Grassroots Grants

"Grassroots Grants is making it easy for small community groups to get the funding they need for their local projects"

Who can apply for a Grassroots grant?

• Any not-for-profit voluntary or community organisation, which has been active in their community for not less than 12 months and has a governing document.
• The organisation must be predominantly volunteer led.
• The group must have an evidenced income of less than £30,000 per annum averaged over the last three years.
• Groups running new or existing activity which can clearly demonstrate benefits and outcomes in the community.

What can we apply for?
Here are just some of the examples of what can be funded:

• Purchase of capital items such as computer equipment, oven or furniture
• Costs of putting on a local event or workshop
• Staff costs to enable the employment of individuals
• Contribution to rent costs (related to activities/service delivery)
• Cost of attending a conference or event
• Training for volunteers
• Additional activities to expand an existing funded project
• Activities that support community activity
• Activities that meet an identified need in the local community
• Funding to support an organisation to achieve a quality or other standard relevant to their activities.

Please see the application guidelines for the full list of what can and cannot be supported

When can we apply?
The programme has a fast track assessment process which begins on complete applications reaching the Foundation’s office by 12 noon on Wednesday 8 April and 8 July 2009, future deadlines will be published on this website at a later date. Please note that the May and June 09 grant rounds have been cancelled.

The next round for applications is 8 April 2009

How Much Can We Apply For?
The maximum any organisation can be awarded is £5,000 over the life of the Grassroots Programme (July 2008 to March 2011) either as a one-off amount or spread over this period.

Can we get advice?
If you would like to discuss an idea or project, please contact our grants team before you complete the application form, on 01245 356018.  You can also be directed to further free support available in your area.

Where can we get an application form?
You can download an application form and guidelines here