The A B Charitable Trust (ABCT) offers grants to small and medium-sized charities working in the UK to defend human rights and support people who are marginalised or excluded. Founded in 1990, the Trust focuses on organisations working closely with communities and has awarded around £23 million in grants to date.
Grant size
Most awards range from £10,000 to £30,000 per year, for one to three years. Demand is high and only around a third of eligible applicants are funded.
Eligibility
Charities must:
Be registered in the UK and delivering work in the UK.
Have an annual income of £150,000–£1.5 million.
Have operated for at least one year and provide full, independently examined accounts.
Have work that aligns clearly with one of the Trust’s priority areas.
Organisations with a broad or general remit are less likely to be funded.
Priority areas
ABCT funds work that protects human dignity in four key areas:
1. Migrants and refugees
Support for people seeking asylum or refuge, including:
Destitution support and accommodation.
Work on trafficking and exploitation.
Support for people in immigration detention.
Tackling discrimination.
Funding can cover service delivery, advocacy, campaigning, legal approaches, and community organising.
2. Criminal legal system and penal reform
Support for:
People and families at risk of or affected by the justice system.
Those facing the sharpest end of sentencing or state injustice.
Organisations working for system-wide change.
3. Access to justice
Funding for charities that:
Provide specialist legal advice or representation.
Deliver expert support in specific areas of law for marginalised groups.
Work to defend and improve access to justice and the rule of law.
4. Human rights framework
Support for:
Campaigning and advocacy on human rights legislation.
Legal representation and strategic litigation.
Work helping people and organisations understand their rights.
The Trust generally funds organisations with a strong, single focus in these areas. Both core and project grants may be available.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online following a short eligibility check.
Upcoming deadlines:
30 January 2026 (decisions in April 2026)
24 April 2026 (decisions in July 2026)
31 July 2026 (decisions in October 2026)
Apply here: The A B Charitable Trust, an independent grant-making organisation
Further details are available from the A B Charitable Trust at mail@abcharitabletrust.org.uk or 020 7243 9486.