Applications open for Comic Relief Community Fund (UK)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The Comic Relief Community Fund provides grants to grassroots, community-led organisations in England working to address basic needs, support early childhood development, and improve safety for vulnerable groups. The 2026/27 programme offers grants of up to £5,000 to eligible organisations with an annual income of less than £250,000. The fund will distribute just over £600,000 in total grant funding to support community-led work across England.

About the Comic Relief Community Fund

Comic Relief has a longstanding commitment to supporting grassroots organisations that are deeply embedded within their local communities. These organisations often have direct experience of the challenges faced by the people they support and can use the lived experiences of beneficiaries to develop relevant community-based solutions. The Comic Relief Community Fund aims to empower these organisations to drive positive change in their communities. 2026/27 Funding Priorities The 2026/27 programme focuses on three thematic areas: - Addressing basic needs. - Supporting early childhood development. - Promoting safety for vulnerable groups. Organisations should demonstrate how their work relates to one or more of these areas. Addressing Basic Needs The fund supports community-led work addressing essential needs and financial pressures affecting people and communities.

Relevant issues include:

- Homelessness. - Food insecurity. - Cost of living challenges. Grassroots organisations working directly with communities affected by these issues can apply for support. Early Childhood Development The fund supports early childhood development for children up to the age of eight. Supported work should help children experience safe and nurturing environments during their early years. Organisations working with young children and their families can use the funding to support activities related to early childhood development. Promoting Safety The third funding priority focuses on improving safety for vulnerable groups.

This includes work that:

- Prevents violence against women and girls. - Supports refugees. - Supports asylum seekers. - Supports people experiencing forced migration. The fund recognises the role of grassroots organisations in providing community-based support to people facing vulnerability and safety challenges. How Much Funding Is Available? Eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to £5,000. The maximum grant is approximately $6,350. The Comic Relief Community Fund will distribute just over £600,000 in total grant funding through the 2026/27 programme. Who Can Apply? The fund is open to grassroots, community-led organisations that meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.

Eligible applicants include:

- Constituted voluntary and community groups. - Charities. - Social enterprises. - Community Interest Companies (CICs) limited by guarantee that have been operating for at least two years. - Not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee. All applicants must be based in England and deliver their work in England. Income Requirement Applicant organisations must have an annual income of less than £250,000. This requirement is intended to ensure that the fund reaches smaller grassroots and community-led organisations. CIC Eligibility Community Interest Companies limited by guarantee can apply if they have been operating for at least two years. CICs registered for two years or less at the time of application are not eligible. Geographic Eligibility

Organisations must be:

- Based in England. - Delivering their work in England. Organisations based outside England or delivering work outside the programme’s geographic scope are not eligible. Grassroots and Community-Led Approach The Comic Relief Community Fund places particular emphasis on grassroots organisations that are embedded in their local communities. These organisations often have a strong understanding of local needs and can draw on the lived experiences of the people they support. The fund is intended to help such organisations develop and deliver community-led responses to local challenges. Who Cannot Apply? The following applicants are not eligible: - Individuals. - Statutory organisations. - Profit-making companies. - Un-constituted organisations. - CICs registered within two years or less of the application date. Applicants should confirm their organisational structure and eligibility before applying. Using Lived Experience A key aspect of the fund is its emphasis on organisations that understand community challenges through close engagement with the people they serve. Applicants should demonstrate their connection with their communities and explain how the experiences and needs of beneficiaries inform their work. Support for Vulnerable Communities The fund covers several areas affecting vulnerable people, from essential needs and financial pressures to childhood development and safety. By supporting smaller community-led organisations, the programme aims to help local groups respond directly to challenges affecting their communities. Key Facts About the Comic Relief Community Fund

- Fund: Comic Relief Community Fund

- Funding year: 2026/27

- Location: England

- Maximum grant: £5,000

- Approximate USD value: $6,350

- Total funding: Just over £600,000

- Applicant income: Less than £250,000 annually

- Target organisations: Grassroots, community-led organisations

- Funding priorities: Basic needs, early childhood development, and safety

- Basic needs: Homelessness, food insecurity, and cost of living issues

- Early childhood: Children up to age eight

- Safety priorities: Violence against women and girls, refugees, asylum seekers, and forced migration

- Geographic requirement: Organisations must be based in and delivering work in England

- Eligible structures: Constituted voluntary and community groups, charities, social enterprises, qualifying CICs, and not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee

- CIC requirement: CICs limit