Spectra Charity

Spectra Charity (Reg 1174045) aims to promote and protect the good health and wellbeing of individuals in London and surrounding areas; in particular, groups who are socially marginalised, at particular risk and/or economically disadvantaged, by providing peer led clear, accurate and credible information, advice and support services.

Grant Application Information

The work of Spectra Charity reflects and supports the work of Spectra CIC. Spectra CIC work particularly with LGBTQ+ communities, and other marginalised groups, including young people and adults, offering counselling, independent health advocacy, social groups, peer mentoring, sexual health support, testing, training and outreach. Spectra CIC and Charity are working towards a world where all communities reach their full potential by being empowered and supported to make positive, informed life-choices.

In addition to the grants, individuals may apply for a hardship grant at any time of the year if they are a current service user at Spectra. You will need to do this via a staff member who you interact with at Spectra.

G

Simon Dennis Award

Criteria and Governance

The Simon Dennis Award was established in memory of our friend, Board Member and Trustee who sadly died in 2022

2025 Grant Round Criteria

You can apply if your group meets the following criteria:

 

Constituted Groups

  • Are not for profit
  • Clearly defined charitable aims in your constitution or manifesto
  • For the benefit LGBTQ+ people and people of colour with a focus on mental health / sexual health / wellbeing
  • Has a governing body (e.g. Members, Trustees or Directors) of at least three unrelated individuals
  • Has appropriate insurance and qualifications in place to deliver work
  • Can appoint a project sponsor to accept and disseminate funds to your group if you do not have a bank account
  • Can provide your / your sponsors most recent official accounts or financial records
  • The group / organisation must have a clear and effective Safeguarding Policy that includes:
    • appropriate and regular safeguarding training and frequent background checks for all people working with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
    • The name and of your Safeguarding Lead.

For more information about Safeguarding plans see here Charity Commission website.

 

Registered Group or Organisation

  • Are not for profit
  • Clearly defined charitable aims in the group / organisation constitution or manifesto
  • For the benefit LGBTQ+ people and people of colour with a focus on mental health / sexual health / wellbeing
  • Has a Dissolution Clause / Asset Lock in the constitution (if a registered organisation)
  • Has a governing body (e.g. Trustees or Directors) of at least three unrelated members
  • Has a formal written agreement for payments of any governing body members
  • Can evidence appropriate insurance and qualifications in place to deliver work
  • Can provide a copy of your most recent official accounts or financial records
  • Can show that your organisation is solvent, and any projections illustrate that your organisation is likely to remain solvent for the duration of the grant
  • The group / organisation must have a clear and effective Safeguarding Policy that includes:
    • appropriate and regular safeguarding training and frequent background checks for all people working with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
    • The name and of your Safeguarding Lead.

For more information about Safeguarding plans see here Charity Commission website.

 

Income thresholds

  • Your organisation can apply is your annual income is around £250,000 or less.
  • If a grant takes your group / organisation income above £5,000 it will need to be registered with the Charity Commission or regulatory body that is appropriate for the structure you chose. More information is available on Charity Commission website.

 

Group legal identities

A constituted group is not an incorporated organisation and is not a legal body in its own right and has no separate legal identity. That means that individual members who enter into obligations, such as contracts, on behalf of the group are responsible as individuals for its debts and other liabilities. The key feature of unincorporated businesses or organisations is personal liability for the owner, partner, or member of the management committee. If you are on the management committee of an unincorporated association your personal assets are at risk if the assets of the organisation are not sufficient to cover all the debts and liabilities.

If you need help to develop any aspect of your governance, contact your local Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) which can be found by following the link here: Councils for Voluntary Services and Volunteer Centres in London.

Applications must be made using our Grant Application Form, with all supporting documentation uploaded via the online form or emailed to: grants@spectra-london.org.uk.

Application deadline: 9am, 10th November 2025

Supporting documentation should include:

  • Copy of the last accounts of your group (and/or sponsor)
  • Copy of the constitution (rules) of your group (and/or sponsor)
  • Copy of the latest annual report (or equivalent) of your group (and/or sponsor)
  • Copy of your up-to-date Safeguarding policy

If your group is unable to provide any of these documents, please explain this in the application form and provide alternative evidence wherever possible. Grants can only be awarded if the Spectra grant assessment Board are satisfied that an applicant has the capacity to manage the grant and deliver the project.

Spectra CIO understands that small and grass-roots organisations may have limited human resource and little experience in managing grants. We aim to offer as supportive, flexible and inclusive application process as possible. If you wish to discuss any aspect of your application, please contact us via grants@spectra-london.org.uk.

Spectra will notify applicants of the outcome by 10 December 2025. We will provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants whenever possible. We are a small team at Spectra, please bear in mind that this will take some time, depending on how many applications we receive.

Grant Application Form