The 2026 Yorkshire Grant Funding Directory
 

Running a charity or CIC in West Yorkshire is exhausting. You are juggling volunteers, tight budgets, and growing local needs.

Whether you are running a food bank in Bradford or regenerating green spaces in Kirklees, you need funding to survive.

But finding the right grant takes hours you simply do not have.
 

The Assessor's Advantage

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That is where I come in. I bring 15 years of professional bid writing experience. More importantly, I have spent 8 years sitting on grant funding decision-making panels. I know exactly why bids fail because I have been the assessor scoring them.

 

Major Regional Funders

 

These are the primary funding hubs for the region. They manage multiple pots of money (corporate, private, and public) under one roof.

 

The National Lottery Community Fund (Awards for All)

• Best for: Projects involving the community in the design.

• Insider Tip: They don't fund "nice to haves." You must prove that the people you help have actually asked for this project ("People in the Lead").

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​Leeds Community Foundation (Leeds, Bradford & Wakefield)

• Best for: Health inequalities, poverty, and grassroots groups.

• Insider Tip: They are strict on governance. Ensure your management committee has at least 3 unrelated members before applying.

 

The Brelms Trust

• Best for: Projects tackling disadvantage and poverty in Yorkshire.

• Insider Tip: They value clarity. They prefer simple, direct applications that explain the impact on people's lives rather than complex jargon.

 

Sir George Martin Trust

• Best for: West Yorkshire charities supporting young people or the elderly.

• Insider Tip: A traditional trust that values long-term stability. A great option for capital costs or core funding if you have a strong track record.

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Two Ridings Community Foundation

Region: North & East Yorkshire

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South Yorkshire's Community Foundation

Region: Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster

These are the primary funding hubs for the region. They manage multiple funds (private, corporate, and public) under one roof.

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The "Big Hitters" (National Trusts)

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​Large foundations that fund heavily in Yorkshire.
 

Garfield Weston Foundation

• Best for: Core costs (running costs) and capital projects.

• Why apply: Unlike many funders, they are happy to pay for your electricity, rent, and staff time—not just new projects.