BBC Children in Need Grants

For charities and not-for-profit organisations. Applicants to this programme can apply for grants for up to three years. We aim to give quicker decisions for grants of £15,000 or less per year.

Project Costs Funding Stream supports the aims and delivery of a specific piece of work. This work will usually be time-limited, and based on a defined set of activities.

  • The Project Costs stream has no application deadline – you can apply at any time
  • We will not fund any work that has already taken place, or any costs incurred, before the date we give you a decision
  • The first step in applying for Project Costs is to fill in a short Expression of Interest (EOI) form online
  • Use the EOI form to tell us a bit more about your organisation, and the work you want us to fund
  • You’ll be able to access the EOI form in your online account when the funding stream is open
  • If we would like to support the work outlined in your EOI form, we’ll send you a full application form to complete
  • Our National and Regional Plans will help you understand how we prioritise decisions

BBC Children in Need commits to fairness and making a positive difference for children and young people. It is our responsibility to embrace a diverse, equitable, and inclusive approach to everything we do. Children and young people are great at this and we need to be too.

The people and organisations that BBC Children in Need fund will be:

  • Working with children and young people aged 18 years and under
  • Working in the heart of their communities, particularly in times of crisis
  • Putting children and young people at the centre of everything they do, from design to delivery
  • Addressing challenges faced by children and young people, building their skills and resilience
  • Empowering children and young people, and extending their choices in life
  • Keen to keep learning about and developing their work with children and young people
  • Committed to making a difference in children and young people’s lives

BBC Children in Need doesn’t fund:

  • Work that statutory bodies (such as schools or local authorities) have a duty to fund
  • Educational institutions, including schools, universities, and pupil referral units. Special schools are the only exception; please see our A–Z Guidance for more detail
  • Local government, prisons, or NHS bodies
  • Capital or building projects
  • Projects that promote religion
  • Trips abroad, or other activity taking place outside the UK
  • Medical treatment or research
  • Pregnancy testing or advice, information, or counselling on pregnancy choices
  • Awareness-raising work, except where targeted at children or young people most at risk
  • Bursaries, sponsored places, fees, or similar costs
  • Holidays where there is little or no project involvement
  • Political activity, including party political organisations or direct lobbying
  • Individuals
  • Costs passed on to other organisations
  • General appeals or endowment funds
  • Help with budget shortfalls or debt repayments
  • Work that has already taken place – or any costs incurred – before the date we give you a decision (retrospective funding)
  • Projects unable to start within 12 months of the grant award date
  • Unspecified expenditure

For more information and how to apply click here:

Core Grants Funding Stream supports essential organisational and administrative spending. These are the key expenses required to keep your organisation running.

  • The Core Costs funding stream has no application deadline – you can apply at any time
  • We will not fund any work that has already taken place, or any costs incurred, before the date we give you a decision
  • The first step in applying for Core Costs is to fill in a short Expression of Interest (EOI) form online
  • Use the EOI form to tell us a bit more about your organisation, and the work you want us to fund
  • You’ll be able to access the EOI form in your online account when the funding stream is open
  • If we would like to support the work outlined in your EOI form, we’ll send you a full application form to complete
  • Our National and Regional Plans will help you understand how we prioritise decisions

BBC Children in Need commits to fairness and making a positive difference for children and young people. It is our responsibility to embrace a diverse, equitable, and inclusive approach to everything we do. Children and young people are great at this and we need to be too.

The people and organisations that BBC Children in Need fund will be:

  • Working with children and young people aged 18 years and under
  • Working in the heart of their communities, particularly in times of crisis
  • Putting children and young people at the centre of everything they do, from design to delivery
  • Addressing challenges faced by children and young people, building their skills and resilience
  • Empowering children and young people, and extending their choices in life
  • Keen to keep learning about and developing their work with children and young people
  • Committed to making a difference in children and young people’s lives

BBC Children in Need doesn’t fund:

  • Work that statutory bodies (such as schools or local authorities) have a duty to fund
  • Educational institutions, including schools, universities, and pupil referral units. Special schools are the only exception; please see our A–Z Guidance for more detail
  • Local government, prisons, or NHS bodies
  • Capital or building projects
  • Work that promotes religion
  • Trips abroad, or other activity taking place outside the UK
  • Medical treatment or research
  • Pregnancy testing or advice, information, or counselling on pregnancy choices
  • Awareness-raising work, except where targeted at children or young people most at risk
  • Bursaries, sponsored places, fees, or similar costs
  • Holidays where there is little or no project involvement
  • Political activity, including party political organisations or direct lobbying
  • Individuals
  • Costs passed on to other organisations
  • General appeals or endowment funds
  • Help with budget shortfalls or debt repayments
  • Work that has already taken place – or any costs incurred – before the date we give you a decision (retrospective funding)
  • Expenditure unable to start within 12 months of the grant award date
  • Unspecified expenditure

For more information and how to apply click here: