Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation

Could Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants: £1,000 – £10,000
Where they fund: United Kingdom
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Email application
Decisions: Quarterly

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

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ciswo.org.uk

About Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation

The Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO) is the UK's national charity supporting former coal miners, their families, and mining communities across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Established in 1920, its mission is to improve lives and reduce disadvantage by addressing the social, economic, and health legacies of coal industry decline. CISWO works through a mix of direct welfare support and funding for local charities, with a strong emphasis on social justice, empowerment, and community resilience. The organisation is distinctive for its holistic, enduring approach, focusing solely on mining-related causes rather than general charitable work.

What Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation funds

CISWO funds work that benefits former mining areas and those affected by mining-related hardship. This includes capital improvements to recreational facilities, equipment for community spaces, and financial grants to individuals for specific needs such as mobility aids, hardship relief, or health conditions like pneumoconiosis. They also provide educational grants for former mineworkers and their dependent children in higher education, based on financial need. Support is available across the whole of the United Kingdom.

Who can apply

CISWO's support is primarily offered to other mining charities and grassroots organisations serving ex-coalfield communities. They also provide direct grants to individuals, including former mineworkers, their dependents, and widows. Individual support is needs-led, targeting those facing isolation, illness, disability, or financial difficulty within former mining communities. There is no religious restriction on applicants.

What Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation doesn't fund

CISWO does not fund non-mining initiatives or general charitable work outside the context of former coalfield communities. Their support is focused on mining-related causes and those directly affected by the coal industry's legacy.

How they like to fund

CISWO provides a mix of one-off grants for capital works and equipment, as well as financial grants to individuals for specific needs. They also offer educational grants based on financial need. The organisation welcomes unsolicited applications and works with a range of partners to deliver its support.

How much does Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation give?

Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation runs 3 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

£1,000 – £10,000

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 29 sourced facts

Education grantsOpen to applications

Online application form
Next deadline 1 December 2026
1 rounds a year

Individual Grant GivingRolling applications

By invitation only

Recreational Facilities DevelopmentRolling applications

By invitation only

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 Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation funds — and what they won't

Their stated priorities

Support for former mineworkers and their dependent children in higher education, based on financial need.

Where they fund

United Kingdom

Costs they'll cover

TrainingCapital works & buildingsEquipment

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

CommunityOlder peoplePoverty & hardshipDisability

How to apply to Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation

Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation takes applications via email application.

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.

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 Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation provide?

Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation typically provides grants of £1,000 - £10,000.

Where does Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation fund charities?

Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation funds charities operating in United Kingdom.

Does Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation accept unsolicited applications?

Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation 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 Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation?

Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation takes applications via email application. Published programme route: online application form.