The funding is for charitable causes that are unpopular or do not receive widespread attention within the UK, with particular focus on deprived areas. This could be due to negative focus within the media; due to difficulty in accessing statutory, voluntary and institutional funding; due to the cause being seen as politically controversial; or because the issue is not typically seen as a charitable cause.
The Seven Friends Foundation is a recently registered charity that provides small grants to organisations that fulfil their charitable aims to:
- Support and promote causes that are ignored, unpopular or face widespread stigma.
- Create stronger local communities that include those who have previously been excluded or marginalised.
- Improve skills, infrastructure, sustainability and collaboration within the third sector.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Asylum seekers and refugees
- Migrant communities
- Offenders and ex-offenders
- People experiencing violence or abuse
- Sex workers
- Trafficking and modern slavery
- Dependency or Addiction
- LGBT+
- Sexual and reproductive health.
The funding can be used for overheads, core costs, or administrative costs where they improve the sustainability and long-term success of an organisation.
This funder is looking to support organisations to undertake work and projects which are sustainable beyond the period of funding.
To be eligible, applicants must have an average annual income of less than £300,000, a bank account in their name, and a safeguarding policy if working with children or vulnerable adults.
Applications are encouraged from organisations that work together and can demonstrate how their work improves collaboration across the sector.
Restrictions
Funding is not available for individuals or organisations, causes or activities related to:
- The promotion of religion
- The promotion of ideology that harms or marginalises people
- The military
- The welfare of domesticated animals
- Umbrella organisations or organisations whose primary activity is to provide funding to other organisations.
The next deadline for application is 1 August 2024 for awards in late summer.