Bentley Advancing Life Chances Small Grants Programme

Objectives of Fund

The fund aims to support vulnerable, disadvantaged or under-represented communities in areas where Bentley has a corporate presence by providing small grants to charities working with local people.

Value Notes

Grants of between £2,000 and £4,000 are available.

Grants must be spent within 12 months of award.

Who Can Apply

Applications are accepted from charities and not-for-profit organisations including:

· Registered charities, including charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs).

· Constituted organisations and non-registered charities.

· Community interest companies (CICs) and community benefit organisations (where there is a minimum of three unrelated directors).

To be eligible, organisations must have:

· An annual income of less than £500,000.

· Been operating for a minimum of 12 months.

The funders will prioritise organisations that:

· Have a mission that closely aligns with the aims of the Advancing Life Chances Strategy.

· Actively measure, evaluate and understand their impact.

· Have a strong track record of working with and delivering for the community they support.

· Work with, and are based in, communities experiencing the greatest level of need.

Location

Locations within a 20-mile radius of the specified Bentley locations across the UK, Jersey and the Isle of Man: Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Chelmsford, Crewe, Isle of Man, Edinburgh, Hamilton, High Wycombe, Jersey, Knutsford, Leeds, Leicester, London, Lyndhurst, Ripley, Tunbridge Wells.

Restrictions

Funding is not available for:

· Organisations that do not meet the regional eligibility.

· Individuals.

· Statutory bodies such as city and county councils or health institutions.

· Organisations registered outside the UK.

· Organisations set up solely for political or religious promotion.

· Organisations set up solely for the benefit of animals, with the exclusion of assistance animals trained to support individuals with disabilities.

· Third party fundraising.

· Sponsorship or advertising.

· Activities or projects that discriminate on the basis of race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion or national origin.

· Applications seeking a contribution towards major capital building work, infrastructure or extensive capital refurbishment work.

· Activities or projects that are solely for political or religious promotion.

· Grants cannot be allocated to bursaries, scholarships, sponsorships or donations designated for a specific, named recipient.

· Projects or activities that have already been completed or will be prior to receipt of a grant offer and signed terms and conditions.

Eligible Expenditure

In working to advance life chances, the fund's priority is to support organisations working with vulnerable people, disadvantaged and under-represented communities. The programme's areas of focus are:

· Access – Remove the barriers and improve access to services, education and employability.

· Empowerment – Development of the life skills that enable people to be more self-confident, successful and thrive in life.

· Quality of Life – Provide support to live a healthier life both physically and mentally.

· Better Future – Safeguarding the environment, improving nature-deprived areas, drive improvement to 'place' and boosting community spirit.

Across all the above pillars, the following groups have been considered particularly relevant for the aims of the Advancing Life Chances Strategy:

Families and single person households living in poverty.

· Long term unemployed.

· People experiencing homelessness.

· People with disabilities and their support animals.

· Racially minoritised groups/communities.

· Refugees and asylum seekers.

· The elderly.

· Young people facing disadvantage, including school or college pupils, those Not in Education or Training, young offenders.

How To Apply

The remaining 2026 round is open from 13 July to 14 September 2026 (decisions communicated by 28 October 2026).

An online application form is available to complete via the Bentley website.

Contact the CAF grants team for further information.