Grant / Funding Available
If you are looking for a grant for a community, voluntary or charity group project, below are contact details for some of the key organisations which provide funding.
If you need help writing a successful funding application, please see our help and advice section here https://rravs.org.uk/funding-advice/
1. Communities
From 1 June, the Co-op Local Community Fund is officially open and accepting applications for their latest funding round (Round 12). This enables members to choose from around 2,100 new local causes and decide how £3.5m million will be shared across their communities from October 2026 to October 2027.
They are looking to support projects that;
- enable people to access food
- create opportunities for young people
- improve people’s mental wellbeing
- promote community cohesion
- build sustainable futures
As always, we’re also keen to support projects that promote and celebrate diversity and inclusion. The deadline for applications is midnight Wednesday 24 June 2026. Click on this link to find out more and apply: applications are now open.
Barchester’s Charitable Foundation is a registered charity that helps older people and adults with a disability across England, Scotland, Wales and Jersey. Their focus is about connecting or re-connecting people with others in their local community, and they support applications that combat loneliness and enable people to be active and engaged. https://www.bhcfoundation.org.uk/
The Rochford Community Fund will open for applications on Wednesday 1st April 2026 and will close on Friday 31st July 2026.
Full details https://rravs.org.uk/2026/03/23/up-to-5000-available-open-for-applications-next-week/
People’s Postcode Lottery funding round dates for 2026 are now available at https://www.postcodeplacestrust.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant
Tesco Stronger Starts provides grants for up to £2,000 for projects which bring benefit to the local community https://tescostrongerstarts.org.uk/
Maureen’s Gift (Sanctuary Housing) – Grants up to £500 for projects that benefit residents across the Rochford District Council area email getinvolved@sanctuary-housing.co.uk or call 0800 131 3348 / 0300 123 3511. https://www.sanctuary.co.uk/rochford-district
National Lottery Community Fund – a variety of grants are available depending on the size of the project. Under £10k and over £10k
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding
Essex Association of Local Councils – EALC are currently offering grant for projects providing food support to benefit communities. For further information email funding@ealc.gov.uk
https://ealc.gov.uk/food-support-fund/
2. Environment
The Essex Local Nature Partnership is pleased to announce the launch of the LNP Community Fund, a new funding opportunity designed to empower local communities to take action in Essex for nature.
Community groups, charities, schools and other local organisations can apply for grants of £500 to £2,000 to support nature-based projects that contribute to local nature recovery and community wellbeing. https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/waste-environment/essex-lnp-community-fund-2025-application-form/
3. Arts & Heritage
Arts Council England – Grants for arts activities that benefit people in England or that help artists and arts organisations to carry out their work. Supported aims of the programme include helping more people to take part in the arts and helping the development of artists, arts organisations and the creative economy.
https://www.artscouncil.org.uk
Heritage Lottery Fund – Heritage Grants fund projects relating to the national, regional or local heritage of the UK which aim to conserve and enhance diverse heritage and/or encourage more people to be involved in their heritage. https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/
4. Health and Disability
Comic Relief – Grants are available for projects based on the following themes -: Better Futures, Healthier Finances, Safer Lives and Fairer Society. Grants of over £10,000 are available. CURRENTLY NO LIVE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
https://www.comicrelief.com
Parkinsons UK – Physical Activity Grants: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/grants-physical-activity-providers
5. Young People
The Kings Trust – NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE BUT OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES ARE LISTED AT THE LINK BELOW.
https://www.kingstrust.org.uk/how-we-can-help/who-else/employment/grants-funding/community-projects
BBC Children in Need – several schemes are available including the emergency essentials funding for young people facing extremely difficult circumstances.
https://www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/grants/
6. Sports
Sport England – Small Grants Programme – The Sport England Small Grants Programme has been set up to support local community sport projects that seek to increase participation, sustain participation or develop opportunities for people to excel at their chosen sport.
Movement Fund: https://www.sportengland.org/funding-and-campaigns/our-funding