The Royal Air Force Central Fund supports serving RAF personnel by making sport and physical activity more accessible, with a strong emphasis on performance opportunities, squad development, and participation at station and unit level. It funds everything from individual kit, training, and competition costs to association operating expenses and local club or event infrastructure, often helping personnel compete, travel, or recover through sport. The fund is distinctive for its focus on serving military members rather than external charities, and for its mix of small, rolling grants and larger strategic awards.
Mix of rolling small/medium grants and scheduled larger awards. Small and medium Enrichment grants are reviewed monthly, with typical awards up to £5,000, while larger grants can reach £50,000 and have set deadlines; Sports Grants for individuals and small groups are available for kit, training, competitions, and tours, and association funding is allocated to RAF sports bodies based on operating needs and strategic priorities.
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Applicants should align proposals tightly to serving RAF personnel participation in sport or physical activity and specify clear outcomes such as access, inclusion, performance, or wellbeing. Use the relevant stream: individual/group support for athletes and trips, association grants for RAF sports bodies, and station/unit enrichment for clubs, equipment, or events. Small and medium enrichment grants are rolling and reviewed monthly, while larger grants have fixed deadlines, so plan ahead and apply before the published cutoff dates.
Current and upcoming funding from The Royal Air Force Central Fund that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applications must be discussed with the grants team, submitted on a 2026 form, and endorsed by the Station Commander. Intended for station and unit level support for serving RAF personnel.
Deadline: Applications may be submitted throughout 2026. Deadlines for completed applications for large grants: 13 February 2026, 15 May 2026, 11 September 2026.
Who can apply: Aimed at individuals and small groups of serving personnel regardless of sport, association membership, or competition level. Applications must use the 2026 form, cover only 2026 costs, and cannot fund retrospective purchases.
Deadline: Grant year runs from 1 January to 30 September 2026. Applications submitted after 30 September 2026 will not be considered.
Who can apply: Open to serving RAF personnel (individuals and small groups) regardless of sport or competitive level. Applications must relate to costs incurred in 2026 and use the 2026 application form. Retrospective purchases are not funded. Endorsement by relevant endorser recommended/required.
Deadline: Grant year runs 01 January to 30 September 2026. Applications must be submitted before 30 September 2026. Applications reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis; screening acknowledged by email.
Who can apply: Applications must be discussed with the grants team and endorsed by the Station Commander. Submitted on 2026 form and endorsed. Intended for projects benefitting serving RAF personnel at station/unit level.
Deadline: Small/medium grants reviewed monthly (rolling). Large grants deadlines for 2026: 13 Feb 2026; 15 May 2026; 11 Sep 2026 (completed applications for large grants).
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.