Forrefugees

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £671,849 (2023-24)
• Total Income: £753,569 (2023-24)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £15,000
• Typical Grant: £1,000 - £3,000
• Decision Time: 2 weeks
• Payment Timeline: 1-4 months
• Geographic Focus: Europe only (Greece, France, UK, Balkans)
• Application Method: Rolling basis

Contact Details

Website: www.forrefugees.org

Email: contact@forrefugees.org

Phone: 07743 870208

Grant Enquiries: hello@forrefugees.org

Overview

ForRefugees was founded in 2016 by Amber Bauer, who left a successful 20-year career in procurement after volunteering with refugees in Greece and Northern France. Registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2018 (Charity Number: 1168435), ForRefugees operates a unique model that directly funds grassroots NGOs across Europe. With an annual giving of over £671,000 (2023-24), the charity maintains exceptional transparency with over 95% of funds going directly to front-line projects. ForRefugees supports partners working in Greece, northern France, the Balkan Route (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia), and across the UK, adapting their support as the refugee situation evolves. The organization emphasizes flexibility, close partner relationships, and community-led solutions, with trustees and staff regularly spending time on the ground with partner organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

First-Time Grants

• Registered charities: Up to £1,500
• Unregistered charities/volunteer groups: Up to £1,000
• Larger grants available after demonstrating commitment and impact

Subsequent Grants

• Typical range: £1,000 - £3,000
• Maximum by exception: £15,000
• Rolling applications accepted year-round
• Decision communicated within 2 weeks
• Payment within 1-4 months of approval

Priority Areas

ForRefugees gives preference to applications in three main categories:

1. Urgent Relief: Food, shelter, medical supplies, and emergency aid reaching those who most urgently need it
2. Daily Survival: Warm showers, clothing, regular meals, and other essentials making daily life in camps or insecure housing more bearable
3. Rebuilding Lives: Safe house rent for women and girls, language classes, children's education, legal services, and integration support

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be accepted into the forRefugees Network as a Local Partner before applying for grants
• Only grassroots-level NGOs supporting refugees “on the move” in Europe
• Annual turnover must be under £150,000 / €170,000 (limit introduced January 2023)
• Applications from NGOs focused primarily on in-country settlement and integration are generally not accepted

What They Don't Fund

• Projects outside Europe
• Non-refugee volunteer stipends or living costs
• International team member costs
• Loans to volunteers
• Regular operational costs beyond three months
• Individual or family sponsorship

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Governance and Leadership

CEO and Founder: Amber Bauer

Amber founded ForRefugees in 2016 after leaving a 20-year procurement career. She and her husband have hosted refugees in their home and she remains deeply connected to front-line work. In a podcast interview, Amber emphasized: "with every single asylum seeker across Europe, whether they're 12 years old or whether they're 50 years old, they're someone's son or daughter." Seven years after founding, the organization supports 50 partner organizations across 7 countries.

Chair: Rachel Strudwick

Operations manager in the UK charity sector with four years of direct experience supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Greece, initially running a food distribution project in camps near Athens, then working with a legal aid organization in Thessaloniki. Joined the board in March 2025.

Trustee: Nima Moradi

Training to be a nurse while working part-time in dementia care. Nima has lived experience as a refugee, having fled political persecution in Iran and spent many years in Greece before settling in the UK. Became a trustee in 2022, bringing crucial refugee community perspective.

Treasurer: Laura Darwish

ACCA-qualified accountant working in the NHS, providing financial oversight and expertise.

Governance Approach: No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The board emphasizes transparency, accountability, and staying closely connected to refugee communities.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Become a Local Partner

• Only organizations already accepted into the forRefugees Network can apply for grants
• Apply online at: https://forrefugees.org/application/
• Must be a grassroots-level NGO (not individual volunteers)
• Decision communicated within 2 weeks of submitting partner application

Step 2: Submit Grant Application

• Complete online grant form at: https://forrefugees.org/grant/
• All fields marked with * are required
• Provide bank information for payment
• Submit at least one photo showing your work
• For urgent requests, email hello@forrefugees.org

Decision Timeline

• Application Review: Trustees review applications on an ongoing rolling basis with no closing dates
• Decision Notification: Within 2 weeks of submission via email from hello@forrefugees.org
• Payment Timeline: 1-4 months after approval (trustees aim for within 1 month)
• Payment Method: Payments made in order of approval; may be made in installments depending on ForRefugees' fundraising

Reporting Requirements

• Provide receipts for 80% of grant expenditure within 2 months of spending
• Share photos and evidence of aid delivery
• Inform ForRefugees promptly of any project changes
• Maintain transparent communication throughout

Success Rates

Success rate data not publicly available. However, the organization emphasizes working collaboratively with partners and the decision timeline is notably quick at just 2 weeks.

