The Trust offers a selection of grants for u3as to support their efforts to promote u3a and increase local membership. u3as can only apply for 1 grant in each financial year (April to March).
We offer 4 different types:
- Start-Up Support Grant
- Membership Growth & Community Connections Grant
- Publicity Support Grant
- Large Grants.
There is further information about each type in the individual documents linked below.
To apply for a grant please click on the online application form button. This takes you to an online application form, where you will be asked to provide details about your u3a, a key contact and if your u3a has received a grant from the Trust in the past.
As part of the online application process, you will also be asked to provide the following information:
- a breakdown of how your u3as plans to spend the grant monies
- an outline of how the grant will benefit your u3a
- the amount of money you have chosen to applying for
- the financial contribtion being made by your u3a
- your u3a bank details
- if your u3a has more than 6 months running costs as reserves, and why these funds can't be used.
Once you submit the grant application you will receive an email to confirm that it has been received by the Trust. You should get a decision on the outcome of your application within 2-3 weeks. If approved, our finance team will pay the grant directly to your bank account.
Grants can only be applied for in advance of events, they cannot be applied for retrospectively after an event has happened. Please read the further information for the grant type before applying.
Grants programme 2025 /26
Start-up Support grant
£500 available to new u3as to cover start-up costs and publicity materials.
Further information
Start up Support Grant (93.19 KB)
Start-up Support grant application form
Membership Growth & Community Connections grant
Up to £500 to help u3as build connections within their local communities and grow and diversify their membership.
Further information
Membership Growth and Community Connections Grant (92.46 KB)
Membership Growth & Community Connections grant application form
Publicity Support grant
Up to £250 to allow u3as to purchase either physical publicity materials, such as leaflets and posters, or to purchase digital media advertising such as Facebook or LinkedIn Ads.
Further information
Publicity Support Grant (90.94 KB)
Publicity Support grant application form
Large Event grant
The large grant has a maximum value of £2500 to allow u3as to participate in large events which either have a national reach or reach a more diverse audience.
Further information
Large Event Grant (90.85 KB)