Eligilibility & What to Expect

1. Who this grant is for

The Fundership Grant is created to centre women who are usually pushed to the margins of traditional funding.

You’re in the right place if:

You identify as a woman and are part of a Black, Brown, or racialised community in the UK.
You are based in the UK and your business/project primarily serves people here (even if you also reach people globally).
You are a founder, co‑founder or the main decision‑maker of your business, side hustle or social project.
Your business or project is at an early or growing stage – you might be:
Pre‑revenue but building something real, or
Already trading and trying to stabilise, grow or launch something new.
You can clearly explain what you’re building, who it’s for, and why this grant matters now.
You’re willing to engage with the Fundership community (for example, through our ConnectionShip events, resources and updates).

You do not need to have:

A perfect business plan
Investment, a rich network, or a “polished” pitch deck
Traditional credentials or permission from gatekeepers
If you are building something real that serves real people, and you are usually overlooked by mainstream funding – this is for you.

2. Who this grant is not for (right now)

To stay honest about our focus and capacity, the Fundership Grant is not currently designed for:

Organisations where no founder or key decision‑maker is a Black or Brown woman.
Large, well‑resourced organisations that already have consistent access to grants, investment or institutional backing.
Purely ideas with no movement at all – there needs to be at least some groundwork (research, audience building, prototype, early sales or community activity).
Academic Research
Projects that promote hate, discrimination, or harm towards any group.

If you’re not sure where you sit, you can still read the guidelines and make your own call about applying.

3. What you can expect from us

If you are awarded a Fundership Grant, you can expect:

Clear communication – we will let you know the outcome of your application and next steps in plain language.
Transparent process – we tell you upfront what we’re asking for and why (no surprise admin after you’ve been selected).
Money you can actually use – the grant is there to unlock real next steps in your business or project, not to sit in a pot you’re scared to touch.
Light‑touch reporting – we are not here to micro‑manage you. We want honest, simple reporting that respects your time.
Human contact – you’ll be invited into our wider ecosystem (for example, ConnectionShip sessions and other resources) so you’re not doing this alone.

We take our responsibilities seriously – to you, to our community, and to anyone who backs this work. That’s why we’re open about what we ask in return.

4. What we ask of you if you receive the grant

If you’re awarded the Fundership Grant, we will ask you to:

Use the funds for the purpose you describe
- In your application, we’ll ask how you intend to spend the money (e.g. equipment, marketing, childcare, training, operations).
- We expect you to use the grant mainly in line with that plan, or for reasonable changes that you can explain.
Keep basic records
- We do not need your full accounts.
- We do ask that you keep simple records and receipts, especially for larger purchases, in case we ever need to look back or do random checks.
Complete two very short check‑ins
- A mid‑point check‑in a few months after you receive the grant (5–10 minutes).
- A final report once you’ve had time to actually use the money and see some impact.
Be honest if things change
- Life happens. Markets change. Sometimes the thing you thought you needed to do is not the thing you actually need to do.
- If your plans change significantly, we ask that you tell us in your report or, if it’s major, by email.
Respect our community
- Engage with other founders with respect.
- Follow any community guidelines we share for events, online spaces or WhatsApp/other groups.

We are not here to punish or police you. We are here to build a culture of trust, accountability and mutual respect.

5. How our reporting works (light, not heavy)

We know that many Black and Brown women are over‑surveyed, over‑questioned, and under‑funded. Our reporting is designed to be minimal but meaningful.

Here’s what it looks like:

a) At application stage

You’ll be asked to:

Outline how you plan to spend the grant in a few simple categories (for example: equipment, marketing, training, operations, childcare/access, other).
Share your top 1–3 priorities for the grant.
Describe what “success” would look like 6–12 months from now.

This gives us a clear baseline. It also helps you think about what you actually want to use the money for.

b) Mid‑point check‑in (a few months after you receive the grant)

We’ll send you a very short online form asking:

Have you started spending the funds?
What have you done so far (in a few sentences)?
Have your plans changed at all? If yes, how?
One early win and one challenge you’re facing.

This is mainly so we can understand how things are going and spot patterns across the cohort – not to catch anyone out.

c) Final report (towards the end of the grant period)

When you’ve had time to use the grant, we’ll ask you for:

A simple breakdown of how you actually spent the money (again, using the same categories you saw in the application).
A short explanation of any changes between your original plan and what actually happened.
1–3 pieces of evidence (for example receipts, screenshots, photos, or confirmations) that illustrate what you did with the grant.
A few questions about outcomes and impact – what changed in your business/project and in your own life or wellbeing.
An optional section to share a story we might feature (with your consent, and with the option to stay anonymous).

At the end of the form, we’ll ask you to confirm that the information is true to the best of your knowledge.

6. What happens if your plans change?

Short answer: tell us, don’t hide it.

We understand that:

You might discover a better way to use the funds.
Prices may change.
Personal or family circumstances may shift.

We expect some level of change. What matters is that:

The money is still used in service of your business or project.
You can explain, in simple terms, why you decided to use it differently.

If something major happens that means you cannot use the grant at all as planned, we ask that you email us as soon as you can so we can talk about options.

7. A note on trust, checks and fairness

We build this programme on trust first, especially because so many of us have been treated with automatic suspicion by systems that were never designed with us in mind.

At the same time, we have a responsibility to the wider community and to any partners who help fund this work.

So:

We keep reporting light.
We may carry out occasional random spot checks (for example, asking a small percentage of grantees for a bit more detail or a call).
Being open and honest in your reporting helps us keep the process light for everyone.

If we ever see clear, intentional misuse of funds, we reserve the right to:

Withhold future opportunities to that applicant, and
Review how we work with them going forward.

This isn’t about fear. It’s about protecting a resource that exists because we are trying to change the system, not replicate its harms.

8. Timeline at a glance (after you apply)

The exact dates will be on the current round’s page, but the general flow looks like this:

Applications open – you submit your application.
Review & shortlisting – we read and assess applications.
If you are the recipient, you will recieve a call from us.
Decisions communicated – we email all applicants with the awardee announcement.
Grant agreements & payment – successful applicants receive their grant and any key documents.
Mid‑point check‑in – a short form a few months in.
Connection and support – optional events, resources and touchpoints along the way.
Final report – a short form once you’ve had time to use the money.

9. If you still have questions

If anything here feels unclear, confusing or intimidating, that’s useful feedback for us.

You can:

Check the Grant FAQs
Contact us via our contact page

We are building this with – and for – women who are usually left out of the room. Your questions and experiences help us make it better for the next person.