Jimbo’s Fund Supports Communities in Leeds (UK)

Deadline: 12-Oct-2026

Jimbo’s Fund provides grants to community organisations in Leeds supporting people experiencing adversity, hardship, and social disadvantage, with a particular focus on under-represented groups. Established by Jimi Heselden, the fund continues his legacy of supporting people facing adversity in Leeds. It places particular emphasis on communities that are under-represented in local grant making, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, racially minoritised communities, and d/Deaf or disabled people. Grants range from £1,000 to £10,000 for projects lasting up to 12 months.

About Jimbo’s Fund

Jimbo’s Fund was established to continue Jimi Heselden’s commitment to helping people experiencing adversity in Leeds. The fund supports community organisations working directly with people who face hardship and barriers to opportunity. A key feature of the programme is its focus on groups that may be under-represented in local funding, helping community organisations respond to needs that are not always adequately addressed through mainstream grant making. Who Does Jimbo’s Fund Support? The fund focuses on people experiencing adversity and communities that are under-represented in local grant making.

Priority groups include:

- LGBTQIA+ individuals. - Racially minoritised communities. - d/Deaf people. - Disabled people. - People experiencing financial hardship and other forms of adversity. Projects should clearly demonstrate how their proposed activities respond to the needs of the people they intend to support. Addressing Hardship and Rising Living Costs Jimbo’s Fund supports community organisations addressing the effects of hardship and rising living costs. This can include projects responding to challenges such as: - Food poverty. - Fuel poverty. - Financial hardship. - The wider adverse effects of rising living costs. - Other forms of adversity affecting local people. Applicants should demonstrate the specific needs experienced by their communities and explain how their proposed activity will provide meaningful support. Priority Areas in Leeds Although the fund supports community organisations across Leeds, particular priority is given to projects located in or benefiting communities in the following postcode areas: - LS8 - LS9 - LS14 - LS15 Projects working in these areas should clearly explain the local need and the communities that will benefit. Funding Available Jimbo’s Fund provides grants ranging from £1,000 to £10,000. Projects can last for up to 12 months. The funding is intended to support activities that have been developed in consultation with local people and respond directly to identified community needs. What Can the Grant Support? Funding can support community activities developed in consultation with local people.

Examples include:

- Keeping community spaces open. - Providing targeted support for people experiencing hardship. - Activities addressing food and fuel poverty. - Support responding to rising living costs. - Other community-based activities addressing adversity and local needs. Applicants should show how the requested funding will directly benefit the people their organisation supports. Community-Led Activities An important aspect of Jimbo’s Fund is that supported activities should be developed in consultation with local people. This means applicants should demonstrate that their proposed project reflects the experiences, priorities, and needs of the communities they work with. Community consultation can help organisations show that their activities are relevant and responsive rather than being designed without input from beneficiaries. Keeping Community Spaces Open The fund can support activities that help keep community spaces open. Community spaces can provide important places for people to access support, connect with others, and participate in local activities. Organisations seeking funding for this type of activity should explain why maintaining the space is important and which communities will benefit. Targeted Support for People in Need Jimbo’s Fund can also support targeted activities for people experiencing adversity. Projects should identify the particular challenges faced by their beneficiaries and demonstrate how the proposed activities will address those challenges. The strongest applications will establish a clear connection between the identified local need, the proposed activity, and the people who will benefit. Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

- Incorporated not-for-profit organisations. - Registered charities. - Small unincorporated groups with a proven track record in Leeds. Applicants must have been operating for at least two years and meet the fund’s specific governance and financial requirements. The requirement for a proven track record helps demonstrate that applicants have experience delivering activities within Leeds. Small Unincorporated Groups Small unincorporated groups can apply if they have a proven track record in Leeds. They must also meet the relevant governance and financial requirements and have been operating for at least two years. This provides an opportunity for established grassroots groups that have not incorporated as larger organisations to seek support. Who Is Not Eligible? The following organisations are not eligible: - For-profit organisations. - Statutory organisations. - Overseas organisations. Applicants should ensure that their organisational structure and activities meet the fund’s requirements before submitting an application. Organisational Requirements

Eligible organisations must:

- Have operated for at least two years. - Have a proven track record in Leeds. - Meet the fund’s governance requirements. - Meet the required financial requirements. - Submit a complete application. Applicants should ensure that all required information is provided because incomplete applications will not be reviewed. What Should the Application Demonstrate? Applications must demonstrate how the proposed activity addr