Up to £5,000 for UK Mental Health Charities – Sir Bernard & Lady Schreier Foundation

The Sir Bernard & Lady Schreier Foundation is offering grants of £500–£5,000 to UK charities providing direct support to people experiencing mental health difficulties.

The Foundation aims to improve mental health outcomes by supporting charitable organisations delivering essential services, particularly those helping children, young people and vulnerable communities.

Funding is generally awarded as a one-off contribution towards specific activities, with trustees usually covering up to 50% of the total project cost.

Applications are accepted throughout the year, with no fixed deadline.

Here's what you can expect:

• Grants typically ranging from £500 to £5,000

• Funding for UK mental health charities

• Support for projects providing direct services to beneficiaries

• Particular interest in children and young people's mental health

• Funding for prevention and early intervention activities

• Support for initiatives promoting mental wellbeing

• One-off grants for specific activities

• Applications accepted on a rolling basis

• Funding decisions considered at quarterly trustee meetings

What projects can be funded?

The Foundation focuses on three main priorities.

1. Supporting Children and Young People

Projects empowering children and young people affected by mental illness.

Relevant activities may include:

• Youth mental health support

• Emotional wellbeing programmes

• Community-based support services

• Activities helping young people manage mental health challenges

2. Supporting People Experiencing Mental Health Difficulties

Projects providing practical support to individuals affected by mental illness.

Relevant activities may include:

• Direct mental health support services

• Community-based mental health programmes

• Activities reducing isolation

• Support for people experiencing mental health difficulties

3. Prevention, Early Intervention and Wellbeing

Projects helping charities prevent mental illness, intervene earlier and promote wellbeing.

Relevant activities may include:

• Early intervention programmes

• Mental health awareness and support activities

• Preventative services

• Wellbeing initiatives for vulnerable communities

All proposed activities must directly support people facing mental health issues.

Who can apply?

The Foundation normally awards grants to UK-registered mental health charities.

It is particularly interested in:

• Small and medium-sized charities

• Local charities

• Community-based organisations

• Charities supporting children and young people

• Organisations providing direct mental health services

• Charities delivering prevention and early intervention activities

Applicants should demonstrate how the proposed funding will benefit people experiencing mental health difficulties.

How much funding is available?

Typical Grant Amount: £500–£5,000

Funding Type: One-off charitable grants

Usual Funding Contribution: Up to 50% of project costs

Geographic Eligibility: United Kingdom

Application Deadline: Rolling

Each application is considered individually, and trustees may exercise discretion when determining grant amounts and funding contributions.

What is unlikely to be funded?

The Foundation's grant-making policy places restrictions on certain activities and costs.

These include:

• Applications from individuals

• Projects with a political element

• General fundraising appeals

• Sponsorship requests

• Activities delivered by public bodies or organisations contracted to provide public services on their behalf

Salary costs, capital expenditure and overheads are generally excluded unless they are essential and directly linked to the proposed activity.

Applicants should review the full grant-making policy before submitting a request.

How does the application process work?

Step 1 – Review the Funding Criteria

Visit the Foundation's website and read its grant-making policy.

Step 2 – Download the Application Form

The application form is available on the official grants page.

Step 3 – Prepare Your Proposal

Applicants should explain:

• Their organisation's charitable purpose

• The mental health needs being addressed

• The proposed activities

• Who will benefit

• How the grant will be used

• The project budget

• Any additional funding secured or requested

• How the activities will be managed

Step 4 – Submit by Email

Complete the application form and email it to:

[email protected]

Step 5 – Trustee Review

The Board of Trustees normally meets quarterly to review grant applications.

Meetings take place in:

• January

• April

• July

• October

The Foundation also aims to consider urgent requests outside its normal meeting schedule where possible.

Step 6 – Funding Decision

Applicants are notified of the outcome by email.

Funding information

Grant Amount: £500–£5,000

Funding Type: Mental health charity grants

Usual Funding Rate: Up to 50% of project costs

Location: United Kingdom

Target Audience: UK mental health charities

Application Deadline: No fixed deadline