At The Henry Smith Foundation, we believe everyone affected by domestic abuse should have access to the right support. Support that feels safe, relevant, and built on real understanding.
That’s why we’re focusing our new Domestic Abuse Fund on supporting ‘led by and for’ organisations.
We want to reach ‘led by and for’ organisations supporting those facing additional exclusion and discrimination alongside misogyny, sexism and violence, such as LGBT+, d/Deaf and disabled and racially minoritised people.
What are ‘led by and for’ organisations?
Specialist “by and for” domestic abuse services are led by and for the minoritised communities they support, such as Black and racially minoritised people, d/Deaf and disabled people, and LGBT+ people who have experienced domestic abuse.
Based on lived experience, these services offer holistic, culturally sensitive support that addresses intersecting inequalities that people who have experienced domestic abuse face.
Unlike general services, ‘led by and for’ support is built on principles of equality and inclusion, and is often better placed to reach those who might not feel safe approaching mainstream providers. Despite their proven impact, these services remain underfunded and undervalued.
Why helping ‘led by and for’ organisations matters
For years, organisations in the domestic abuse sector have been calling for more long-term, flexible funding. Funding that covers core costs of running services, builds stronger organisations, and creates long-term stability.
But this need is especially urgent for ‘led by and for’ organisations serving marginalised and minoritised communities. They are often overlooked or underfunded, and are more likely to receive smaller, short-term grants, despite the vital role they play.
There is anecdotal evidence that victim-survivors of domestic abuse feel safer and more in control of their lives when supported by people who share their experiences and identity.
Research backs this up. The Domestic Abuse Commissioner has highlighted how much safer survivors feel when helped by someone from their own community.
Despite their impact, half of all specialist refuges for ethnic minority women have closed or been in recent years.
Our new Domestic Abuse Fund
We’re already funding a range of domestic abuse services under our previous strategy. But we’ve created a new, dedicated Domestic Abuse Fund because the evidence is clear:
We understand that in some areas, specialist domestic abuse organisations don’t exist. So, this fund is also open to ‘led by and for’ groups whose main focus might be broader community support, but that also offer in-depth, specialist domestic abuse services through trained staff. What matters most is that survivors are receiving high-quality, holistic support, not just being referred elsewhere.
Our aims
We want this Fund to move towards safety, freedom, and the chance to rebuild their lives. We are moving away from “attribution” to “contribution” as a measure of impact, since the evidence shows these interventions are more effective, yet remain underfunded.
With this fund, we will not require organisations to report on specific numbers attributed to our funding, and we are comfortable seeing their annual reports showing an increase in numbers of people reached, their quality of provision and/or their impact.
We also want to give ‘led by and for’ organisations the breathing space they need to plan ahead, build capacity, and continue doing the work they do best, without the added pressure of funding scarcity.
A fairer, safer future
This fund is just one part of our wider commitment to creating a safer, fairer future for all.
From 2026 onwards, we’ll be launching more funds to support other areas of our Safer Futures funding priority. This will include refugees and people seeking asylum, and people leaving prison.
Read more about the groups we’ll support in our 2025-30 strategy, Elevate Your Impact.
Applications for our Domestic Abuse Fund will open on 13th August, 2025. Learn more about the Fund, eligibility criteria and how to apply on the Fund webpage.
Want to know more about our new funding programmes? Sign up for our newsletter to hear when they open for applications, and for further funding updates.
We’ll also be hosting webinars to talk more about these programmes. Dates and sign up information are below.
Shout! webinar: Watch the live recording on the Shout! webpage.
Together We Begin webinar: Watch the live recording on the Together We Begin webpage.
Domestic Abuse Fund webinar: 12th August, from 1-2pm
