British Airways Ba Better World Community Fund

Charity Number: CUSTOM_16C0479D

Annual Expenditure: £1.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1.5 million (2024)
  • Total Fund Since Launch: £6.4 million (since 2022)
  • Decision Time: 6 weeks for initial approval, then 8-week crowdfunding campaign
  • Grant Range: Up to £15,000 match funding per project (50% match or £15,000, whichever is lower)
  • Maximum Available: Up to £50,000 total project value
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide
  • Application Method: Rolling basis (first-come-first-served until funds exhausted)

Contact Details

  • Website: www.bacommunityfund.co.uk
  • Email: community.branch@ba.com
  • Application Platform: Through Crowdfunder.co.uk
  • Main Website: www.britishairways.com/content/information/about-ba/community-investment

Overview

The BA Better World Community Fund was launched in April 2022 as part of British Airways' BA Better World sustainability programme. Since its inception, the fund has raised more than £6.4 million to support over 170 charities across the UK. In 2024 alone, BA supported 124 organisations with £1.5 million in funding. The fund operates through a unique crowdfunding model where charities first raise funds through Crowdfunder.co.uk, and British Airways provides match funding up to 50% of the target or £15,000, whichever is lower. Applications are reviewed and approved by a 10-member Community Governance Board chaired by Lisa Tremble, Chief People, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer. The fund focuses on supporting projects that align with BA's sustainability pillars: people, planet, and responsible business, including diversity and inclusion, climate action, community engagement, and biodiversity protection.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

BA Better World Community Fund - Planet Category (Currently Open)

  • Match Funding: Up to 50% of project target or £15,000 maximum match
  • Individual Pledge Match: Up to £250 per pledge
  • Total Project Value: Up to £50,000
  • Application Method: Rolling basis via Crowdfunder.co.uk (first-come-first-served)
  • Campaign Duration: 8 weeks for crowdfunding campaign

BA Better World Community Fund - People Category (Currently Closed)

  • Same funding structure as Planet category
  • Check website for reopening dates

Priority Areas

Planet-Focused Projects (Currently accepting applications):

  • Innovative projects tackling environmental and climate challenges with sustainable long-term outcomes
  • Habitat restoration and enhancing biodiversity
  • Projects helping communities become more sustainable
  • Initiatives preventing or reducing the impacts of climate change

People-Focused Projects (Applications opening soon):

  • Supporting social mobility and creating opportunities for education and employability in disadvantaged communities
  • Supporting individuals from ethnic minorities
  • Providing opportunities for girls in STEM
  • Creating opportunities for underrepresented groups, particularly focused on improving gender and ethnic diversity
  • Accessibility for people with disabilities
  • Projects working to end abuses of human rights
  • Crisis support and health and wellbeing services for those in need

Geographic Preference:

  • Projects located near British Airways operations (though UK-wide applications accepted)
  • Focus on areas experiencing social and economic deprivation

What They Don't Fund

  • Organisations set up as trusts (including charitable trusts)
  • Non-UK organisations
  • Projects that don't align with BA Better World sustainability programme
  • Organisations that fail to demonstrate genuine crowdfunding support
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Governance and Leadership

Community Governance Board

The fund is overseen by a 10-member Community Governance Board within British Airways, responsible for reviewing and approving projects for funding.

Chair: Lisa Tremble, Chief People, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer at British Airways

Quote from Lisa Tremble: “We are really proud to have supported a wide range of projects since the launch of the fund and to see how our contribution, together with the generous Crowdfunder donations have made a real difference to those in the communities that need it most. We are committed to continuing to help existing and new community-led initiatives and look forward to seeing the positive impact our fund can have on communities across the UK in the coming months and beyond.”

Quote from Lisa Tremble: "We are really proud to launch this exciting initiative, and as the nation's flagship carrier airline we know how important it is to continue to connect with and invest in communities."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Complete Online Application: Submit application form through BA Better World Community Fund website (www.bacommunityfund.co.uk)
  2. Await Approval: Community Governance Board reviews applications against BA Better World sustainability criteria
  3. Launch Crowdfunding Campaign: If approved, you have 6 weeks to plan, create and launch your crowdfunding campaign on Crowdfunder.co.uk
  4. Run 8-Week Campaign: Match funding is available for 8 weeks from project “live” date or approval date (whichever is more recent)
  5. Meet Minimum Requirements: Must receive pledges from minimum 25 unique supporters and reach project target to receive BA match funding

