Our Core Grant round opens for applications on 4th January 2027, offering three-year core funding to community organisations working to make Southwark a fairer, more connected, and resilient borough.
Our Core Grants provide flexible funding for up to three years, helping organisations strengthen their foundations, sustain their work, and respond to the needs of their communities.
We particularly value organisations that are embedded, trusted, and representative of Southwark’s diverse communities, and that work collaboratively to build stronger local systems and fairer outcomes.
We support a broad mix of communities, causes, and approaches, including community spaces and activities that build connection and belonging, alongside specialist services addressing exclusion, discrimination, and inequity.
Who can apply?
- Southwark focus We primarily fund organisations rooted in Southwark, normally with their headquarters in the borough and the majority of their work benefiting Southwark residents. Our core funding is intended for organisations whose main focus is Southwark, rather than London-wide organisations delivering individual projects in the borough.
- Turnover Your organisation has had an average annual turnover of between £100,000 and £500,000 over the past three years.
- Organisation type You are a registered charity, a Community Interest Company (CIC) limited by guarantee with an asset lock, or a social enterprise with a clear social purpose.
- Governance You have appropriate governance, safeguarding and financial management arrangements in place.
- Strategic alignment Your work supports our priorities of Equity, Power and Prevention.
- Existing grant holders You may apply if your current UStSC or Funding Differently grant expires in or before May 2028.
We do not fund individuals, for-profit companies, food banks, public bodies, or activities that are purely religious, party-political or focused on animal welfare.
If you are unsure whether your organisation is sufficiently Southwark-based, please contact Jason Charles at jcharles@ustsc.org.uk before registering.
Join our Core Grants information webinar
Tuesday 1 December 2026, 12pm–2pm, online
Thinking about applying? Join our online information session to find out more about the Core Grants programme, our approach to funding and whether it could be the right opportunity for your organisation.
We’ll cover:
- Our funding priorities and the types of organisations we support.
- Eligibility criteria and what we mean by being Southwark-focused.
- How grant amounts are calculated.
- Our simplified two-stage application process.
- The application form and what we look for when assessing applications.
- Key dates and an opportunity to ask questions.
Ahead of the webinar, we recommend reading What we learned from our 2026 grant round. This shares reflections from our previous round and provides useful context on our approach to funding.
A simpler application process
We’ve streamlined our Core Grants application process for 2027.
Stage 1: Application and conversation
Organisations complete a short application and are offered a 45-minute introductory conversation with a member of our Community Investment Team. This is an opportunity for us to learn more about your organisation, its history, values and future plans.
Stage 2: Due diligence and visits
Shortlisted organisations will be asked to complete a due diligence form covering governance, safeguarding and financial information. We will also arrange a visit with one of our trustees and/or executive team members.
Final funding decisions will be made following this process. Detailed guidance and downloadable application forms will be available on our website ahead of the January launch.
Key dates
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Information webinar | 1 December 2026 |
| Applications open | 4 January 2027 |
| Applications close | 19 January 2027 |
| Introductory conversations | 13 January – 9 February 2027 |
| Stage 1 outcomes | 23 February 2027 |
| Pre-visit due diligence | 23 February – 5 March 2027 |
| Site visits | 8–25 March 2027 |
| Final decisions communicated | 11 May 2027 |
For eligibility queries, contact jcharles@ustsc.org.uk.