The Bernard Sunley Foundation are a family grant making foundation which supports charities in England and Wales working to raise the quality of life and provide greater opportunities for the young, the elderly, the disabled and the disadvantaged. 
Community – The Foundation gives grants towards the building or refurbishment of scout huts, village halls, community centres, youth clubs, boxing clubs, outdoor activity centres, farm and outdoor learning centres, sports centres and pavilions, playing fields and playgrounds. The Foundation also funds the purchase of new minibuses that assist those most in need in their local communities.
Education – The Foundation supports improvements and new facilities at special needs schools and the purchase of new, adapted minibuses that benefit children with special needs and disabilities. The Foundation also award grants to educational nature centres and to new education and learning centres at museums, galleries and other arts organisations.
Health – The Foundation supports building and refurbishment projects, specialist new transport and the creation of outdoor or recreational spaces for care homes, hospices, day centres and other facilities that provide relief and sanctuary for patients, their families and those with special needs. The emphasis is on helping charities that are providing an excellent standard of care and support within their communities.
Social Welfare – The Foundation supports projects for veterans, the elderly, ex-offenders and those in prison and schemes that enable people with mental and physical disabilities to live fuller lives in the community
What will be funded:
- Capital projects which include new buildings, extensions, refurbishments and recreational spaces
- New minibuses and other vehicles that provide a vital service to those most in need in their local community
- Churches and other places of worship with a strong, secular community focus
- Charities or CIOs (Charitable Incorporated Organisations) registered in England and Wales
- Certain organisations with exempt status such as specialist schools, scout and guide groups, housing associations, cooperatives and community benefit societies
The Foundation offer three levels of grants. These are large grants of £20,000 and above; medium grants of up to £20,000 and small grants of £5,000 and under. Large and medium grants are considered and agreed upon at Trustees’ meetings. Small grants are agreed by Trustees on a monthly basis and form the majority of the grants.
Applications are accepted all year round.