The Step Forward Fund is a fund designed to provide funding and support to grassroots organisations from Global Majority and racially minoritised communities and help them move from smaller project-based funding to larger grants and investment.
The Step Forward Fund has £4 million to award. The fund plans to give £50,000 to £75,000 per year for between 2 to 3 years. This means you can apply for:
- a minimum of £100,000, which is £50,000 a year for 2 years
- a maximum of £225,000, which is £75,000 a year for 3 years
To help you better understand the fund, there are some touchpoints, including attending a webinar. Webinars are online presentations that will help you understand whether this programme is a good fit for your work. Please select one of the two available options:
To apply for the Step Forward Fund, you must either attend an online information webinar or contact The National Lottery Community Fund, or Joshua Okoduwa at The Phoenix Community Trust (joshua.okoduwa@inclusivenorth.org.uk) by Friday 17 July 2026.
If you're unsure whether your organisation qualifies, please reach out using the above email address for support.