How to apply for funding
You can apply for a small, medium or large grant.
Small grants – less than £10,000
Medium grants – between £10,000 and £50,000
Large grants – more than £50,000
All applications will be through our online grants management system.
Remember that Community Investment Funding is about more than individual projects. It’s about building stronger, more resilient communities. Your application should show how your project contributes to this broader goal.
We can talk through your project with you before you apply.
Understanding what makes a strong application
Creating a strong application for Community Investment Funding requires planning.
A successful funding application demonstrates more than just a good idea. It shows a deep understanding of community needs, a clear plan for creating positive change, and a commitment to inclusive, sustainable development. Your project is part of building a stronger community for everyone.
How to present your project
A successful funding application needs to do more than just request financial support. It should tell a compelling story about how your project will benefit the community.
Show how the community benefits
Think about how your project connects to the broader community’s needs and aspirations. Consider who will benefit and how their lives will improve.
Plan for sustainable outcomes
Sustainability means thinking beyond the immediate impact of your project. Consider how the benefits of your project will grow and evolve over time.
Create an inclusive project
Inclusive projects strengthen the entire community by ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate and benefit. Think carefully about how your project can reach and serve diverse community members.
Support community development
Remember that Community Investment Funding is about more than individual projects. It’s about building stronger, more resilient communities. Your application should show how your project contributes to this broader goal.
Contact us about your project
We’re open to applications from community groups, public sector organisations and businesses that want to do something to benefit the community.
We’re here to help, so do get in touch before you apply.
As part of the pre-application support, we also advise organisations to submit a 1 page summary of their project for feedback from the Community Investment Panel before they complete their full application. The Community Investment Team will provide you with a template to use after your initial conversation.
We advise the summary to include:
- A short outline of what you expect your project to deliver and / or provide.
- Where (geographically) the project will cover
- An indication of the amount of funding that you intend to apply for
- The intended duration of the project
We also recommend you cover:
- How many people you would expect to benefit from the project
- Why the project is needed
- If you will be able to evidence a demand for the project (i.e. will you be able to demonstrate support from other organisations / the public / or have you completed, or do you intend to complete any consultation)
- If the project aligns with or complements any other projects in the area
- If there is any other match funding needed, and if so, if it is secured
- If the project would likely need further funding to continue beyond its initial duration.
These points would need to be expanded on in any full application when submitted.
Please note that any full application based on panel feedback still needs to go through the usual assessment and decision making processes and is not guaranteed to be funded.
Applications for funding will be assessed by the panel every eight weeks. You will then be notified of the outcome and any next steps.