Could you, or your group, help to improve people’s lives, locally?
The £5,000 and under fund replaces the City Council’s Area Committee Grants and builds on the small grants programme of up to £2,000 introduced in 2023/24.
If only you had a little bit of funding…
Community groups can apply for a grant of £5,000 and under to support activities that will reduce social and/or economic inequality for Cambridge residents with the greatest need.
You can apply for funding for:
- activities that reduce loneliness and social isolation
- activities that help people be more active
- activities to improve access to arts and culture
- activities that bring communities together
- activities that reduce poverty
Activities can either be open to all Cambridge residents or they could be tailored to those living in a particular area of Cambridge.
There will be two funding rounds for grants for activities taking place in 2025/26.
You can only apply to one funding round each year. But, if you are unsuccessful in the first round you could apply for the second round.
- Round one launches on 26 November 2024. The deadline to apply will be 14 January 2025.
- Round two launches on 23 April 2025. The deadline to apply will be 3 June 2025.
All awards will be subject to the approval of the overall council budget in February 2025.
You’ll need to get your paperwork in good shape. (You’re getting public money, so you need to show that everything is legit.) But you’re not on your own, there are webinars and face-to-face appointments, to guide you.
Cambridge City Council’s Communities’ Group Grants Team will host a webinar on 3 December 2024. You can book a face-to-face appointment on 4 December 2024 if you would like to discuss your activity and completing the application form.
The Grants Team strongly recommend that you attend one of these sessions to ensure you are familiar with all the changes to the grant.
Start as soon as possible by reading the full information on the Cambridge City Council webpage here: Community Grants of £5,000 and under.
You will be able to access the online application process from 26 November 2024. Before you complete the online form, please make sure you have read all the guidance in the link above and have your accompanying documents ready to upload.
Further information and support
Get in touch with the Grants Team by e-mailing grants@cambridge.gov.uk (or phone 01223 457875) to register for the webinar or book a face-to-face appointment to discuss whether your activity and group are eligible for a grant, or if you have any questions about your application.
Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service can help you complete your application form or develop policies. They can provide template policies if your group does not have them yet. CCVS can also advise how to gather and present financial information and share examples of good practice and procedures.
You can also contact the Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum, who work with people from minority ethnic communities, for advice or support in helping you complete your application.
