Small grants are available to support people under 30 years old who, through volunteering or community service, aim to enhance the lives of others, particularly those most marginalised by society.

Grants of £500 are awarded for UK-based projects that:

• encourage youth volunteering – particularly those that involve lots of volunteers- and encourage people to continue volunteering in the long term
• have a positive impact on disadvantaged communities and individuals, particularly projects that address a specific need and have a long-lasting and meaningful effect on those they reach
• are innovative and try to do things differently, such as using social media creatively or using existing resources in new ways.

Applicants will need to provide a referee who knows them in a professional capacity, but who is not part of the volunteer project.

Trustees meet four times a year to review applications in January, April, July and October. This can mean there’s a wait to hear back about the success of your application.

You are encouraged to submit well in advance of a trustee meeting  date.  Applications received less than three weeks before a meeting will roll over to the next one.

Funds are likely to reach applicants 1-2 months following board meetings.

Find out more at the Alec Dickson Trust website.