The Army Central Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £3 million (approx.)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Up to 6 months from board decision
• Grant Range: £3,500 - £160,000+ (varies by project)
• Geographic Focus: UK and overseas (where British Army personnel are stationed)

Contact Details

Website: www.armycentralfund.org.uk

Email: grants@armycentralfund.org.uk

Phone: 07949467588

Director: Caroline Crewe-Read (for pre-application discussions)

Registered Charity Number: 245700

Overview

The Army Central Fund is the British Army's own grant-making charity, established to promote the efficiency of the British Army by providing charitable funds to improve the well-being of serving personnel and their immediate families. The charity receives no government funding and does not fundraise from the public or Army community; its income derives entirely from capital investments and dividends. Operating under a scheme issued by the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales, the ACF disperses approximately £3 million in grants annually to deliver better quality of life for Army communities, both Regular and Reserve, in the UK and overseas. In August 2024, the charity launched its first-ever grantmaking strategy, marking a strategic shift towards more structured and transparent funding. The charity is governed by a corporate trustee structure, with The Army Central Fund Trustee Limited (Company No. 11820705) comprising 8 directors and a secretary responsible for vision, values, policies and long-term strategy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Core Annual Grants (fixed commitments):

• Army Welfare Funds (UK and overseas)
• Army Families Federation
• Army Sport Control Board (via HQ Regional Command)

Project Grants (competitive, rolling applications):

• One-off awards to national and local UK registered charities
• Multi-year grants (typically 3 years) for sustainable projects
• Occasional support for Community Interest Companies (CICs)
• Grants to Army and Joint units for welfare projects

Grant Examples:

• SSAFA Family Accommodation: £160,000 (one-off)
• NSPCC Families' Centre: £75,000 per year for 3 years
• Norton House Running Costs: £65,000 per year for 3 years
• Home-Start UK: £38,000
• Combat Stress Helpline: £7,000 per year for 3 years
• Royal British Legion Industries Training: £15,000 per year for 3 years
• British Forces Foundation Entertainment: £3,500 (one-off)

Application Schedule:

• Two board meetings annually: May and November
• May meeting: deadline end of March
• November meeting: deadline end of September
• Grants typically issued within 6 months of board decision

Priority Areas

The ACF's grantmaking strategy focuses on improving the physical, social, emotional and occupational wellbeing of serving British Army personnel (Regular and Reserve) and their immediate families:

• Physical wellbeing: Healthcare support, rehabilitation services, horticultural therapy
• Social wellbeing: Family support, respite accommodation, short breaks for families with children with additional needs
• Emotional wellbeing: Mental health services, helplines, community centres
• Occupational wellbeing: Employment training for spouses and working-age children, resettlement support

The charity seeks to fund initiatives that develop and retain a “well-supported, resilient and engaged workforce” for public benefit.

What They Don't Fund

Explicit Exclusions:

• Veterans or veteran-focused activities
• Army Cadets or cadet activities
• Individual applicants
• Non-UK registered charities (except for serving personnel stationed overseas)
• Activities that do not directly benefit serving Army personnel or their immediate families

Important Note: Each application will reduce funding available for Army units. Applicants must demonstrate real benefits, good value for money, and that their organization is best placed to deliver the proposed project.

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Governance and Leadership

Corporate Trustee: The Army Central Fund Trustee Limited (Company No. 11820705)

• Incorporated: 11 February 2019
• 8 active directors and 1 secretary
• Registered office: Floor 1 Zone 6 Ramilies Building, Marlborough Lines, Monxton Road, Andover, England, SP11 8HJ

Key Staff:

• Caroline Crewe-Read, Director - oversees grantmaking strategy and serves as first point of contact for applicants
• Board Secretary - manages day-to-day administration

Membership:

• Cobseo (Confederation of Service Charities)

The charity operates with transparency, publishing annual reports on the Charity Commission website and maintaining clear governance policies available on their website.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Initial Contact

• Email a brief outline of your funding proposal to Director Caroline Crewe-Read at grants@armycentralfund.org.uk
• Can be submitted at any time (not restricted to deadline periods)

Step 2: Discussion

• The Director will contact you to discuss eligibility and arrange a conversation about the application process

Step 3: Formal Application

• Complete and submit the full application pack (provided after initial discussion)

Step 4: Due Diligence

• Organization evaluated for:
• Sustainable finances
• Good governance
• Relevant expertise and track record
• Potential site visit may be arranged

Step 5: Board Consideration

• Applications considered at May or November board meetings
• Decision communicated to applicants

Special Note for Army Units: Army units and Army Sports Associations/Unions should not apply directly to the Army Central Fund but should follow instructions in Army Command Standing Order 3206 (Army Welfare Funds) issued May 2024, available on MODNet. First point of contact is Regional Brigade HQ G1 Personnel Branch.

