A library of current funding opportunities relevant to our sector and agenda.
Grassroots Voluntary and Community Sector Support Grant
Delivered by: Essex County Council
Available funding: Up to £250
Apply by: 30th June 2025
Organisations who have previously been in receipt of ECC funding for VCS Infrastructure support may apply for up to £250 per grassroots organisation they have supported. This is applicable where the grassroots organisation has an income band of less than £10,000 (as per the NVCO definition), supports the ambitions of Everyone Essex and there is a pay wall in place which might otherwise preclude them from accessing support.
Delivered by: London Gateway Freeport Community Investment Fund
Available funding: Between £10,000 and £50,000
Apply by: 1st July 2025
We are providing grants to local communities to respond to diverse needs they have, such as – helping young people, addressing employment skills shortages, boosting educational opportunities, protecting local wildlife, habitats and the environment, strengthening social cohesion, and building safer communities.
Delivered by: Active Essex Foundation and London Gateway Community Investment Fund
Available funding: Up to £10,000
Apply by: 20th July 2025
The Active Essex Foundation has secured a groundbreaking three-year partnership through the London Gateway Freeport Community Investment Fund (LGFCIF), expanding its support for young people in Thurrock and Thames Estuary communities through its Sport and Life Skills prevention and intervention projects.
The LGFCIF was created by DP World through a joint levy contribution with the Thames Freeport occupants at London Gateway Logistics Park.
The funding is available across an initial 12 month period (with further years possible on a sliding scale) Subject to conditions See guidance information sheet on website link along with FAQ sheet.
Funding will be open to community sports and physical activity providers with projects taking place in Thurrock only who can meet the key criteria and project aims and outcomes as detailed in the guidance sheet. In particular we are looking for organisations who can provide bespoke programmes for young people aged between 11- 24 years within the key categories set out in our partners agenda and offer projects in key locations such as Tilbury, Grays and West Thurrock. Other locations will be considered and scored on areas of need and/or meeting one or more of the partners outcomes.
The objectives for the Thurrock Sports and Life Skills programme are comprehensive and aim to address various challenges faced by young people. Here’s a summary of the key points:
The objectives for the Thurrock Sports and Life Skills programme are comprehensive and aim to address various challenges faced by young people. We hope to provide projects within a SportsPlus model. Take a look at the StreetGames Theory of Change - StreetGames model.
Targeted Prevention and Intervention: Support young people aged 11-24 facing personal or community challenges, particularly those in poverty or deprivation in particular areas listed within 1-3 indexes.
Understanding Vulnerabilities: Educate young people about the risks of exploitation, county lines, gangs, and risk-taking behaviours, which can impact their education and future employment opportunities.
Mental Health and Well-being: Promote positive mental health and help young people make safe choices.
Risk Awareness: Increase understanding of risk-taking behaviours and equip young people with the confidence to resist peer pressure, particularly regarding knife crime, drugs, and gang activities.
Resilience Building: Help young people cope with trauma and adverse childhood experiences without resorting to negative influences.
Volunteering and Qualifications: Provide opportunities for volunteering and gaining sports coaching qualifications to enhance educational achievements.
Community and Police Cohesion: Foster better communication between young people and authorities.
Raising Aspirations: Encourage young people to aim higher in their education and future careers to prevent them becoming or remaining NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) Research highlights– “becoming and remaining NEET can result in being more likely to have a criminal record. There are a number of risk factors and characteristics that increase the likelihood of young people becoming NEET and many of these are consistent with the risk factors associated with violence” Risk factors for being a NEET Young person report OVERLA2.pdf. 2023).
Safe Environment: Create spaces where young people feel they belong and can engage in positive activities with trusted adult support.
These goals are essential for creating a supportive and enriching environment for young people.
The essential criteria for projects and applications under the Thurrock Sports and Life Skills programme are designed to ensure that the initiatives are impactful and well-aligned with the programme's goals.
You will be expected to provide monitoring and evaluation on your project if successful. Find out more about the expectations here: AEF Sports and Life Skills MEL processes
Harlow Regeneration Partnership Community Fund 2025
Delivered by: Hill Group Company and Harlow Council
Available funding: Up to £4,000
Apply by: 23rd July 2025
The Harlow Regeneration
Partnership – a joint venture between Hill and Harlow Council – is proud to
launch the Harlow Regeneration Partnership Community Fund 2025. As part of our
commitment to supporting local communities and delivering meaningful, lasting
impact through regeneration, this fund aims to empower local organisations
working to make a difference in Harlow. We are inviting applications from
charities, community groups, social enterprises, and other not-for-profit
organisations based in Harlow. Whether your project focuses on community
wellbeing, skills development, green spaces, youth engagement, arts and
culture, or support services, we want to hear from you.
Interested in funding charities whose activities involve all or most family members, where possible, in initiatives that seek to tackle problems facing one or more of its members. We’ve funded charities working in fields including early intervention, mediation, prison services and services for families affected by sexual abuse, physical abuse and domestic violence, among others.
Including prisoners and in particular their families, during and after the period of imprisonment.
Available funding: £15,000 – £25,000 per annum for 3 years
Apply by: 19th September 2025
Funding projects which help to prevent people entering the criminal justice system, and which support those in contact with the system to rebuild their lives.
Grants are available to support ECB affiliated cricket clubs in England and Wales with creating welcoming environments, providing enhanced facilities and playing opportunities, and tackling the impact of climate change.
Available funding: Regular Grants up to £100,000 or Major grants over £100,000
Apply by: 31st December 2025
The grant can support capital projects, revenue/core costs or project costs.
