bp Helios Fund
Could bp Helios Fund fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £2,000 – £5,000
- Applications
- Accepted
- Decisions
- Rolling (no fixed deadline)
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.ukAbout bp Helios Fund
The bp Helios Fund, originally established as the BP Benevolent Fund, is a UK-registered charity that provides financial assistance to former employees of BP and their dependants. Its mission is to alleviate hardship caused by poverty, ill health, disability, or economic vulnerability, offering one-off grants and small repayable loans for essential needs such as living costs, medical expenses, and housing arrears. The Fund supports qualifying individuals within the BP alumni community, including retired workers and widows, who are struggling to meet basic needs. Beneficiaries are typically older people and those with disabilities, and support is available across the UK. The Fund does not accept unsolicited applications, nor does it provide funding to organisations, charities, or the general public. It does not fund projects, core organisational costs, education, or capital builds, focusing exclusively on individual hardship relief for its defined constituency.
What bp Helios Fund funds
The Fund supports personal hardship relief for qualifying individuals, such as retired engineers facing health crises or widows of refinery workers struggling with bills. It prioritises those unable to meet basic needs despite pensions or benefits. Support covers urgent essentials like living expenses, medical costs, housing arrears, and mobility aids. The Fund operates throughout England and Wales, with eligibility extending to former BP employees and dependants across the UK.
Who can apply
Eligibility is strictly limited to former BP employees or dependants UK-wide, verified by employment history. No organisations, charities, or the general public qualify. There are no income thresholds or size rules. Beneficiaries are typically older people and those with disabilities within the ex-BP family. Eligible individuals or representatives must request a form from the administrator, submitting financial evidence and need documentation for rolling review.
What bp Helios Fund doesn't fund
The Fund does not fund projects, core organisational costs, education, capital builds, or external charities. It does not provide funding to organisations, charities, or the general public. Unsolicited applications are not accepted.
How they like to fund
The Fund provides one-off grants and occasional small repayable loans for urgent essentials. It operates on a reactive, needs-based ethos, with decisions typically within weeks. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; eligible individuals or representatives must request a form from the administrator.
How much does bp Helios Fund give?
Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.
When to apply, and how long their decisions take.
Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.
Good to know
How to apply to bp Helios Fund
bp Helios Fund accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations.
- Decisions are typically rolling (no fixed deadline).
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
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 bp Helios Fund could be a fit. Draft if yes.
bp Helios Fund on the charity register
Registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales as bp Helios Fund, charity number 803778.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does bp Helios Fund provide?
bp Helios Fund typically provides grants of £2,000 - £5,000.
Where does bp Helios Fund fund charities?
bp Helios Fund funds charities operating in the UK.
Does bp Helios Fund accept unsolicited applications?
bp Helios Fund accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
How do I apply for funding from bp Helios Fund?
bp Helios Fund accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Decisions are typically rolling (no fixed deadline).
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Could bp Helios Fund be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.