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How to apply for a large grant

Start by getting in touch

Before you apply, we’d like to have an informal chat about your idea. You do not need to prepare anything. It’s just a chance for us to hear what you’re thinking and help you decide if this funding is a good fit.

To arrange a chat:

We’ll connect you with a funding officer in your area within 5 working days, who will contact you to talk over your idea.

Stage 1: Idea stage

If your project is eligible, we’ll send you a short form to tell us more about your idea.

Stage 2: Full application

If we invite you to the next stage, we’ll send you a more detailed application form.

If you need communication support

If applying online is difficult or not possible, we can offer:

  • Easy Read versions of the forms and guidance
  • PDF versions of the forms

If you have any communication support needs, contact us.

What we ask in the forms

We’ll ask about:

  • what your project will do
  • how you’re involving your community
  • how you’ll deliver the work
  • how you’ve considered the environmental impact

If you're applying for a vehicle

You’ll need to send:

  • an options appraisal showing you’ve considered different travel options
  • vehicle specification
  • budget for the full funding period
  • 3 quotes

Read our vehicle funding guidance (PDF, 776 KB).

If you're applying for land, building or refurbishment costs

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

  • have a lease of 5 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.

You must read and complete our guidance and checklist for capital projects (PDF, 666 KB). Then upload the completed checklist with your application.

Information we need about your organisation

You’ll need to provide:

  • your organisation’s legal name, address and type
  • any registration numbers (such as charity or company numbers)
  • your most recent accounts
  • 12-month projections if your organisation is under 15 months old

Check these carefully, mistakes can delay your application.

2 named people

You must give us details of 2 people from your organisation. They must:

  • live in the UK
  • have different email addresses
  • not be related

We’ll ask for:

  • full contact details
  • home addresses
  • dates of birth

One person should be the main contact. The other must be a senior contact who will be legally responsible for the funding.

We consider people to be related if they:

  • are married or in a civil partnership
  • live together or are in a long-term relationship
  • are related by blood or through a partner
  • live at the same address

Terms and conditions

You must read and agree to our terms and conditions. If your application includes land, building, vehicle or refurbishment costs, read the capital terms and conditions.

What happens after you apply

Your application goes through a number of steps once you’ve submitted your idea.

We’ll review your idea form

  • we assess your idea and carry out checks on your organisation and project
  • we may contact you for more information
  • we’ll let you know within 6 weeks if you’re invited to submit a full application

We’ll assess your full application

  • once you send us your full application, we aim to make a decision within 16 weeks
  • if you're not successful, we’ll explain why
  • if you're successful, we’ll email you the decision

We’ll confirm your grant

A funding officer will contact you within 2 weeks to:

  • explain the grant contract
  • agree a start date
  • explain how the funding will be paid

Starting your project

You can start your project once you’ve agreed to the contract. You must start within 6 months of the offer email.

You should spend the funding as set out in your application, unless we’ve agreed to changes. We may check in during your project.

Read more about how to manage your funding.

Telling your community

Let people know about your grant and the work you’re doing. It’s a good way to keep your community involved.

Your award email will include guidance on how to promote your project. You can also read more about how to share your story.

How we use your data

To see how we use your personal information, read our privacy notice.