The Federation Of Groundwork Trusts

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £22.3 million (charitable activities expenditure 2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 6 weeks (Comic Relief Capacity Building); varies by programme
• Grant Range: £500 - £5,000 (depending on programme)
• Geographic Focus: England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (works with partners in Scotland)

Contact Details

Website: www.groundwork.org.uk

Email: info@groundwork.org.uk

Phone: 0121 236 8565

Programme-Specific Contacts:

• Grassroots Grants: grassrootsgrants@groundwork.org.uk / 0121 237 3640

Overview

The Federation of Groundwork Trusts (charity number 291558), operating as Groundwork UK, was established as a national environmental regeneration charity. In the financial year ending March 2024, the organization had total income of £21.3 million and expenditure of £22.6 million on charitable activities. Groundwork supports communities in need, working with partners to help improve the quality of people's lives, their prospects and potential, and the places where they live, work and play. The organization operates through a federation structure with 13 trustees, 54 employees, and 18 volunteers at the national level, coordinating work across multiple regional Groundwork trusts. Groundwork distributes approximately £20 million annually to over 17,000 organizations and community groups, making it one of the UK's largest distributors of community grants. The organization acts as a grant administrator for multiple funders including People's Postcode Lottery, Comic Relief, Bupa Foundation, and Tesco, while also providing advocacy, research, and acting as an umbrella body for local Groundwork trusts.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Grassroots Grants (funded by People's Postcode Lottery)

• Amount: £500 - £2,000
• Eligibility: Organizations with annual income under £60,000 (priority for those under £50,000)
• Focus: Unrestricted funding for small, local organizations
• Application: Rolling programme with fixed deadlines
• Geographic Scope: England only

Comic Relief Community Fund

• Amount: Up to £5,000 (project grants); up to £500 (capacity building)
• Eligibility: Organizations with annual income under £250,000
• Focus: Tackling poverty and hardship
• Decision Time: 6 weeks for capacity building grants
• Application: Online portal via Groundwork
• Geographic Scope: England

Bupa Foundation Green Community Grants

• Amount: £500 - £2,000
• Eligibility: Non-fee paying schools, registered charities, not-for-profit organizations, local authorities, social housing providers
• Focus: Green space regeneration projects benefiting people and planet health
• Geographic Scope: UK and Ireland (including Channel Islands and Republic of Ireland)

Tesco Community Grants (Stronger Starts and Bags of Help programmes)

• Amount: Up to £2,000
• Focus: Various community projects; Stronger Starts focuses on children
• Special Feature: 100% funding available (no match funding required)
• Track Record: Distributed over £68 million to nearly 30,000 projects since 2015

Heathrow Community Fund

• Administrator: Groundwork South manages applications
• Geographic Scope: 9 boroughs around Heathrow Airport (Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Richmond, Runnymede, Slough, Spelthorne, South Bucks, Windsor & Maidenhead)
• Focus: Local community projects near the airport

Priority Areas

• Poverty and Deprivation: Organizations working in areas ranking within the top 15% on the English Indices of Deprivation are prioritized
• Marginalized and Vulnerable Communities: Priority given to organizations supporting marginalized or vulnerable communities
• Environmental Regeneration: Green space creation, tree planting, biodiversity, air quality improvement
• Youth Engagement: Projects supporting young people's development, outdoor learning, skills training
• Energy Efficiency: Fuel poverty reduction, energy bill support, building efficiency improvements
• Community Development: Unrestricted funding for local organizations with expert local knowledge and lived experience
• Health and Wellbeing: Projects that improve access to nature and reduce health inequalities

What They Don't Fund

• Work that has already taken place or will have taken place before grant receipt
• Fundraising activities or challenges (e.g., sponsored skydives)
• Activities collecting funds for redistribution to other charities or individuals
• Medical research, clinical treatment, medical staff in clinical settings, medical equipment
• Animal welfare (except projects supporting human wellbeing through therapy animals)
• Mental health as the principal focus (though may be funded as part of wider work)
• Applications from individuals or profit-making organizations
• Organizations with incomes over the programme-specific thresholds

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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Oona Muirhead CBE (appointed September 2024)

Oona brings extensive experience from central and local government, having served 23 years at the Ministry of Defence before roles at Defra, Local Government Association, and as Chief Executive of SEEDA. She has particular expertise in building partnerships to drive action on green infrastructure, jobs, energy efficiency, and access to nature. She chaired the London 2012 partnership for the South East.

Chief Executive: Graham Duxbury

Graham has worked for Groundwork for over 15 years and was promoted to Chief Executive in 2014. In 2025, he joined the UK100 board, a cross-party network supporting local government leaders committed to tackling climate crisis. Graham has been vocal about funding priorities, stating: “Unrestricted funding for small organisations with expert local knowledge and lived experience is a key component to ensuring communities can take control of their own destinies.”

Board Structure: The Federation Board comprises 13 trustees, with the majority appointed from boards of member Groundwork Trusts, and independent trustees including the Chair co-opted to broaden the skills base. No trustees receive remuneration.

