Call for Proposals: Small Grants Programme (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 31-Dec-26

The Small Grants Programme provides funding for local charities and grassroots organisations operating in Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, Purbeck, and East Dorset. The programme supports a range of organisational needs, including core costs, community projects, and small capital items such as equipment and minor repairs. With applications accepted throughout the year on a monthly rolling basis, the programme is designed to help local organisations respond quickly to community needs.

About the Small Grants Programme

The Small Grants Programme provides timely financial support to organisations delivering services and activities that benefit local communities. The programme is designed to make funding accessible to local charities and grassroots groups, particularly organisations applying for funding for the first time.

Funding can be used for:

- Core or operating costs. - Project expenses. - Small capital items. - Equipment. - Minor repairs. The rolling application process allows eligible organisations to apply when funding is needed rather than waiting for a single annual application round. How Much Funding Is Available? Each successful applicant can receive up to £5,000.

Key funding features include:

- Maximum grant: £5,000.

- No match funding required. - Applications accepted throughout the year. - Monthly rolling funding process. - Decisions typically made within five to six weeks of submission. This makes the programme suitable for organisations seeking relatively small amounts of funding for immediate community needs. What Can the Funding Support? The Small Grants Programme can support different types of organisational expenditure.

Eligible funding purposes include:

Core Costs Funding can contribute toward core or operating costs that help organisations continue delivering their community-focused work. Project Costs Grants can support expenses associated with community projects, activities, and services delivered within the programme’s area of benefit. Small Capital Items Funding can also support small capital requirements, including items such as: - Equipment. - Minor repairs. - Other small capital needs associated with eligible community activities. Who Can Apply? The programme is open to a range of local charitable and community organisations.

Eligible applicants include:

- Registered charities. - Charitable incorporated organisations. - Constituted community or voluntary groups. - Faith organisations for community activities. - State schools for non-statutory projects. - Industrial and provident societies. - Community interest companies limited by guarantee. - Social enterprises with a clear not-for-profit clause and charitable or social objectives. Applicants must meet the programme’s organisational, governance, banking, and geographical requirements. Geographic Eligibility Applicants must either be based in or deliver services within the specified area of benefit.

The eligible area includes:

- Bournemouth. - Christchurch. - Poole. - Purbeck. - East Dorset. Organisations should demonstrate a clear connection to the communities they seek to benefit through the proposed funding. Support for First-Time Applicants The programme is particularly supportive of first-time applicants. It also welcomes organisations that have not received funding from the Small Grants Programme within the past eighteen months. This provides an opportunity for organisations that may not have recently benefited from the programme to seek support for new or ongoing community needs. No Match Funding Required Applicants are not required to provide match funding. This means organisations can apply for up to £5,000 without having to secure an equivalent or additional contribution from another funder. The absence of a match requirement can make the programme more accessible to smaller grassroots organisations with limited financial resources. Application Timeline Applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year. The programme operates on a monthly rolling basis, allowing organisations to apply when they are ready rather than waiting for a fixed annual deadline. Funding decisions are typically made within five to six weeks of submission. Applicants should therefore plan their applications in advance of when funding is required. Governance and Banking Requirements Applicants must meet the programme’s governance requirements. Eligible organisations should also have appropriate banking arrangements in place. These requirements help ensure that funding is awarded to properly constituted organisations with suitable systems for managing grant funds. Applicants should ensure that their governance structure and banking arrangements meet the programme requirements before submitting an application. How the Small Grants Programme Helps Local Communities The programme is designed to provide flexible support to organisations responding to local community needs. By supporting core costs, projects, equipment, and minor repairs, grants can help grassroots organisations maintain and expand their activities.

The funding can therefore contribute to:

- Continued delivery of community services. - Development of local projects. - Improved organisational capacity. - Access to essential equipment. - Minor improvements to community facilities. - Responses to emerging local needs. How to Prepare a Strong Application Applicants should clearly explain how the requested funding will benefit the local community.

A strong application should demonstrate:

- The organisation’s purpose and community role. - The local area or population that will benefit. - The activity, project, or organisational need being supported. - How the grant will be spent. - Why the funding is needed. - The expected benefits for local residents. - How the organisation meets the eligibility requirements. - That the organisation has appropriate governance and banking arrangements. Applicants should ensure that their proposed expenditure is