The Frank Branston Fund
Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation are proud to have been chosen by the Frank Branston Charitable Trust to manage the Frank Branston Fund, for charitable award making to charities and community groups improving the lives of residents of Bedfordshire.
The Frank Branston Charitable Trust (FBCT) was set up in memory of Frank Branston, newspaper proprietor and Bedford’s first elected mayor, who died in 2009. Through his work as a newspaper proprietor and later as mayor, Frank gave voice to and supported many local organisations. The Frank Branston Charitable Trust was set up by his family to continue supporting the Bedfordshire community he cared so much about.
Their mission is to provide financial support to organisations that directly benefit Bedfordshire residents, across a wide range of activities.
Learn more about FBCT HERE.
PLEASE NOTE, we reserve the right to close applications early should the fund be heavily subscribed. Please submit your application as soon as you can.
Grants of up to £15,000 can be considered, generally but not necessarily limited to one year only to support community and voluntary activity in Bedfordshire.
For more information, please read the criteria document here.
Fund Priorities
Please read the criteria carefully before submitting your application.
There are two grant levels available for this fund.
Micro grants between the value of £500-£3,000 are available for smaller interventions and shorter projects or activities.
Main grants between the value of £3,001-£15,000 for more substantial activity lasting up to one year of delivery (until August 2027).
The main objectives for this fund are:
- The advancement of health, saving lives, and supporting care needs in the community.
- Supporting arts, culture and heritage within the community.
- The alleviation of poverty.
- Access to education and training.
Applicants will need to demonstrate that their project meets one of the fund priorities outlined above. For more detailed information about these objectives, please read the criteria document.
Meet the Funder
Please join us for our next online Meet the Funder on Tuesday 11th May 2-2:45pm – BOOK IN HERE.
Expressions of Interest & Applications
Expressions of Interest for Main grants can be made by clicking this link.
The deadline for Main grant expressions of Interest is 12pm midday Monday 18th May 2026. For full applications, please ensure you complete and send us this budget template.
Applications for Micro grants will open on Monday 25th May 2026.
The deadline for Micro grant applications is 12pm midday Monday 8th June 2026. When you apply, please ensure you complete and send us this budget template.
PLEASE NOTE, we reserve the right to close expressions of interest and/or applications early should the fund be heavily subscribed. Please submit your application as soon as you can.
Next Steps
Following this deadline, organisations which closely align with the fund priorities will be contacted by a member of the Grants Team regarding a possible application. Organisations which most closely fit the fund priorities will be invited to make a full application for funding.
