Bernard Sunley Foundation
Could Bernard Sunley Foundation fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £1,000 – £5,000
- Where they fund
- England, Wales
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Online form
- Decisions
- Quarterly
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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bernardsunley.orgAbout Bernard Sunley Foundation
The Bernard Sunley Foundation is a grant-making trust that supports charities in England and Wales. Established in 1960 by property developer Bernard Sunley, it is an independent family-led foundation governed by Sunley family trustees. The Foundation is committed to raising the quality of life and providing greater opportunities for young people, the elderly, the disabled and the disadvantaged. It awards grants to capital projects that deliver a real community focus or provide facilities to support those in need. The Foundation emphasises public benefit, independence, and high governance standards.
What Bernard Sunley Foundation funds
The Foundation funds capital works, equipment, transport and feasibility studies. It supports a wide range of causes including community centres, churches, village halls, youth clubs, uniformed groups, sport facilities, arts venues, countryside projects, literacy, music, outdoor learning, special needs schools, hospices, hospitals, residential care for disabled, day services for disabled, mental health, neurological conditions, sight and hearing loss, addiction and rehabilitation, almshouses, armed forces and veterans, domestic and sexual abuse, ex-offenders, homelessness, animal welfare, and animal assisted therapy. The Foundation works across England and Wales, prioritising projects that deliver lasting community benefit.
Who can apply
The Foundation accepts applications from a wide range of organisations including registered charities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs), Community Benefit Societies, scout and guide groups, specialist schools, churches and places of worship, museums and heritage centres, Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs), Community Interest Companies (CICs), unregistered community groups, town and parish councils, NHS hospitals, and mainstream schools, colleges or universities. Beneficiaries include children, young people, older people and disabled people. Applicants must have at least one set of annual accounts and more than 10 years remaining on their lease. The Foundation does not fund new organisations without accounts.
What Bernard Sunley Foundation doesn't fund
The Foundation does not fund core costs, salaries, training, rent, utility bills, websites, IT infrastructure, AV systems, fittings or medical equipment. It does not fund repairs to church towers, bells or organs. The Foundation does not fund second-hand or leased vehicles. It does not fund individuals. Projects below a minimum threshold are not supported, and charities with a high annual income must have projects costing at least a larger threshold, except for special educational needs schools.
How they like to fund
The Foundation awards grants for capital projects only, providing one-off funding for tangible assets such as buildings, refurbishments, equipment and new vehicles. Match funding is not required. The Foundation welcomes unsolicited applications and supports first-time applicants and small to medium-sized charities. Its distinctive capital-only model focuses on creating sustainable community impact through durable assets.
How much does Bernard Sunley Foundation give?
Bernard Sunley Foundation runs one grant programme. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 16 sourced facts
- Online application form
- Single-year grants
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 Bernard Sunley Foundation funds — and what they won't
The Foundation supports charities in England and Wales working to raise the quality of life and provide greater opportunities for the young, the elderly, the disabled and the disadvantaged. Each year, the Foundation awards around £4 million to capital projects that deliver a real community focus or provide facilities to support those in need.
The full exclusions list (8)
- We do not fund repairs to church towers, bells or organs.
- The Foundation does not fund second hand/used vehicles or leased vehicles.
- The Foundation does not fund individuals.
- The Foundation does not fund new organisations without at least one set of annual accounts.
- The Foundation does not fund projects below £10,000.
- The Foundation does not fund projects costing less than £100,000 from charities with an annual income of £1 million or over. SEN schools are the exception.
- You must have more than 10 years left on the lease to apply to us.
- You must have planning permission before applying to us.
Good to know
How to apply to Bernard Sunley Foundation
Bernard Sunley Foundation takes applications via online form.
- Published programme route: online application form.
- Decisions are typically quarterly.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
What Bernard Sunley Foundation's application asks
We hold the 21 questions from Bernard Sunley Foundation's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.
“1. Do you represent: (Required) A charity or CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. A Community Benefit Society registered with the Financial Conduct Authority. A scout, guide or other uniformed group. A specialist school. A church or other places of worship. A museum, gallery or heritage centre. A Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC), Community Interest Company (CIC) or unregistered community group/club. A town or parish council. An NHS hospital, or a charity fundraising on their behalf. A mainstream school, college or university, or a charity fundraising on their behalf. Other.”
“1a. Is your application to support repairs to your church tower, bells or organ? (Required) Yes No”
19 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Bernard Sunley Foundation could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Bernard Sunley Foundation provide?
Bernard Sunley Foundation typically provides grants of £1,000 - £5,000.
Where does Bernard Sunley Foundation fund charities?
Bernard Sunley Foundation funds charities operating in England, Wales.
Does Bernard Sunley Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Bernard Sunley Foundation accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does Bernard Sunley Foundation not fund?
Their published exclusions include: We do not fund repairs to church towers, bells or organs.; The Foundation does not fund second hand/used vehicles or leased vehicles.; The Foundation does not fund individuals.; The Foundation does not fund new organisations without at least one set of annual accounts.; The Foundation does not fund projects below £10,000.. The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from Bernard Sunley Foundation?
Bernard Sunley Foundation takes applications via online form. Published programme route: online application form.
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