Clarion Futures

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

Typical grants: £1,000 – £5,000
Where they fund: social housing communities, Clarion neighbourhoods, areas where there are Clarion properties, West Ealing area
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Online form

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

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About Clarion Futures

Clarion Futures is the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group, the UK's largest housing association. Its mission is to build capacity and skills in disadvantaged communities, alleviate poverty, and foster social inclusion. The foundation funds place-based projects in Clarion neighbourhoods, prioritising work that celebrates local uniqueness, brings diverse groups together, creates a sense of belonging, and increases pride in the area. Rooted in values of social justice and opportunity, Clarion Futures supports resident-led change and community development.

What Clarion Futures funds

Clarion Futures supports a wide range of causes including community development, arts, culture, heritage, environment, children and youth (under 25), older people, mental health, poverty relief, education, digital skills, and employment. Grants can cover project delivery, equipment, training, events, and core costs. Funding is directed to local projects in areas where Clarion has properties, including specific neighbourhoods like West Ealing. The foundation has a particular focus on young people, older adults, and families, and aims to build digital skills and confidence alongside community cohesion.

Who can apply

Eligible organisations include constituted community groups, registered charities, companies limited by guarantee, PTA or Friends of School groups, social enterprises, and Community Interest Companies (CICs). Statutory organisations such as local authorities and schools, purely commercial ventures, and individuals are not eligible. The foundation prioritises projects that benefit the general public in Clarion communities, with a strong emphasis on supporting young people, older people, and families facing disadvantage.

What Clarion Futures doesn't fund

The foundation does not fund capital works, salaries, party political activities, retrospective spending, activities promoting religious beliefs, or projects that exclude individuals on religious grounds, ethnicity, gender, or sexuality. Activities requiring staff or volunteers to deliver in-home support are also excluded, as are any costs considered unreasonable or non-essential. Organisations with overdue or incomplete monitoring from a previous Clarion Futures grant are ineligible.

How they like to fund

Clarion Futures offers both one-off project grants and a multi-year capacity building programme called Community Catalyst, which helps small non-profit organisations scale their work and strengthen long-term sustainability. They fund core costs alongside project costs and welcome unsolicited applications. There is no requirement for match funding. Their approach is rooted in supporting local, resident-led initiatives within social housing communities.

How much does Clarion Futures give?

Clarion Futures runs 4 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 72 sourced facts

Community CatalystOpen to applications

By invitation only
Multi-year funding

Digital Grants ProgrammeCurrently closed

£1,000 – £5,000

Online portal
Single-year grants

Making a Difference FundCurrently closed

£1,000 – £5,000

Online portal
Decisions in ~6 weeks
Single-year grants

West Ealing Community Grants ProgrammeCurrently closed

£1,000 – £5,000

Online portal
Decisions in ~8 weeks
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 Clarion Futures funds — and what they won't

Their stated priorities

Capacity building for small non-profit, voluntary and community organisations working in social housing communities, helping them scale their work, build capacity and strengthen long‑term sustainability.

Where they fund

social housing communitiesClarion neighbourhoodsareas where there are Clarion propertiesWest Ealing area

Costs they'll cover

Project deliveryEquipmentTrainingEventsCore costs

They don't fund

Capital works & buildingsSalariesStatutory organisations such as local authorities and schoolsPurely commercial ventures (for profit)IndividualsStatutory organisations such as local authorities

The full exclusions list (10)

Any party-political activity
Spending that has already taken place (retrospective funding)
Activities promoting religious beliefs
Individuals or projects run by individuals as opposed to an organisation
Any party political activity
Activities where individuals are excluded on religious grounds, ethnicity, gender, sexuality
Organisations with overdue or incomplete monitoring on a previous grant from Clarion Futures
Activities which require staff or volunteers to deliver in-home support
Any other costs considered unreasonable or non-essential for delivery of the proposed activity.
Activities where individuals are excluded on religious grounds, ethnicity, gender,sexuality

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

CommunityEducationPoverty & hardshipChildren & youth

How to apply to Clarion Futures

Clarion Futures takes applications via online form.

Published programme route: by invitation only.
Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

What Clarion Futures's application asks

We hold the 10 questions from Clarion Futures's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.

Question 1

“Your charity or company number, if you are a registered charity or company”

Question 2

“Key organisation details such as: The year your organisation was established; Financials – income over the last financial year, annual income over the last 3 years and a record of any previous Clarion Funding received; Information regarding organisational structure such as number of staff, number of management committee members, number of volunteers etc.”

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

How it works

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

See if Clarion Futures could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Clarion Futures provide?

Clarion Futures runs 4 grant programmes — Digital Grants Programme: £1,000 – £5,000 · Making a Difference Fund: £1,000 – £5,000 · West Ealing Community Grants Programme: £1,000 – £5,000.

Where does Clarion Futures fund charities?

Clarion Futures funds charities operating in social housing communities, Clarion neighbourhoods, areas where there are Clarion properties, West Ealing area.

Does Clarion Futures accept unsolicited applications?

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

What does Clarion Futures not fund?

Their published exclusions include: Any party-political activity; Spending that has already taken place (retrospective funding); Activities promoting religious beliefs; Individuals or projects run by individuals as opposed to an organisation; Any party political activity. The full exclusions list is further up this page.

How do I apply for funding from Clarion Futures?

Clarion Futures takes applications via online form. Published programme route: by invitation only.