Applications are now open for charities and community groups across Bedfordshire to apply for support from the Frank Branston Fund.
The fund, managed by Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation on behalf of the Frank Branston Charitable Trust, provides financial support for projects that improve the lives of people across Bedfordshire.
Two levels of funding
This year’s programme includes two levels of grant funding.
Microgrants of between £500 and £3,000 will support smaller interventions, activities and short-term projects. Applications for microgrants open on Monday, 25 May 2026.
Main grants of between £3,001 and £15,000 are available for larger projects lasting up to one year, running until August 2027.
The deadline for expressions of interest for main grants is 12pm on Monday, 18 May 2026.
The trust supports a broad range of causes, including healthcare initiatives, education and training, poverty relief, and arts, culture and heritage projects.
Previous funding has helped village communities, supported disabled residents and carers, and provided opportunities for young people across Bedfordshire.
Frank Branston’s legacy
The Frank Branston Charitable Trust was established in memory of Frank Branston, the newspaper proprietor, journalist, author and Bedford’s first directly elected mayor, who died in 2009.
Mr Branston launched Bedfordshire on Sunday in 1976 and later built the Local Sunday Newspapers group into a major regional publisher covering Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes and parts of Hertfordshire.
He later served two terms as Bedford’s elected mayor after first being elected in 2002.
The trust was created by his family to continue supporting the Bedfordshire community he championed throughout his career in journalism and public life.
Groups interested in applying can find further information about eligibility and the application process via the Frank Branston Charitable Trust website.
