Free help with building design for charities with ‘grand designs’
A scheme run by hip architecture firm Alma-nac is offering small charities the chance to win free design work on their building projects
The Design For All scheme is a way for small community organisations to get help with the first stages of building plans – which is often the hardest part of a build to fund.
Open for applicants
Now in its third year, the competitive scheme is open to applications from charities and community groups with a turnover of less than £1 million.
It doesn’t matter whether your good cause is looking to build a new HQ, repurpose an existing building for the greater good, or set up a community garden, this scheme could help you access design expertise that will get the project off to a flying start.
Where to start?
Early-stage design work can be too complicated and costly for a small charity to undertake. Knowing how to start turning big dreams into built reality can feel daunting.
And, as a result, many potentially life-changing projects never get off the ground.
To change that for some lucky charities, Design For All 2025 is now open to applications.
Charitable organisations based in England are invited to apply for access to professional expertise that could help get their vision built.
£30,000 value
The programme will shortlist up to six projects and award up to three successful applicants a share of £30,000-worth of professional architecture and design services – everything from concept sketches, capacity studies, structural analysis, to cost plans and planning guidance – which could make all the difference between a pipe dream and a built reality.
Chris Bryant, Director of Alma-nac says, “We wanted to create a platform that allowed organisations that wouldn’t have the funds, and might not have the contacts, to access high-quality design services, especially as funding often relies on some initial design work.
“The primary goal is to assist those who have excellent projects, but are unlikely to achieve them without our support. With our help, they have a good chance of success.”
Previous winners
Previous winners of the support include a Woodcraft Folk group in Herefordshire, who had a wooden bunkhouse that they were convinced needed demolishing and rebuilding.
But the team at Alma-nac showed them how refurbishing the building might be a better option and helped them draw up plans.
Another winner was L8, a community land trust in Toxteth, Liverpool, a black-led community land trust, who had the prospect of being granted land by the City of Liverpool to develop affordable housing.
The support they got from Design For All helped them unlock the next £80k of funding for the project.
The Royal Cornwall Hospital’s Charity, meanwhile, needed help with plans to repurpose an existing office building to create an accommodation centre for families of critically ill patients at the Truro hospital.
Partner organisations
To make sure winners get all the support they need, alongside Alma-nac, the Design For All team includes a range of other construction professionals: structural engineers Simple Works, planning consultancy NTA, quantity surveyor Stockdale, OR Consulting Engineers, and Beyond Carbon.
Qualifying groups
Organisations applying must be based in England and have in mind a viable building project that can be delivered sustainably.
Applicant organisations will be asked to contribute 7.5% of the total grant value, to demonstrate their commitment to the project.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview to discuss their project, and up to three winning projects will be announced on 1 July 2025.
Each winning project will be provided with a tailored package of services designed to take it to the next stage, drawn from Design For All’s pool of professionals.
How to apply
The 2025 scheme is now open to applicants. You can apply via a short application form on the Design For All website the deadline for entries is 23 May 2025.
To find out more or apply, visit the Design For All website.
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