Seafarers UK: Main Grant Programme
Overview
Their grant funding supports the activities of some of the best-known maritime charities who work with seafarers in the UK and internationally, as well as some impactful newcomers. Their funded activities include advice lines, hardship grants, port chaplaincy, safety initiatives, podcasts, retirement accommodation, advocacy, and abandonment support, as well as free relationship counselling.
Everything they do is focused on how their grant making achieves impact in relation to The Seafarers’ Charity’s Thrive Strategy.
They have focused on the five Strategic Outcomes linked to Thrive that will improve the lives of seafarers throughout their careers and during retirement. These include:
- Better working lives at sea
- Safer working lives at sea
- Improved health and well-being
- Enhanced financial resilience
- Increased social justice
In addition to this, they have three “pathways” that overlay these relating Global, Preventative, and Advocacy.
They are also increasingly taking a “relational funder” approach. This involves working in partnership with their funded Delivery Partners to support a mix of core costs, project and programme costs, capital costs, and capacity-building where measurable deliverables can be co-created.
Grants Programmes
Most grant applications will be to the Main Grants Programme. However, you may wish to apply to the Merchant Navy Fund if you specifically support UK merchant seafarers.
1. The Main Grants Programme - supports the majority of our grant awards for charities and not-for-profit organisations, delivering safety initiatives and welfare services to seafarers and fishers.
2. Merchant Navy Fund Grants - This funding programme is provided in partnership with the Merchant Navy Welfare Board. It is aimed specifically at not for profit organisations that support UK merchant seafarers and their families.
3. International Fund for Fishing Safety - The Fund will support the delivery of fishing safety projects which are compliant with, or working towards compliance with, international maritime standards.
Programme Priorities
Focusing on Improving Outcomes for Seafarers
Since 2020 their main grant funding programme is focused on achieving five long-term strategic outcomes for those who work at sea. By funding services, initiatives and interventions which support these outcomes they aspire to deliver our vision to improve seafarers’ lives and achieve a world where seafarers and their families are valued and are free of need and disadvantage. These are:
Better Working Lives at Sea - People working at sea are valued as key workers. They work within sustainable and ethical supply chains and are the backbone of the global economy.Wherever they are in the world they can access virtual and port-based welfare services through an international chain of seafarer centres, port welfare committees and ship visitors which meet their welfare needs.
Enhanced Financial Resilience - Seafarers, fishers, and their families, at work and in retirement, have access to confidential and independent advice, information and financial help during difficult times which can support their economic resilience and build independence. Services and interventions funded under this outcome may include the provision of information and advice and hardship and welfare grants.
Improved Health & Wellbeing - Seafarers, fishers and their families are able to obtain access to health and welfare services to enable them to continue, or return to work, as well as initiatives to support their physical and mental health and wellbeing at the time and location that they are needed; on board and on shore, while at sea and during retirement. This includes appropriate retirement accommodation in the community of their choice as well as initiatives to tackle loneliness and support relationships.
Increased Social Justice - Seafarers, fishers and their families have access to welfare services and programmes that are responsive to the unique needs arising from working at sea and provide support during retirement. This includes initiatives which promote diversity and inclusivity, support human rights, as well as reduce or prevent bullying, harassment or social stigma and provides advocacy on behalf of seafarers.
Safer Working Lives at Sea - Seafarers and fishers are kept safe and return from their seafaring voyages without experiencing accident or harm. This includes supporting better safety practices, encouraging reporting of unsafe practices, risk reduction and promoting an enhanced safety culture.
Funding Criteria
A charity or not-for-profit organisation may apply for a grant if the following funding criteria is met:
- Addresses at least one of their 5 long-term strategic outcomes for seafarers
- Is a registered charity or a not for profit organisation with charitable aims
- Delivers welfare services to support or help current or former merchant seafarers and/or commercial fishers operating in the UK and/or the dependents of people who have worked at sea
- Has submitted most recent Annual Accounts within the 10-month period required by the Charity Commission, or within the requirements of another relevant authority if not a registered charity
- Meet the due diligence requirements of The Seafarers’ Charity
Types of Funding
Grant applications will be considered for the following types of expenditure:
1. Core funding costs - This is the general running costs (sometimes referred to as 'revenue' costs) that exist for any organisation. Examples are staff and management
costs, development costs (e.g.: staff training, professional memberships etc.) and support costs such as IT, finance, HR and premises costs. Please ensure your application describes how our funding will enable you to impact seafarers’ welfare and safety.
2. Project costs – This is the specific cost incurred in delivering a project or service and should include all the direct costs incurred and a proportionate share of the
organisation’s overheads which should not exceed more than 5% of the total amount requested.
3. Some capital costs - This is the cost of purchasing new equipment or refurbishing or building premises. Priority will be given to initiatives that directly support the ongoing work of charities in delivering direct welfare services and benefits to current and exseafarers and their families. Please be aware, that substantial capital grants are very rare and capital grants themselves are rare.
4. Capacity-building – this can be any of the above but directly builds the capacity of a charity to carry out its day-to-day work with an increased ability and efficiency to
deliver on its mission.
NB: Full cost recovery refers to all the costs involved in running a project. This means that you can request funding for the direct project costs incurred and for a proportionate share of your organisation's overheads.