The foundation has a range of funding programmes, open to application either directly or through partner organisations.
The programmes aim to improve social well-being by funding research and innovation in education and social policy or by increasing the proliferation and quality of research and professional skills – both in science and social sciences – through capacity building programmes.

The fund which supports research and innovation for beneficial social change is open to voluntary and community sector organisations. This fund has four grant programmes that support research and innovation for beneficial social change:

1. Children and Families - helps to ensure that the legal and institutional framework is best adapted to meet the needs of children and families.
2. Education -  we make grants in a number of priority areas in order to improve education opportunities and outcomes for all.
3. Law in Society - promotes access to, and understanding of, the civil justice system.
4. Open Door - for projects that advance social well being, but lie outside our main programme areas.

Grants are mainly for research (usually carried out in universities or independent research institutes) but are also made for practical developments or innovation, often in voluntary sector organisations.

As an independent Foundation, they are well placed to deal with sensitive issues, to challenge fashions and tacit assumptions. They support people with creative ideas to identify change or interventions which will have a practical impact for researchers, policy makers and practitioners.
They do not fund the ongoing costs of existing work or services, or research that simply advances knowledge.

Grants of up to £10,000 must be spent within one year and can be spent on capital expenditure, training and website development. All applications must be discussed with NetSolutions Wales and supported by a quote from them. 

The application process is ongoing, with a decision six weeks from the receipt of application. The project must have its own bank account.

To be eligible, you must be:

• a voluntary group with a constitution
• a registered charity or voluntary organisation
• a small organisation with fewer than 200 employees
• already trading
• developing a project, expanding an existing group, or improving efficiency and communication
• located in the UK

Exclusions: groups that fall under the Sports Councils.

Funding to develop your links with a community group in a developing country, thus increasing UK involvement in international development.

Two main aims:

1. Global Community Links aims to help links increase the involvement of UK community members in international development. The programme aims to increase understanding of global development issues, and offers funding and support to community groups in the UK that have a link with a community group in a developing country.

2. The programme seeks to strengthen links through involving a wider range of community members. Building knowledge and understanding of global development in the UK helps create a stronger base for links, and helps achieve even more in a link.

The UK community group should use the funding to:

1. Build knowledge and understanding of global development, including the Millennium Development Goals:

• Ending poverty and hunger
• Universal education
• Gender Equality
• Child health
• Maternal Health
• Combating HIV & AIDS
• Environmental Sustainability
• Global Partnerships

2. Build an understanding of global interdependence and promoting actions that individuals can take to reduce gloobal poverty levels such as:
Volunteering

• Campaigning or lobbying
• Fundraising
• Making a public statement
• Changes to ethical behaviour
• Learning more (helping people in your local community gain a better understanding of global development issues)

This fund supports genuinely innovative ideas and unusual partnerships across the Foundation's cultural, educational and social interests. The Foundation's strategic aims are: Cultural Understanding, Fulfilling Potential and Environment.

Not-for-profit organisations can apply for R&D funding to scope a new idea which enables them to work together with other organisations or experts outside their usual practice, or to enable them to undertake active research into areas they would not normally have the time or money to explore. This fund is not open to individuals.

The Foundation:

• particularly welcomes ideas that take the perspective of people at the receiving end of activities or services, whether as audiences, participants or clients.
• is looking for ideas that demonstrate a cross-sectoral approach.
• is looking for projects which, if specifically local, have not been implemented elsewhere and can set a precedent for emulation in other places, or serve as a national pilot.

Although the host applicant and prime beneficiaries should be resident in the UK or Republic of Ireland, the Foundation is also interested in proposals that may involve European partners or that emulate good practice in other countries.

Although the Foundation may occasionally give funding for projects that are developed as a result of an Innovation grant, it does not guarantee continued support.

The funds available for Innovation grants are modest in scale and competition is likely to be strong. It is expected that grants will average between £10,000 and £25,000.

Outline ideas should be submitted by email using the Initial Enquiry Form which can be downloaded from the website.

1. Initial Enquiries can be sent in at any time of the year, but you should allow at least three months between this and the proposed starting date of your research period.
2. Initial Enquiries will be assessed in the context of other applications and, if short-listed, fuller information will be requested and applicants invited to discuss their project with the Foundation.
3. Staff will specify the additional information they need and the date by which they need it.
4. After completion of this stage, final applications will be considered at one of our three annual Trustee Meetings.

Check the criteria and download an initial enquiry form from the Innovation Fund webpage.