This programme offers a larger amount of funding (over £10,000) for projects that last up to five years. We’re looking for projects that work with their community – whether that’s a community living in the same area, or people with similar interests or life experiences.
For now we’re focusingon funding projects and organisations helping communities through the COVID-19 pandemic We ask organisations who aren't looking for COVID-19 related funding in England to not submit an application at this time. All our resources need to be focused on helping communities through the pandemic.
We are reviewing the situation on an on-going basis and will share any updates or developments on our website.
For now we’re focusingon funding projects and organisations helping communities through the COVID-19 pandemic We ask organisations who aren't looking for COVID-19 related funding in England to not submit an application at this time. All our resources need to be focused on helping communities through the pandemic.
We are reviewing the situation on an on-going basis and will share any updates or developments on our website.
registered charity or charitable incorporated organisation (CIO)
group of organisations, as long as they're led by a voluntary or community organisation
school
statutory body (including local authorities, town, parish or community council)
not for profit company including companies limited by guarantee and Community Interest Companies with two or more directors (see the bullet points below for CICs we can’t fund).
If you’re an unincorporated group We might be able to fund you - but we normally expect the groups to use our funding to incorporate and, where appropriate, register as a charity.
We can’t accept applications from:
individuals
sole traders
organisations based outside the UK
anyone who’s applying for another organisation
organisations that look to make profits and share these profits out privately. This includes organisations without the right asset locks. Or organisations that can pay profits to directors or shareholders – this might mean some CICs limited by shares
organisations that don’t have at least two people on their board or committee who aren’t married, in a long-term relationship, living together at the same address, or related by blood.
We fund projects that work to make positive changes in their community – whether that’s a community living in the same area, or people with similar interests or life experiences.
We like to see projects that can test new approaches to issues in the community. And projects that are committed to equalities and the environment.
We're looking for projects that:
bring people together and build strong relationships in and across communities
improve the places and spaces that matter to communities
help more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage.
We're also looking for projects to be people-led, strengths-based and connected
People-led
We believe that people understand what's needed in their communities better than anyone. So it’s important to us that you involve your community in the design, development and delivery of the activities you’re planning.
You might want to ask yourself:
Have I spoken to the people in my community?
Have the people in my community told me what they need and what's important to them?
Have I listened to them and used what they've said to create my project?
This short video explains it well. It might be helpful when you’re putting your application together.
Strengths-based
We’d like to support people and communities to build on the knowledge, skills and experience they already have, to make the changes they want.
You might want to ask yourself:
What’s already working in my community?
How will my project add to these positive things that are already working?
How will my project make the most of any resources that are already helping my community?
Connected
We want to know that you’ve a good understanding of other activities and services in your community. We’d like to see how you’ll compliment these. So you can add value to what’s already there.
You might want to ask yourself:
Have I spoken to other groups in the area that are doing something similar to my project?
Have I thought about how we can all help each other?
