Apply Now: Culture Grants Small for Community Projects (UK)

Deadline: 09-Nov-2026

Culture Grants Small supports constituted community groups, charities, Community Interest Companies (CICs), and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations delivering small creative, cultural, and heritage projects in the Wakefield district. Grants of up to £1,500 per project are available for activities that benefit local communities and encourage participation in arts and heritage. Eligible organisations must meet specific governance and financial requirements, including having at least three independent and unrelated trustees, directors, or committee members, appropriate governing documents, and a bank or building society account with at least two unrelated authorised signatories.

About Culture Grants Small

The Culture Grants Small scheme supports grassroots creative, cultural, and heritage activities that benefit communities across the Wakefield district. The programme aims to encourage local participation in arts and heritage while contributing to a vibrant cultural environment within the district. Funding is intended for small projects that provide opportunities for community engagement and participation in creative, cultural, or heritage activities. How Much Funding Is Available?

Culture Grants Small provides up to:

- £1,500 per project. The funding is intended to support eligible creative, cultural, and heritage activities that benefit communities within the Wakefield district. Applicants should ensure that their proposed budget clearly demonstrates how the grant will contribute to delivering the project. What Types of Projects Are Supported? The scheme supports small-scale projects focused on creative, cultural, and heritage activities.

Projects should:

- Benefit communities in the Wakefield district. - Encourage participation in arts, culture, or heritage. - Support local community engagement. - Contribute to grassroots cultural activity. - Provide opportunities for meaningful community participation. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants must be based in the Wakefield district.

Eligible organisations include:

- Constituted community groups. - Charities. - Community Interest Companies (CICs). - Voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations. - Parish councils. - Town councils. Applicants must meet the scheme’s organisational, governance, financial, insurance, and safeguarding requirements. Who Cannot Apply? The scheme does not accept applications from: - Individuals. - Businesses. The programme is intended to support community and not-for-profit organisations delivering activities for the benefit of communities in Wakefield. Governance Requirements Applicants must meet specific organisational governance requirements. Eligible organisations must have at least: - Three independent and unrelated trustees, directors, or committee members. - A governing document containing a dissolution clause or asset lock. - A bank or building society account. - At least two unrelated authorised signatories on the account. These requirements help demonstrate that the applicant has an appropriate organisational structure and financial controls. Governing Document Requirement Applicants must have a governing document that includes either: - A dissolution clause, or - An asset lock. The governing document should establish the organisation’s structure and provide appropriate provisions for what happens to its assets if the organisation is dissolved. Bank Account Requirements Applicants must have a bank or building society account with at least two unrelated authorised signatories. This requirement applies to the organisation’s financial management arrangements and demonstrates appropriate separation of financial responsibilities. Financial Records and Accounts Applicants must provide financial records or accounts as evidence of their income and expenditure. These records should demonstrate the organisation’s financial position and provide evidence of how its funds are managed. Applicants should ensure that the financial information submitted is accurate and up to date. Public Liability Insurance Applicants must have public liability insurance in place during project delivery. Organisations should ensure that appropriate insurance is active for the duration of the funded activity. Safeguarding Requirements Projects involving children or vulnerable adults must meet safeguarding requirements. Applicants working with these groups must provide evidence of appropriate safeguarding policies or measures. The safeguarding arrangements should be relevant to the activities being delivered and the people participating in the project. Can Schools, Academies and Colleges Apply? Schools, academies, and colleges may apply, but additional conditions apply. Their proposed arts or heritage project must: - Be delivered with or in the wider community. - Benefit people beyond the student population. - Not be solely for the benefit of students. - Not be linked to curricular attainment. - Be extra-curricular. - Include community participation. Projects should demonstrate a genuine community focus rather than simply supporting standard educational or curriculum activities. Opportunities for Young People The programme particularly encourages projects that enable young people to develop skills or take a leading role in activities. Applicants can demonstrate this through opportunities for young people to: - Develop creative or cultural skills. - Participate actively in project delivery. - Take responsibility for parts of the activity. - Take a leadership role. - Engage with other members of the community. Community Participation Projects should involve the wider community and create opportunities for people to participate in creative, cultural, or heritage activities. For schools, academies, and colleges in particular, community participation is an important requirement. Projects should therefore demonstrate how people outside the educational institution will be involved or