Typical community projects supported include revenue grants for volunteering schemes and capital grants for the restoration of village halls and community centres and for facilities to support community life, and for youth projects to support and inspire young people to achieve their potential including small local groups as well as larger national youth development charities.
Supports charities delivering projects which help to improve people’s lives in communities across England, Scotland and Wales.
Grants are available for up to £10,000 for capital spend or direct project delivery.
The Morrisons Foundation prioritises applications from small charities, those with an income of less than £1m, but applications from larger charities are welcome.
For organisations that work together with a shared set of goals to help their community – whether that’s a community living in the same area, or people with similar interests or life experiences.
In order to support communities, we fund partnerships which aim to:
build strong relationships in and across communities
improve the places and spaces that matter to communities
help more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage.
Available funding: Up to £150,000 for 3 years (£50,000 a year)
Apply by: 31st December 2025
The Youth Fund is designed to be a strategic investment in your organisation, so we only fund for the full three years and at the amount appropriate to your plans for wider impact.
We will prioritise work which is committed to anti-racism and to applying an intersectional lens to inequity. We define anti-racism as ‘the active work to identify and oppose racism, which includes changing systems, structures, policies and practices, as well as attitudes to create a more equitable society.
We're here to support communities with the things that are important to them, including mitigating the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and supporting them as they seek to recover, rebuild and grow following the Covid-19 pandemic.
In order to support communities, we fund projects and organisations which aim to:
build strong relationships in and across communities
improve the places and spaces that matter to communities
help more people to reach their potential, by supporting them at the earliest possible stage.
Available funding: Between £500,000 and £5 million.
Apply by: 31st December 2025
We’re looking to fund organisations that want to do more to help communities come together and help make us a better-connected society.
We want to fund projects that:
strengthen relationships between people whose experiences of life have not been the same. For example, relationships between people of different ethnic backgrounds, generations, occupations or geographies.
create connections between online and offline worlds.
help make sure people from all backgrounds can shape the future of their communities.
Offering single yaer grants between £10,000 and £100,000 for core costs, salaries, running and project costs or multi-year grants for a maximum of 3 years,
Funding request not to exceed £100,000 in total over this period, for core costs, salaries, running or project costs.
If your charity, voluntary or community organisation is based or working in Essex and needs financial support, Essex Community Foundation may be able to help.
With over 150 funds ranging in value and type of funding available to organisations based in Essex, the Essex Community Foundation could support your funding needs.
For more information or to discuss your idea(s) with them you contact them by:
Funding is open to all schools, registered charities and not-for-profit organisations, with priority given to projects that provide food and support to young people.
Grants for Water Based Projects supporting disadvantaged young people
Delivered by: Children's Alliance
Available funding: Up to £15,000
Apply by: 31st March 2026
The grant aims to support grassroots initiatives that provide disadvantaged children under 18 with access to water environments, fostering essential life skills and confidence.
Non-profit organisations, including schools, registered charities, community interest companies, and community groups, are invited to apply for funding up to £15,000, with most grants awarded being under £10,000.
Grants for projects that align with Sport England's objectives of increasing activity levels and addressing inequalities in sports participation.
Covering a wide range of costs and items, including the purchase of new or improved equipment, refurbishment or upgrading of facilities, development of new capabilities and leadership skills, and covering delivery costs for projects that encourage community engagement in physical activity.
If you’re passionate about improving the lives of young people in your community, Maverick Stars Trust want to hear your ideas.
Whether it’s providing training equipment, offering mentoring programmes, or creating safe spaces for young people to thrive, Maverick Stars Trust are looking for creative, impactful projects that can make a real difference.
Grants available for local and national charities in England and Wales who are working with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Delivered by: Active Essex and Essex County Council
Available funding: Average grant around £3,000
Apply by: 31st March 2026
To support organisations throughout the county engage with more people to get them cycling. This can range from those needing support learning to ride or accessing a bike, to those who’re more confident wanting to explore more of Essex on two wheels.
Allows councillors to give up to
£1,250 in their ward to organisations and groups running local support projects
and initiatives that will benefit the people of Braintree District (Essex).
Ward councillors can pool their budgets to joint fund projects within the
ward.
You can apply for funding for a range of projects including:
Supports UK registered charities that Provide Hospice Care, Provide support for the Homeless, and Promote Health and Well-Being. Grants may be considered for a range of purposes which could include core funding to include staff costs and ongoing running costs for specific projects.
The Trustees are particularly interested in small, grass root organisations but will consider applications from larger groups. We provide grants to voluntary and community groups in Southend on Sea, Rochford and Castle Point local authority areas.
The Trustees meet three times a year - January, May and September.
Provides funding for projects which aim to improve the education and development of children and young people by means of educational, cultural, sporting or other activities. Projects which the Trustees consider to help enhance the self-confidence, team working skills and future employability of children and young people (aged 5-22) will be prioritised.
Available funding: Between £1 million and £10 million (Over 5 - 10 yearS)
Apply by: 31st March 2026
This funding is for organisations in England dealing with the causes of inequality. By inequality The National Lottery mean poverty, disadvantage and discrimination.
Funding for organisations that are working on making a lasting change to the causes of inequality. And that support people who’ve lived through these issues to work together and influence this.
You do not need to be a long-established organisation to apply. But you'll expect to have the ability to help make the kind of big and long-lasting changes we’re looking for. They are unlikely to fund work that’s completely unrelated to what you already do.
Especially interested in work that builds on your knowledge, relationships, or things your community has learned. And that helps you take your work further or in a new direction.
Grants are available for voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations to allow them to set up and deliver the Duke of Edinburgh Award to create more opportunities for marginalised young people (14 to 24 years) to access the Award.
