Anchor Foundation

Could Anchor Foundation fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants
£500 – £12,000
Where they fund
UK, Overseas
Applications
Accepted
How to apply
Online form
Decisions
Bi annually

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

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theanchorfoundation.org.uk

About Anchor Foundation

The Anchor Foundation is a Christian grantmaker that supports registered charities working at the intersection of faith, arts, healing and social inclusion. It was established specifically to help Christian charities that may find it harder to secure funding from secular sources. The Foundation looks favourably on organisations whose boards demonstrate equal opportunities. Trustees prefer to support smaller organisations where grants can make a significant impact. The Foundation's funding character is rooted in Christian compassion, with a focus on enabling projects that transform lives through arts, healing and community inclusion. It aims to empower charities that work with socially excluded groups, providing support where a grant can have a tangible effect.

What Anchor Foundation funds

The Foundation funds project delivery in the areas of faith, arts and culture, community development and mental health. It supports work both in the UK and overseas. Priority is given to Christian charities, particularly those engaged in art, healing and social inclusion. The Foundation specifically targets Christian charities that may find it harder to obtain grants from secular givers. Trustees look favourably on organisations whose boards demonstrate equal opportunities. The Foundation prefers to fund smaller charities where a grant can make a significant impact, and it supports projects that align with Christian values and address social exclusion. The types of projects supported include arts therapy, music outreach, community arts initiatives, mental health support, and healing ministries for vulnerable groups such as those in poverty or isolation. The Foundation also supports community development projects that foster inclusion and social cohesion.

Who can apply

Only registered charities are eligible to apply. The Foundation prioritises Christian charities, especially those working with art, healing and social inclusion. It particularly targets Christian charities that may find it harder to secure funding from secular sources. The Foundation looks favourably on organisations whose boards demonstrate equal opportunities. Smaller charities where a grant can make a significant impact are especially welcome. The Foundation supports both UK-based and overseas charities, as long as they are registered charities. Charities must have a clear Christian basis and demonstrate that their projects align with the Foundation's focus on faith, arts, healing and social inclusion. The Foundation encourages applications from charities that are smaller and may be overlooked by larger funders.

What Anchor Foundation doesn't fund

The Foundation does not usually fund capital works, though exceptional grants for building work may be considered, but it cannot fund purchases of land or buildings. It does not fund CICs or make grants to individuals. The Foundation only funds Christian charities, so secular and non-Christian organisations are not eligible. Feedback on unsuccessful applications is not provided.

How they like to fund

The Foundation provides project grants and can support the same project for up to three years. It welcomes unsolicited applications and prefers to support smaller organisations where grants can make a significant impact. The Foundation looks favourably on organisations whose boards demonstrate equal opportunities.

How much does Anchor Foundation give?

Anchor Foundation runs one grant programme. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 20 sourced facts

Grant ProgrammeOpen to applications
Up to £12,000
  • Online application form
  • Next deadline 31 January 2027
  • 2 rounds a year
  • Multi-year funding

Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.

What Anchor Foundation funds — and what they won't

Their stated priorities

The Foundation supports Christian charities working with Art, Healing and Social Inclusion. It particularly targets Christian charities that may find it harder to obtain grants from secular givers. Trustees look favourably on organisations whose boards demonstrate equal opportunities.

Where they fund
UKOverseas
Costs they'll cover
Project delivery
They don't fund
Capital works & buildingsCICsIndividuals
The full exclusions list (1)
  • We do not fund CICs. We do not give grants to individuals. Only in exceptional circumstances will grants be given for building work but we cannot fund purchases of land or buildings. We cannot provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.

Good to know

FaithChristian only
Focus areas
Arts & cultureFaithMental health

How to apply to Anchor Foundation

Anchor Foundation takes applications via online form.

  • Published programme route: online application form.
  • Decisions are typically bi annually.
  • Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

What Anchor Foundation's application asks

We hold the 18 questions from Anchor Foundation's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.

Question 1

Name of Charity

Question 2

Registered Charity Number

16 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.

How it works

  1. 1
    Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
  2. 2
    See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
  3. 3
    Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.

See if Anchor Foundation could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Anchor Foundation provide?

Anchor Foundation runs one grant programme — Grant Programme: Up to £12,000.

Where does Anchor Foundation fund charities?

Anchor Foundation funds charities operating in UK, Overseas.

Does Anchor Foundation accept unsolicited applications?

Anchor Foundation accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

What does Anchor Foundation not fund?

Their published exclusions include: We do not fund CICs. We do not give grants to individuals. Only in exceptional circumstances will grants be given for building work but we cannot fund purchases of land or buildings. We cannot provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.. The full exclusions list is further up this page.

How do I apply for funding from Anchor Foundation?

Anchor Foundation takes applications via online form. Published programme route: online application form.

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Could Anchor Foundation be a fit?

Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.