RFAs: Community Grants for Voluntary and Community Groups (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 30-Oct-2026

North Lanarkshire Council’s Community Grants scheme provides small grants of up to £1,000 per organisation per financial year to democratically run voluntary organisations and community groups in North Lanarkshire. Funding can support equipment, venue costs, social activities, trips, programme expenses, running costs, and eligible building improvements that deliver tangible benefits to local communities. What Is the North Lanarkshire Community Grants Scheme? The North Lanarkshire Council Community Grants scheme supports voluntary organisations and community groups that deliver activities benefiting people and communities across North Lanarkshire. The programme is intended for relatively small-scale projects and activities that can demonstrate a clear and practical benefit to the local community. Funding can help groups meet costs that may otherwise prevent them from delivering community activities, purchasing essential equipment, or improving facilities. What Can the Grant Fund? Grant funding can be used for a range of eligible community-related expenses, including: Building improvement or repair costs are eligible where the premises are owned or leased by the applicant organisation. Applicants should ensure that requested costs are directly connected to the proposed community activity or project. How Much Funding Is Available? Each eligible organisation can receive a maximum of £1,000 per financial year. Organisations may submit up to three applications during a financial year. Applications can relate to different activities, or an organisation may apply again for the same activity provided six months have passed since the previous application. However, the total amount awarded to an organisation cannot exceed £1,000 in a single financial year. Who Can Apply? The scheme is open to democratically run voluntary organisations and community groups based in North Lanarkshire.

Eligible organisations should have:

A voluntary or community-based purpose. Democratic management arrangements. Appropriate open membership. A clear connection with the North Lanarkshire community. Activities that provide tangible local benefits. Membership should be open to appropriate sections of the community rather than restricted to an exclusive group. Can Religious Organisations Apply? Yes. Religious organisations may be eligible where the proposed project is open to everyone and does not promote a particular faith. The project itself should therefore demonstrate a clear community benefit rather than being designed solely to advance religious activities. Who Is Not Eligible? The Community Grants scheme does not accept applications from: Organisations that do not meet the scheme’s community and democratic requirements should not apply. What Projects Are Suitable? The strongest projects are likely to be those that clearly demonstrate how a relatively small amount of funding will produce a tangible benefit for local residents. Examples of potentially suitable activities include: Purchasing equipment needed for community activities. Organising inclusive social events. Supporting community trips or outings. Paying eligible venue or accommodation costs. Delivering community programmes. Covering appropriate operating costs. Carrying out eligible repairs to community premises. Projects should clearly explain who will benefit and how the funding will improve the organisation’s ability to provide activities or services. What Information Must Be Included in the Application? Applicants must complete the official application form and provide the required supporting documentation.

Applications must include:

A signed constitution. A recent bank statement. A completed bank mandate form. The organisation’s most recent annual financial statement. Details of the project or activity. Information about the community benefits expected. The North Lanarkshire Council wards that will benefit. The application form must be signed by two members involved in running the organisation. How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Check that your organisation is a democratically run voluntary organisation or community group based in North Lanarkshire and that it meets the scheme’s membership and organisational requirements.

Step 2: Define the Project

Clearly explain what activity, project, purchase, event, trip, or improvement you want to support. Explain why the project is needed and how it will benefit local residents.

Step 3: Prepare the Budget

Identify the costs you want the grant to cover. Remember that the maximum total grant available to an organisation during the financial year is £1,000.

Step 4: Identify Benefiting Council Wards

The application must state which North Lanarkshire Council wards will benefit from the proposed activity.

Step 5: Gather Supporting Documents

Prepare the constitution, recent bank statement, bank mandate, and latest annual financial statement before submitting the application.

Step 6: Obtain Two Signatures

The application must be signed by two people involved in running the organisation.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Complete and submit the official application form together with all required supporting documentation. What Makes a Strong Application? Applicants should focus on demonstrating a clear connection between the requested funding and the benefits it will create for the community.

A strong application should:

Clearly describe the proposed activity. Explain who will benefit. Demonstrate tangible local impact. Provide a realistic and transparent budget. Explain why the funding is needed. Identify the relevant council wards. Provide all required supporting documents. Ensure the application is properly signed. Important Funding Rules Applicants should keep the following restrictions in mind: The maximum grant is £1,000 per organisation per financial year. Up to three applications may be submitted annually. A repeat application for the same activity requires a six-month gap from the previou