Building and Civil Engineering Charitable Trust
About This Funder
The Building and Civil Engineering Charitable Trust (B&CE’s Charitable Trust), established in 1991 by B&CE, is dedicated to enhancing the lives of UK construction workers—past, present, and future—through compassionate hardship relief and advancements in occupational health, safety, education, and training. Rooted in the sector's unique risks and needs, its ethos emphasizes practical, person-centered support, evidence-led initiatives, and long-term well-being, informed by trustees with deep industry expertise and operational independence from commercial interests.
It funds projects addressing immediate distress (e.g., illness, bereavement, financial hardship) for construction workers (manual trades with 12+ months UK experience) and their dependants, alongside education, retraining, employability programs, and research into health/safety risks. Key activities include grants for urgent needs like funeral costs or subsistence during illness, skills-upskilling courses, apprenticeships, and the annual Construction Employability Award for innovative training. It also runs a free Construction Worker Helpline for financial, mental health, and welfare advice. Recent grants totaled £115,074 for individual relief plus sector investments.
Eligible applicants are UK-registered not-for-profits delivering benefits to UK construction workers; small to medium-sized grassroots organizations are favored, with no strict income limits but a preference for modest entities. Applications start with an email enquiry to charitabletrust@bandce.co.uk (rolling basis, no fixed deadlines); the Employability Award opens 15 September to 10 October 2025 via website. Typical grants range £1,000–£15,000; Award is £25,000.
Exclusions cover non-construction-related activities, applicants lacking UK sector ties, and general core costs (focus on specific projects). Distinctively, it stands as the UK's primary philanthropic body for construction trades welfare, blending direct aid, advocacy, and partnerships for measurable safety and employability gains.
Frequently Asked Questions about Building and Civil Engineering Charitable Trust
How much funding does Building and Civil Engineering Charitable Trust provide?
Building and Civil Engineering Charitable Trust typically provides grants ranging from £1,000 - £15,000.
Is Building and Civil Engineering Charitable Trust accepting applications?
Yes, Building and Civil Engineering Charitable Trust is currently open to applications from eligible charities.
Where does Building and Civil Engineering Charitable Trust fund charities?
Building and Civil Engineering Charitable Trust funds charities operating in UK.
How do I apply for funding from Building and Civil Engineering Charitable Trust?
Use Fundermatcher to check if your charity is a good match for Building and Civil Engineering Charitable Trust, then access detailed application guidance, deadlines, and eligibility criteria. Our AI assistant can help you draft a compelling application.