Applications open for Ilford Community Fund (UK)

The Ilford Community Fund provides grants of up to £10,000 per year for two years, offering up to £20,000 in total to organisations delivering activities in Ilford. The fund supports projects addressing cost of living pressures, food insecurity, community safety and belonging, and loneliness. Managed by the London Community Foundation in partnership with Community Action Redbridge and Redbridge Giving, the programme aims to reduce inequality and improve the well-being of people living in Ilford. What Is the Ilford Community Fund? The Ilford Community Fund is a local grant programme supporting organisations that respond to pressing social and economic challenges affecting communities in Ilford. The fund uses remaining charitable resources from the former Ilford Philanthropic Society to support community-led solutions. Projects must directly benefit people in Ilford and address at least one of the fund’s priority areas. What Does the Fund Support? The Ilford Community Fund supports activities that respond to one or more of four key community priorities:

Cost of living: Activities that help residents manage financial pressures and access essential support.

Food insecurity: Projects improving access to food and supporting people experiencing food poverty.

Community safety and belonging: Initiatives that create safer, more connected and inclusive communities.

Loneliness: Activities that reduce social isolation and strengthen social connections.

Projects should demonstrate a clear community benefit and contribute to reducing inequality in Ilford. How Much Funding Is Available?

Eligible organisations can apply for:

Up to £10,000 per year Funding for two years Up to £20,000 total over the full grant period Grants can begin to be spent from January 2027 The two-year funding structure allows organisations to develop and deliver longer-term responses rather than relying only on short-term activities. Who Is Eligible? The fund is intended for organisations that are based in the London Borough of Redbridge and deliver activities in Ilford.

Eligible legal structures include:

Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) Companies Limited by Guarantee Trusts Unincorporated Associations Community Benefit Societies Applicants should be able to demonstrate that their organisation has a meaningful connection to the local community and that the proposed activities will benefit people in Ilford. What Are the Funding Priorities? To be competitive, applicants should clearly connect their proposed activities to one or more of the four stated priorities. Cost of Living Projects may help residents experiencing financial hardship or difficulty meeting essential living costs. Food Insecurity Funding can support initiatives addressing food poverty and improving residents’ access to adequate and reliable food. Community Safety and Belonging Projects may focus on strengthening community relationships, improving feelings of safety, reducing exclusion and creating opportunities for residents to participate in their communities. Loneliness Activities can help people develop social connections, participate in community activities and reduce isolation. Important Employment Requirement Any posts funded through the Ilford Community Fund must be paid at or above the London Living Wage. Applicants should therefore ensure that their budgets accurately reflect applicable employment costs when requesting funding for staff or posts. Why Does the Ilford Community Fund Matter? Ilford communities face a range of interconnected challenges, including financial pressures, food insecurity, social isolation and concerns about community safety. The fund provides local organisations with multi-year financial support to develop practical responses to these issues. Its two-year funding model can be particularly useful for organisations seeking to: Build stronger community networks. Provide sustained support to vulnerable residents. Improve access to essential services and resources. Address inequality through locally designed solutions. How to Apply for the Ilford Community Fund Applicants should ensure that their organisation and proposed activities meet the fund’s geographical, organisational and thematic requirements before preparing an application. A strong application should clearly explain:

The local problem: Describe the specific issue affecting people in Ilford.

The target community: Identify who will benefit from the project.

The proposed activities: Explain exactly what the organisation will deliver.

The funding priority: Show how the project addresses cost of living, food insecurity, community safety and belonging, or loneliness.

Expected outcomes: Explain what will change for participants and the wider community.

Budget: Provide a realistic breakdown of how the grant will be used.

Two-year approach: Where relevant, explain how the project will develop and remain effective over the two-year funding period.

Staff costs: Ensure all grant-funded posts meet the London Living Wage requirement.

Applicants should also demonstrate their organisation’s experience, local knowledge and ability to deliver the proposed activities effectively. What Should Applicants Demonstrate? A competitive proposal should provide clear evidence of: A genuine local need in Ilford. Strong knowledge of the communities being served. A clear connection to at least one funding priority. Applicants should avoid submitting proposals that: Do not clearly benefit people in Ilford. Address issues unrelated to the fund’s four priorities. Fail to demonstrate local need. Provide unclear or unrealistic budgets. Do not explain the expected community impact. Ignore the two-year nature of the funding. Budget for staff posts below the London Living Wage. Provide insufficient information about the organisation’s ability to deliver the project. Key Facts About the Ilford Community Fund

Funder/manager: London Community Foundation, in partnership with Community Action Redbridge and