Funding

Introduced by Cheshire West and Chester Council, the CIF will provide grant funding to community sector organisations to support all age preventative, community-led activity that helps residents earlier, strengthens local resilience, and prevents, reduces or delays the need for statutory and high-cost services. The total funding envelope available for the CIF in 2026-27 is £897,000, including £425,000 in Council funding and £472,000 from the UK Government Crisis and Resilience Fund. The CIF will be phased approach, with the first application stage open from Wednesday 7 October to Wednesday 7 November.

Charities and organisations are welcome to apply all year around. This programme, funded by the John Good Group, offers unrestricted funds that can be used for any costs, including core running costs. These grants are designed for small and growing charities, voluntary groups or social enterprises making a big impact on communities, people or the environment, closing on 15 March 2024.

The objectives of the fund are: - Cost of Living Support – funding to any registered UK charity or community group whose work directly supports those most affected by the cost-of-living crisis, such as foodbanks, accommodation, poverty relief and where people/communities in the UK are the primary and immediate focus of investment. - Our Communities Support – funding to projects embedded in the communities in which Arnold Clark operates and is available to organisations who provide services widely accessible to those within Arnold Clark local communities, addressing the needs of those living within them. - Gear Up for Sport – 150 sports kits given away each month to support youth sports teams across the UK. Any youth team with up to 30 members aged 4 to 15 years can apply.

The funding is intended for registered charities working with people in need (by reason of financial hardship, sickness, disability, other disadvantage or distress) in the UK and who need funding for the following: · Projects that provide, maintain, repair or improve housing or community space. · Supporting people experiencing poor housing or homelessness There are two levels of grants: · Up to £5,000 for garden projects · Up to £10,000 for building or indoor projects. The B&Q Foundation will consider awarding higher value grants.

Single year grants between £2,000 and £10,000 for core costs, salaries, running and project costs. Projects must have a focus on Community Support. Your organisation’s postcode falls within the following on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation: if you are located in an urban area, you must be in the bottom 15% most deprived areas if you are located in a rural area, you must be in the bottom 50% most deprived areas

National Lottery Awards for All England – Environment fund community-led projects that improve the environment and help people connect with and enjoy nature where they live.

BBC Children in Need believe that every child should have the chance to thrive and be the best they can be, however many children experience challenges that affect their quality of life and wellbeing. They offer Core and Project funding with no application deadlines, so you can apply at any time.

Sported is teaming up with Flutter UKI to deliver another round of Cash4Clubs. Specifically aimed at supporting community organisations who deliver sport and physical activity for over 18s only, Cash4Clubs is a small grants programme that helps adults stay or get active. The funding is unrestricted, so you decide how best to spend it. Whether that’s for facilities, equipment, coaching qualifications, activity programmes or something else, Cash4Clubs can help your club make an impact on the lives of adults in your community.