Application Guidance

What We Fund

The MSE Charity supports the delivery of projects that help people improve their financial capability—both now and in the future. We fund practical, targeted activities that empower individuals to better manage their money and make informed financial decisions.

How to Apply

We use a two-stage application process designed to save applicants time and reduce unsuitable submissions.

Pre-Application: Eligibility Quiz

Before applying, check whether your organisation meets our general funding criteria by completing our online Eligibility Quiz. 

If eligible, you’ll gain access to the Stage 1 proposal form when it opens on Monday 19 January 2026.

Stage 1: Outline Proposal 

Submit a short form telling us about your organisation and your proposed financial capability project.

See our guidance below to help you prepare.

Stage 2: Full Application 

If your Outline Proposal is shortlisted, you’ll be invited to complete a Stage 2 Full Application. This form asks for more detailed information about your organisation and proposed project.

What you will need to provide

• Organisation's details

Background, purpose, and relevant experience

• Project Overview

Description of the financial capability activities you plan to deliver

• Evidence of need for the project

Why this project is needed and who it will benefit

• Delivery team

Experience and capacity to deliver the project

• Expected outcomes

Describe the difference your project aims to make, and explain how you will measure and monitor its success.

• Supporting documents:

  • Detailed project budget

  • Latest accounts

  • Recent bank statement

What Happens Next

The Grants Advisory Panel will review all Outline Proposals and decide which organisations to invite to submit a Stage 2 application.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome on Friday 20 March 2026.

Need Support?

If you're unsure how to answer any questions or need support accessing the form, we’re happy to help.

Please email us first, and we’ll respond to your query or arrange a phone call if needed. 

Question 4: What strategies will you use to attract people to, and ensure continued engagement with your project? 

We understand that even the best-designed projects can face challenges in recruitment and retention. The pandemic and cost of living crisis have introduced new barriers, including:

• Increased anxiety and reduced confidence

• Home-schooling and working from home

• Less disposable income

• Digital exclusion

At the same time, there are new opportunities. Projects can now be designed to fit around people’s lives—delivered flexibly, creatively, and at their own pace. Technology can help build learning relationships and improve commitment.

Tips from Past Projects

Here are some strategies that have worked well for projects we’ve funded:

• Keep it short and focused

Programmes of up to four sessions tend to attract more participants and maintain engagement.

• Use incentives

Offering small rewards during the programme or on completion can boost motivation and attendance.

• Plan ahead with schools

If working with schools, schedule activities well in advance and identify a key contact to support delivery.

Question 5: What activities and services will your project deliver?  

Please outline your project activities as SMART objectives—they should be:

• Specific: Clearly define what you’ll deliver and to whom

• Achievable: Based on realistic capacity and resources

• Relevant: Responding to identified needs or gaps

• Time Bound: Deliverable within the one-year funding period

Include the expected number of sessions, workshops, or appointments.

Examples

Specific:

• Deliver crisis support, advocacy, and financial literacy training using CAB-approved resources to 40 dementia carers in Birmingham and Solihull experiencing debt and money management issues.

• Deliver financial skills and confidence-building sessions to 10 adults with learning disabilities in Swindon, including one-to-one and small group work.

Achievable:

• Activities supported by a 7-hour/week staff post and a volunteer.

• Based on previous delivery, we can run 4 short courses over a year with a 5-hour/week coordinator.

Relevant:

• Debt advisory agencies in Birmingham and Solihull report a 30% rise in enquiries over six months.

• Our work with adults with learning disabilities currently lacks financial capability support—this project fills that gap with a personalised approach.

Time Bound:

• A one-year funding period will allow us to improve financial literacy among people with mental illness, with flexibility for beneficiaries to rejoin sessions if needed.

• We will deliver training to professionals, providing current financial information and reliable future resources.

Question 6: What Outcomes will your project deliver?  

Outcomes are the changes, benefits, learning, or impacts that result from your project. These must be reported at the end of your funding period.

a) Project Outcomes 

These relate to your organisation’s capacity or influence on wider workstreams. 

Examples 

• 10 volunteers will report increased confidence and be upskilled to support financial learning.

• 4 community partners will report improved understanding of the financial needs of people with mental health issues.

b) Beneficiary Outcomes 

These reflect the direct impact on individuals supported by your project. Use numbers or percentages to show anticipated change.

Examples

• 50 young people will apply their learning practically and report increased confidence and self-pride in managing their money.

• 90% of participants will  be able to manage their household budgets more effectively

• 70% of attendees will show improved communication around financial matters

Need Support?

If you’re unsure how to answer any questions or need support accessing the form, please check our FAQs page. If you still need help, email us and our Operations Manager will respond or arrange a call.

Full Budget Breakdown

Please provide a detailed breakdown of the total costs associated with your project.   

We support full cost recovery, which means you can request funding for:

• Direct project costs, and

• A proportionate share of your organisation’s overheads, up to a maximum of 15% of your total project budget

Important Notes

• The maximum grant request is £10,000

• If your total project cost exceeds £10,000, please clearly state which budget items you are asking the MSE Charity to fund

• We will fund up to £500 per application for essential IT equipment needed for project delivery

• If your application is successful, we may request financial receipts to audit grant expenditure

Income and Match Funding

Please indicate:

• Any income budgeted toward the project

• Whether this income is secured or pending

• Any in-kind contributions (e.g. donated staff time, venue space)

• Any match funding from other sources

Explaining Your Costs

For each budget item, explain how the cost was calculated. This helps us understand the scale and feasibility of your project.

Example Budget Breakdown

As part of the Terms & Conditions all funded organisations are required to complete two mandatory reports:

Reporting Requirements

• Interim Progress Report

Submitted approximately 6 months into your project. This helps us understand how your activities are progressing and any challenges you’re facing.

• End of Grant Project Feedback Report

Submitted at the end of your funding period. This report should detail:

• What was delivered

• What impact was achieved

• What was learned

• How the grant was spent

Payment and Compliance

• The final 10% of your grant will be withheld until both reports are received and approved.

• Future applications will not be considered if reports are outstanding or incomplete.

Before You Apply

Please ensure you understand what information will be required from your organisation. This helps us maintain transparency, accountability, and learning across all funded projects.