How to Apply to The Federation Of Groundwork Trusts

How to Apply

Groundwork operates online grant application and monitoring systems through their FlexiGrant portal. The application process varies by programme:

General Application Steps:

1. Read the guidance notes for your chosen programme
2. Complete the programme-specific eligibility checker
3. If eligible, access the application form link at the end of the eligibility checker
4. Prepare required documentation before starting
5. Submit application before the deadline (typically 12:00 noon on closing date)

Required Documentation (varies by programme):

• Organization's aims and objectives
• Annual accounts or statement of accounts for last financial year
• Bank details
• Governing document (constitution, trust deed, memorandum and articles)
• Track record evidence
• Relevant policies and procedures
• Staff/volunteer profiles

Application Formats:

• Most programmes use online portals
• Some programmes operate on rolling basis with fixed deadlines
• Others have specific application windows

Focus on First-Time Applicants: Groundwork prioritizes supporting organizations applying for grants for the first time.

Decision Timeline

• Comic Relief Capacity Building Grants: 6 weeks from application
• Other programmes: Timelines vary; specific information not publicly available for all programmes
• Funding Duration: Most grants should be spent within 12 months of award

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, Groundwork distributed approximately £20 million to over 17,000 organizations in a recent year, indicating substantial reach across the UK.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Applicants should contact programme-specific contacts for guidance on reapplication timelines and restrictions.

Application Success Factors

Based on Groundwork's published guidance and leadership statements, successful applications demonstrate:

Strong Eligibility Match

• Applications fail most often due to eligibility issues (legal form, lack of charity status, size, or geographic remit). Ensure your organization meets all criteria before applying.

Community Need and Local Knowledge

Graham Duxbury emphasized that “organisations with expert local knowledge and lived experience” are key to success. Demonstrate:

• Letters of support from community groups, local councillors, police, schools, youth groups
• Research on geographical location, population, and project theme
• Direct quotes from community or intended beneficiaries
• Links to local and regional government strategies

Clear Project Planning

Applications fail when “projects appear to be poorly planned” or applicants “do not present their project clearly and concisely.” Include:

• WHO: Target audience with specific demographics
• WHAT: Activities described accurately and in detail
• WHERE: Specific location and geographic context
• HOW: Clear methodology and delivery approach
• WHEN: Realistic timeline and project duration

Demonstrated Track Record

• Profile of qualified and experienced people within your organization
• Evidence of volunteer support levels
• Previous successful project delivery
• Organizational sustainability indicators

Monitoring and Evaluation

Applications fail when made “without monitoring and evaluation processes in place.” Show how you will measure success and impact.

Administrative Excellence

Common failures include:

• Missing deadlines
• Incomplete application forms
• Missing, inaccurate, outdated, or contradictory supporting documents
• Ensure all documentation is enclosed, current, and consistent

Alignment with Priority Areas

Priority is given to organizations:

• Working in areas within the top 15% on the English Indices of Deprivation
• With income under £50,000 (for Grassroots Grants)
• Supporting marginalized or vulnerable communities

Team Involvement

Groundwork advises: “The person or people writing the application may not be the same people running the activities. By involving as many people as possible from your group in the planning stage, you can make sure you describe the activities accurately.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Unrestricted funding focus: Groundwork prioritizes flexible, unrestricted grants that allow organizations to use funds where most needed, recognizing that local organizations understand their communities best
• Deprivation priority: Applications from organizations working in the most deprived areas (top 15% on IMD) receive priority consideration across multiple programmes
• Multiple programmes available: With various grant schemes operating simultaneously (Grassroots, Comic Relief, Bupa, Tesco), organizations may have multiple opportunities to apply depending on project focus
• 100% funding available: Some programmes (like Tesco Bags of Help) can fund 100% of project costs without match funding requirements
• First-time applicant support: Groundwork actively supports organizations applying for grants for the first time, making them an accessible funder for less experienced applicants
• 6-week fast track: Comic Relief Capacity Building Grants offer relatively quick decisions (6 weeks), useful for organizations needing rapid support
• Environmental and social combined: Bupa Green Community Grants exemplify Groundwork's approach to projects that benefit both people and planet, particularly green space regeneration in urban areas

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Childwick Trust
• The Evelyn Trust
• Heathrow Community Trust
• Greater London Authority
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• National Lottery
• Interreg
• Environment Agency
• Bank Of England

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities, The Federation of Groundwork Trusts (291558): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=291558&subid=0
• Groundwork official website: https://www.groundwork.org.uk/
• Groundwork UK news article: "Groundwork and People's Postcode Lottery launch new Grassroots Grants funding programme,"
• Groundwork UK news article: “Groundwork appoints Oona Muirhead as new UK Chair,” September 2024
• Groundwork UK news article: “Groundwork and Bupa Foundation invest £500,000 in community projects across UK and Ireland,”
• Groundwork UK: “Groundwork UK - tips on applying for grant funding,” GRIN website: https://grin.coop/groundwork-uk-tips-on-applying-for-grant-funding/
• Groundwork UK: “Tips on applying for a community project grant,”: https://www.groundwork.org.uk/project-fundraising-tips/
• Companies House, The Federation of Groundwork Trusts (01900511)
• 360Giving GrantNav, The Federation of Groundwork Trusts: https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/GB-CHC-291558