000
• Projects based in Northern Ireland
• Multiple grants to same organization within one year

Ready to write a winning application for Better Community Business Network Limited?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save hours and increase your success rate.

Learn more >

Governance and Leadership

Sabah Gilani OBE - Chief Executive

• Received OBE in 2020 for work with Muslim youth
• Founded Muslim Mind collaborative and Muslim Fostering Network
• Led ex-offender housing initiative (Date Palm Project)

Tariq Usmani - Founding Chairman and Trustee

• Co-founder and Chief Executive of the Henley Group
• Chair of the West London Islamic Centre

Operating Principle: All running costs met by trustees with no remuneration, ensuring maximum funds reach beneficiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Complete eligibility quiz on website
2. Download application form from bcbn.org.uk/grant-initiative/
3. Complete form demonstrating community impact
4. Email to grants@bcbn.org.uk before deadline
5. If selected as finalist, provide constitution/articles of association

Requirements:

• UK-based (excluding Northern Ireland)
• Registered with Charity Commission or Companies House for minimum 18 months
• Must have submitted annual accounts
• Must demonstrate clear community benefit

Decision Timeline

• Applications reviewed during grant term period
• Finalists notified via email during grant term
• If no response within grant term period, application was unsuccessful
• No personal feedback provided due to volume

Success Rates

Specific rates not publicly available. Distributes 12 grants annually from high volume of applications.

Reapplication Policy

• Unsuccessful applicants: May reapply after one year from submission
• Successful applicants: One grant per organization per year maximum

Application Success Factors

Clear Community Impact: BCBN requires grant evaluation forms post-award demonstrating outcomes - build impact measurement into applications from the start.

Specific Project Focus: Recent grants to Timebanking UK (£2,850), Small Acts of Kindness (£3,000 for winter support), and Ella's (£3,000 for vulnerable women) show preference for concrete, deliverable projects serving vulnerable populations.

Financial Stability: 18-month registration requirement with submitted accounts indicates preference for established organizations with proven track records.

Values Alignment: As Muslim-led but inclusive funder, BCBN supports both Muslim-focused projects (Muslim Youth Helpline) and mainstream causes (NHS, Refugee Council), valuing social cohesion and community integration.

Budget Clarity: BCBN requires demonstration that “money will be used for project-specifics” - provide detailed budget breakdowns, not vague descriptions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Maximum grant is £3,000 - never exceed this amount in applications
• 18-month minimum registration is non-negotiable - newer organizations must wait
• Project-specific funding only - frame all requests around concrete community projects, not organizational support
• No feedback provided - ensure first submission is strongest possible
• One-year wait for reapplication - each submission is critical
• Trustee-funded model means personal investment - demonstrate worthy cause to business-minded philanthropists
• Evaluation required post-grant - include robust impact measurement plans

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• DJ Sidebottom/Glasdon Charitable Programme
• THE MANSFIELD BUILDING SOCIETY CHARITABLE TRUST
• Elifar Foundation Limited
• Lady Gould's Charity
• Isle of Wight Foundation
• The George A Moore Foundation
• John Swire 1989 Charitable Trust
• The YAPP Charitable Trust
• The David Snowdon Trust
• ST ANDREW HOLBORN AND STAFFORD'S CHARITY

References

• BCBN Official Website. “Grant Initiative.” bcbn.org.uk.. https://bcbn.org.uk/grant-initiative/
• BCBN Official Website. “About.” bcbn.org.uk.. https://bcbn.org.uk/about/
• UK Charity Commission. “Better Community Business Network Limited - Charity 1151484.” Register of Charities.
• Sabah Gilani OBE. Personal website. sabahgilani.com.
• FundsforNGOs. “Better Community Business Network (BCBN) Grant Initiative.” 2024-2025
• Funding Scotland. “Better Community Business Network - Grant Initiative.” funding.scot.
• Get Berkshire Active. “Better Community Business Network (BCBN) Grant Initiative.” getberkshireactive.org.