The Boots Charitable Trust is an independent charity wholly funded by Boots UK. Traditionally focused on Nottinghamshire, it has expanded its programme to support projects across the UK, with funding split 50/50 between Nottinghamshire and national applications.
For national applications, the priorities are quite specific:
- Health – community-based support for people and families living with cancer in deprived communities.
- Lifelong Learning – helping disadvantaged young people aged 16–30 develop skills, confidence and experience to move into sustainable employment.
- Social Care – trauma-informed support for children and young people up to 18 who have experienced rape or sexual abuse.
Nottinghamshire applications have broader priorities covering health, lifelong learning, community development and social care. Diversity, equality and inclusion is an important consideration across the programme.
Registered charities and not-for-profit organisations with charitable purposes can apply. However, the published guidance states that non-registered charities with income or expenditure above £5,000 are excluded,
The Trust does not fund individuals, redistribution of grants, statutory obligations, major capital/building projects or activities that would remain dependent on Boots funding to continue.
Grant amounts
One-year grants of £100 to £10,000 are available. Applicants are advised to request no more than around 20% of their previous year’s income.
The current round is for Nottinghamshire projects only and closes at 5pm on 1 September 2026.
The next round opens 2 November 2026, closing 30 November 2026, and is expected to include applications from organisations across the UK.
Applications are made through an online portal managed by CAF. Applicants provide information about their organisation, finances, proposed activities and use of the grant, alongside their latest accounts. Shortlisted organisations may also be contacted for a telephone interview or visit.
For organisations outside Nottinghamshire, don’t rely on the Trust’s historically broad priorities – the new national priorities are much narrower. Make sure your work clearly fits one of the three national themes before investing time in an application.