Winter Wishes Fund (Sovereign Network Group) Grant for UK Community Projects (£300–£1,000)

Deadline: 19-Oct-2026

Sovereign Network Group (SNG) runs the Winter Wishes Fund, offering grants of £300 to £1,000 to not-for-profit groups and organisations delivering community projects during and beyond the festive period. The fund supports initiatives that bring SNG customers and communities together and help people experiencing vulnerability or hardship. The application deadline is 11:59pm on Monday 19 October 2026. Opportunity at a Glance

- Provider: Sovereign Network Group (SNG)

- Opportunity type: Grant

- Grant size: £300 to £1,000 (up to £1,000)

- Eligible location(s): Latest Grants and Resources in United Kingdom (Not specified in the source beyond this)

- Focus areas: Community Development, Family

- Application deadline: 11:59pm, Monday 19 October 2026

- Project timing: During the festive period and beyond winter (exact duration not specified in the source)

About the Opportunity

SNG’s Winter Wishes Fund supports not-for-profit groups and organisations to deliver projects that help communities and SNG customers during and beyond the festive season. The fund is designed to address challenges that can increase over winter, including financial strain, loneliness, emotional challenges, and social isolation. SNG encourages creative and community-led ideas that meet immediate winter needs while also building skills, confidence, connections, and resilience beyond winter. Funding and Benefits

- Grant range: £300 to £1,000 per initiative/project

- What grants can fund (as stated): - Equipment and other costs needed to directly deliver the Winter Wishes activities - Staff costs may be included where they are directly attributable to delivering the activity - Refreshments can be included

- Core costs restriction:

- Core costs (for example, rent and utilities) are allowed up to 10% of the total amount applied for

- Award limit framing: The fund provides grants of up to £1,000 and applications are for £300 to £1,000.

Who Is Eligible? To apply, organisations must meet SNG’s eligibility requirements and ensure their activity benefits SNG customers. Eligible applicant types

Eligible groups include:

- Not-for-profit organisations - Registered charities - Charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs) - Community interest companies (CICs) limited by guarantee - Community and voluntary groups - Community benefit societies - Social enterprises (not-for-profit) Mandatory governance and financial requirements

Applicants must have:

- A written constitution or governing document that includes: - the group’s aims/purpose and objectives - a dissolution clause or asset lock (what happens to remaining funds if the group closes) - A governance structure with a voluntary trustee or management committee with: - minimum three members - at least two unrelated - A bank account in the organisation’s name with: - at least two unrelated signatories Geographic/community requirement (SNG communities) - Your project must take place in a community where SNG has homes. - Your project must directly benefit SNG customers. - You must be able to demonstrate how you will engage with and benefit SNG customers. The source references an interactive map to help applicants demonstrate fit with SNG communities (postcode search is mentioned). The specific map link is not included in the supplied text. Eligible Activities or Priority Areas SNG’s Winter Wishes Fund focuses on five key priorities. Projects should align with one or more of these themes: - Magic moments for children - Festive experiences for children and young people who may otherwise miss out - Funding could support gifts, festive activities, trips, celebrations, meals, or other inclusive opportunities - Food insecurity and food poverty - Support for individuals and families to access food, warmth, and essential winter support - Examples include food hampers, warm packs, hot meals, advice, and support services - Mental health - Activities that promote emotional wellbeing, reduce stress, and build resilience during winter - Examples include support groups, creative therapy sessions, and drop-in wellbeing services - Loneliness and isolation - Projects that connect SNG customers and communities who may feel alone or disconnected during winter - Examples include Christmas dinners, creative community hubs, intergenerational activities, and befriending schemes - Community-led action - Customer and community-led initiatives that bring people together to address local need, reduce hardship, and strengthen community connections - Examples include volunteer-led initiatives, neighbourhood support schemes, and festive community events Why This Opportunity Matters Winter can intensify hardship for some communities, including food insecurity, loneliness, and mental health challenges. This fund is structured to support practical, community-based responses that also strengthen relationships and resilience—particularly by creating opportunities for SNG customers to come together and support one another. How to Apply Applications are submitted through ActionFunder. - Set up an account and create a project page via ActionFunder. - Visit the Winter Wishes Fund page on ActionFunder to apply (the source provides a “Click here” reference, but the URL is not included in the supplied text). - After your project is set up, you may be matched to funds available and can also search for SNG open funds. - If you need technical support with submitting online, contact the ActionFunder team (email link referenced in the source, but the address is not included in the supplied text).

- Deadline: Submit by 11:59pm on Monday 19 October 2026.

Offline application option - An offline version of the application form can be obtained by emailing: [contact details removed] (as stated in the source). Application Tips or Common Mistakes - Provide budget detail: The source encourages applicants to include as much detail as possible in the budget (for example, number of sessions, session length, number of people supported, a