King Charles Iii Charitable Fund

Charity Number: 1127255

Annual Expenditure: £5.0M
Geographic Focus: Romania, Throughout England And Wales

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ??5 million
  • Success Rate: 6.7% (100 awards from ~1,500 applications in 2024/25)
  • Decision Time: Within 2 months of application window closing
  • Grant Range: ??3,000 - ??9,000 (Small Grants); Strategic partnerships ??90,000 - ??390,000+
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide (with some international strategic partnerships)

Contact Details

Website: www.kccf.org.uk

Email: contact@kccf.org.uk

Phone: 020 4551 9330

Address: 3 Orchard Place, Broadway, London, SW1H 0BF

Charity Number: 1127255

Company Number: 06777589

Overview

Founded by King Charles III in 1979 (then as Prince of Wales), the King Charles III Charitable Fund has invested over ??100 million in charitable causes across the UK and internationally over its 44-year history. The Fund awards approximately ??5 million annually to over 150 organizations through its Small Grants and Large Grants programmes. Its mission is “transforming lives and building sustainable communities” through strategic grantmaking across six funding themes. In 2023, the Fund launched a new Strategic Partnership programme with a ??1.95 million commitment to seven charities focusing on nature's recovery and vulnerable communities. The Fund underwent a comprehensive review in 2024/25 to refine its processes and better support small organizations, introducing new income thresholds to ensure support reaches those most in need.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants Programme

  • ??3,000 per year for up to three years (??9,000 maximum total)
  • Approximately 100 grants awarded annually
  • Rolling application windows throughout the year:
  • August: Environment and Countryside themes
  • October: Education and Heritage & Conservation themes
  • January: Social Inclusion and Health & Wellbeing themes
  • Online application via website during specific windows

Large Grants Programme (Strategic Partnerships)

  • By invitation only
  • Multi-year unrestricted funding
  • ??90,000 - ??390,000+ grants
  • Focus on work “not currently well-supported by other bodies”
  • Aims to create “exemplar projects for others to copy and spread” and act as “catalyst for leveraging further funds”

Priority Areas

The Fund supports projects across six funding themes:

  1. Environment - Habitat restoration, species conservation, carbon savings and sequestration, circular economies
  2. Countryside - Economic and environmental future of rural areas
  3. Education - Training and employability opportunities, narrowing the attainment gap
  4. Heritage and Conservation - Historic buildings preservation and traditional craftsmanship
  5. Social Inclusion - Projects addressing social exclusion needs
  6. Health and Wellbeing - Community projects supporting people with disabilities or life-limiting illnesses

Special Priority: Applications from areas of deprivation or those demonstrating benefit to those most in need within areas of wealth disparity are prioritized. Particular focus on disadvantaged communities, both urban and rural.

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Organizations without UK registration (except for strategic partnerships)
  • Organizations with annual income below ??25,000 or above ??500,000 (Small Grants)
  • Organizations with more than six months of unrestricted free reserves
  • Projects with total costs exceeding ??50,000
  • Food waste or food poverty projects (these should apply to the separate Coronation Food Project)
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Sir Ian Cheshire (Chair) - British businessman with extensive experience in strategy, sustainability, and retail; also chairs Land Securities Group and Spire Healthcare

Baroness Casey of Blackstock - Crossbench Peer with extensive experience in social inclusion and community issues

Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE - Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, international businessman and philanthropist

Kristin Rechberger - CEO of Dynamic Planet with background in conservation and global programs

Sarah Butler-Sloss - Founder and Chair of The Aurora Trust, focusing on climate change and sustainable development; trustee at ClientEarth

Colleen Harris MVO - PR and Communications professional, former Press Secretary to King Charles III

Ranan Dasgupta LVO - Consultant Urological Surgeon, appointed to Royal Medical Household in 2020

Leadership Team

Nikki Jeffery - Executive Director

Yvonne Abba-Opoku - Head of Governance and Operations

Heeren Patel - Head of Finance

Niamh Walsh - Grants and Operations Officer

Jenny Mak - Administrator

Quote from Leadership: Martin Harper, CEO of BirdLife International (strategic partner), highlighted their partnership's focus on securing “threatened tropical forests, protecting biodiversity, locking up carbon and creating sustainable livelihoods for forest-dependent communities.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Small Grants:

