The Women in Business Fund

The Women in Business fund was set up and funded by women, for women. We aim to support groups working to inspire, support and enable women, girls, and families in York and North Yorkshire. We are particularly interested in organisations working in areas of domestic violence, education, training, mental health and menopause issues, through support and gaining relevant skills.

Priority will be given to projects that:

  • Are run by women for women;
  • Actively engage girls and families;
  • Support women, girls, and families affected by disadvantage.

What grants can be used for

You can apply for direct project costs or organisational development needs that address the aim and priorities of the fund.

Direct activity / project costs:

You can apply for 100% of the activity costs or can be part of a combination of funding to meet the full amount needed.

Some examples of what a direct activity / project grant can support are below:

  • Activity costs for women, girls and families affected by disadvantage
  • Volunteer recruitment and training
  • Befriending schemes
  • Counselling and peer support groups.

Organisational development needs:

You must be able to demonstrate how this grant will support your organisation to become more stable and resilient. For example, maybe you need your rental costs covering for six months whilst you work on establishing new income to cover future rent. Perhaps you would like to train your staff or volunteers so that they are better equipped. Or you recognise the need for increasing your administration hours to review policies and procedures.

Full cost recovery:

We support full cost recovery  and strongly encourage you to include a proportion of your overheads on this application. You can learn more about Full Cost Recovery here: https://www.tworidingscf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Full-Cost-Recovery.pdf

You must not include any costs associated with commission-based payments for fundraising.

We cannot accept applications that are predominantly for overhead costs.

Size of grants

You can apply for up to £5,000.

Who can apply?

Your organisation can apply if it has a turnover under £500,000 with charitable aims. This means a small amount of money can make a significant difference. You can apply if you are based in, or serving, women, girls, and families in York and North Yorkshire.

Your organisation must:-

  • Be either a small voluntary organisation, community group, small charity or other type of not-for-profit organisation provided that the purpose of the grant is wholly charitable (please see our FAQs for additional requirements for CIC’s and CBS’s)
  • Have a governing document (also known as a constitution, rules, memorandum, or articles of association) in the name of their organisation outlining charitable objectives and with a charitable dissolution clause
  • Have a bank account in your group/ organisation’s name with at least two signatories, who are not related to one another
  • Produce annual accounts

 

Please check our how to apply page for more information: https://www.tworidingscf.org.uk/how-to-apply/

How to apply?

Before applying, you should read the Women in Business Fund – guidance 2025 for this grant scheme carefully.

Then follow the link below to complete the form to apply.

Next, attach your supporting documents to your application. Alternatively, you can email them to the office. Finally, your application is only complete when we have received all your supporting documents.

Please note: If you are sending your supporting documents in the post, please can we ask that they are NOT stapled. Thank you so much!

When to apply?

We are now open for applications. Your next deadline is noon on the 21st of April 2025.

Apply Now

Areas covered