Invitation to tender: Small grants programme
Invitation to tender: Small grants programme
Community-led organisations rooted in the areas that they serve are crucial partners for the NHS and the health system. Ensuring that these groups are sustainably funded is key to supporting the health and wellbeing of minoritised ethnic people and addressing ethnic health inequalities.
We know that current approaches to grantmaking for Black and minoritised led grassroots organisations are often too rigid, unethical, and are often transactional, rather than relational. There are also various barriers which impede the ability of ethnic minority led community groups and grassroots organisations to access funding.
Scope and outputs
We are seeking to commission a delivery partner to work with us to create an inclusive, ethical and agile small grants pilot programme.
The small grants pilot will distribute a total of £150,000 in funding to grantees. Individual grants of £5000 to £10,000 will be available to community groups with an annual income of £150,000 or less.
The pilot will inform the design and delivery of a wider programme in future years.
- Phase one (months 1-2): Co-design of grants delivery process, including eligibility criteria, safeguarding protocols, application materials, support mechanisms, and a shortlisting process.
- Phase two (months 3-12): Delivery of communities small grants pilot, including application phase, assessing submissions, issuing payments, and supporting grantees through delivery.
- Phase three (months 12-13): Pilot wrap-up and reflections, capturing and sharing learning, progress, and outcomes from the pilot.
Full details of the project scope and expected outputs can be found in the main invitation to tender document linked below.
Requirements
Proposals should include:
- A project plan with delivery approach, timeline, workplan and risk mitigation.
- A detailed fee proposal.
- Company or organisational information.
- Supporting evidence, including examples of similar work and references.
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Expertise in designing and delivering ethical, anti-racist grantmaking processes.
- Infrastructure needed to administer grants appropriately.
- Ability to work flexibly and responsively to meet the needs of our target grantees.
- A demonstrable commitment to anti-racism, with an understanding of the need to work in ethical partnership with, build capacity in, and cede power to, community-led organisations/initiatives and racially minoritised communities.
Timescale and funding
We expect the project duration to be 13 months from the date of award, with deliverables to be completed by March 2027. We have identified indicative costs of up to £50k plus VAT, which will be separate to the funds distributed through the pilot.
Speak with our team
We are holding a drop-in session at 1–2PM on Monday 15 December. The session is a chance to ask questions about the background to the project and seek clarifications on the ITT document. Sign up to join the meeting on Teams using this link.
For any questions, you are also welcome to contact Sarindi Aryasinghe, Head of Implementation, at [email protected].
How to apply
Detailed instructions on submitting a bid can be found in the attached invitation to tender below.
Tenders can be submitted by email to [email protected] before the deadline of 13:00 on 9 January 2026. Please use the email subject “Tender ref: RHO_Communities small grants” for your submission.