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
• 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 organisation emphasises flexibility, close partner relationships, and community-led solutions, with trustees and staff regularly spending time on the ground with partner organisations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

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
• Trustees review applications and advise Local Partners as soon as practicable once decisions are made
• Payment timing depends on ForRefugees' fundraising income and cannot be guaranteed within a specific period; payments are made in order of approval when sufficient funds are available

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)
• To join the Network as a partner, annual turnover must be under £450,000/€500,000
• 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 emphasised: "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 organisation supports 50 partner organisations across 7 countries.

Trustee: 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 organisation in Thessaloniki. Joined the board in 2025.

Trustee: Nima

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

ACCA-qualified accountant working in the NHS, providing financial oversight and expertise. Joined ForRefugees as Treasurer in 2023.

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

How to Apply to Forrefugees

How to Apply

Step 1: Become a Local Partner

• Only organisations 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: Trustees advise Local Partners as soon as practicable once the decision is made via email from hello@forrefugees.org
• Payment Timeline: ForRefugees cannot guarantee payment within a specific period as their income fluctuates. Payments are made in order of approval when sufficient cleared funds are available in the bank account. Occasionally grants are paid in instalments where mutually beneficial
• Payment Method: Payments made when funds are available; may be made in instalments 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 organisation emphasises working collaboratively with partners.

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 organisation emphasises: “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 organisations)
• 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

• Emphasise 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 categorise your project as Urgent Relief, Daily Survival, or Rebuilding Lives
• Focus on immediate needs for refugees “on the move” rather than long-term settlement programmes
• 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 programmes
• Blankets, winter jackets, boots for people in Northern France
• Year-round distributions of clothing, bedding, shelter, and hygiene items

Project Play (Northern France)

• Play activities for displaced children

Language and Terminology

ForRefugees uses accessible, human-centred language:

• Refers to “refugee men, women and children” rather than statistics
• Emphasises 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 organisation's annual turnover is under £150,000/€170,000. This is a firm eligibility requirement introduced in 2023. To join the Network as a partner, turnover must be under £450,000/€500,000.

1. Focus on Immediate Needs: ForRefugees prioritises refugees “on the move” rather than long-term settlement programmes. Emphasise 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. Be Patient with Payments: While you'll get a decision relatively quickly, payments depend on ForRefugees' fundraising income and cannot be guaranteed within a specific timeframe. Grants are paid in order of approval when funds are available.

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.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Belron Ronnie Lubner Charitable Foundation
• Staples Trust
• Hollyhock Charitable Foundation
• Migrant And Asylum Seeker Solidarity And Action
• The Evan Cornish Foundation
• The Ireland Fund Of Great Britain
• The Sigrid Rausing Trust
• Fondation Chanel
• The Dwf Foundation
• Sofronie Foundation

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)