Grocers' Charity

Could Grocers' Charity fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants: Up to £5,000
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Two-stage application
Decisions: Quarterly

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

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grocershall.co.uk

About Grocers' Charity

The Grocers' Charity is the philanthropic arm of the Worshipful Company of Grocers, one of London's ancient livery companies. Rooted in centuries of tradition, the Trust supports small UK charities that deliver direct public benefit, with a mission to relieve hardship and advance community wellbeing. They favour a flexible, responsive approach, funding grassroots organisations through one-off grants for project delivery, equipment, training, and research. The Trust values open partnerships, inclusivity, and environmentally conscious giving, blending its heritage with a modern, evidence-based outlook.

What Grocers' Charity funds

The Trust funds a broad range of causes, including poverty relief for families in crisis, support for isolated older people through day services and befriending, disability inclusion and equipment for people with physical or learning disabilities, mental health counselling, and therapeutic activities for vulnerable adults. They also support children and young people through after-school clubs, mentoring, and early intervention for SEND needs, as well as veterans' peer support, arts and heritage projects, and environmental conservation. Grants are typically one-off and aimed at small, registered charities working UK-wide.

Who can apply

Registered charities in the UK are eligible to apply. The Trust prioritises small, grassroots organisations with direct local impact, rather than large-scale bodies. They welcome unsolicited applications. Organisations working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults must have safeguarding policies in place. The Trust does not fund organisations with over 12 months of unrestricted reserves, or those that have had an application declined or awarded in the last 24 months.

What Grocers' Charity doesn't fund

The Trust does not fund capital works, events, transport, or general appeals. They also exclude grant-making organisations, Girl Guides or Scout groups, schools, faith groups, community groups, CICs, social enterprises, and individuals. Projects that have already been completed, or work due to start within four months, are not supported.

How they like to fund

The Grocers' Charity provides one-off grants, typically up to a modest amount, for project delivery, equipment, training, and research. They do not offer multi-year funding. The Trust welcomes unsolicited applications and favours a flexible, responsive approach to supporting grassroots charities.

How much does Grocers' Charity give?

Grocers' Charity runs one grant programme. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 16 sourced facts

Open GrantsCurrently closed

Up to £5,000

Two-stage process
Next round opens 31 March 2027
4 rounds a year
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 Grocers' Charity funds — and what they won't

Costs they'll cover

Project deliveryEquipmentTrainingResearch

They don't fund

FaithCapital works & buildingsEventsFeasibility studiesTransportCICsSocial enterprisesSchoolFaith groupsCommunity groupsIndividuals

The full exclusions list (8)

Grant-making organisations
Girl Guides/Scout groups/associations
Organisations working with children and young people or vulnerable adults which do not have Safeguarding Policies
Organisations who have had an application declined or awarded in the last 24 months
Those with over 12 months of unrestricted reserves
Funding for projects that have already been completed
Applications for work that is due to start within four months
General appeals and emergency appeals

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Poverty & hardshipOlder peopleDisabilityChildren & youthMental health

How to apply to Grocers' Charity

Grocers' Charity takes applications via two-stage application.

Published programme route: two-stage process.
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 Grocers' Charity could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Grocers' Charity provide?

Grocers' Charity runs one grant programme — Open Grants: Up to £5,000.

Where does Grocers' Charity fund charities?

Grocers' Charity funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Grocers' Charity accept unsolicited applications?

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

What does Grocers' Charity not fund?

Their published exclusions include: Grant-making organisations; Girl Guides/Scout groups/associations; Organisations working with children and young people or vulnerable adults which do not have Safeguarding Policies; Organisations who have had an application declined or awarded in the last 24 months; Those with over 12 months of unrestricted reserves. The full exclusions list is further up this page.

How do I apply for funding from Grocers' Charity?

Grocers' Charity takes applications via two-stage application. Published programme route: two-stage process.