The A B Charitable Trust (ABCT) Open Programme

The A B Charitable Trust (ABCT) Open Programme is sponsored by The A B Charitable Trust (ABCT). The A B Charitable Trust supports small to medium-sized UK registered charities and Community Interest Companies working to advance human rights and justice, particularly where this involves access to justice, and migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum.

A B Charitable Trust Accepting Applications for Spring/Summer 2026 Projects — Supporting Communities The AB Charitable Trust (ABCT) offers grants to UK-registered charities working to champion human dignity and support marginalised and excluded groups within the UK. Grants range from £10,000 to £30,000 and can be awarded for one to three years. Eligible organisations must have an annual income between £150,000 and £1.

5 million and be registered and working in the UK. The Trust supports charities across four priority areas: migrants and refugees, criminal legal system and penal reform, access to justice and the human rights framework. Organisations can apply for core or project funding within these categories.

Applicants must demonstrate effective work that makes a tangible difference, listen to the people they support and engage individuals with direct experience of the issues they address. Charities can apply for funding to deliver services such as legal advice, policy influencing, rehabilitation support and advocacy work. The Trust typically supports single-focus organisations working exclusively in these priority areas.

The fund is competitive, with only around a third of eligible applicants receiving funding. Applications are considered on a quarterly basis. The next deadline for applications is 30 January 2026 for decisions in April 2026.

For more information, please visit The A B Charitable Trust, an independent grant-making organisation Supporting Communities promotes best practice in Community Participation in Northern Ireland through a 'grassroots' approach to Community Development, providing tailored support, advice, information and training to new and existing Community Groups, Statutory and Voluntary Organisations Meet the New ONSIDE Evolution Team!

The ONSIDE Evolution Project is set to launch next month, and we are so excited that we thought we’d introduce our training team in advance! Meet the team hard at work preparing materials to make technology more accessible and empower people to use digital tools with greater confidence.

Radius Housing Achieves Platinum-Level Tenant Participation Accreditation Radius Housing has been awarded Supporting Communities' Platinum-level Tenant Participation Accreditation, the highest of the four accreditation levels, in recognition of sector-leading quality in its tenant engagement practices.

Choice Housing becomes the first social housing provider to achieve Platinum Tenant Participation Accreditation Choice Housing has become the first social housing provider in Northern Ireland to achieve Platinum Accreditation under Supporting Communities’ Tenant Participation (TP) Accreditation Framework, setting a new benchmark for tenant engagement across the sector.

Neighbours Come Together to Grow a Brighter Future in Strabane A new community growing space is proving to be exactly what this Strabane community needed: a place to connect, to learn, and to grow together. A Royal Spotlight on Community Spirit: How The Warehouse Newtownards is Changing Lives The team at The Warehouse in Newtownards looks back at their exciting visit from the King and Queen last month.

We asked them to tell us what’s been happening since and if the royal visit left a lasting impact. September Funding Clinic Sessions (Online) Book an online session with our Funding and Social Value Officer for some one-to-one funding support. Writing Successful Funding Applications (Online Session) The aim of this session is to help participants improve their skills and knowledge when planning and completing a funding application.

Mid & East Antrim Area HCN Roadshow Join us at a special roadshow event for Mid & East Antrim Area HCN members! Understanding 'Social Value' (Online Session) This short online session will help you get a better understanding of what we mean when we talk about ‘Social Value’ and ‘Impact Measurement’. Causeway Area HCN Roadshow Join us at a special roadshow event for Causeway Area HCN members!

Writing Successful Funding Applications (Online Session) The aim of this session is to help participants improve their skills and knowledge when planning and completing a funding application. Understanding 'Social Value' (Online Session) This short online session will help you get a better understanding of what we mean when we talk about ‘Social Value’ and ‘Impact Measurement’. We’re working on new events.

Check back soon to see what’s coming up! Company registration number: NI 026765 HMRC Charity registration number: XR27102 Northern Ireland Charity Commission Number: NIC100005