The Strengthening Communities grant programme aims to support small, grass roots organisations who are embedded in the community, working within the top 10% of the most deprived areas of the UK. Through this grant programme we want to make sure that our funding reaches organisations that provide services which are widely accessible to the whole community and respond to, and address the needs of the people living in it.
We fund established organisations with a track record of delivering services directly to beneficiaries and want to fund work that enables:
- People from across the community to participate in activities which improve connectedness, opportunities and wellbeing
- People who are excluded, vulnerable or facing other forms of hardship to have access to community-based services that support positive lasting change
- A stronger, active, more engaged community
Funding is for 1-3 years and they will fund between £20,000 - £60,000 per year towards running costs of your organisation.
A running costs grant may be used towards a wide range of costs including: rent, overheads, salaries, increasing existing service provision, project costs, improving sustainability and can include small capital items needed to support your work.
Who can apply
Registered charities, CIC's and constituted community groups who are at least 18 months old and have published their first set of annual accounts may apply. Organisations must have an annual income of between £20k - £500k and must be physically based and working within or immediately next to an area within the 10% most deprived areas in England.
Deadlines
There is a rolling deadline for this fund. You will know within 8 weeks if you have been shortlisted but final decisions can take up to 6 months.