The Postcode Innovation Trust: Dream Fund

by Libby Mahoney

£5 million fund opens for one ambitious and transformative project.

The Postcode Innovation Trust has announced that applications are open to its Dream Fund, a major collaborative grant programme offering a single £5 million award for an ambitious, innovative project tackling social challenges across Great Britain. The trust is funded by players of Postcode Lottery and supports large-scale charitable projects with potential for transformational impact.

Eligible applications must involve a partnership of two to four organisations. The lead applicant must be a registered charity with annual income of at least £5 million, while partners can include charities, universities, companies, local authorities, research institutes and other not-for-profit organisations.

Proposals should be focused on the funding themes of the nine UK focused Postcode Trusts. These can include:

  • health,
  • wellbeing,
  • families,
  • children,
  • environmental conservation,
  • biodiversity,
  • wildlife and animals,
  • culture and heritage
  • and others.

Projects can run for between one and five years and must be based in, and delivered in, one or more parts of England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Funding can cover revenue, core and capital costs directly linked to the project, including staffing, utilities, rent, insurance, communications and PR, with at least 5% of the budget reserved for comms activity.

There is a three-stage application process. Stage 1 expressions of interest are open until 31 July 2026, with shortlisted applicants invited to submit a business plan in Stage 2. Final presentations will take place in January 2027 ahead of an award announcement in March 2027.

For more details click here.