Small & Vital Fund
Funding
Up to £1,000
Deadline
Check with the funder
Location
Berkshire
Applications
Rolling applications
Overview
The Small & Vital Fund from Berkshire Community Foundation offers quick, flexible support to small community groups. It is open for applications all year round, so there is no deadline to work towards. You can apply for up to £1,000, subject to funding availability. The fund is for organisations that need a small amount of money to keep their work going or to respond to local needs. It is open to a wide range of projects. These include bringing people together and reducing isolation, providing education and training, supporting people facing challenges or disadvantage, improving wellbeing, confidence or life skills, offering practical help, and strengthening the community. This fund suits very small organisations. Your annual income must be £10,000 or less. You must have been operating for at least 12 months and be able to provide 12 months of financial records, such as annual accounts. Your project must be based primarily in Berkshire. Individuals cannot apply, and the fund will not cover costs you have already incurred. When reviewing applications, the Foundation looks at the difference your project will make, your connection to the community you serve, how realistic your plans are, the level of need you are responding to, and any previous BCF funding and outstanding monitoring reports. One thing to keep in mind: the Foundation receives many more applications than it has funding for, and it cannot guarantee that any application will succeed. Official source: https://www.berkshirecf.org/available-funding/small-and-vital-grants-round/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.
Requirements to check
Also open to: community groups
Key requirements:
- Annual income of £10,000 or less
- Operating for at least 12 months
- 12 months of financial records, such as annual accounts, required
- Project must be based primarily in Berkshire
- Individuals cannot apply
- No funding for costs already incurred
- Grants are subject to funding availability and success is not guaranteed
- Governing documents, bank statement, safeguarding policy and equality and diversity policy must be submitted
Your organisation must have an annual income of £10,000 or less, have been operating for at least 12 months, and be able to provide 12 months of financial records, such as annual accounts. Your project must be based primarily in Berkshire. You cannot apply as an individual, and the fund does not cover costs already incurred. If your income is above £10,000, you will need to apply to one of the Foundation's other funding programmes.
This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.
Small charities and community groups in Berkshire with an annual income of £10,000 or less that need a small amount of funding to continue their work or respond to local needs.
Sectors
Regions
No published award history for Berkshire Community Foundation. Some funders do not publish their grants data.
Full details from Berkshire Community Foundation
Small & Vital offers up to £1,000 for small not-for-profit groups working in Berkshire. Applications are accepted throughout the year, subject to funds being available. The programme page sets an annual income limit of £10,000 or less and requires at least 12 months of operation and financial records. Email the grants team to check eligibility and request the application form. Not-for-profit charities, CIOs, CICs and constituted voluntary or community groups working in Berkshire for local benefit. Organisations must have operated for at least 12 months, provide 12 months of financial records, have a governing document and board or committee, and hold a bank account with two unrelated signatories. Equality and diversity policies are required, with safeguarding policies where relevant. Individuals, retrospective costs and projects primarily outside Berkshire are excluded. Applicants must be up to date with earlier grant reports. General restrictions include more than 12 months of unrestricted reserves, annual operating budgets above £2 million, political or religious campaigning, medical research and major capital projects. For Small & Vital, annual income must be £10,000 or less under the programme-specific guidance. The general eligibility page describes a budget under £10,000, so organisations at the boundary should confirm eligibility with the grants team. Email grants@berkshirecf.org to confirm eligibility and obtain the online form. Prepare your constitution, latest accounts, bank statement, equality and diversity policy and safeguarding policy where relevant. First-time applicants are encouraged to include a recommendation from an organisation familiar with their work. Funding is limited and an application does not guarantee an award.
Email the Grants team at grants@berkshirecf.org. If you meet the criteria, you will receive a link to the online application form. Submit it with your constitution, latest annual accounts, bank statement, safeguarding policy and equality and diversity policy. If you have not been funded by BCF before, a letter of recommendation is strongly suggested.
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Create free accountLast updated: 16 October 2026