Our Funding Criteria

If you are thinking of applying to ACT, please read this page very carefully – both the sections on what we will fund and what we won’t fund.   Please do not contact us unless your work fits the criteria advertised below.

You should apply if…

…. You have a new idea or are looking to make a step change in the implementation of an idea that is already successfully addressing a need and which is not being done by anyone else. The criteria which we use to assess applications looks for ideas that are as follows:

Applicants must have:
  • An idea that is innovative, sustainable and replicable
  • A commitment to performance measurement, and evaluating the impact of their work on those they intend to support
  • A positive approach to collaboration, networking and partnering
  • Strong and passionate leadership with some track record in (social) entrepreneurialism
  • Simple solutions to an identified need
  • An idea that could leave a mark on the world
Trustee Preferences
  • Have a desire to find big, high-quality or new ideas to support
  • Want to find ideas that individual trustees feel passionate about
  • Look for ideas where the skills and experience of our trustees and Director are most likely to add value
  • Will commit to supporting the leadership of funded organisations, providing human resources where possible to support their organisational development
  • Will tolerate a degree of risk in the enterprise
  • Look at opportunities for leverage and co-funding
  • To build up a “pipeline” of ideas to be incubated in advance of a funding commitment

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there is no guarantee that if you meet all these points then we will fund your venture. This is because we only have the capacity to take on a handful of funded partnerships at any one time. For each successful organisation we offer not just funding. We have a very engaged model of giving where the Director and Trustees can provide skills and experience to support funded organisations to achieve their goals. This will be discussed with organisations during the application process.

Please don’t apply if…

… You are an individual seeking support for educational expenses (academic or vocational)

… You are an individual undertaking charitable works in their own or another country on a project/’gap’ year/work experience/exchange basis

… You are an organisation solely based outside of the UK

… You are seeking funding for ongoing work of any organisation

… Your project is a satellite aspect of an existing organisation

… You are looking to cover the costs of building, renovating or other capital works

… You offer something that is already done by other organisations

… You are not in a position to make your vision a reality

… You want funding for an event or project with a time limited span e.g. appeals

… You are not open to sharing learning, resources and materials with others working your field

… The work is NOT innovative, replicable and sustainable.

Applications with any of the above characteristics will not be considered for funding and we urge you not to waste your time working on an applications that will not be successful.