8 January 2026
The Armed Forces Covenant Trust Funds’ latest funding opportunity, the Rise Programme is designed to help small and medium armed forces charities become stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future.
Things in the charity sector move fast, growing and changing to meet the needs of your beneficiaries, keeping you busy, often without time to plan. The Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund want to give charities time and support to step back and take stock to improve how you work. This could include reviewing governance, planning for the future, measuring impact, improving finances, or working more closely with other armed forces charities.
Introducing Rise
Rise is a pilot programme for charities supporting members of the armed forces community in need of special consideration — people and families who have given the most through service. The programme aims to help charities build strong foundations so you can support your beneficiaries better in the long term.
The Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund are keen to hear from charities providing complex or specialist support, even if you support a small number of people.
What’s available?
You can apply for up to £30,000 for a project lasting 6 to 12 months. In some cases, charities working closely with others can apply for an enhanced grant of up to £20,000. There’s more on this via the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund programme guidance on their website here.
Find out more
The Rise programme is now accepting applications. The deadline to apply is midday on Wednesday 18 Feb with decisions expected by the end of March. Full details are available on the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund Rise programme page.