Local organisations often struggle to get steady funding and the help they need to grow. Even though they understand local needs and know the people they help, these organisations often lose out to bigger, more well-known groups. Because of this, valuable local knowledge isn’t used fully, and chances for community-led ideas are lost.
Our Brighter Together grants celebrate the strong, personal connections Quilter employees and advisers have with the communities they live and work in. By distributing funds they’ve helped raise to trusted local organisations, the programme empowers our people to support causes that matter most to them. Through these partnerships, the Brighter Futures Fund strengthens the social fabric of communities, enabling tailored, impactful support where it’s needed most. It’s not just about giving, It’s about enabling long-term, community-led change.
For organisations that have received an initial Brighter Together Foundation grant, further support is available through Brighter Together Growth grants. These offer longer-term, higher-level funding to partners that have demonstrated meaningful impact and a strong collaborative relationship during their initial funding period.
Quarterly Foundation Grants (£5,000 for 12 months)
Any Quilter employee or adviser is eligible to submit a nomination for a grant, helping to ensure that the programme reflects the interests and priorities of those most closely connected to their local communities. Applications for these grants are accepted on a quarterly basis, providing regular opportunities throughout the year for new projects and organisations to receive support. Each grant offers up to £5,000 in funding, available for use over a twelve-month period, enabling recipient organisations to plan and deliver meaningful initiatives with greater financial certainty.
The overall amount available for distribution in each grant cycle is determined by the total funds raised by Quilter employees and advisers, emphasising the importance of collective effort and engagement in fundraising activities. This approach not only empowers staff and advisers to directly shape the impact of the fund but also creates a sense of shared ownership and pride in the achievements of the programme.
Once applications are received, a dedicated panel, comprised of Quilter employees and advisers from a wide variety of departments and backgrounds, carefully reviews all nominations. This diverse group ensures that a broad range of perspectives and expertise informs the decision-making process. The panel is responsible for assessing the merit and potential impact of each application and ultimately makes the final decisions regarding which organisations will receive grant awards. This collaborative approach aims to foster transparency, fairness, and a strong connection between Quilter and the communities it serves.
Annual Growth Grants (£10,000 per year for 3 years)
To be considered for a Brighter Together Growth Grant, organisations must have previously benefited from a Brighter Together Foundation grant, or alternatively, have received a strategic grant from the Quilter Foundation at any time between 2018 and 2025. This requirement ensures that only those organisations with a proven track record of partnership, impact, and collaboration with the Foundation are eligible for further, more substantial support.
The application process for Growth Grants is by invitation only. The Quilter Foundation team proactively identifies eligible organisations based on their prior performance, demonstrated impact, and the strength of their relationship with the Foundation. Once selected, the Foundation team contacts these organisations directly, inviting them to submit a formal application for the Growth Grant. This targeted approach ensures that resources are allocated to partners who have already shown their ability to deliver meaningful change in their communities and have built trust with the Foundation.
Growth Grants are awarded on an annual basis, with a maximum funding amount of £10,000 per year, provided for up to three consecutive years. This extended period of support is designed to enable recipient organisations to plan and deliver larger-scale, sustainable projects that require longer-term investment. The multi-year funding empowers partners to develop their initiatives with greater confidence, stability, and ambition, ultimately deepening their impact within local communities.
All applications submitted for Growth Grants undergo a rigorous review process conducted by the Foundation’s trustees. The trustees are responsible for thoroughly evaluating each proposal, considering the organisation’s previous achievements, the strength and clarity of their plans for the future, and the potential for sustained community benefit. This oversight ensures that every grant awarded is given with the utmost care, fairness, and transparency, maintaining the integrity and purpose of the Brighter Together Growth Grant programme.
Through this approach, the Growth Grants build on existing relationships, amplifying the positive outcomes achieved during the initial funding period and helping trusted local partners to scale up their operations, innovate, and respond to evolving community needs.