P Cards - Systemic Change
Eligibility
Organisations that have a demonstratable experience of advocating for policy change and challenging structural racism in housing and homelessness
Geography
United Kingdom
Available Funding
£1 million
Funding is available for 3 to 7 years
Core-flexible [1] funding up to £450,000 per organisation
Funding Priorities
Through this pathway, we will provide flexible, core funding to organisations who:
Understand the intersection between racial justice and homelessness
Have a demonstratable experience of advocating for policy change and challenging structural racism in housing and homelessness
Understand what an anti-racist approach looks like in practice and are committed to embedding it across their work. We encourage applications from organisations that are already implementing antiracist frameworks, as well as those that demonstrate a clear commitment and plan to strengthen their antiracist practice over time.
Although not a requirement, we are also interested in hearing from organisations who have experience in building collective power across communities and sectors
Application process
Organisations start with the online eligibility questionnaire to see if they are eligible to apply. If you have any questions around eligibility, please read the FAQs document carefully.
If your organisation is eligible, you should read the guidance before completing the application form.
Submitted applications will be shortlisted based on the funding priorities listed above.
If your proposal is shortlisted, we will be in touch to invite you to a proposal assessment meeting.
Who can apply?
UK based organisations
Organisations that have an annual income from £200,000 to £10 million.
Comic Relief predominantly funds charities but does consider other organisations with a social purpose. (Please see the FAQs section which has a full list of eligible organisations. Specific information is included in the eligibility questionnaire.)
Proposals can be made by single applicants, or by partnerships of two or three organisations that will receive funding (but only one organisation can act as grant holder)
You are welcome to include collaboration with government organisations, but Comic Relief will not directly fund government organisations.
To give as many organisations as fair a chance as possible, each organisation may submit only one application to this funding programme, either through the Service Delivery Pathway or the Systemic Change Pathway. However, you may be named as a partner on any number of other applications. Please note that we will only review ONE proposal from each lead applicant.
Please note we will not fund:
One-off conferences or workshops (unless part of larger, ongoing work).
Individual and group sponsorship, bursaries, or funding study by individuals.
Organisations or activities with a partisan political stance.
Activities which evangelise (preaching or spreading religious beliefs) or proselytise (trying to convert people’s belief or religious views).
General appeals, or marketing appeals
Next steps
We know that demand is high and resources are limited, and we expect to receive many applications for this programme.
You’re welcome to apply if the work of your organisation fits well with the criteria and priorities of either the Service Delivery pathway or the Systemic Change pathway.
The application deadline is 12 noon on Thursday, 30th April 2026.
If your application is shortlisted, your organisation will be invited to a proposal assessment, and you will be asked to submit additional information and supporting documentation including:
Memorandum and articles of association
Audited accounts
Management accounts
Safeguarding policy
Equality and diversity policy
Assessments will be arranged with your organisation in advance and will cover all aspects of your proposal and your organisation’s governance, financial health and management, and safeguarding.
Q&A Sessions
We will be hosting three Zoom Q&A sessions to answer any questions you have about the programme. We strongly recommend you read the application guidance(opens in new window) and FAQ document(opens in new window) in advance of booking. If you still have any unanswered questions, please book using the links below, outlining your question(s) when you register.
Session 1: Thursday, 9th April, 14:00-15:30. Register Here.(opens in new window)
Session 2: Tuesday 14th April, 10:00-11:30. Register Here(opens in new window)
Session 3: Monday 27th April, 13:30-15:00. Register Here(opens in new window)
Starting a proposal
Take our eligibility questionnaire to check if you're eligible for this funding call. If eligible, you'll be directed to the application form.
Key Reading
If you proceed with an application, please read the application guidance and frequently asked questions.
Application guidance- Systemic Change
Please read this carefully before completing an application form.
Read the guidance(opens in new window)
Frequently Asked Questions- Systemic Change
FAQ's about the funding opportunity.
Read the FAQs(opens in new window)
All the information for this funding opportunity is made available through this webpage and the above links. If, however you have a question that has not been answered here, please join us for the webinar Q&A sessions. Alternatively, you can email us fundinginfo@comicrelief.com(opens in new window) (NOTE: please allow at least three working days for us to respond).
[1] Flexible core funding is designed to support the good work of organisations, and not just projects and can be allocated for expenses that are harder to fund, such as salaries or office costs. This could mean core funding of the organisation’s annual budget to continue its good work, or funding to expand the work, or to add something new that amplifies the work or its results. Please see the FAQ section for further information on how we define this