The Forbes Charitable Foundation supports people with learning disabilities by funding UK charities and community interest groups that provide services to them. Its main focus is on adults with mild to moderate support needs, particularly where suitable support is not readily available from other sources.
The Foundation offers funding for both capital and revenue costs. Grants can support ongoing services, new projects, equipment, building improvements and activities that help people develop their skills, independence and social connections.
There are two main funding routes: the Foundation’s main grants programme, which can provide annual funding for up to three years, and the Townsend Discretionary Fund, which offers smaller one-off grants of up to £5,000. The next main grant-making round is expected to support projects from April 2028.
Requirements:
Organisation type: UK-registered or exempt charities and eligible community interest groups supporting people with learning disabilities.
Geographical coverage: United Kingdom.
Main beneficiaries: Primarily adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities.
Main grants income requirement: Organisations should generally have an annual turnover of between £1 million and £20 million.
Townsend Discretionary Fund: A smaller-grant option for eligible charities meeting the Foundation’s objectives.
Project focus: Applications should show how the proposed work will improve independence, inclusion, skills or quality of life.
Safeguarding: Applicants must have appropriate safeguarding arrangements and policies in place.
Reporting: Main-grant recipients must report regularly against agreed outcomes and performance measures.
Funding Priorities:
The Foundation’s priorities focus on creating opportunities and providing practical support for people with learning disabilities.
- Employment and training: Developing work-related skills, qualifications, volunteering opportunities and routes into employment.
- Financial inclusion and rights: Advocacy, benefits advice, support with entitlements and greater involvement in personal decisions.
- Support networks: Day services, community support, friendship, social connections, respite and help for families and carers.
- Accommodation and independent living: Supported living, residential care, suitable housing and the skills needed to maintain a home.
- Social inclusion: Helping people participate in their communities, develop relationships and access opportunities that may otherwise be unavailable.
The Foundation is particularly interested in projects that develop independence and inclusion, while recognising the value of existing services as well as innovative approaches.
What They Will Fund:
Examples of eligible work and expenditure include:
- Employment and skills programmes: Social enterprises, vocational training, work-readiness support and volunteering opportunities.
- Independent living: Projects that develop everyday living skills and help people maintain suitable accommodation.
- Community activities: Day support, social groups, friendship-building and activities that increase participation in community life.
- Family and carer support: Respite services, support networks and activities that reduce isolation for families and carers.
- Advocacy and financial inclusion: Advice and support around benefits, rights, entitlements and personal decision-making.
- Equipment and capital improvements: Specific equipment purchases, building improvements and other capital costs that contribute to the Foundation’s objectives.
- Existing services: The Foundation can support ongoing work as well as new developments.
The Townsend Discretionary Fund is particularly suited to smaller capital items or one-off expenditure that forms part of a wider project.
What They Won’t Fund:
The Foundation’s published criteria do not provide a comprehensive list of all excluded costs. However, applications are unlikely to fit where:
- The project does not principally benefit people with learning disabilities.
- The work does not support independence, skills, social inclusion or related priorities.
- The proposal does not demonstrate a clear benefit for the people receiving support.
- The organisation falls outside the eligible organisation types or, for the main programme, the usual turnover range.
The Foundation does fund both capital and revenue costs, so it would be incorrect to describe it as a capital-only fund. Check directly with the Foundation if you are unsure whether a particular cost is eligible.
Events:
Meet The Funder:
How To Apply:
You can apply using the button below through their online application form.
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