Decision Timeline

• Application deadlines: End of March (for May meeting) and end of September (for November meeting)
• Board meetings: May and November
• Grant payment: Typically within 6 months of board decision
• Future cycle note: Following a change in financial year, there will be an additional deadline of 31 December with applications considered in February

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The charity evaluates each application on its individual merits.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Contact the Director directly for guidance if your application is unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Key Advice from the Funder:

1. Make early contact: The initial discussion with the Director is crucial. Use this opportunity to ensure your project aligns with ACF priorities before investing time in a full application.

1. Demonstrate direct benefit: Be explicit about how your project will benefit serving Army personnel (Regular or Reserve) and/or their immediate families. Generic military support is not sufficient.

1. Show value for money: Remember that your grant will reduce funding available for Army units. You must make a compelling case that your project delivers exceptional value and impact.

1. Prove organizational expertise: ACF conducts thorough due diligence. Ensure your organization has sustainable finances, strong governance, and demonstrated expertise in delivering services to the military community.

1. Focus on wellbeing outcomes: Frame your project around the four wellbeing pillars: physical, social, emotional, and occupational. Use this language in your application.

1. Consider multi-year funding: ACF awards 3-year grants for sustainable projects. If your project has long-term impact potential, request multi-year support.

Recent Funded Projects as Examples:

• HighGround: Rural Week residential program introducing service leavers to land-based careers; horticultural therapy at DMRC Stanford Hall
• SSAFA: Short Breaks for families with children with additional needs (£50,000 average cost per break); serving community development project
• Norton House: Respite accommodation for families visiting injured relatives at Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre
• Home-Start UK: Enhanced trained volunteer support for Army families with young children

Language and Terminology:

The funder uses terms like “serving Army community,” “wellbeing,” “resilient and engaged workforce,” “Regular and Reserve,” and “immediate families.” Mirror this language in applications.

Potential Red Flags:

• Veteran-focused activities (ACF explicitly cannot support these)
• Projects lacking clear connection to serving personnel
• Poor financial sustainability or governance
• Unclear value proposition compared to direct Army unit support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Pre-application engagement is essential - The mandatory initial discussion with the Director ensures alignment before formal application. Use this strategically to shape your proposal.

1. Serving personnel only, not veterans - This is a hard eligibility line. Your beneficiaries must be currently serving in the British Army (Regular or Reserve) or their immediate families.

1. Compete thoughtfully against internal Army priorities - Your application reduces funding for Army units. Make an exceptionally strong case that your charity can deliver what the Army cannot do internally.

1. Frame around the four wellbeing pillars - Structure your application around physical, social, emotional, and occupational wellbeing outcomes using ACF's strategic language.

1. Think long-term and sustainable - ACF favors 3-year grants for sustainable impact. Consider whether your project warrants multi-year support.

1. Demonstrate strong organizational credentials - Due diligence is thorough. Ensure your finances, governance, and military-focused expertise are exemplary before applying.

1. Apply to the right funding cycle - With only two deadlines per year (March and September), plan well in advance and ensure your proposal is polished before submission.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust
• The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity
• Army Benevolent Fund
• The Michael Uren Foundation
• The Albert Hunt Trust
• The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust
• The Gosling Foundation Limited
• THE ZOCHONIS CHARITABLE TRUST
• RETINA UK
• THE HOBSON CHARITY LIMITED
• THE STEEL CHARITABLE TRUST
• Broome Family Charitable Trust
• SCOTT (EREDINE) CHARITABLE TRUST
• Queen Mary's Roehampton Trust
• THE SYNCONA FOUNDATION
• THE MURIEL AND GERSHON COREN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• ROYAL ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION
• THE ALAN BRENTNALL CHARITABLE TRUST
• PETER DIXON CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE RED ARROWS TRUST

References

• Army Central Fund official website: https://www.armycentralfund.org.uk
• Army Central Fund “Applying for a charity grant” page: https://www.armycentralfund.org.uk/applying-for-charity-grant.html
• Army Central Fund “About Us” page: https://www.armycentralfund.org.uk/about-us.html
• Army Central Fund “Charity Awards” page: https://www.armycentralfund.org.uk/charity-awards.html
• Charity Commission Register: The Army Central Fund (245700): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=245700
• Cobseo: “New grantmaking strategy for the Army Central Fund”: https://www.cobseo.org.uk/new-grantmaking-strategy-for-the-army-central-fund/
• Cobseo: “Grant funding available for charities which support serving Army personnel and their families”: https://www.cobseo.org.uk/grant-funding-available-for-charities-which-support-serving-army-personnel-and-their-families/
• Cobseo: “Vital Funds Awarded to HighGround from Army Central Fund”: https://www.cobseo.org.uk/vital-funds-awarded-to-highground-from-army-central-fund/
• SSAFA: “Army Central Fund supports SSAFA once again”: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/news-articles/army-central-fund-supports-ssafa-once-again
• Companies House: The Army Central Fund Trustee Limited (11820705): https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11820705