Bernard Sunley Foundation
Background
Established in 1960, the Bernard Sunley Foundation is a family grant-making charity that supports registered charities who are making a real difference.
The Foundation gives around £5 million each year to capital projects in England and Wales.
Objectives of Fund
The funding is for registered charities in England and Wales whose project fit with at least one of the following themes:
Community projects provide greater opportunities for families, the elderly, young people and children.
Education projects support learning experiences and life skills for children and young people, particularly for the disadvantaged, those with disabilities or special needs.
Health projects provide better facilities for those with cancer, neurological disorders, mental and physical disabilities.
Social welfare projects include refugee centres, housing for veterans and support for the elderly.
Value Notes
The Foundation offers three levels of capital grants in the form of one-off, single payments which are a contribution to overall project costs.
Large grants of £25,000 and above.
Medium grants up to £20,000.
Small grants of £5,000 and under.
Grants are for capital projects of between £10,000 and £5 million.
The Trustees decide on the amount to be 'pledged'.
Match Funding Restrictions
The foundation does not offer match funding. Grants are rarely more than 20% of the total budget. The foundation will very rarely fund the full costs (or even 50%) of a project or shortfall as it expects to be one of many contributors to a project.
Who Can Apply
Applications will be accepted from the following types of organisations with an annual income of less than £10 million:
A charity or CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
A Community Benefit Society registered with the Financial Conduct Authority.
A scout, guide or other uniformed group.
A specialist school.
A church or other places of worship.
A museum, gallery or heritage centre.
A Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC), Community Interest Company (CIC) or unregistered community group/club.
A town or parish council.
An NHS hospital, or a charity fundraising on their behalf.
A mainstream school, college or university, or a charity fundraising on their behalf.
Applications are considered from all areas of England and Wales, particularly from rural and isolated communities.
Restrictions
The following are not eligible for funding:
Charities registered outside England or Wales.
Community amateur sports clubs (CASCs).
Community interest companies (CICs).
Unregistered community groups/clubs.
Town and parish councils.
Churches or other religious bodies with no or limited secular activity.
NHS hospitals or charities fundraising on their behalf.
Mainstream schools, colleges or universities, or charities fundraising on their behalf.
Charities with an annual income of £10 million and over.
Charities with an annual income of £1 million and over applying for a project costing less than £100,000. Special Educational Needs schools are excepted.
Newly established charities with no previous annual accounts.
Charities that have applied to us unsuccessfully within the previous 12 months.
Charities applying for a new grant before an existing pledged grant has been paid.
Individuals
Project costs of over £5 million.
Project costs of less than £10,000.
Equipment such as IT infrastructure and AV systems, work tools, sports gear, musical instruments etc.
Fittings such as electrical appliances and furniture.
Church towers, bells or organs.
Second hand vehicles.
Capital fees – building surveys, planning applications or feasibility studies.
Core costs – salaries, running and repair costs, websites and other IT, programmes, rent, utility bills.
Heritage or conservation projects with no or limited community benefit.
Medical or research medical equipment.
Solar panels and/or battery storage (unless it is part of a wider project).
Following an application, organisations should not reapply for at least 12 months (from the date of the original application).
Eligible Expenditure
The funding is for one-off capital projects (not running costs) that fit into one of the following themes:
Community - projects should make a positive contribution to their neighbourhood and create a sense of belonging. These projects provide greater opportunities for families, the elderly, young people and children to get involved in sport and social activities. Churches are considered if their improvements benefit the wider community.
Community funding areas
Churches
Community Centres
Rescue Services
Sport
Uniformed Groups
Village Halls
Youth Clubs
Health - projects need to provide an excellent standard of care and support in their communities. These include the creation of modern facilities for those suffering from a range of illnesses such as cancer, mental health or neurological conditions. They also include developing amenities such as gardens and outdoor spaces that provide relief and sanctuary for patients, their families and carers.
Health funding areas
Animal Assisted Therapy
Cancer
Day Services for Disabled
Hospices
Medical Aid Overseas
Mental Health
Neurological
Residential for Disabled
Sight/Hearing Loss
Social Welfare - funding to assist the most vulnerable in society such as those seeking help with addiction, homelessness, ex-offenders and victims of domestic and sexual abuse.
Social welfare funding areas
Addiction and Rehabilitation
Almshouses
Animal Welfare
Armed Forces and Veterans
Domestic and Sexual Abuse
Elderly
Ex-Offenders
Homeless
Poverty Relief Overseas
Social Enterprises
Education - funding supports learning experiences and life skills for children and young people, particularly for the disadvantaged, those with disabilities or special needs. There is particular interest in projects that encourage young people to experience the outdoors and to try new pursuits.
