Charnwood Community Facilities Grant

Round One of Charnwood Community (up to £5,000) and Facilities Grants is now closed.  Please note: The Charnwood Small Community Grants Programme will remain open for applications until 31 January 2026.

It is important to read the application guidance AND THEN speak to the VCS Development Officer BEFORE completing this application form so that you know what is required.

Email: tina.robinson@charnwood.gov.uk

Telephone: 07710 068 920

The officer will be able to advise you on whether your project is eligible and what information is required for a strong application.

Please be aware you cannot save the form to come back to, it must be completed in one go and times out at midnight. It is important not to exceed the number of indicted characters (including spaces) and not to use special characters in your answers e.g. ! “ £ % & * ( ) @/? #.

Please review the Sustainable Development guidance to ensure that all issues related to sustainable development are thoroughly considered during the project's development. It is important to have all the necessary information and documents ready before you start filling in this form and to read the application guidance on the website.The guidance can be found at https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/commfacgrantss.

Please plan to complete your application with enough time for us to assist with any questions or issues, as we cannot guarantee help if you contact us less than two days before the deadline.

Community Facilities grant funding is subject to an upper limit of £20,000 and/or a maximum of 50% of the cost of the project.

Proof of matched funding is required. In all cases grant amounts are dependent on the resources available for distribution.

There is no guarantee that the full amount requested will be awarded and therefore we require evidence of how this shortfall would be met.

This programme supports the renovation, improvement and new provision of community buildings including building works, extensions, updating facilities eg kitchen, toilets.

In addition, external enhancement of adjacent outside space e.g. disabled access, verandas, patios, play areas, storage, improved access. 

The grant does not cover costs of feasibility studies, architects, surveyors, specialist survey fees or the cost of planning applications.

The grant does not cover drainage or subsidence issues.

It is not for routine maintenance, equipment or freestanding appliances such as cookers, fridges, freezers or dishwashers or semi permanent outbuildings eg sheds.  However, it can fund integrated fund hobs and ovens in a new kitchen

This grants programme is available for applications from all Charnwood Voluntary and Community Sector organisations, including Sports Clubs and Physical Activity groups.

For further information, advice or assistance please contact Grants Administration.

Applying for community facilities grants

Please read the guidance webpage and get in touch with the VCS Development Officer BEFORE you complete the application form. The officer will be able to advise you on whether your project is eligible and what information is required for a strong application.

Please note the application form is now online and cannot be saved and reopened and will ‘timeout’ at midnight.  It is therefore recommended the application form pre-view is read and all required supporting documents and answers the to questions are prepared before the application is started. 

All eligible applications are assessed against the criteria for this grant scheme - our Cabinet determines community facilities grants and applications.

Contact details below:

VCS Development Officer

Tina Robinson
Tina.Robinson@charnwood.gov.uk
07710 068 920

How to apply

Please read the guidance notes in full before you complete the application form. Applicants are advised to submit their applications as early as possible rather than waiting until the deadline, this will give us more opportunity to ask for further information if we need it to make a proper assessment. 

Community Facilities Grants - Applicant Guidance Notes

Please use the online form below to make an application. Guidance on how to complete the application form can also be found below:

Preview Application Form – Community Facilities Grant

Apply for a Community Facilities Grant

2025/26 grant application deadlines and decision dates

2025/26	Round	Opening Date	Closing Date	Decision Due
Facilities Grants	1	Monday 3 March 2025	12 noon Friday 28 March 2025	w/c 14 July 2025
Facilities Grants	2	Monday 1 September 2025	12 noon Friday 26 September 2025	w/c 26 January 2026