Cardfactory’s foundation has overhauled its Community Fund to offer larger grants to fewer charities.

While the retailer previously awarded 50 grants of £5,000, it has opted to “offer fewer but larger grants in response to the challenges charities continue to face”.

Instead, 25 unrestricted grants of £10,000 will be offered when its refreshed Community Fund opens for applications from charities, with an annual income of less than £3m, on 22 June.

“We know fundraising is incredibly challenging right now,” said Cardfactory Foundation fund manager Ellie Saltrick.

“By offering fewer, larger grants, we can make a more meaningful difference to charities working in our priority areas, while also building closer relationships and understanding the impact of the funding more deeply.”

The grants are offered to charities working with families experiencing financial disadvantage, and sudden hardship, and to help vulnerable children and young people.

Saltrick said: “We have moved from a broad funding criteria to a more focused set of priority areas.

“Being clearer about our focus helps charities understand whether we’re the right fit for them before applying.

"These priorities reflect our mission of supporting communities at moments that matter and align closely with the communities Cardfactory serves.”

She added the funder is offering unrestricted grants as “we trust charities to know where funding is needed most, whether that’s frontline delivery or operational support”.

In addition, funded charities will be asked to provide a “light-touch impact report” after 12 months, rather than “detailed financial reporting”.

---