Better Community Business Network Grant Initiative

A small number of grants are available each year to small not-for-profit groups with projects that address a community issue or support a local community initiative; and provide benefits to the local community.

Deadline:

Amount:

Objectives of Fund

Funding is intended to improve the quality of life and expectations of people and their communities, especially those who come from disadvantaged or socially deprived backgrounds.

Value Notes

Grants of up to £3,000 are available.

There is a total funding pot of £36,000 each year, with 12 grants awarded annually.

Who Can Apply

The following types of organisation may apply:

  • Community, self-help or voluntary groups.
  • Charities, including local branches of national charities.
  • Organisations with charitable aims.

To be eligible, all organisations and community interest groups must:

  • Be registered with a recognised governing body (such as the Charity Commission or Companies House) for a minimum of 18 months (they should have annual accounts available and submitted).

If selected for a grant award, applicants will also need to provide their organisation’s articles of association or constitution, demonstrating clear objectives related to community interest and improvements.

Restrictions:

The following are not eligible for funding:

  • Overseas projects.
  • For-profit initiatives.
  • Party political activity.
  • Individual sponsorship.
  • Travel and accommodation.
  • Multiple applications: successful applicants may only apply once per year and unsuccessful applicants may apply in the next quarterly term.
  • Retrospective funding.
  • Part-funding of projects.
  • Core/Running costs and expenses (on-going venue hire, staff cost and salary, bills, printing).
  • Professional associations or training of professionals.
  • Endowments, loans, deficits, general appeals.
  • Organisations that do not have charitable aims (such as companies limited by shares and commercial companies).

Eligible Expenditure:

Causes supported by the funders include, but are not limited to:

  • Education
    • Schools
    • Extra-curricular clubs
  • Health
    • Hospitals
    • Cancer research
    • Healthy eating
    • Mental health and wellbeing
  • Ex-offenders
    • Mentoring
    • Rehabilitation
  • Homelessness/Poverty
    • Shelter projects
    • Food banks
  • Arts and Culture
    • Sport activities
    • Library funds
  • Environment
    • Natural disasters
    • Regeneration projects
  • Elderly
    • Befriending
    • Social clubs
  • Disability
    • Help lines
    • Inclusion
  • Social cohesion
    • Committee programmes