Hireahero UK: Covenant Data Insights & Funding Report
Report created by Dutchy 3rd May 2026
Report created by Dutchy 3rd May 2026
Tracking the outflow of Regular Armed Forces personnel. A consistent volume ensures a steady need for transitional mentoring and employment mapping.
Comparing successful civilian employment rates 6 months post-discharge. 'Other Ranks' consistently show a higher need for employment support compared to Officers.
Self-reported obstacles faced by veterans. Translating military skills to civilian terminology remains the dominant hurdle, directly aligning with HireAHero's mentoring mission.
The cumulative growth of Gold and Silver ERS awards. This represents a prime B2B database for HireAHero to source guaranteed interviews and corporate placements.
A spatial analysis of Armed Forces Covenant Fund allocations against regional veteran employment rates. Areas with larger bubbles indicate a higher concentration of early-service leavers requiring intensive support.
Based on Covenant data, this flowchart outlines the optimized operational pathway for HireAHero to connect transitioning personnel with the growing ERS network.
Focus on "Other Ranks" 6-12 months pre-discharge based on volume data.
Address the #1 barrier. Mentor-led CV translation to civilian terminology.
Leverage the 1,500+ Gold ERS employers for guaranteed interview schemes.
Post-placement support mitigating location and networking barriers.
HireAHero is a UK charity dedicated to supporting veterans and service leavers in finding meaningful employment. This report provides a detailed analysis of potential funding sources, corporate partnerships, charity collaborations, and alternative financing options tailored to veteran employment initiatives. The research prioritizes official government and charity sources, corporate social responsibility (CSR) leads, and reputable databases to ensure accuracy and relevance.
Each entry includes grant managers' contact details, funding criteria, deadlines, award sizes, and application tips where available.
The OVA is a central government body funding veteran support initiatives, including employment programs. It has funded projects such as the Forces Employment Charity (£80,000 in 2021-22) and the Veterans' Gateway, a referral service connecting veterans to support organizations.
Contact: Veterans' Gateway helpline 0808 802 1212; OVA general enquiries via GOV.UK.
Funding Criteria: Projects must demonstrate impact on veteran employment, housing stability, mental health, and social integration. Preference for projects with sustainable outcomes and multi-agency collaboration.
Average Award Size: Up to £1 million depending on the program.
Application Tips: Emphasize measurable outcomes, veteran involvement in project design, and alignment with OVA strategic priorities.
The Veterans' Foundation awards grants to charities supporting veterans and their families, with a focus on organizations with low to medium income. They fund projects addressing mental health, homelessness, unemployment, and social isolation.
Application Process: Online eligibility checker followed by a full application form.
Contact: grants@veteransfoundation.org.uk
Funding Criteria: Projects must support veterans' welfare and demonstrate efficiency and need.
Average Award Size: Typically up to £75,000, with some larger grants for exceptional projects.
Success Stories: Funded projects include veteran homelessness prevention and mental health support programs.
ABF provides grants to individuals and charities supporting soldiers, veterans, and their families. They fund housing, mobility, education, and financial hardship relief.
Application Process: Applications submitted through Unit Welfare Officers or veteran associations; no direct applications.
Key Contacts: SSAFA Forcesline 0800 260 6767; Royal British Legion helpline 0808 802 8080.
Funding Criteria: Means-tested support for priority debts, household goods, funeral costs, and mobility aids. Education grants considered where training leads to employment.
Average Award Size: Varies; individual grants up to £5,000 for mobility equipment; larger grants for housing projects (e.g., £75,000 to Launchpad for homeless veterans).
Success Stories: Supported veterans with disabilities to regain independence through mobility aids and housing grants.
ERS recognizes employers supporting the Armed Forces community with Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards. Gold Award holders demonstrate proactive advocacy, internal and external communication of commitment, and support for Reservists and Cadets.
Key Contacts: ERS team via Armed Forces Covenant website; LinkedIn group for ERS updates.
Funding Criteria: Employers must pledge, demonstrate, or advocate support to the Armed Forces community.
Notable Gold Award Winners: LSEG, Savills, B&Q, Expedia.com, Google, and others.
Support Resources: ERS provides toolkits and guidance on hiring veterans, emphasizing business benefits of employing veterans.
