How much can we apply for?
Between £500,000 and £1,500,000 for three years.
How much funding should we allocate to onward grants?
We understand that intermediary enterprise programme delivery costs and overheads will vary, as will the grant sizes you make to organisations. Across the whole fund we expect that 70% of the £6m budget will be distributed as grants to organisations and individuals.
What size grants should Intermediaries be making?
We will ask Intermediaries to make grants up to a maximum individual size of £40,000, with the amount tailored to organisation circumstances and need. We are not setting a minimum grant size, but we welcome the thoughts of applicants on this, for example, you may wish to include smaller grants to enable some organisations or individuals to carry out early idea exploration.
What counts as ‘early’ in an enterprise development journey?
Organisations and social entrepreneurs that are not already in receipt of enterprise development support (financial or non-financial), but that have a defined goal to increase earned income through trading and enterprise growth – i.e. are equipped with an enterprise idea that is ready to be developed, as opposed to exploring options.
What do you mean by “underserved communities”?
Communities (geographic, identity-based or thematic) not being reached by existing enterprise development services.
How do you define Enterprise Grants, and what types of grants might this include?
Funding that encourages and supports charities and social enterprises to increase or maintain income from enterprise activities: selling services or goods. The funding incentivises enterprise behaviour and builds capabilities and confidence, often through capacity-building support. Grant type might be linked to a defined trading outcome, meet an enterprise-related operational need (e.g. staff resource or investment in systems) or could be an incentive-linked grant such as matched trading. We expect the majority of grants to be restricted.
What do we mean by enterprise development ecosystem?
We mean the network of resources, knowledge, evidence, best practice and culture that helps to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, build capabilities and strengthen infrastructure across the social impact sector.
What is IMD 1–3?
IMD 1-3 refers to neighbourhoods in England that fall within the three most deprived deciles according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation, a standard measure of relative deprivation at small area level.
Can individuals apply?
No, individuals cannot apply for the Intermediary Partner role.
We provide enterprise development support, but we do not do grant-making. Can we apply?
We will prioritise applications from organisations that can demonstrate capability and experience in both elements. However, we will consider partnership applications that bring together these two capabilities, where this is a clear route to meeting underserved groups or communities, in specific geographies. Partnership applications must state a Lead Partner.
We have a fixed enterprise development offer. Can we apply?
While we acknowledge that some Intermediaries may include fixed and compulsory elements within their offer (e.g. certain technical training), we will prioritise applications that demonstrate willingness to adapt elements of their offer to meet various needs, challenges or different cultures, and to create content and spaces that are accessible and adaptable to all participants.
Can our capacity building be delivered online?
Yes, where there is clear rationale for this and it is in line with need. However, especially as regards the facilitation of peer support, we will look for elements of face-to-face delivery. understand the impact of your support.
Do we have to include a peer support element?
Yes, we believe there are benefits to be drawn from participants supporting and learning from each other, so we are looking for the inclusion of peer support facilitation.
We are a national organisation, can we apply?
Yes, we accept applications from national organisations.
Some or all of our enterprise development programme would be delivered by freelancers, can we apply?
Yes, we would not decline your application on this basis. We would look for evidence of freelancers’ experience and track record in your application.
We have not previously worked in Henry Smith’s priority areas, can we apply?
Intermediaries themselves do not have to work in or focus on one of Henry Smith’s priority areas. However, you must be able to demonstrate an ability to reach VCSEs and/or individuals working in these areas.
We are a local organisation, can we apply?
Yes, we accept applications from local organisations, but we would look for evidence that you are reaching underserved groups in that location, that are working in Henry Smith Foundation’s strategic priority areas.
Our work reaches both registered VCSEs and non-constituted organisations, can we apply?
Yes, however please note fund guidelines about the allocation of £4m of the fund reaching constituted organisations.
Our work only reaches individual social entrepreneurs, can we apply?
Yes, however please note fund guidelines about the allocation of £4m of the fund reaching constituted organisations.
We are a new organisation, can we apply?
We require a year’s worth of accounts that have been audited or independently examined, and we will also be looking for proven experience in enterprise development support and grant making. As such we do not encourage applications from new organisations.
How will you choose between equally fundable organisations?
In this case we will prioritise applications to fund organisations across as broad a geographical range as possible.
Must Intermediary Partners reach UK-wide?
We welcome applications from organisations whose work is UK-wide, but no, Intermediary Partners do not need to operate across the whole of the UK. We welcome applications from organisations with strong reach into specific communities or geographic areas where enterprise support is limited.
Our company does not have any safeguarding processes/policy, should we apply?
Applicants must have an up-to-date safeguarding policy and be willing to undergo a review of their safeguarding practices to ensure that Henry Smith Foundation’s standards are met.
What level of time commitment is required from Intermediary Partners, for example in relation to networking, convening or policy?
We are looking for Intermediary Partners with a commitment to sharing learning, and we would love to provide opportunities for Intermediary Partners to learn, connect and share experiences. We will ask our Intermediary Partners to commit to a minimum of an annual learning meeting.
We’re not sure if we meet the criteria. Can we speak to someone?
Absolutely. If you’re unsure whether your organisation is a good fit, we’re happy to talk it through. You can:
Call us on 020 7264 4970 or request a callback
Email us: opportunityfund@henrysmith.foundation
You can book a call with a Grants Manager through this Calendly link.
We’ve applied to the Henry Smith Foundation previously but were declined. Can we apply again?
Absolutely. If you’ve applied to the Foundation before but have been declined, this won’t impact on your application. If you’re unsure or have concerns about applying again, we encourage you to contact us. You can:
Call us on 020 7264 4970 or request a callback
You can also email us at opportunityfund@henrysmith.foundation
You can book a call with a Grants Manager on 19, 20, 22, 26, 29 October 2026 between 9am -1pm. Please select a time on only one of the above dates via this Calendly link.
Can I use AI to help with my application?
That’s up to you. We’re interested in understanding your work, your approach and the difference you’re making, so your application should reflect your voice and experience. If you choose to use AI, we recommend using it to support your thinking or structure not write it for you. We have noticed that AI-generated applications can include errors, so always check the accuracy of any information it provides.
See more on AI in applications.