Decision Timeline

  • Initial Application Review: Decisions made by Community Governance Board on rolling basis
  • Campaign Launch Window: 6 weeks from approval notification to launch campaign (offer rescinded if not launched within this timeframe)
  • Crowdfunding Period: 8 weeks for active campaign
  • Total Timeline: Approximately 14+ weeks from application to funding receipt

Key Requirements

  • Minimum 25 unique supporters must pledge to your campaign
  • Must reach your full project target by end of fundraising period
  • BA match funding pledge made once you reach 25% of project target AND 25 unique supporters
  • Projects must be “All or Nothing” funding model (not Flexible Funding)

Distribution Model

Funding distributed on a first-come-first-served basis, with matching stopping automatically when funds are fully allocated for the year.

Notification Methods

Through Crowdfunder platform and direct communication from BA Community Fund team.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy information is publicly available. Contact community.branch@ba.com for guidance if your application is unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Critical Success Elements

Strong Crowdfunding Performance:

  • The fund requires genuine community support demonstrated through crowdfunding
  • You must secure 25 unique supporters AND reach 25% of your target before BA match funding is pledged
  • Projects that don't reach their full target receive NO match funding from BA

Alignment with BA Better World Pillars:

  • Projects must clearly demonstrate alignment with sustainability, community engagement, diversity and inclusion, wellbeing, climate action, or biodiversity protection
  • Strong preference for projects near BA operations or serving disadvantaged communities

Clear, Compelling Project Narrative:

  • Your crowdfunding campaign needs to inspire supporters to pledge
  • Must articulate tangible impact and benefits for climate, communities, and nature

Examples of Funded Projects

Initial Launch Recipients (2022):

  • Fantasy Wings: Increasing diversity in the aviation industry
  • Global Grooves: Bringing inspirational Carnival arts to communities
  • Energy Garden: Installing green spaces in London's urban areas
  • Black2Nature: Organising nature camps for young people from visible minority ethnic backgrounds

Additional Funded Projects:

  • Healthy Kidz: Holiday camps across Northern Ireland for 1,300+ children with multi-sport activities and nutrition education
  • Flamingo Chicks (Bristol): Workshops and classes for 6,500 children with disabilities and their families exploring movement through dance
  • Surplus to Supper: Bridging the gap between food waste and food poverty in five boroughs near Heathrow
  • London and Slough Run: Supporting vulnerable adults and families at risk of homelessness
  • Changing Lives: Successful bid for community support project

Common Challenges

  • Crowdfunding Risk: If you don't reach your target, you receive NO match funding from BA (and possibly no funds at all if using All or Nothing model)
  • Time Pressure: 6-week window to launch campaign after approval, then 8-week campaign period
  • First-Come-First-Served: Funds can run out during the year, so apply early
  • Organizational Structure: Trusts (including charitable trusts) are ineligible

Tips for Standing Out

  1. Apply Early in the Year: Funding is first-come-first-served and can be exhausted
  2. Build Your Supporter Base First: Start engaging potential supporters before applying to ensure you can reach the 25 unique supporters and 25% target threshold quickly
  3. Demonstrate Clear Sustainability Impact: Use BA's language around climate, community, nature, and wellbeing
  4. Geographic Connection: If possible, highlight connection to areas where BA operates or serves
  5. Focus on Underserved Communities: Projects serving disadvantaged communities or underrepresented groups are prioritized
  6. Plan Campaign Meticulously: You only have 6 weeks to launch after approval—have your campaign ready to go

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Crowdfunding is Non-Negotiable: This is not a traditional grant—you must successfully crowdfund to receive BA match funding. Factor in time and capacity for running an 8-week crowdfunding campaign with marketing, social media, and supporter engagement.
  • First-Come-First-Served Creates Urgency: Don't wait until mid-year to apply. Funds can be exhausted, and you want to secure approval early.
  • Planet Projects Currently Prioritized: If your work touches environmental or climate themes, this is your window. People-focused applications are currently closed.
  • The 25/25 Rule is Critical: You need 25 unique supporters AND 25% of your target before BA pledges match funding. Have a supporter engagement strategy ready.
  • All-or-Nothing Means High Stakes: If you don't reach your target, you get no match funding (and possibly no funds at all). Set realistic targets and have a strong supporter mobilization plan.
  • Geographic Proximity Helps: While UK-wide applications are accepted, projects near BA operations (especially Heathrow) or serving BA's operational communities may have an advantage.
  • Use BA's Language: Frame your application using BA Better World terminology—sustainability, climate action, biodiversity, diversity and inclusion, community wellbeing.

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