This fund supports organisations working to prevent or reduce the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) by delivering trauma-informed, evidence-based services to children, young people, or adults.
Four year grants of £20,000-£25,000 per annum are available to eligible organisations in the UK.
UK registered charities and Charitable Incorporated Organisations (but not Community Interest Companies) with anticipated income between £200,000 and £2,000,000 can apply.
In addition to at least one year’s accounts, they must also:
- use a trauma-informed approach and evidence-based interventions
- have as their core focus, the goal to prevent and/ or reduce the harm of ACEs by providing services to children, young people and/ or adults
- can demonstrate that the vast majority of people using the service have experienced ACEs/ are supporting people who have experienced ACEs, such as parents and caregivers
- can demonstrate the effectiveness of their approach through evaluation or external research
- can demonstrate that the voice of service users/ experts by experience informs service design and delivery.
For the purposes of this grants round, the working definition of ACEs includes the following experiences, as reflected by the NHS:
- parental or caregiver separation or divorce on account of relationship breakdown
- abuse – physical, sexual, psychological or emotional
- neglect – physical, sexual, psychological or emotional
- domestic abuse
- substance misuse by a close family member
- mental illness of a close family member
- having a close family member serve time in prison.
Applications are particularly welcomed from organisations using creative arts, nature, or sport in their approaches, and from those based in Northern Ireland.
A total of 17 grants were awarded last year from 498 expressions of interest.
The closing date to submit an expression of interest is 5pm on 30 April 2026.
Invitations to apply will be advised on 18 June 2026, with full applications then required by 16 July 2026..
For full details, visit the The Leathersellers’ ACE Main Grants webpage here.
