Children in Need Fund

BBC Children in Need, the BBC's flagship UK-wide charity established in 1980 with roots in 1927 appeals, drives its mission to ensure every child and young person up to age 18 enjoys a safe, happy, secure childhood and fulfils their potential, regardless of poverty, disability, illness, mental health challenges, abuse, neglect, or marginalisation. Guided by inclusivity, empowerment, evidence-based impact, and child involvement in decision-making, it stands out for its public visibility—via telethons raising over £1 billion, iconic figures like Sir Terry Wogan, and mascot Pudsey Bear—while blending national scale with local responsiveness to fund charities and not-for-profits delivering direct interventions like mentoring, counselling, safe spaces, arts, family support, skills-building, resilience programmes, and emergency essentials through partners like Family Fund.

It prioritises projects tackling greatest needs, supporting core costs, capacity building, and both immediate relief and long-term change for disadvantaged youth, with no religious restrictions and emphasis on measurable outcomes, safeguarding, and beneficiary participation.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, companies limited by guarantee, and community groups operating anywhere in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man), from grassroots to large organisations, with no income thresholds but requirements for strong governance and public benefit. Typical grants range £1,000–£40,000 per year (up to £120,000 over three years), favouring smaller requests under £15,000 for faster decisions.

Unsolicited applications follow a two-stage process—mandatory pre-application advice, then online Expression of Interest (EOI), with full applications invited if shortlisted—currently paused for system redesign, reopening September 2025 on a rolling basis. Exclusions include standalone capital costs (unless project-essential); it differentiates through flexible grant types, transparency, and commitment to under-served communities.