This month's funding opportunitiesCommunity buildings
Accessible, welcoming community buildings play a vital role across our district. They can provide affordable places where people of all ages can come together, helping to reduce social isolation, improve mental health and wellbeing, and strengthen community cohesion. Because they are locally based, they reduce transport barriers and enable residents, to participate in activities close to home.
The Harborough District Council Community Grant can support capital projects that enhance and improve community buildings where there is clear evidence of need, demonstrable community benefit, and the project has been assessed as a priority by the appropriate town or parish council/meeting or the SEAP in Market Harborough. Eligible capital works may include improvements to kitchens and toilet facilities, accessibility adaptations, heating and energy efficiency upgrades, audio-visual equipment, furniture, storage solutions, and leisure or activity equipment that is available for wide community use.
Section 106 funding is also available in some areas. Additional funding opportunities for community buildings are listed below.
Local Community Spaces Fund | Asda Foundation Grants of £10,000–£20,000
This fund supports grassroots community groups to create, improve or repair local community spaces where people can socialise, reduce loneliness and boost wellbeing. Funding can also support improved accessibility to community buildings to ensure spaces are safe, welcoming and inclusive. The programme aims to help maintain and develop vital community hubs that bring people together and address isolation. Open for applications from Spring 2026.
Severn Trent Community Fund Grants of £2,000–£20,000 and £20,001–£50,000 for not-for-profit organisations and CICs limited by shares. Community benefit societies and co-operative societies can also apply.
The funding is intended for projects that link to at least one of the three key elements of community wellbeing: People – projects that support healthier lifestyles and skills development. Place – projects that help create better places for communities. Environment – projects that look after the natural environment, rivers and water. Rounds close:
2 August 2026 – for applications for £20,000 to £50,000 31 August 2026 – for applications for £2,000 to £20,000
Morrison Foundation Making a difference to people's lives Grants of up to £10,000
Funding is available for registered charities delivering specific projects in England, Scotland or Wales that meet one of three objectives: Tackling poverty and social deprivation. Enhancing community spaces, facilities and services. Improving health and wellbeing.
Applications must be from registered charities and for a defined project (not running costs). The Foundation prefers to support smaller charities, projects in communities where Morrisons operates, projects with a lasting impact, and those benefiting a larger number of people. Currently open for applications.
National Lottery Awards for All Grants of up to £20,000 priority is given to groups with smaller annual incomes
The funding is intended for projects that support communities to thrive by: - Bringing people together to build strong relationships in and across communities.
- Improving the places and spaces that matter to communities.
- Helping more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage.
- Supporting people, communities and organisations that are facing increased demands and challenges as a direct result of the cost-of-living crisis.
Bernard Sunley Foundation Grants of £5,000 and under; up to £20,000; and £25,000 and above.
Funding is available for capital projects including new buildings, extensions, refurbishments and recreational spaces. This fund is open to registered charities and charitable incorporated organisations in England and Wales, as well as certain exempt organisations such as specialist schools, scout and guide groups, housing associations, co-operatives and community benefit societies.
Currently open for applications. Funding - Veolia Environmental trust
Grants of £10,000–£75,000 This fund is geographically limited to projects within five miles of a qualifying Veolia facility - Lutterworth, Cotesbach & Ullesthorpe postcodes appear eligible.
Funding supports physical improvements to community buildings and outdoor spaces that are publicly accessible, helping to create healthy, sustainable environments where communities can thrive. Eligible projects include construction, installation or improvement works to buildings and outdoor spaces) Fixed items such as kitchens, heating systems, solar panels, windows, doors and toilets may be funded.
Projects must promote community action and wellbeing, be inclusive and accessible, support environmental sustainability (including carbon reduction), and protect or enhance biodiversity. Applicants must be not-for-profit organisations or charities.
A 10% contributing third party payment is required if successful. Currently open for applications.
Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation Grants of £1,000–£3,000.
