Funding for Disability justice

We want to see Disabled Londoners that reflect London’s diversity, asserting and accessing rights and privileges in all areas of life by 2040. To achieve this vision we need a strong, vibrant, diverse and sustainable Disability justice movement*. Our focus is on Disability justice, because Disability justice is a social justice issue.

Many things need to be in place to enable a movement, but for the Disability justice fund we’re focusing on funding Deaf and Disabled People's Organisations (DDPOs). Right now DDPOs are underresourced, with no targeted funding enabling disability related campaigning or movement building.

(*This vision includes people who may not have a political identity as a Disabled person, and if they chose to be activists, that they are able to bring their full intersectional selves to any organisation, campaign, or movement. Currently, the Disability movement has a history of White leadership, and large Disability charities are not led by Disabled people.)

What we want to fund

We want to fund organisations fighting for the rights of Disabled people. This includes work that strengthens the ability of DDPOs to engage in campaigning, policy, advocacy and to push for change. Or projects that enable DDPOs to do behind the scenes work so that they can be better run. We’re also keen to fund work that contributes to growing, broadening and diversifying the Disability movement.

Available funding

We’re expecting to give away around £1.2 million in total.

There are two strands of funding available:

• development grants of up to £20,000, for new and small organisations
• larger grants for up to £180,000 over a period of 2-3 years.

Eligibility

This funding is for DDPOs, so this means at least 75% of your trustees or board are Disabled and 50% of your paid staff are Disabled. The definition of Disability is wider than you might think. We’re using the UNRCPD definition. Any group covered by the Equality Act 2010 will be covered by the UNCRPD definition.

Funding is also not just for charities.

Read more about this in the frequently asked questions, or for full details please see the funding guidelines.

Decision making

The project team from Trust for London and City Bridge Foundation includes staff members with lived experience of Disability. We’re also working with an advisory panel of eight Disabled activists to decide who to shortlist and fund.

How to apply

Access the funding guidelines for more information, available in various formats, alongside some helpful supporting documents, below. We strongly recommend you review the guidelines carefully, attend an information webinar and sign up to a 1:1 with a grants manager before applying.

We'll be accepting applications via audio and video format as well as written, and we have an Access Support Fund available for people that need extra help. Find out more in the frequently asked questions and contact us for further information.

Once you've reviewed all the documents and accessed any support sessions, click the apply now button to access the online application form.

Deadline to apply 4 March 2024, 5pm.

Key documents and information

Access the funding guidelines in different formats, download helpful supporting documents, sign up for a webinar, book a 1:1 and view our frequently asked questions here.

Audio version - listen to the funding guidelines