Moondance Foundation grants: what they fund and how to apply

Funder Last checked 11 July 2026

The Moondance Foundation is a Cardiff-based grant-maker that funds charities and not-for-profits working mainly in Wales. It gives grants from £500 upwards across health, children and young people, education, older people, poverty, the environment and women. It accepts applications year-round through an online form, with no fixed deadlines.

What the Foundation funds

Moondance was set up in 2010 by Diane Briere de l’Isle Engelhardt OBE and Henry Engelhardt CBE. Its main focus is organisations in Wales whose work falls into these areas:

  • Children and young people
  • Community development and participation
  • Education and training
  • Environment and conservation
  • Health — relief and support of illness or sickness
  • Older people
  • Prevention and relief of poverty
  • Women

It is currently not supporting political or religious activity, research (medical or social), schools and their PTAs, sports clubs, uniformed youth groups such as Scouts, Girlguiding and cadet forces, or playgroups, nurseries, preschools and after-school clubs.

How much you can apply for

Grants are awarded from £500 upwards. There is no published maximum. The amount depends on how much you need, the scale of your project and how much you have already raised. The trustees decide what they feel is appropriate, so you should set out the exact figure you are asking for with a detailed breakdown. Moondance’s annual report lists all grants it made over £20,000 in the last financial year.

Who can apply

Applications are welcome from registered charities, constituted community groups, social enterprises, CIOs, CICs and other not-for-profit organisations. You need at least two years of operations behind you. Moondance does not fund individuals, local or community councils, or newly formed organisations still setting up. Applications from organisations not operating in Wales are a common reason for a decline.

Deadlines and rounds

There are no fixed deadlines. Moondance accepts applications on a rolling basis, though it occasionally closes to new applications for a short time. If you have not heard within 12 weeks, you should assume your application was unsuccessful. It only contacts applicants it will fund, and it does not give feedback on declined applications. If you are unsuccessful, wait at least six months before applying again.

How to apply

Apply through the online general application form on the Moondance website. This is the only route the trustees will consider — you cannot discuss a project with the team beforehand, and postal or email applications are not accepted. Follow the word-count guides on each question, as going over the limit will stop you submitting. If you are successful, Moondance will ask for your organisation’s bank details and, in some cases, ID, and will set out light-touch reporting when it transfers the funds.

Tips

  • Only apply for your essential needs — the trustees ask organisations to consider their priorities carefully.
  • Make it clear what you do, why it is needed and what difference you make; vague applications are a common reason for a decline.
  • Show a mix of funding sources rather than reliance on one funder.
  • Check the word counts before you submit, as the form blocks over-length answers without warning.

Official source and last updated

Last updated: July 2026. Always check the funder’s own guidance before applying: Moondance Foundation — How to apply.

Recent grants

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Similar funders

Check if your charity is eligible for funders like this — CharityIQ’s free Grant Finder matches your charity to real, published UK funders and cites the source for each. → /grant-finder/

Frequently asked questions

Yes. It welcomes unsolicited applications from eligible organisations through its online general application form. There is usually no deadline, though it occasionally closes to new applications for short periods. You cannot discuss a project with the team before applying; the online form is the only route the trustees will consider.

Registered charities, constituted community groups, social enterprises, CIOs, CICs and other not-for-profit organisations can apply, provided they have at least two years of operations. The Foundation does not fund individuals, local or community councils, or newly formed organisations still setting up.

Grants start at £500, with no published upper limit. The amount depends on your need, the scale of the project and how much you have already raised. The trustees, who are experienced grant-makers, decide what is appropriate. The annual report lists all grants above £20,000.

It supports work in Wales across children and young people, community development, education and training, the environment, health and illness, older people, poverty relief, and women. It does not fund political or religious activity, research, schools and PTAs, sports clubs, uniformed youth groups, or nurseries and after-school clubs.

No. Moondance generally runs no deadlines and accepts applications on a rolling basis, though it sometimes closes for short periods. If you have not heard within 12 weeks, you should assume your application was unsuccessful. Unsuccessful applicants are asked to wait at least six months before applying again.