Reapplication Policy

• Unsuccessful applicants: Can reapply at any time with no waiting period or restrictions
• Feedback provided: ForRefugees provides feedback on refused applications
• Multiple applications: Local Partners in the network can submit further grant applications at any time
• Building relationships: Larger grants become available after proving initial commitment and impact

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from ForRefugees

The organization emphasizes: “We stay closely connected to refugee communities, and our partners on the ground, ensuring every grant supports effective, impactful projects.”

Key Success Factors

1. Demonstrate Grassroots Connection

• Show you're embedded in the refugee community
• Evidence direct delivery of services (not intermediary organizations)
• Demonstrate understanding of immediate, on-the-ground needs

2. Clear Evidence of Impact

• Provide concrete examples of aid delivered
• Show photos and documentation of your work
• Demonstrate legitimate aid delivery and accountability

3. Relative Value

• Emphasize the cost-effectiveness of your proposed aid
• Show how the grant amount will translate into tangible support
• Be specific about quantities (e.g., number of tents, meals, legal consultations)

4. Alignment with Funding Priorities

• Clearly categorize your project as Urgent Relief, Daily Survival, or Rebuilding Lives
• Focus on immediate needs for refugees “on the move” rather than long-term settlement programs
• Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness to changing situations

5. Transparent Communication

• Be honest about project details and any challenges
• Communicate promptly about changes
• Provide thorough documentation and receipts

Examples of Funded Projects

Collective Aid (Calais)

• Tent distribution programs (3,600+ tents distributed in one winter)
• Blankets, winter jackets, boots for people in Northern France
• Year-round distributions of clothing, bedding, shelter, and hygiene items
• Quote from partner: “forRefugees have supported us through our most challenging periods.” - Soline, Collective Aid

Project Play (Northern France)

• Play activities for displaced children
• Quote from partner: "Project Play wouldn't exist without forRefugees. We are so thankful and know that without them 1000's of hours of joyous, impactful play wouldn't have been brought to displaced children in northern France." - Rachel, Project Play

Language and Terminology

ForRefugees uses accessible, human-centered language:

• Refers to “refugee men, women and children” rather than statistics
• Emphasizes helping refugees “not just survive, but truly thrive”
• Focuses on “grassroots action” and “community-led solutions”
• Values “flexible funding” and “effective, impactful projects”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Join the Network First: You cannot apply for grants without first becoming an approved Local Partner. Start this process early as it requires a separate application and 2-week decision period.

1. Stay Under the Threshold: Ensure your organization's annual turnover is under £150,000/€170,000. This is a firm eligibility requirement introduced in 2023.

1. Focus on Immediate Needs: ForRefugees prioritizes refugees “on the move” rather than long-term settlement programs. Emphasize urgent, responsive, front-line work.

1. Start Small, Build Trust: First-time grants are capped at £1,000-£1,500, but larger grants (up to £15,000) become available once you've proven your commitment and impact.

1. Quick Decisions, Slower Payments: While you'll get a decision within 2 weeks, budget for payments taking 1-4 months. Grants are paid in order of approval and depend on ForRefugees' fundraising.

1. Provide Concrete Impact Data: Be specific about what the grant will achieve (number of tents, meals, people served). Include photos and clear documentation of your work.

1. Reapply Without Hesitation: If unsuccessful, you can reapply immediately with no waiting period. ForRefugees provides feedback to help strengthen future applications.

References

• ForRefugees Grant Policy. Available at: https://forrefugees.org/grant-policy/ (Accessed: 2025)
• ForRefugees Grant Application. Available at: https://forrefugees.org/grant/ (Accessed: 2025)
• ForRefugees About Us. Available at: https://forrefugees.org/about-us/ (Accessed: 2025)
• ForRefugees Local Partner Application. Available at: https://forrefugees.org/application/ (Accessed: 2025)
• UK Charity Commission Register. ForRefugees (Charity Number 1168435). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1168435&subid=0 (Accessed: 2025)
• Charity Chat Podcast. “E179 - Refugee Crisis and Galvanising a Group Effort with Amber Bauer.” Available at: https://www.charitychat.org.uk/post/e179-refugee-crisis-and-galvanising-a-group-effort-with-amber-bauer (Accessed: 2025)
• Amber Bauer LinkedIn. “Why I resigned to help Refugees.” Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-i-resigned-help-refugees-amber-bauer (Accessed: 2025)
• ForRefugees JustGiving Campaign. Collective Aid Calais fundraising for ForRefugees. Available at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Collective-Aid-DisconTENT (Accessed: 2025)