Childlife
Could Childlife be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.
- Applications
- Existing partners only
- Decisions
- Once per year
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
Check fit free · no card
childlife.org.ukAbout Childlife
Childlife is a UK charitable consortium established in 1992, acting as a collaborative fundraising vehicle for four member charities. Its mission is to enhance the lives of babies, children, and young people facing illness, disability, or social disadvantage. It pools donor resources through payroll giving and regular donations, governed by a board of trustees from its members. Values of collaboration, transparency, and high pass-through rates guide its work, providing sustainable unrestricted support. Distinctively, Childlife is a member-led pass-through funder, not an open grantmaker.
What Childlife funds
Childlife funds the essential services of its partner charities: paediatric palliative care for life-limiting conditions; research and family support for ataxia; advocacy and outcomes improvement for vulnerable children; and barrier removal for deaf children. Grants support core costs, programme delivery, research, advocacy, family services, and capacity building, addressing themes such as rare neurological conditions, mental and physical health, inclusion, and child welfare across the UK.
Who can apply
Eligibility is strictly limited to its four large partner charities, all UK-based with national reach. No unsolicited applications from other entities, individuals, or small grassroots groups are accepted. The consortium does not offer project-specific, capital, or emergency funding, and does not redirect donations to single charities.
What Childlife doesn't fund
Childlife does not accept unsolicited applications from other organisations, individuals, or grassroots groups. It does not offer project-specific, capital, or emergency funding, and does not redirect donations to single charities.
How they like to fund
Childlife provides sustainable unrestricted support, with grants allocated equally by the board post-financial year-end. It functions solely as a member-led pass-through funder, not an open grantmaker.
How much does Childlife give?
Published grant sizes vary. A free fit check matches Childlife’s current criteria to your charity — so you know if it’s worth applying.
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 Childlife
Childlife does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.
- A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
- If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.
- Decisions are typically once per year.
What you can do here
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Childlife.
- 2Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
- 3Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.
See if Childlife could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Childlife provide?
Grant amounts vary. Contact Childlife directly for current funding levels.
Where does Childlife fund charities?
Childlife funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Childlife accept unsolicited applications?
Childlife does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Childlife?
Childlife does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
Browse related grants
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Could Childlife be a fit?
Check free — then find open funders like them.