Small Grants

Just need a small amount of money for a community project? Here’s a good place to start looking.

As with any charitable project, it’s worth considering the funders that will fund a wide variety of projects.

This page is updated annually. Spotted an error? Please let us know.

Town and Parish Councils

If your project is rooted in you local community it may be worth checking in with your town or parish council to see if they might consider funding it. Many have a specific budget and application process for community projects that directly benefit local residents and/or promote the town or village. Check the website for information about these schemes (here are some links for Wisbech, St Neots, Cambourne and St Ives). Smaller parish councils may not have a formal grants scheme; speak to the clerk or your local councillor for advice on whether they might consider funding a project.

District and City Councils

Cambridge CityEly CityHunts DistrictEast Cambs District and South Cambs District councils all run small grant schemes for local community projects. Speak to your local councillor for advice on how best to present your application.

Social housing providers

Social housing providers are charitable organisations that provide homes for rent at affordable prices. Most run grant schemes for projects that will benefit their tenants. Applicants don’t necessarily need to be tenants, as long as (some of) the beneficiaries are. Here are some links for Clarion, bpha and Sanctuary Housing, all of which have properties in Cambridgeshire and run a formal grants scheme.

Waitrose and John Lewis

Every month, each Waitrose store donates a share of £1,000 (£500 in convenience shops, £3,000 in John Lewis department stores) between three causes. These could be for local causes like school equipment upgrades, social welfare carers, aged care or health and wellbeing charity activities. Contact your local Waitrose store directly or fill in the form on the John Lewis website.

ASDA Foundation – Local Impact Fund

Small grants for non-profit organisation under four themes: Community (including carnivals, litter picks and other events), Elderly (supper clubs, community sheds, IT skills), Sporting Activities, and Christmas (community lunches and parties)

Greggs – Local Community Projects Fund

Grants of up to £2,000 to help non-profit organisations based in local communities to deliver activities that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to.

Co-op Local Community Fund

Grants for small, locally based voluntary and community groups to support projects which benefit local communities around Co-op food stores and funeral homes. New causes are chosen every 12 months (next round due in Spring).

Arm Cambridge Fund

Small grants to support charitable projects across Cambridgeshire, particularly projects focused on Community Development and Engagement, Children Young People and Families and Adults Facing Life Crisis.

Bright Futures Fund

Grants for projects that support young people facing difficulty or disadvantage because they are not in employment, education or training; young people who have offended or are considered to be at risk of offending; young people affected by bereavement and young carers.

Cambridgeshire Rural Fund

Grants of up to £5,000 for projects addressing issues in rural communities.

Cheffins Grassroots Endowed Fund

Small grants to local voluntary and community organisations working to help people in need in or around Cambridge, Ely, Newmarket, Haverhill or Saffron Walden.

The D and J Lloyd Community First Fund

Grants to support voluntary and community groups working in Cambridgeshire along four themes:

  • Provide support and relief
  • Promote the arts
  • Protect the environment
  • Promote learning

Marshall Community Fund

Grants to support small, local voluntary and community groups and organisations that are undertaking charitable work in Cambridgeshire. There is a special interest in supporting groups based around Cambridge airport.

Mills and Reeve Cambridge Grassroots Endowed Fund

Small grants to support small, local voluntary and community organisations in Cambridgeshire that help people who face disadvantage, and that engage and support local people to build stronger, healthier, inclusive and sustainable communities.

Olive and Jesse Palmer Fund

Grants of £1,000 to £3,000 for Peterborough-based groups working to help local young people with a learning disability to access positive activities and opportunities to develop their full potential.

Living Sport Community Small Grant

Grants of up to £200 for sports clubs and organisations to increase participation in targeted areas (Fenland, Peterborough and new communities), increase older people’s participation in sport and physical activity, and support participation by people with a disability and long term health conditions.

Magic Little Grants

Funded by People’s Postcode Lottery, grants of up to £500 are available for small local charities and community groups for projects that support and inspire people to participate in sports or exercise, with the primary aim of improving their physical health. Applications will be accepted from 10 March to 31 October 2020.

Grow Wild Youth Project Funding

Grants of up to £500 are available for young people aged 14 to 25 to deliver a creative project that celebrates UK native plants and fungi in exciting and engaging ways. Applicants must find a supporting organisation, such as a school, university, youth club or a local community group, to help them deliver the project.The deadline is 30 March 2020, and the project must be delivered between May and October 2020.

Music for All – Music in the Community

Grants of around £2,500 are available to community groups and schools that aim to bring musical projects to their local communities. Eligible costs include musical instrument costs, workshops/training and using music to break down barriers.

Split Infinitive

Grants of £250 to £750 for individuals and organisations for projects that support live and performance arts, and arts education.

Golsoncott Foundation

Grants from £250 to £3,000 are available to UK voluntary sector organisations (not individuals or schools) for projects that promote, maintain, improve and advance the education of the public in the arts generally and, in particular, the fine arts and music. Most grants are between £500 and £1,000.

Alec Dickson Trust

Grants of up to £500 for small groups of young people (under 30 years) who want to use volunteering or community service to make a positive change in their community.

D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust

Grants from £500 to £5,000 for UK registered charities delivering projects on three themes: the advancement of the arts, health and medical welfare, and environmental protection or improvement.

Woodroffe Benton Foundation

Grants of £500 to £2,500 for UK registered charities for projects that provide care for the sick and elderly, conserve and improve the environment, and help those in need as a result of disaster or by reason of social and economic circumstances.

Barchester’s Charitable Foundation

Grants from £100 to £5,000 for individuals, small community groups and small local charities supporting people aged 65+ and adults (18+) with a physical disability or mental health problems.

 

This page is updated annually. Spotted an error? Please let us know.