Overseas Grants Programme

The Charles Hayward Foundation funds projects that improve the livelihoods of disadvantaged communities in Commonwealth countries of Africa. The programme supports initiatives in three key areas: clean water and sanitation, development of sustainable livelihoods in the context of environmental and wildlife conservation, and self-sustainability through training in farming skills and other income generation activities. The trustees prioritize projects that adopt a holistic approach with well-defined exit strategies, are delivered at the grassroots level through established and proven delivery partners fully engaged with local communities, and clearly demonstrate local communities' involvement with necessary training and education to sustain the project beyond the delivery partner's departure. Applicants must demonstrate robust governance and monitoring procedures are in place. The programme provides one-year grants of up to £15,000 to UK registered charities with annual incomes between £150,000 and £4,000,000 working in Commonwealth African countries.