What is match funding?
Last updated 2026-09-01
Match funding is the share of a project cost you pay yourself. If a grant offers 50% up to £10,000 on a £20,000 project, the funder pays £10,000 and you provide the other £10,000.
Intervention rates
The percentage a funder will pay is often called the intervention rate. Rates of 40% to 70% are common for capital projects, while some small startup and training schemes fund 100% of a capped amount.
What usually counts as match
- Business cash reserves
- A bank or commercial loan
- Director's loan or owner investment
- Occasionally, another grant — but only if both funders allow it
How to evidence it
Funders normally ask for bank statements, a loan offer or a board decision showing the money is available. In-kind contributions such as your own time are rarely accepted.