Additional Needs Grant

Open to both young people and adults with additional needs, this fund supports and develops individuals, encouraging and promoting an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment for all in Scouts.

• You are a Scout member or volunteer
• The project supports additional needs
• The project has not yet started
• You have a Scout bank account

• The activity has already taken place
• Previous grant reporting requirements remain outstanding
• You are not a scouting member

Equipment and resources that help young people and adults participate fully.

Examples:

• Sensory equipment
• Portable accessibility equipment (removable ramps)
• Hearing support systems (loop systems)

Support that enables participation at Scout activities and events.

Examples:

• BSL interpreters
• Translators
• Accessible event support

Training that helps volunteers support additional needs.

Examples:

• Makaton
• BSL
• Inclusion training

Please note: This grant can support interpreters or communication support for specific Scout events, activities or projects, but cannot fund permanent or ongoing interpreter roles.

• Permanent adaptations to buildings (e.g., installing lifts or fixed ramps)
• General everyday equipment not related to supporting additional needs
• Anything not directly supporting the inclusion or development of individuals with additional needs

We aim to review all applications within 14 days. Once approved, payments are usually made within 30 days of your application.

1. Data check: We check your application, attachments and bank statement. We’ll contact you if we need any more information.
2. Volunteer Line Manager Decision: We ask your Chair and Lead Volunteer to approve the application in line with POR, so please make sure they’re aware you’ve applied.
3. Review: We carry out a final review of the application and supporting information.
4. Offer letter: We send an offer letter and grant agreement to the key contact or Lead Volunteer to approve.
5. Payment: Once the offer is accepted, we’ll process payment within 14 days.

All grant recipients must complete a short report after their project ends to tell us how you spent the grant. We’ll email you a link to the report form.

Your report will usually include:

• What you did
• The difference it made
• How many people benefited

You will need to attach:

• Copies of receipts
• A completed Receipt Record Template with the file name, date and amount for each receipt

Make sure you: 

• Know what the money was used for
• Keep all receipts linked to your grant spend
• Find out how it has benefited the recipients 

1. Applications must be submitted at least 28 days before the project starts. We cannot fund projects that have already taken place.
2. Any conditions and reporting requirements for previous grants must be completed before applying.
3. Grants must be paid into a Scouts bank account and will never be paid to individuals.
4. Grants can only be used for the approved purpose. Any changes to the project or activity must be agreed with us in writing beforehand.
5. Projects must be completed within six months of grant approval.
6. A brief grant report must be submitted by the deadline stated in the grant offer.
7. We may request repayment of all or part of the grant if it is not used as approved, if there is unspent funding, or if the terms and conditions are not met.