Open Call: Thalia WB Community Fund (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 01-Dec-2026

The Thalia WB Community Fund is inviting non-profit organisations in Cambridgeshire, excluding Peterborough, to apply for grants supporting capital projects that improve public amenities, conserve habitats and species, and restore places of worship or buildings of architectural importance. As part of the national Landfill Communities Fund, the scheme supports projects that improve the local environment and strengthen community assets within 10 miles of a registered landfill site. Grants range from £10,000 to £50,000, while eligible conservation projects under Object DA can apply for grants starting from £5,000.

About the Thalia WB Community Fund

The Thalia WB Community Fund is designed to support capital projects that create lasting environmental, cultural, and community benefits in Cambridgeshire.

The fund focuses on projects that:

- Improve public parks, amenities, or community facilities. - Conserve specific habitats or species. - Repair or restore places of religious significance. - Restore buildings with architectural importance that are open to the public. - Enhance the local environment and provide benefits to the wider community. Projects must meet the relevant requirements under Entrust’s Objects D, DA, and E. How Much Funding Is Available?

The fund provides grants of:

- £10,000 to £50,000 for most eligible projects. - £5,000 to £50,000 for conservation projects under Object DA. Applicants seeking the maximum grant of £50,000 must demonstrate exceptional need and strong community value. Successful applicants are also required to contribute 11% of the grant value. This contribution must be paid to Thalia ODC Ltd before the funding can be released. What Projects Can the Fund Support? The Thalia WB Community Fund supports capital projects that fall within the eligible Landfill Communities Fund objectives. Public Parks and Amenities Projects may involve the provision, maintenance, or improvement of public parks and amenities that provide benefits to the wider community. Habitat and Species Conservation Conservation projects can focus on the protection or conservation of specific habitats or species. These projects may qualify for grants from £5,000. Places of Worship and Architectural Buildings Funding can support the repair or restoration of places of religious significance and buildings of architectural importance, provided they are open to the public and deliver wider community benefits. Who Can Apply? The fund is open to non-profit organisations operating in Cambridgeshire, excluding Peterborough, provided they meet the location and organisational requirements.

Eligible applicants must:

- Operate within Cambridgeshire, excluding Peterborough. - Be located within 10 miles of a licensed landfill site. - Own the project site or hold a long-term lease. - Have an independent management committee. - Have the required governance policies in place. - Be able to commence the project within six months of submitting an expression of interest. Parish councils can apply. However, higher-tier local authorities are not eligible to apply. Project Readiness Requirements The fund is intended for projects that are sufficiently developed and ready to proceed.

Applicants should have:

- A well-developed project proposal. - Professional cost estimates. - Required planning permissions. - The majority of project funding secured from other sources. - The ability to begin work within six months of submitting the expression of interest. Applicants must also ensure that they do not make any financial commitments before receiving a formal grant offer. Important Funding Conditions The Thalia WB Community Fund has several conditions that applicants need to understand before applying. Successful organisations must contribute 11% of the grant value, with the contribution paid to Thalia ODC Ltd to release the funding. Grant payments are made at the end of the project after the applicant provides evidence of expenditure. Funding may be paid in up to two instalments. Applicants must therefore have appropriate arrangements in place to manage project expenditure before reimbursement. What Costs and Projects Should Applicants Prepare For? Because the fund focuses on capital projects, applicants should develop proposals around lasting improvements to public amenities, environmental assets, habitats, species, places of worship, or buildings of architectural importance. A strong application should clearly demonstrate: - What capital improvement will be delivered. - Why the project is needed. - How the project benefits the wider community. - How the project contributes to environmental or cultural value. - The total project cost. - The amount already secured from other funding sources. - The remaining amount being requested. - How the project can begin within the required timeframe. How to Prepare a Strong Application Applicants should make sure their project is sufficiently advanced before submitting an expression of interest.

Key preparation steps include:

- Confirm eligibility: Check that the organisation and project site meet the geographical and organisational requirements.

- Confirm site ownership: Ensure the organisation owns the site or has an appropriate long-term lease.

- Develop the project: Prepare a clear and detailed capital project plan.

- Obtain cost estimates: Secure professional estimates that demonstrate realistic project costs.

- Secure other funding: Ensure the majority of funding is already secured from other sources.

- Obtain permissions: Have relevant planning permissions in place where required.

- Demonstrate community value: Explain how the project will benefit the wider community.

- Plan for the 11% contribution: Ensure the organisation can meet the required contribution to Thalia ODC Ltd.

- Avoid premature commitments: Do not make financial commitments before receiving a formal grant offer.

- Prepare for delivery: Ensure work can begin within six months of submitting the e