Backbone Fund
This fund is by invitation-only
The Backbone Fund supports organisations who are working to strengthen civil society as whole and to play a part in shaping a more equitable future.
About the Fund
Our Backbone Fund supports organisations who are working to strengthen civil society as whole and to play a part in shaping a more equitable future.
Many of these organisations carry out key infrastructure functions – like capacity building, policy and advocacy, influencing, networking and research. By providing shared services and networks, they bring organisations and communities together and strengthen their collective voice and impact.
This funding is for core activity. Through the funding, we make a lasting commitment of up to five years to each organisation. We hope this funding means organisations can resource their core services, fund essential posts and ensure that there is funding they can rely on for a significant period.
Work we fund
To contribute to a more equitable voluntary sector, the Backbone Fund seeks to support organisations across the UK who are working to:
- Create equitable opportunities to be part of the voluntary sector, especially for people and communities who have historically been underrepresented.
- Recognise, engage with and support marginalised communities.
- Actively pursue deep structural change. This might include ending current ways of doing things to allow new approaches to thrive.
Principles we look for
Our assessment process
The Backbone Fund is a closed fund. Colleagues from across the Foundation make recommendations for the long list of organisations to be considered for Backbone Funding.
Additionally, we have a Backbone Inbox where we take Expressions of Interest directly from interested organisations and also receive suggestions and guidance from external colleagues.
As Backbone is a cross-sector fund, decisions are made by a cross-department working group represented by colleagues from migration, arts, youth and strategic teams. Over a period of six months ‚the team meets iteratively to discuss each organisation, how they meet the criteria and why they are important within the current context. A short-list is then taken to our board of trustees for final approval.
Grants available
The Backbone Fund is an invitation-only fund. We have already selected our recipients for 2025. We allocate £2 million per year and generally make around six to eight new awards every year. Most grants are for five years with a maximum of £250,000.
We use our networks and knowledge of the fields we work in to invite organisations who are important to our overall strategy to apply. You can log your interest in the Fund at backbonefund@phf.org.uk. We welcome applications to our other open funds.
How can we contribute to a more equitable voluntary sector?
This blog explores some of the thinking behind the Backbone Fund and what we’ve heard from the organisations we support.