Community building grants

Community building grants, up to a value of £300, are available annually. These are for community and voluntary sector groups to run small-scale projects, events and activities to help them support the wellbeing of their neighbourhood.

Community building grants for 2024/25 have now been fully allocated. The next round of grants will open in April 2025.

This is a rolling grants process and applications are welcomed at any time, although the fund is finite so will close once it has been fully allocated for the financial year. Please read the application guidelines below to find out how to apply. To find out more please get in touch with the community services team.

Community building – application guidelines

We have a small pot of funding to allocate to local good causes and we are now inviting applications for funding to support community pride projects across Cheltenham.

Why community-building grants?

Cheltenham Borough Council wants to provide small amounts of money to our local communities so that they can use their significant skills, powers and resources to help build thriving communities.

These themes might be picked up in practical projects such as:

  • Purchasing equipment to enable the group to be more effective
  • Using technology and social media to create a supportive community
  • Organising community events that will build a strong sense of community resilience

Alternatively community groups might want to use the funding to acquire specific support such as:

  • Identifying, recruiting and supporting volunteers
  • Training courses for volunteers and paid staff to develop specific skills such as fund raising, management structures, governance and accountability
  • Accessing specific advice and support

Who can apply?

Any parish council, constituted voluntary sector, community or neighbourhood-based organisation, trade and business representative organisation or school can apply. The awarding criteria will seek to distribute this funding evenly across the different areas of Cheltenham.  

How much can be applied for?

Any group may apply for a single award up to a maximum of £300.  We will expect the group to contribute to the success of the project and match the grant with energy, time and commitment measured at £12 per hour, or through meeting any additiona costs incurred.  

What we won’t fund

  • Any events or activities of a political nature
  • Projects being delivered outside the boundaries of Cheltenham borough
  • Projects that cannot demonstrate that the necessary permissions will be achieved within the appropriate timescales

The assessment criteria

We are looking for projects that have been well thought out and can demonstrate the following:

  • That the project, event or activity will build and support community spirit
  • What will the event or activity achieve
  • How will success be measured
  • The amount of funding requested and any additional volunteer time or cash that is contributed

How to apply

Making an application

Community building grants for 2024/25 have now been fully allocated.  The next round of grants will open in April 2025.  

For any enquiries please contact the community services team.

Agreements and performance management

Before the project can start, the council will enter into a project agreement with the provider which will set out various obligations on the two parties. This will include important issues like safeguarding, health and safety and data sharing.

Grant payments

For successful applicants, payments will generally be made in arrears on receipt of completed performance management report and claim form.  We can arrange advance payments to help with cash flow but this will be subject to checks and you will be liable to repay this if your project does not make satisfactory progress.

Other considerations

Please be aware that as this is public money, the funding will be subject to inspection and audit. Any fraudulent activity will be quickly identified and reported to the police.

Grants previously allocated

Community Building Grants 2019-20

  • Benhall Residents Association: Benhall Playing Out - closure of Bisley Road to allow children to play out safely on 13 July 2019. - £225
  • Oakley Residents Association: Oakley Fun Day - to launch new scooter park. - £300
  • Vision 21: Sewing Circles - to encourage repair and reuse of materials. - £300
  • Friends of Hatherley Park: Celebrate 80 in the Park! An event to mark Hatherley Park's 80th anniversary. - £300
  • Hesters Way Neighbourhood Project: Springbank Summer Fair. - £300
  • St Pauls Residents Association: St Paul’s Road Area residents’ association and St Paul’s NCG meetings and dissemination of information. - £300
  • Holocaust Memorial Day Act of Remembrance Committee: Act of Remembrance 27 January 2020, and marking 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. - £300

Total Communtiy Building Grants allocated in 2019-20 - £2,025

Community Building Grants 2018-19

  • UoG Students Union: SU Annual Christmas Tea Dance. - £300
  • Reddings Residents Association: The Reddings Air Quality Monitoring Project. - £200
  • St Pauls Residents Association: St Paul's Road Area Residents Association and St Paul's NCG. - £300
  • Cheltenham West End Partnership: Christmas Festival. - £280
  • Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts: Audience Development - Community Tickets. - £200
  • Hesters Way Neighbourhood Project: Winter Wonderland. - £300
  • Benhall Residents Association: Annual Community Family Event. - £250
  • Create on the Square Activities Team: Christmas on the Square. - £300
  • Qigong on the Park: Qigong on the Park. - £300
  • Holocaust Memorial Day Act of Remembrance Committee: HMD Act of Remembrance 24 January 2019. - £300
  • Pittville School: Driving attendance up to Christmas. - £300
  • CWEP: Litter Picking event. - £281

Total Communtiy Building Grants allocated in 2018-19 - £3,311