If your charity or community group works with disadvantaged children and young people in the UK, BBC Children in Need (CiN) is one of the more significant funders you should have on your radar.

What BBC Children in Need Funds

• Project Grants & Core Costs Grants
  CiN funds both time-limited projects and core running costs (e.g. staffing, admin, evaluation) for organisations working with children aged up to 18 facing disadvantage.

• Grant Size & Duration
  Grants can be awarded for up to £120,000 over 3 years, though many are for smaller amounts.

• Eligibility & Priorities
  To qualify, your organisation must meet CiN’s minimum standards in governance, safeguarding, and finances.

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  Applications must clearly focus on children/young people experiencing disadvantage (e.g. poverty, disability, neglect) and show strong outcomes. BBC Children in Need+1

• Restrictions & Exclusions
  CiN does not fund:

  • Full cost recovery (only specific overheads linked to activity)

  • Capital or building works or purchase of buildings

  • Statutory provision (e.g. NHS, schools) except in special partnership models with clear roles

Current Status & Changes in 2025

• Temporary pause on new applications
  BBC Children in Need is currently transitioning to a new grantmaking system. As a result, they are not accepting new Expressions of Interest until the new system launches, expected by end of October 2025.

Tips for a Strong CiN Application

1. Understand their refreshed strategy
   As CiN rebuilds its systems, keep an eye on any shift in priorities. Be ready to adapt your language and emphasis.

2. Demonstrate need & impact
   Tell a compelling story: who you reach, how your work reduces disadvantage, and how you measure success.

3. Show organisational strength
   Strong governance, safeguarding, transparent finance—all must be robust and ready for scrutiny.

4. Be realistic about costs
   Only ask for what CiN permits (linked overheads, not full cost recovery).

5. Prepare early
   Use this pause period to engage your stakeholders, refine your logic model, and build partnerships.

BBC Children in Need