Donors support a range of charitable aims, with many prioritising smaller grassroots voluntary and community groups that improve the lives of local people. Funding can support core costs, staffing, training and skills development, rent and premises costs, volunteer expenses, equipment and materials.
Currently open for applications. Garfield Weston Foundation
Amounts vary. The foundation supports a wide range of UK charities with funding for running costs, specific activities and capital projects. This includes part-funding for building works and improvements, with an expectation that organisations can demonstrate local fundraising and community support.
Currently open for applications. Market Harborough Building Society Community Fund
Grants of up to £5,000. The fund aims to empower local initiatives, support grassroots projects and foster a spirit of togetherness. The main need the fund will support is poverty and disadvantage, which includes food and fuel poverty and rural issues/transport.
Priority will be given to applicants working in Market Harborough and Kibworth. Deadline for applications: Monday, 6 April 2026.
Benefact Trust 1.Community Impact Grants for Churches and Christian Charity Buildings
This programme supports new or expanded work that will make a positive and transformative impact on lives and communities. Funding can contribute to both capital and revenue projects enabling wider community use of church buildings (e.g. redevelopment, re-ordering or expansion to create new or improved facilities for community use beyond the congregation).
Projects must demonstrate clear additional community impact and increased use where relevant. Currently open for applications. 2.Building Improvement Grants
Grants are discretionary This programme provides capital funding to protect and enhance churches and Christian charity buildings across the UK and Ireland.
Eligible works include essential repairs to ensure the viability of a building, accessibility improvements, energy efficiency measures (such as solar panels), conservation or restoration of historic features, and aesthetic enhancements to indoor or outdoor spaces. Funding supports capital projects only and does not cover routine maintenance or works normally funded through insurance.
Currently open for applications.
The Florence Turner Trust
No website, but link is to their information on the Charity Commission register. The Florence Turner Trust offers grants to registered charities working throughout the UK, with a preference for those active in Leicestershire and Rutland.
The scheme aims to support people in need of all ages, particularly at risk groups and those that are socially isolated, disabled or poor. The trust has around £200,000 that it awards in charitable grants each year.
Funding is at the discretion of the trustees. Email: helen.pole@shma.co.uk
The Allen Lane Foundation Grants of up to £15,000.
The Foundation makes grants to voluntary, not-for-profit organisations in the UK for work that benefits groups of people who are under-represented in UK society.
The foundation seeks to fund work that is aimed at reducing isolation, stigma and discrimination. This includes a focus on older people, with funding prioritised for projects that support isolated older people (generally aged 70+) including those living with dementia. There will now be a greater emphasis on specific areas of work for older people, particularly those living in rural and more deprived communities.
All applications received up until early April 2026 are likely to be considered in the lead up to the June 2026 trustee meeting. Charity Link
The Charity Link Small Grants Scheme supports the activities of local charitable organisations including in Leicestershire. Grants are to support projects that address the scheme's priority areas: relief of poverty, hardship and distress; relief of physical or mental illness; advance the education of people in need; and support for people aged over 60 years. Grants of up to £500 are available, and applications are considered four times a year, in April, July, October and January.
Other themed funding
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland - Community Action Funding
There are three further rounds with varying opening and closing dates: - Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) - 20 April 2026
- Neighbourhood Crime - 28 September 2026
- Buisness Crime - 8 February 2027
Eligible groups can apply for grants up to £10,000 to support their initiatives.
Leicestershire County Council’s Ukrainian Community Grant Fund Grants of up to £5,000 are available for local charities and community groups supporting Ukrainian guests and families in Leicestershire.
Funding is aimed at community projects that improve opportunities, wellbeing and social integration. Projects benefiting Ukrainian children and young people are especially encouraged. Applications close at 5:00pm on Wednesday 4 March 2026.
Full guidance and application details are available on the link above. For queries, contact shiregrants@leics.gov.uk. | 
