British Fashion Council Foundation
Could British Fashion Council Foundation fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £20,000 – £50,000
- Where they fund
- London
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Online form
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
Get a draft in 2 minutes · no card
britishfashioncouncil.co.ukAbout British Fashion Council Foundation
The British Fashion Council Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the British Fashion Council, focused on the future growth and global success of the UK fashion industry. Its mission centres on fostering creativity, innovation, inclusivity, entrepreneurship, sustainability and merit. It runs several programmes: a showcasing fund for London-based events that support emerging designers, a fashion trust for established labels demonstrating financial stability and a clear growth pathway, and scholarships for students. The Foundation aims to build on London's reputation as a hub for new talent and support the long-term viability of fashion businesses.
What British Fashion Council Foundation funds
The Foundation funds events and project delivery within the fashion sector. The London Fashion Showcasing Fund supports events that showcase emerging designers, with a strong focus on London. The BFC Fashion Trust provides grants for defined projects that contribute to the long-term viability of established fashion businesses, requiring a clear strategic vision and pathway for growth. Scholarships are offered to fashion students. The Foundation prioritises initiatives that demonstrate financial and commercial stability, strategic focus, and a commitment to developing the UK fashion industry.
Who can apply
The Foundation supports both organisations and individuals. The London Fashion Showcasing Fund is open to companies and registered charities delivering London-based events for emerging designers; individual designers are not eligible. The BFC Fashion Trust is for businesses registered with Companies House, majority-owned by the Creative Director or Designer (minimum 75%), and not sole traders. It is aimed at established labels with a clear growth pathway. Scholarships support individual fashion students. The Foundation prioritises UK-based entities and those demonstrating financial stability and strategic focus.
What British Fashion Council Foundation doesn't fund
The Foundation does not fund individual designers through its showcasing programme, nor does it support retrospective funding. For the Fashion Trust, bridalwear and childrenswear collections are excluded, along with sole traders and businesses not majority-owned by the designer. The Fashion Trust grants cannot be used for salaries or core costs that extend beyond the project period. Scholarships are only for individuals.
How they like to fund
The Foundation provides funding through targeted programmes. The London Fashion Showcasing Fund offers one-off grants for events, not multi-year support. The BFC Fashion Trust funds defined projects within a set period, excluding permanent staff salaries and ongoing core costs. Scholarships are awarded for educational purposes. The Foundation does not offer core cost funding or retrospective grants.
How much does British Fashion Council Foundation give?
British Fashion Council Foundation runs 4 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 26 sourced facts
- Online application form
- Decisions in ~2 weeks
- Single-year grants
- Online application form
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 British Fashion Council Foundation funds — and what they won't
Ability to demonstrate financial and commercial stability, displaying strategic focus and a pathway for growth. Ability to demonstrate a clear vision on how the grant will contribute to the long-term viability of their business
The full exclusions list (5)
- Collections cannot consist of bridalwear or childrenswear
- not sole trader
- must be majority-owned by Creative Director/Designer (75% minimum)
- applications from individual designers will not be considered
- applications for retrospective funding will not be considered
Good to know
How to apply to British Fashion Council Foundation
British Fashion Council Foundation takes applications via online form.
- Published programme route: online application form.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
What British Fashion Council Foundation's application asks
We hold the 5 questions from British Fashion Council Foundation's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.
“Brand name”
“Number of years in business (Max 3)”
3 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 British Fashion Council Foundation could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does British Fashion Council Foundation provide?
British Fashion Council Foundation runs 4 grant programmes — London Fashion Showcasing Fund: Up to £25,000.
Where does British Fashion Council Foundation fund charities?
British Fashion Council Foundation funds charities operating in London.
Does British Fashion Council Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
British Fashion Council Foundation accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does British Fashion Council Foundation not fund?
Their published exclusions include: Collections cannot consist of bridalwear or childrenswear; not sole trader; must be majority-owned by Creative Director/Designer (75% minimum); applications from individual designers will not be considered; applications for retrospective funding will not be considered. The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from British Fashion Council Foundation?
British Fashion Council Foundation takes applications via online form. Published programme route: online application form.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
Browse related grants
Spotted something that needs correcting? Tell us.
Could British Fashion Council Foundation be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.