Application Tips: Companies should demonstrate long-term commitment, flexible HR policies for Reservists, and active promotion of veteran employment.
| Organization | Focus Areas | Contact Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Poppy Factory | Employment support and training | fundraising@poppyfactory.org, 020 8940 3305 | Partners with military charities to support veteran employment |
| Walking With The Wounded | Employment, mental health, homelessness | www.walkingwiththewounded.org.uk | Works with high-profile trusts to empower veterans |
| Forces Employment Charity | Employment support and training | 0800 032 5476, www.forcesemployment.org.uk | Funded by OVA, supports veterans at all career stages |
| Charity/Trust | Focus Areas | Contact Details | Funding Criteria | Average Award Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Royal British Legion | Financial, housing, employment | 0808 802 8080, info@britishlegion.org.uk | Means-tested benefits, grants, loans | Varies | Comprehensive support including debt advice and employment grants |
| Help for Heroes | Physical rehab, mental health, employment | 0808 802 8080, www.helpforheroes.org.uk | Support for wounded veterans and families | Varies | Offers recovery centers and employment support |
| SSAFA | Housing, financial aid, social work | 0800 260 6767, www.ssafa.org.uk | Support for serving and former personnel | Varies | Extensive local branch network |
| Combat Stress | Mental health support | 0800 138 1619, helpline@combatstress.org.uk | PTSD and mental health treatment | N/A | 24-hour helpline and clinical support |
| Army Benevolent Fund | Welfare, housing, mobility, education | Via Unit Welfare Officers or veteran associations | Means-tested grants for individuals | Up to £5,000 for mobility; larger for housing | Supports veterans and families in need |
| The Poppy Factory | Employment support and training | 020 8940 3305, fundraising@poppyfactory.org | Employment programs and training | Varies | Works with corporate partners |
| Walking With The Wounded | Employment, mental health, homelessness | www.walkingwiththewounded.org.uk | Support for vulnerable veterans | Varies | High-profile fundraising and support |
| Veterans Aid | Crisis intervention, homelessness | 0800 032 5476, www.veterans-aid.net | Emergency support and rehabilitation | Varies | Rapid response and long-term support |
| The Veterans' Foundation | Grants for housing, employment, healthcare | grants@veteransfoundation.org.uk | Supports low to medium income organizations | Up to £75,000 | Funds projects across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland |
| The Forces Employment Charity | Employment support and training | 0800 032 5476, www.forcesemployment.org.uk | Career support and job matching | Varies | Funded by OVA, supports all veterans |
| Organization | Services | Contact/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Royal British Legion | Benefits, loans, grants (Budgeting Loans, Disabled Facilities Grants, Crisis Grants) | Financial advice and debt support through their Benefits, Debt, and Money Advice team. |
| Better Society Capital | Growth Fund: Blended grant and loan funds up to £150,000 | For social enterprises and charities. Supports organizations that do not qualify for mainstream loans. |
| GOV.UK | Budgeting Loans and other benefits | Debt advice and financial support through MoneyHelper and StepChange. |
| Pathfinder International | Education and training funding options | Compares Enhanced Learning Credits and resettlement grants. |
| NatWest | Social & Community Capital | Alternative funding for charities and social enterprises not qualifying for traditional loans. |
| Veteran Loan Fund and SBA Loans | Low-interest loans and business education | For veteran entrepreneurs. SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development provides training and financing assistance. |
| Organization | Focus Areas | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) | Supports sailors, marines, and families | Administers funds supporting morale and wellbeing. Distributes millions annually to military charities. Supports individuals through signposting to RNRMC-funded military welfare organizations. |
| Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) | Supports soldiers, veterans, and families | Grants for housing, mobility, education, and welfare. Runs fundraising events such as the Cateran Yomp. |
| Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF) | Supports RAF personnel and families | Provides financial, emotional, and practical assistance. |
| Royal Naval Benevolent Trust (RNBT) | Supports Royal Navy and Marine personnel | Financial assistance, veteran care homes, and cost-of-living support. |
HireAHero can leverage a multi-pronged funding and support strategy to maximize its impact in veteran employment support. Below are actionable recommendations based on the research:
Apply for OVA-administered funds, particularly the VALOUR and Veterans' Capital Housing Funds, emphasizing measurable employment outcomes and collaboration with other veteran charities. Ensure applications highlight sustainable impact and veteran engagement.
Engage with ERS Gold Award-winning companies (e.g., Barclays, B&Q, Google) to explore CSR funding, sponsorships, and employment partnerships. Utilize ERS resources to advocate for veteran hiring commitments.
Partner with The Royal British Legion, Help for Heroes, SSAFA, and others to access their employment support programs, training resources, and grant opportunities. Leverage their established networks and expertise.
Investigate crowdfunding platforms (e.g., CrowdCube, StreetShares) and social investment funds (e.g., Better Society Capital, NatWest) for innovative funding streams. Utilize financial support services from the Royal British Legion and GOV.UK for veterans facing financial barriers to employment.
Coordinate with RNRMC, ABF, RAFBF, and RNBT to access tailored funding and support services for veterans and their families, ensuring comprehensive welfare and employment assistance.
Collaborate with faith-based and local organizations (e.g., Church of England, Salvation Army, Rotary Clubs) to expand reach and provide localized support, enhancing veteran integration into civilian employment.
This small sample report is just a snippet from Dutchies API charity engine and synthesises extensive research from official government, charity, corporate, and community sources to provide HireAHero with a detailed roadmap of funding opportunities, contacts, and strategic partnerships.