Digital funding for charities: United Kingdom

These funders take applications from charities anywhere in the UK. They range from large national foundations such as Esmée Fairbairn, John Ellerman and Paul Hamlyn to smaller trusts that give a few thousand pounds at a time.

Very few will fund "a new website" on its own. Most fund the work you do, and a website, CRM or online service can sit inside that budget when it clearly helps you deliver it.

Each fund page says whether it's likely to cover a website, what a typical grant looks like and when to apply. Funds that have closed are hidden here but stay in the full Funding Finder, so you can plan for the next round.

Browse and filter all funds in the Funding Finder →

Showing 8 funds

The Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust

Grants of £1,000 to £100,000 for UK animal rescue and rehoming charities, towards running costs, vet fees and neutering programmes.

Typical award
£1,000–£100,000
Deadline
Closes December 1, 2026
  • United Kingdom
  • Animals & Wildlife
View fund Checked July 2026

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

Grants from £30,000, usually over three to five years, for UK charities and social enterprises. Core or project costs, with unrestricted funding offered.

Typical award
From £30,000
Deadline
Rolling deadline
  • United Kingdom
  • Unrestricted
View fund Checked June 2026

Matthew Good Foundation

Unrestricted grants of £2,000 to £5,000 for UK charities, community groups and CICs with income under £50,000. Any cost, a website included.

Typical award
£2,000–£5,000
Deadline
Rolling deadline
  • United Kingdom
  • Unrestricted
View fund Checked July 2026

John Ellerman Foundation

John Ellerman is a core costs funder for national changemaking charities. If most of your work fits its priorities, you can apply for unrestricted core funding of up to £180,000 and decide for yourself where it goes, including digital. It isn’t for local-only organisations.

Typical award
Up to £180,000
Deadline
Rolling deadline
  • United Kingdom
  • Human Rights
  • Inequality
  • Unrestricted
View fund Checked September 2026

The Marsh Charitable Trust

Long-term unrestricted core funding of £300 to £2,000 for established UK charities. Project and start-up costs are excluded.

Typical award
£300–£2,000
Deadline
Rolling deadline
  • United Kingdom
  • Unrestricted
View fund Checked July 2026

Paul Hamlyn Foundation Youth Fund

Core funding for youth organisations with turnover of £30,000 to £3.5 million, usually at least £30,000 a year for three years. No project funding.

Typical award
Up to £50,000
Deadline
Rolling deadline
  • United Kingdom
  • Children & Young People
  • Inequality
View fund Checked July 2026

The Swire Charitable Trust

Swire funds charities working on opportunity for vulnerable people, UK nature and heritage. It awards many grants unrestricted and will pay for core costs and capital spend, so a website or digital project is fair game if your work fits one of its programmes.

Deadline
Rolling deadline
  • United Kingdom
  • Animals & Wildlife
  • Children & Young People
  • Inequality
  • Unrestricted
View fund Checked September 2026

The Allen Lane Foundation

Grants of up to £15,000, most £5,000 to £6,000, for small UK charities, covering running and core costs. Work solely in Greater London is excluded.

Deadline
Rolling deadline
  • United Kingdom
  • Abuse
  • Children & Young People
  • Inclusion
  • Inequality
  • Older People
View fund Checked June 2026
The Long Version

1. Get a quote before you apply

A written quote shows funders you’ve planned properly and budgeted realistically.

2. Fund the outcome, not the object

Write your application around reach, access or service delivery, and let the website be the means.

3. Check eligibility first

Before you draft anything, check the fund’s income band, region and deadline. Most funders offer a quick eligibility checker on their own site.