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Applying for funding
The Barrow Cadbury Trust is an independent charity using all its resources for social justice. We currently fund organisations focused in three main areas: criminal justice, migration and economic justice, particularly in Birmingham.
What kind of work do we fund?
We seek long-term solutions by looking at root causes of inequality, frequently working in partnership with others to identify solutions. We focus on a small number of distinct policy areas and seek to influence them by building an evidence base, advocating for change and ensuring the voices of people affected by social injustices are heard in the debate. Much of our work is directed towards change at the national level: where we work locally this is almost always in Birmingham and the surrounding area.
Because we work on a long-term basis with many of our partners, our funds are largely committed for the year ahead, while we undertake our strategic review. We remain open to enquiries through Economic Justice Brum and expect to update on available funding in other programmes in 2027.
Frequently asked questions
The FAQs below should answer all your questions but do email us at: general@barrowcadbury.org.uk if you have additional questions.
When can I apply?
You can apply at any time. We do not have set grant-making deadlines.
Where do we fund?
Much of what we fund is intended to influence national policy and practice and where we fund local work this is almost always in Birmingham and the surrounding area. The geographical restrictions in each of our programmes is different, please read the programme guidance carefully. We do not accept unsolicited applications for work outside the UK.
How do I apply?
On the programme pages you will find information about the funding criteria for each programme as well as a link to a short online enquiry form for you to complete if you think we might be the right funder for your work. If you are new to Barrow Cadbury Trust please do read and watch the information on these pages before completing the online enquiry form. Please fill in an application form if you have already discussed your project with us and we have asked you to fill one in.
Can I apply as an individual?
You can’t apply to the trust as an individual, you can only apply on behalf of an organisation.
How does the Trust make a decision and how long does the decision-making process take?
We aim to respond to your enquiry within 10 working days. If, following submission of your enquiry form, you are invited to make a full application, the assessment and decision process at the application form stage may take up to four months though this is usually shorter. Please bear this in mind when planning your start date.
If successful when will I receive the grant?
We will issue an offer letter within a few days of the decision being made. Once your Chair has signed the agreement and returned it to us payments will start – either immediately or in line with the start date we have agreed with you.
Can we re-apply if we have been turned down previously?
There is no bar on reapplying, but its best to talk to us first to ensure your new application meets our criteria and we can consider funding it.
How do I find out about other funders?
There are a number of on-line free and paid-for search sites. You could try: https://www.getgrants.org.uk/funding-finder/ or https://www.charityexcellence.co.uk/Home/BlogDetail?Link=Charity_Grant_Funding_Finder. It’s worth looking for work similar to yours on https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/ to find funders who might be interested in your approach.