With an annual fund of £10,000, this grant scheme offers between £500 to £1,000 per project to inspire and empower local organisations working in the areas of the environment, sustainability, creativity and local problem solving.
By fostering imagination and collaboration, we hope to improve the well-being of communities and promote sustainable development. We invite community groups and charitable organisations to apply for funding to bring their meaningful ideas to life.
Our goal is to support initiatives that drive meaningful change, whether through environmental conservation, creative community participation, or solving pressing local challenges. The fund is open for submissions twice a year, in January and July.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Our community grants are aimed at aimed at charities and not-for-profit organisations. Please make sure your organisation is able to fulfil the following criteria before applying for a grant:
- You must be a a charity or not-for-profit organisation that helps local communities
- Organisations must be one of the following types of organisations:
- Charity
- Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
- Community Interest Company (CIC)
- Be based in the UK
- Organisation projects must fall into one if not more of these categories: Environment, Sustainability, Creativity, Local Issues
- Funded activity must take place after the grant has been awarded
- Organisations should have an annual income of £25,000 - £500,000 in your last set of accounts
- A safeguarding policy must be in place (if the organisation supports children or vulnerable people)
- You must have a bank account in the same name as the organisation you are applying for, with a minimum of two unrelated signatories.
- A board of at least three unrelated trustees or directors.
- Operating for at least 12 months and have published financial data available
- Projects/activities must not run longer than 6 months
WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE
We do not support individuals, nor do we support:
- Companies limited by shares
- Friends of associations Branches or federations of national charities
- Organisations where the primary benefit is the advancement of religion
- Large organisations that have a greater capacity to fundraise
- Schools, colleges or those seeking educational bursaries
- Uniformed groups such as scouts, guides and sea cadets
- Sports clubs and associations Organisations using funds to provide cash grants or vouchers
- Third party fundraising (e.g. sponsorship a challenge)
WHAT CAN WE NOT FUND
Our community grants are aimed at aimed at charities and not-for-profit organisations. Please make sure your organisation is able to fulfil the following criteria before applying for a grant:
- Activities that promote religious or political views
- Purely commercial ventures (for profit)
- Spending that has already taken place (i.e. retrospective funding)
- Individual sponsorship or redistribution of a grant to individuals or other organisations
- Activities where people are excluded on the basis of religion, sexual orientation, sex or ethnicity (unless the issue is group-specific)
We're thrilled to announce that six inspiring projects have been selected for our Imperial Community Impact Fund grants!
These outstanding organisations have demonstrated incredible commitment to making a positive impact in their communities, and we're proud to support their work. Through this funding, they'll have the resources to expand their projects, reach new milestones, and continue their valuable contributions to their communities.
Take a look at our 2024 grantees...
Gwennie's Getaways is a charity committed to providing short term breaks to those with Dementia and their family or carers whilst also running a Memory café. Funding will be used to run activity sessions at these venues.
Abbey Physic Community Garden (APCG) is a half-acre, award winning, therapeutic community garden in the heart of Faversham. The gardens activities support people isolated by their mental or physical health, social or economic disadvantage. Funding will go to their all year gardening project which provides a weekly social activity for the elderly community to come along to help grow produce / flowers, but most importantly helps maintain both their physical and mental wellbeing.
Stand up Sisters CIC is a women's empowerment /arts organisation led by and for women with lived experience of mental health issues, substance misuse and sexual/domestic violence in Bolton. Funding will go towards a 7 week textiles zoom project titled Quirky Cats during winter, providing hope through a creative and productive online therapeutic space.
Pippins Community Centre This building is a bustling hub for the local community and home to a wide array of community groups and support services. Funding will support those who are lonely and vulnerable, by providing catering to include cakes and drinks in a warm and friendly environment.
Eat Sleep Ride CIC A social enterprise using horses to empower youth and amplify their voices. Funding will expand their youth club, empowering young people to lead and drive change within the community.
The Lewis Foundation The Lewis Foundation source, package and hand deliver gift packs for free to adult cancer patients in hospitals in the Midlands weekly. These are items that patients might find difficult to buy themselves or simply cannot afford – and that brings people happiness and comfort at a difficult time. Funding will be used to purchase 40 tote boxes for their charity outlet shops located at Grosvenor Shopping Northampton and Luton Point, Luton. This funding will address their current challenge of transporting and handling donated stock efficiently.
Huge congratulations to each of our grantees - we can't wait to see the impact they'll make! You can follow their projects and journey on our blog and LinkedIn page.
IMPORTANT DATES
| IMPORTANT DATES | ROUND 1 | ROUND 2 |
|---|---|---|
| APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR SUBMISSION | THURSDAY 11 JULY 2024 | THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2025 |
| APPLICATION DEADLINE | THURSDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER 2024 | THURSDAY 20 MARCH 2025 |
| DECISIONS MADE | TUESDAY 29TH OCTOBER 2024 | TUESDAY 22 APRIL 2025 |