Special Boat Service Association
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- Applications
- Existing partners only
- Decisions
- As needed
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.ukAbout Special Boat Service Association
The Special Boat Service Association is a charitable incorporated organisation established in 2016 to promote the welfare, efficiency, and traditions of the UK's Special Boat Service. It operates with an ethos of understatement, humility, and modesty, providing discreet, confidential aid that reflects the sensitive nature of SBS operations. The Association supports serving and former SBS personnel, their families, dependants, bereaved relatives, and wounded veterans, particularly where public funding falls short. Governed by a Board of Trustees with robust policies on ethics and safeguarding, it emphasises expedient relief for crises such as financial hardship, injury, sickness, or bereavement. What makes the Association distinctive is its closed-community focus, providing long-term legacy support through an internal referral system rather than open applications.
What Special Boat Service Association funds
The Association funds bespoke welfare interventions including direct grants, healthcare, counselling, respite breaks at UK and European properties, reunions, and resilience programmes such as Operation Armour and a developing Resilience and Recovery Centre. Support targets individual hardships, mental and physical recovery, family initiatives, and community cohesion exclusively within the SBS network, occasionally extending to closely associated Allied Forces. Organisational funding is limited to invitation-only specialist partners delivering SBS-specific services. The Association does not fund general projects, core costs, unrestricted grants, or external charities without a pre-existing SBS relationship.
Who can apply
The Association supports serving and former SBS personnel, their families, dependants, bereaved relatives, and wounded veterans. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; aid is provided confidentially via internal referrals and trustee or CEO discretion. There are no income, size, or geographic restrictions beyond SBS ties. Organisational funding is invitation-only for specialist partners delivering SBS-specific services. The Association does not fund external charities without a pre-existing SBS relationship.
What Special Boat Service Association doesn't fund
The Association does not fund general projects, core costs, unrestricted grants, or external charities without a pre-existing SBS relationship. It does not accept unsolicited applications, focusing instead on internal referrals for its closed community.
How they like to fund
The Association provides lifetime practical and financial support through direct grants, healthcare, counselling, respite breaks, and resilience programmes. Funding is tailored and confidential, with rolling decisions made internally. Organisational funding is by invitation only for specialist partners. The Association does not accept unsolicited applications.
How much does Special Boat Service Association give?
Published grant sizes vary. A free fit check matches Special Boat Service Association’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 Special Boat Service Association
Special Boat Service Association 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 as needed.
What you can do here
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Special Boat Service Association.
- 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 Special Boat Service Association could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Special Boat Service Association provide?
Grant amounts vary. Contact Special Boat Service Association directly for current funding levels.
Where does Special Boat Service Association fund charities?
Special Boat Service Association funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Special Boat Service Association accept unsolicited applications?
Special Boat Service Association does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Special Boat Service Association?
Special Boat Service Association 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.
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