  1. Review guidance notes and eligibility criteria
  2. Complete online eligibility quiz
  3. Submit application during relevant themed window (August, October, or January)
  4. Application can be saved and resumed
  5. Technical issues must be raised via email BEFORE window closes
  6. Confirm receipt of submission confirmation email

Eligibility for Small Grants:

  • UK registered nonprofit (charity, CIO, CIC, company limited by guarantee, excepted charity, or unincorporated organization with clear social purpose)
  • Annual income between ??25,000 and ??500,000
  • At least two years of operational history
  • Less than six months of unrestricted free reserves
  • Project cost not exceeding ??50,000

Application Process:

Applications are screened for eligibility, shortlisted by KCCF staff, considered by a grants committee for funding recommendations, then passed to trustees for final decisions.

Decision Timeline

Decisions communicated to all applicants within two months of the application window closing.

Success Rates

In 2024/25, the Fund received almost 1,500 small grant applications, of which 100 were successful, representing a success rate of approximately 6.7%. The Fund acknowledges receiving “many more applications than they can fund” and notes that “the proportion of applicants receiving funding has reduced dramatically” due to increased demand.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations can only submit one application every two years. Unsuccessful applicants must wait two years from the date of the unsuccessful application before reapplying. Previously successful applicants must wait two years from the end of their award period before submitting a new application.

Application Success Factors

What Makes a Strong Application

Demonstrate Clear Need and Impact:

  • Applications from areas of deprivation are prioritized
  • Show how the project will benefit those most in need within areas of wealth disparity
  • Use the application form to demonstrate the level of need in the area your organization serves

Strong Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Approach:

  • Upload an EDI policy as part of the application
  • Demonstrate how funding would support a diverse community or group
  • Show how you are actively listening to the communities you support to break down barriers to inclusivity

Strategic Alignment:

  • Carefully consider the best fit for your project among the six funding themes
  • Review previously funded projects on the 'All Projects' list and 'Current Projects' map
  • Ensure project is legally charitable as defined in the Charities Act 2006

Clear Connection to Organizational Mission:

  • The Fund supports work that aligns with King Charles III's longstanding interests in environmental sustainability and social inclusion
  • Projects that complement other royal charitable initiatives may be favored

Examples of Funded Projects (2023 Strategic Partners)

  • Carers Trust: ??300,000 to support advocacy and campaigning for 7 million unpaid carers in the UK
  • BIGKID Foundation: ??90,000 to tackle youth violence and social exclusion for young people in Brixton and across six London boroughs
  • Plantlife: ??390,000 for Science and Impact Programme to influence national and global policymakers
  • Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts: Funding to develop nature recovery network through protecting/expanding nature reserves and helping farmers transition to regenerative farming
  • BirdLife International: Securing threatened tropical forests, protecting biodiversity, and creating sustainable livelihoods

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Not reading guidance notes thoroughly before applying
  • Applying outside eligible income thresholds (??25,000-??500,000)
  • Having more than six months of unrestricted free reserves
  • Submitting applications for projects exceeding ??50,000 total cost
  • Not demonstrating clear need or community benefit
  • Lacking an EDI policy or approach
  • Reapplying before two-year waiting period has elapsed

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Competition is Extremely High: With a 6.7% success rate, applications must be exceptionally strong and clearly aligned with funding priorities. Review previously funded projects carefully to understand what succeeds.
  1. Demonstrate Need Convincingly: Priority goes to projects serving disadvantaged communities or those in areas of deprivation. Quantify and evidence the need your project addresses.
  1. EDI is Critical: Upload a comprehensive EDI policy and demonstrate active community engagement and inclusive practices. This is explicitly highlighted as important.
  1. Match the Right Theme: Apply during the correct window for your funding theme and ensure strong alignment. Don't force-fit your project into an unsuitable theme.
  1. Income Thresholds Matter: Ensure your organization falls within ??25,000-??500,000 annual income range before applying. Organizations outside this range will be automatically rejected.
  1. Plan for Long Wait Between Applications: With a two-year reapplication restriction and only three application windows per year, unsuccessful applicants face significant delays. Make your first application count.
  1. Focus on Strategic Alignment: The Fund seeks projects aligned with King Charles III's interests in environmental sustainability and social inclusion. Frame your work in these contexts where appropriate.

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