The Social Action Fund aims to inspire organisations to create new social action opportunities; encouraging people to give what they have, be it time, money, assets, knowledge or specific skills. Grants of over £100,000, with no maximum limit, will be awarded primarily to fund revenue costs.

Proposals must be able to demonstrate that they fit within one of the following themes:

Local focus

This theme focuses on scaling-up models that encourage people to come together in their locality to support each other. This could be through reciprocal help, or time-banking for example. The aim is to scale these models to regional or national levels, or to replicate them in other localities. Activity could enable co-production of public services, but must deliver a clear public benefit which complements (rather than replaces or duplicates) local public services. Priority will be given to models that encourage those who do not traditionally become involved as volunteers.

Life stages of giving

This theme focuses on increasing social action within a specific group of people. Applications are sought for proposals which focus on increasing social action opportunities. Programmes that target school children and university graduates, professionals and newly retired professionals, and young people having completed National Citizen Service will be favoured.

Grants of over £100,000, with no maximum limit, will be awarded primarily to fund revenue costs.

Properly constituted Civil Society Organisations, Public sector bodies and businesses with a social mission in England are eligible to apply.

The deadline for applications is noon on Friday 3rd February 2012.