ACVO Opportunities

Funding

Maternity Equity Fund

Funding available: up to £185,000

Applications close: 14/10/2026

About this fund

The fund will help organisations improving access, experience and outcomes, and those that are open to learning, partnerships, and shared practice. This includes knowledge exchange with health professionals and other funded organisations.

The Fund aims to reduce unfair and avoidable maternity inequities by:

  • improving access, experience and outcomes during pregnancy and birth
  • strengthening trusted community-led organisations delivering preventative, trauma-informed and culturally-safe maternity support
  • building and sharing learning about what works to improve maternity equity, influencing wider practice and systems over time.

Your organisation will support improved outcomes for any of the following three groups:

  • Communities experiencing the greatest maternity inequities including Black, Asian, and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
  • Communities in geographical areas of highest deprivation, including in rural areas.
  • People experiencing complex and multiple disadvantages, including existing and antenatal mental health needs.

Who can apply

  • Registered charities and Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)
  • Community Interest Companies (CICs) that are not-for-profit with an asset lock
  • Other not for profit charitable organisations delivering work aligned with HSF’s strategy
Minimum annual income:
£20,000
Maximum annual income:
£1,500,000

When to apply

Now open. Application deadline: Expression of Interest closes 14 October 2026, 5pm

Next deadline: 14 Oct 2026

How to apply

Take the funds online quiz to find out whether your organisation is eligible to apply. Eligible organisations will be able to submit an expression of interest.

Looking for support with funding?

Identifying funding opportunities and writing grant applications can seem overwhelming, especially when the future sustainability of your group is dependent on gaining funding support. 

Our supportive Funding Officer, Claire Shaw, can help your organisation with every step of the funding application process, from carrying out funding searches to proofreading your application.

Share this opportunity

Maternity Equity Fund

Henry Smith Foundation

Funding available: up to £185,000

Applications close: 14/10/2026

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