Maltesers has teamed up with Making a Difference Locally (MADL) to launch a new £10,000 grant for women community funding UK projects. This fund is all about championing women who are making a positive impact in their local areas.
The initiative is for women 18+ who are currently running or planning to start community projects that build confidence, encourage inclusion and social good. Applications are open now and can be made through MADL’s website.
This builds on Maltesers’ long history of supporting women and mental wellbeing. Their recent campaigns have been about inclusion, breaking stigmas and using humour and storytelling to amplify female voices.
MADL, the charity arm of Nisa Retail, enables independent retailers to support local causes. Through this partnership Maltesers and MADL are investing directly in grassroots women-led projects across the UK.
Supporting Female-Led Community Impact
The fund is for projects that help build women’s confidence and promote inclusivity in communities. This could be mental health support, skill development, peer mentoring, safe spaces for expression or activities that bring isolated people together.
By focusing on women community funding UK, the initiative is addressing a funding gap. Female community leaders run impactful programmes but lack the funding or recognition to scale their work. This £10,000 grant will help close that gap and give local women the resources to grow their work.
Kate Carroll, Social Value Lead at Co-op Wholesale, said:
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Maltesers on this campaign to support women in communities up and down the country.”
“Whether it’s promoting wellbeing, providing a safe space, or championing equality, these local groups are often the beating heart of their communities. This funding could make a real difference in helping them continue their vital work.”
A Boost for Women Community Funding UK
One of the best bits of this grant is that it empowers women as local change makers. The initiative supports individuals and small groups whether they’re already running established projects or just starting out with a new idea.
By highlighting and funding these efforts the fund is saying that positive social change starts at a local level. Many of the applicants will be women who understand the challenges their community faces and who have the drive to do something about it.
This means the grant is more than just a financial contribution, it’s a recognition of the important role women play in building stronger more inclusive neighbourhoods. So the women community funding UK initiative will have a ripple effect that goes way beyond the grant recipients themselves.
Maltesers and MADL also know the power of visibility. Projects funded through this initiative will get additional promotion across the partners’ media channels to raise awareness and potentially attract more community support.
Funding with a Purpose, Built on Partnership
Making a Difference Locally has a long history of supporting local causes through funds raised in Nisa stores. In this partnership they bring their expertise in community outreach and funding infrastructure to ensure the initiative runs smoothly and reaches the right people.
Maltesers brings the national brand voice to amplify the cause and normalise conversations around community support and inclusion. By combining their strengths, they are enabling a new wave of women community funding UK projects to take root and thrive.
The fund also aligns with Maltesers’ broader purpose-led mission. Past campaigns have addressed social taboos and celebrated real, unfiltered female experiences. This grant brings that mission into a practical realm—direct support that enables women to take action in their communities.
Who Can Apply and How?
To qualify, applicants must be women who are 18 or older and based in the UK. They should be leading or intending to start a community-focused initiative
The project must align with the fund’s themes: confidence-building, inclusion, or social good. Applications must include a short description of the project, the problem it addresses, and how the £10,000 will help create impact.
Full details and application forms can be accessed via the Making a Difference Locally website. The deadline for submissions and judging criteria are clearly listed, ensuring a fair and open process.
Building Long-Term Change
While this is currently a one-time grant, both Maltesers and MADL have expressed interest in potentially extending the initiative depending on the success of this first round. If well received, it could pave the way for recurring funding opportunities or even larger campaigns focused on supporting underrepresented voices in the UK.
This is particularly important given the ongoing challenges faced by many small community organizations, especially those led by women. Financial instability and limited resources often hinder the growth and sustainability of otherwise powerful initiatives.
Through this new women community funding UK opportunity, Maltesers and MADL are taking a strategic approach to change: enabling local women to lead, innovate, and support others—while receiving the trust and backing they deserve.
