Our Work Internationally

Approximately 25% of unrestricted income is given to relief agencies for the relief of poverty and ill-health, and the fostering of opportunities for young people in the developing world

Our standard international grant is £1,000. Due to the volume of applications, we usually have to put a cut-off on further applications from about 10 weeks before each meeting. It is important therefore to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

As a small foundation we sympathise with other small organisations who lack the resources for major fundraising campaigns. Our donation policy tends to favour such organisations.

Whilst recognising that real need exists in even the wealthiest of countries, our policy tends to avoid giving grants to developed countries, including Eastern Europe and to BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China). The emphasis is therefore towards Africa, poorer parts of Latin America and the Caribbean and the poorer countries of Asia.

The trustees have a strong preference to give grants where work is self-sustaining. Organisations that ask their beneficiaries to involve and educate other needy people will stand a better chance of obtaining a grant.

Organisations re-applying within 12 months of receipt of their last grant are unlikely to be successful.

Approximately nine months after receiving a grant, we ask organisations to complete an electronic evaluation form to identify if and how the funding has taken forward the work of the organisation. This also allows the Trustees to find out how many beneficiaries have been helped and by this means gauge the “value for money” that the grant has provided

Flagships-Africa Trip 2026

Every three years we select a number of organisations to become our International Flagship partners where funding is typically between £12,000 and £24,000 for each recipient over a three year period.

In June 2026, ABF trustees Clive Bailey, Adam Leach and Rev Steven Bunting visited seven partner projects across Kenya, Malawi and Zambia. The trip offered a powerful insight into how ABF funding is strengthening communities, improving water access, supporting families, and empowering young people.