What you can spend the money on

We fund a variety of costs to help your project succeed. These include:

• running costs for your organisation
• equipment
• one-off events
• staff and training costs
• transport
• utilities
• volunteer expenses
• small land or refurbishment projects

We encourage you to think about any costs that help your organisation and community cope with the cost-of-living crisis.

If your project needs insurance, qualifications or a governing body

Depending on what you’re planning, you might need to have:

• public liability insurance
• leaders or instructors with the right qualifications
• an affiliation to a recognised governing body

You can ask us to cover these costs when you apply for funding.

What we cannot fund

We cannot fund:

• costs you’ve already paid for
• alcohol
• contingency costs, loans, endowments or interest
• someone else to write your application for you
• fundraising
• VAT you can reclaim
• religious activities (we can fund religious organisations if the project benefits the wider community and does not include religious content)
• statutory services or activities
• schoolwork support during school hours
• overseas travel
• projects that take place outside the UK
• activities that make a profit for private gain
• giving cash or gifts directly to individuals

If you are not sure if something can be funded, contact us, and we will advise.

Funding for land or refurbishment projects

If you do not own the land or building, you must:

• have a lease of five years or more, or a letter confirming you’ll be granted one
• have written permission from the owner or landlord to do the work

Check if you need planning permission. This applies whether you own the property or not.