Matrix Causes Fund (MCF) 2026: Funding Criteria, Eligibility, and Application Guidelines

The Matrix Causes Fund (MCF) is a restricted fund operating under the auspices of Prism the Gift Fund (UK Charity No. 1099682). MCF provides targeted support to organisations that advance access to justice, equality of opportunity, and environmental sustainability. Each year, the fund receives thousands of enquiries but awards no more than 60 grants, including a maximum of four international grants. Given this competitive landscape, applicants are strongly encouraged to carefully review all eligibility and funding criteria before submitting a proposal.

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Application Cycles and Submission Requirements for Matrix Causes Fund

MCF accepts applications exclusively within two annual windows:

• Cycle 1: 10:00 AM on 1 January – 12:00 PM on 31 March (UK time)

• Cycle 2: 10:00 AM on 1 July – 12:00 PM on 30 September (UK time)

Applications submitted outside these periods are not processed and must be resubmitted during the next cycle. Each cycle accepts a maximum of 30 eligible applications, including up to two international applicants.

All submissions must be:

• Completed in English

• Submitted using the most up-to-date application form available on the MCF website

• Sent as both a Word document (unsigned) and a signed PDF

• Accompanied by the organisation’s latest filed accounts and proof of charitable or non-profit status

Due to increased due diligence requirements, only one international grant per cycle may be awarded to an organisation based in a “high-risk” country as defined by the UK Government. Additionally, MCF cannot disburse funding to any organisation listed on the UK financial sanctions list.

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Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for an MCF grant, organisations must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Possess charitable or non-profit status

2. For UK organisations: Be registered with HMRC as an exempt charity or non-profit

3. Have an annual income of less than £500,000

4. Have available financial resources of less than £500,000

Only one application per organisation per cycle is allowed. Organisations previously funded by MCF must wait three years from the completion of the funded project before reapplying.

The application must clearly demonstrate how many individuals will benefit, with priority given to projects that deliver broad, long-term impact.

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Grant Amounts and Funding Focus

MCF funds projects that align with the following objectives:

• Access to justice

• Equality of opportunity

• Sustainable environment

Priority is often given to organisations based in London or to projects supporting vulnerable groups, including individuals with disabilities, women in refuges, refugees and asylum seekers, prisoners, and people experiencing mental health challenges.

Available grants include:

For UK charities:

• One-off grant up to £6,500

• Multi-year grant of up to £4,500 per year (for up to three years), released annually upon successful reporting

For international organisations or UK groups without registered charity status:

• One-off grant up to £6,500

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What MCF Will and Will Not Fund

MCF funds:

• Project-specific items or services outside regular core activities

• Costs that generate long-term and wide-reaching benefits

• IT costs tied directly to a specific project

• Printing only when essential (e.g., for distribution in prisons)

• Training that delivers significant, long-term benefits for many people

MCF does NOT fund:

• Core or general organisational expenses (salaries, overheads, insurance, marketing, admin)

• Travel, accommodation, room hire, rent, utilities

• Legal fees, items benefiting individual end-users, food, clothing, or routine IT upgrades

• Construction, furniture, or costs normally covered by public bodies

• Retrospective funding

• Volunteer expenses or organisational setup costs

Applicants must confirm that any project not fully covered by the grant has secured funding from other sources.

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Application Review and Grant Management

After each application cycle closes, submissions are screened for eligibility. Approved applications are reviewed by the committee, which selects up to 30 recipients per cycle. Decisions are final, and applicants are notified within three months.

Successful applicants receive a conditional grant offer pending due diligence by Prism. Failure to respond to information requests within specified timelines may lead to withdrawal of the offer.

Funded organisations must:

• Submit annual reports (for multi-year awards)

• Acknowledge MCF funding in their materials

• Permit MCF to reference the project in its own communications

All queries may be directed to MatrixCausesFund@matrixlaw.co.uk

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