Alec Dickson Trust Volunteering Grants for Young People (UK)

Deadline: 04-Oct-2026

The Alec Dickson Trust Volunteering Grants support innovative volunteering projects led by young people under 30 that benefit disadvantaged individuals and communities in the United Kingdom. Grants of up to £500 per project are available. Projects must take place in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, or Wales and should address a genuine community need while creating meaningful benefits for others. The Trust particularly values projects that involve many volunteers, encourage continued volunteering, and use creative or innovative approaches.

About the Alec Dickson Trust Volunteering Grants

The Alec Dickson Trust Volunteering Grants support young people who are developing and leading volunteering projects that benefit disadvantaged communities across the UK. The Trust aims to empower young volunteers to identify specific needs within their communities and develop practical projects that create meaningful and lasting benefits for others. The programme places particular value on youth-led initiatives that demonstrate commitment to volunteering and introduce innovative approaches to addressing community challenges. How Much Funding Is Available? The Trust provides grants of up to £500 per project. Applicants must provide a detailed budget explaining how the requested funding will be used. The budget should clearly show the costs associated with delivering the proposed volunteering project and demonstrate how the grant will contribute to achieving benefits for the wider community. Who Can Apply? Projects must be run by young volunteers under the age of 30. The project should be led by young people who are committed to volunteering and addressing a genuine need within their community. The initiative must also provide a clear benefit to disadvantaged individuals or communities rather than primarily benefiting the volunteers themselves. Where Must Projects Take Place? Eligible projects must take place in the United Kingdom.

The Trust supports projects in:

- England. - Northern Ireland. - Scotland. - Wales. Overseas projects are not eligible for funding. What Types of Projects Does the Trust Support? The Trust supports innovative volunteering initiatives that address specific needs within disadvantaged communities. Projects should demonstrate how young volunteers will contribute their time and skills to create positive outcomes for other people. Examples of characteristics valued by the Trust include: - A clear community need. - Meaningful benefits for disadvantaged people. - Strong youth leadership. - Innovative volunteering approaches. - Participation by a large number of volunteers. - Opportunities for sustained volunteer engagement. - Creative use of social media. - New ways of using existing resources. The emphasis is on projects that go beyond short-term activity and demonstrate meaningful community benefit. What Makes a Project Innovative? Innovation can involve finding new ways to use existing resources or developing creative approaches to volunteering. The Trust particularly values ideas such as: - Creative use of social media to engage volunteers or communities. - New ways of using existing community resources. - Approaches that encourage more young people to volunteer. - Projects that create sustained involvement in volunteering. - New solutions to specific community needs. Applicants should explain what makes their approach different and how the proposed activity will benefit the wider community. Projects Involving Large Numbers of Volunteers The Trust particularly values projects that involve a large number of volunteers. Projects with broad volunteer participation can demonstrate the potential to engage more young people and strengthen ongoing involvement in community activities. Applicants should explain the role volunteers will play and how the project will encourage meaningful participation. Encouraging Sustained Volunteering The Trust also values projects that encourage continued engagement in volunteering. Applicants should demonstrate how their project could encourage young people to remain involved in volunteering beyond a single activity. This may include creating opportunities for repeated participation, developing new volunteer networks, or introducing approaches that make volunteering more accessible and engaging. Benefits for Disadvantaged Communities A central requirement is that projects must benefit disadvantaged individuals or communities. The proposed activity should address a clearly identified need and explain how the project will create benefits for people beyond the volunteer team. Applicants should therefore clearly describe: - The community need being addressed. - Who will benefit from the project. - How young volunteers will respond to that need. - The expected benefits for the wider community. - Why the proposed approach is appropriate for the identified need. What Does the Trust Not Fund? The Alec Dickson Trust does not support several types of activities and costs.

The Trust does not fund:

- Overseas projects. - Gap year activities. - College or university course fees. - Uniforms. - Equipment primarily providing personal benefit. - Direct costs associated with fundraising events. Applicants should ensure that their proposed budget is focused on costs directly related to delivering an eligible volunteering project. Budget Requirements Applicants are required to submit a detailed budget explaining how the grant will be used. The budget should provide a clear breakdown of the proposed expenditure and show how the requested funding will support project delivery. Because the maximum grant is £500, applicants should ensure that the requested amount is directly connected to the project’s community activities. How to Develop a Strong Project Proposal A clear proposal should demonstrate that the project is genuinely youth-led and addresses a specific community need.

Applicants should explain:

- What problem or need the project will address.