How to Apply
A five-minute form. A real person reads it. A clear answer in four weeks.
Before you start
What to have ready.
You don’t need polished documents or a fundraising background. But having these in mind helps you write a stronger application.
What you’re doing, who it helps, and why it matters. Two or three sentences is enough.
What would the grant pay for? Equipment, time, materials? A sentence will do.
A quick line about who’s behind the project.
Browse our four programmes if you’re unsure. Leave it blank if not sure — we’ll match you.
The process
Six steps from application to funded.
Fill in the form
About five minutes. Tell us your name, organisation, programme, and what you’d do with the grant. Plain English only.
~5 minConfirmation
An email confirming receipt within one working day. We may follow up with a short clarifying question.
Within 1 working dayReview
Applications reviewed weekly by the CM Beyer team. A real person reads every application in full — no automated scoring.
Within 2 weeksDecision
A clear yes or no within four weeks. We don’t leave people waiting without an update.
Within 4 weeksGrant letter
Successful applicants receive a plain-English grant letter (one to two pages). Funds transferred within 10 working days of signing.
Within 2 weeks of yesCompletion report
When your project is done, a short note on what you achieved and how the money was used. Not a formal evaluation — a conversation.
On project completionWhat makes a strong application
What we look for.
"We want to cut our packaging waste by 60% by switching to compostable materials" is stronger than "we’re committed to sustainability." Be concrete.
Tell us what the grant pays for and what it doesn’t. If you have other funding sources, say so — it builds confidence.
Describe who benefits and how. "It saves us money" is not enough — "it frees up 12 hours a week for community sessions" is.
A clear account from someone who understands their project is far more persuasive than a professionally written one from someone who doesn’t.
If you’re successful
We’ll email you to confirm, send a short grant letter, and transfer funds within 10 working days. You’ll be offered optional mentoring — no pressure to take it up.
If you’re unsuccessful
We’ll tell you clearly, by email, with a brief explanation of why. You’re welcome to reapply. We also try to point people towards other potential funders where we know of a good fit.
Questions
Common questions about applying.
Do I need to be registered as a company or charity?
No. We fund UK small businesses, social enterprises, community groups and early-stage organisations regardless of legal structure. You must be able to receive a bank transfer and provide a brief completion report.
Can I apply for more than one programme?
Apply to the one that fits best. If your project genuinely spans more than one, say so in the form and we’ll work out the right home for it. Don’t submit multiple applications for the same project.
Can I apply if I’ve already started the project?
Yes. We can fund ongoing projects as long as the grant pays for costs not yet incurred. We cannot reimburse costs already spent before we’ve made a decision.
What if I don’t know which programme to apply to?
Leave the programme field blank or select "Not sure — match me." We’ll read your application and assign it to the most appropriate programme.
Can I speak to someone before applying?
Yes — email [email protected] with a brief description of your project. If your question is quick, we’ll answer it. We’re not able to offer detailed pre-application advice to every enquirer, but we try to help where we can.
Ready to apply?
The form takes about five minutes. No polished documents required.
