Milton Keynes Community Foundation Limited

The foundation supports a wide range of community-led activity across Milton Keynes. Causes include community development, children and young people, older people, arts and culture, sport and recreation, poverty and hardship, mental health, disability, refugees and migrants, domestic abuse, criminal justice, carers and faith-based community work. Additional priorities cover diversity, health and wellbeing, crime and safety, housing, arts and heritage, environment, economy, transport, work and education. They fund project delivery and core costs, and place particular emphasis on early-stage ideas (Seed Grants), strengthening emerging organisations (Sapling Grants) and scaling proven approaches (Oak Grants). All funded work must directly benefit residents of Milton Keynes and its immediate environs.

Eligible organisations include unincorporated associations, registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs), sports clubs, faith groups (where the project is community-focused and not for religious promotion) and community benefit societies. Applicants must be based in Milton Keynes and deliver activity within the borough. The foundation prioritises access for a broad range of beneficiaries including children, young people, older people, disabled people, carers, refugees, ethnic minority communities, LGBTQ+ people, unemployed and homeless residents, and rural communities. Individuals, for-profit companies, schools, statutory bodies and political parties are not eligible.

The foundation does not fund animal-related causes, individuals, schools, statutory bodies, for-profit organisations, political parties or activities promoting religion. Excluded costs include retrospective expenditure, medical research or treatment, deficit funding, loan repayment, contingencies, fundraising events, re-granting, capital works, salaries, training, transport, feasibility studies, and emergency response. Food and drink, and travel or accommodation are only considered if vital to the project.

The foundation offers one-off grants for project delivery and core costs. Most programmes do not require match funding, though Oak Grants do. They welcome unsolicited applications across their open programmes (Community Roots, Sapling, Seed, Oak). Funding is designed to be flexible, supporting grassroots innovation, partnership working and lasting change in the voluntary sector.