Grant Round Criteria
Grants of up to £2,500 are for non-profit groups in Greater London with an annual income of around £250,000 or less in the last financial year.
Spectra Charity are keen to support grassroots agencies that are led by marginalised communities, including LGBTQ+, particularly trans and non-binary, Black and Global majority, refugees and asylum seekers, people with disabilities, people living with HIV, and those from sex worker backgrounds.
We encourage applications from agencies that support people with intersectional marginalised characteristics.
Vision
Empowering grassroots action to improve sexual health and emotional well-being for London’s most underserved communities.
Mission
In honour of Simon Dennis, a founding trustee whose legacy embodies compassion, equity, and community solidarity, these small grant awards champion the creativity, resilience and insight of small organisations making a tangible difference to the health and well-being of Londoners.
The grant scheme exists to nurture and strengthen community led initiatives that improve sexual health and emotional wellbeing for people and communities most in need across London. We invest in grassroots organisations whose work promotes dignity, inclusion, empowerment, and access to high-quality support.
What we are looking for from applicants
- Community led – We believe those closest to challenges hold the insight needed to solve them.
- Equity focused – We prioritise groups supporting people who face the greatest barriers to sexual and emotional health.
- Flexible and supportive – We fund repeat and new applications, recognising that impactful work may require sustained investment or space to innovate.
- Proportionate and accessible – Our processes are designed to be clear, light touch and supportive of small organisations.
- Legacy honouring – We uphold Simon Dennis’s commitment to compassion,dignityand community solidarity.
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.
Application process
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, 1st June 2026
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 early July 2026. 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.