The Happiness Fund

The Happiness Fund is sponsored by London Plus. Supports grassroots, neighbourhood-based community projects in the UK which improve mental health and wellbeing, inclusion, and learning and skills development in local communities. Funding is intended to build happy, strong, resilient communities.

The Happiness Fund | Funding Positive Change | Laughology Putting the fun into funding To celebrate our 20th anniversary , we’re absolutely delighted to announce that we’ll be giving away a whopping £20,000 through our Happiness Fund this year . We’ll still be running two application cycles, but with an extra-special twist for our birthday year.

In each cycle, we’ll be awarding two brilliant projects £5,000 each — because spreading happiness is even better when you can do more of it. Here’s to 20 years of happiness… and helping even more great projects succeed.

Mental Wellness Through Music: Lochgelly Band's Triumph with the Happiness Fund Happiness Fund winner Elimu breaks down barriers Mental Wellness Through Music: Lochgelly Band's Triumph with the Happiness Fund Announcing our latest Happiness Fund Winners – New Cross Learning Our latest Happiness Fund Winners – Winning Steps South West (WSSW)!

Building4Hope - our latest Happiness Fund winners Happiness Fund news - our second grant is awarded!

New funding dates – Cycle 2 2026 Applications open: Monday 7th September 2026 Applications close: Friday 2nd October 2026 Notification of successful initial application: Monday 19 th October 2026 – Fri day 23 rd October 2026* Interviews for successful applications: Thursday 12 th November 2026 Winner announced: December 2026 * If you haven’t heard anything by Friday 23 rd October, unfortunately your application was unsuccessful on this occasion but good luck with your project.

To date, we’ve invested over £27,500 into projects that create positive change and have a clear, sustainable future. We’re all about funding initiatives that don’t just make a difference today, but continue to thrive tomorrow. If your project is ready to grow, become self-sustaining, and leave a lasting mark on your community, we’d love to hear from you.

We fund projects that are: Grassroots and community-based Non-profit and non-political Focused on longevity and sustainability Big, national charities looking for another round of funding One-off events (unless there’s a lasting benefit for the community) Salaries, accommodation, or rent (but we do consider renovations) Medical treatments or research Schools & universities (unless it’s an independent project, not reliant on school funding) Personal development courses Retroactive funding for expenses Projects outside the UK (we like our funding to stay local) Before you dive in, we’ll check if your project fits our criteria.

If it does, you’ll be able to move forward; if not, you’ll know sooner rather than later. Think of this as a friendly checkpoint to make sure your project is on track. This is where we get into the detail of your proposed project.

Cost breakdowns, long-term sustainability plans, and how your project will impact the community. If your application is well-researched and thought-out, you’ll be well on your way to stage three. Now it’s time to talk!

If you’ve made it to stage three, we’ll want to hear directly from you about your project’s vision and how you plan to execute it. And if you’re in it for the long haul, we’re here to listen, guide and maybe even give you a well-deserved fist bump. Guidance for Applications Our Happiness Fund Webinar is a goldmine of advice for making a successful application.

Learn from past winners, get insider tips, and hear from our CEO, Stephanie Davies, about the inspiration behind the fund and what we look for in applications.

Before you hit apply, make sure your project is: Non-profit and non-political Sustainable over the long term Focused on mental health, wellbeing, inclusion, or skills development Please confirm your project meets the Your application was unsuccessful, you did not meet our requirements. Is your project not-for-profit? How much funding has your project received in the last 12 months?

Does your project maintain a dedicated, independent bank account? Will the funding be used for any of the following? Use of Materials Disclaimer If you're a successful recipient of the Happiness Fund, you agree to let us share your story.

Thanks for applying to The Happiness Fund. We will review your application and respond in due course. You can find more details relating to timeframes on the main Happiness Fund page.

Apply for a different project You have met the requirements for selection. Please provide the following information. Is your project a subsidiary of another charitable organisation or savings group?

Will the funding be used for a specific project or ongoing costs? What is your project about? Will it focus on a specific area?

Please describe your project in brief (300 words): Provide a detailed breakdown of how you would spend the funding: Please list specific items, quantities, and costs (e.g., 10 yoga mats @ £15 each = £150) How was the need for this project identified? Please summarise any specific research or data collected (Max 500 words): Which age group does your project support? Is your project aimed at a specific group of people or open to everyone?

If specific group, please specify How will the project be sustained financially in the long term if your bid is successful? Please provide details I agree to the Terms & Conditions What type of projects are eligible for the Happiness Fund? We fund grassroots, community-driven projects focused on mental health, wellbeing, inclusion, and skills development.

If your initiative is non-profit, has a long-term impact, and helps people thrive, we want to hear from you. What projects are not eligible for funding? We don’t fund large national charities, one-off events, salaries, or medical research.

If you’re after funding for a Christmas meal or rent, this isn’t the right fit for you. It’s all about sustainability, so we focus on initiatives that have lasting community impact. How much can I apply for?

You can apply for up to £5,000 for your project. This is a one-off award, but you can apply again for future initiatives after 24 months. What should my application include?

Your application should include: Defined objectives and outcomes A detailed budget with expenses and expected income Community research to show how your project will engage and benefit the local community We want to see how your project benefits the community and how it will keep running after the initial funding. The more specific you can be, the better! How do I apply for the Happiness Fund?

It’s simple! First, review the application stages to make sure your project qualifies. Then, complete the application form, including an overview, objectives, expected outcomes, and a detailed budget.

Be sure to include any community research to show how your project will benefit the local area. Once your form is ready, submit it through our website. Don’t forget to double-check your information!

What happens after I apply? After you submit your application, we’ll review it in three stages. You’ll first complete a qualifying round to check if your project fits the criteria, then move on to a detailed application.

If you’re shortlisted, we’ll invite you to an interview. You’ll know if you’ve been successful soon after! Will my application be kept confidential?

Absolutely! Your application will be reviewed fairly and confidentially. We won’t share your details unless you give us permission (unless you win, in which case, we’ll want to shout about it from the rooftops).