West Northamptonshire release 260K in Community Funding

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Charities, social enterprises, and community groups across West Northamptonshire are set to benefit from a £260,000 investment to unlock more funding, grow skills and volunteering, strengthen their voice in local decision making, and reach more residents. 

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is inviting Expressions of Interest from voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations to deliver a new Local Infrastructure Organisation (LIO) grant, providing targeted capacity building and sustainability support – particularly for small and micro organisations, resident led groups, and those working in priority Local Area Partnership (LAP) neighbourhoods.

 

The LIO will play a central role in supporting WNC’s Prevention Strategy, the development of Local Area Partnerships (LAPs) and the wider ambition to reduce crisis demand, build community resilience, and enhance the impact of local community organisations.

The grant will appoint a single organisation (or consortium) to deliver a programme that:

  • Strengthens the VCFSE sector in West Northants, building organisational capacity, governance, safeguarding, finance, risk and HR.
  • Grows funding and investment, helping local organisations secure external funds and become bid ready.
  • Builds community based early help and prevention, aligned with the Prevention Strategy and Local Area Partnership (LAP) priorities.
  • Amplifies a strong, representative VCFSE voice in local system decision making.
  • Improves workforce skills, quality and impact, including volunteering pathways and quality assurance.

Delivery will include:

  • Tailored support for small charities, CICs, faith and resident led groups in priority LAP areas.
  • Workforce development covering safeguarding, trauma informed practice, governance, charity law, fundraising, volunteer management and strategic leadership.
  • Training, templates and coaching to develop robust plans, policies, and fundable proposals.
  • 1 to 1 organisational development for groups under pressure or experiencing growth.
  • Brokerage of volunteers and trustees to strengthen capacity.


Further information and the full criteria are available via the Community Funding Grants Framework on the WNC website. 

To discuss eligibility or request an Expression of Interest application form, please email communitygrants@westnorthants.gov.uk with your contact telephone number and the Community Funding Grants Team will be happy to arrange a call.

The deadline for submitting applications is 10am on Wednesday 13 May 2026.

Community Transport Funding 2026/2027

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West Northamptonshire Council has announced a £172,000 funding pot for community transport grants across West Northamptonshire and is encouraging local groups and parish councils to apply for a share of the money.  

The funding aims to increase the number of transport options available, especially in rural areas and places where there are no regular bus services. The grants will support projects that help people to:

  • Reach work, training, school, health appointments, and social activities.
  • Stay connected with their local community.
  • Travel safely with trained drivers who understand their needs.
  • Reduce loneliness and live more independently.
  • Use shared transport that is better for the environment and helps cut traffic.
  • Find affordable travel options if they do not have access to a car.

Community groups, faith groups, social enterprises, and town and parish councils are encouraged to apply for the grants, with full details to be available on the Council’s Community Funding Grants webpage shortly:  The deadline for grant applications is 10am on 24 April 2026. 

Community Mental Health Prevention and Wellbeing Grants (organisations with income greater than and less than £100,000)

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West Northamptonshire are launching two funds:

  • Community Funding Grants Framework (CFGF) for larger VCFSE organisations with an income of over £100,000; and
  • Community Investment Business Case (CIBC) for smaller VCFSE organisations with an income of under £100,000.

Each route has an allocated budget of £106,500, bringing the total available funding to £213,000 over the period from May 2026 to March 2028.

The CFGF grants will offer a minimum award of £20,000 for projects running over a 23-month period, while the CIBC route will provide smaller grants of between £2,000 and £7,000 to support a community‑led, place‑based approach that builds on existing local strengths and actively involves residents in identifying and addressing priorities to improve mental health and wellbeing.  

Projects funded through these funding routes will need to address one or more of the following five priority areas:

  • building emotional resilience and positive mental wellbeing.
  • improving mental health awareness and reducing stigma.
  • supporting active lives and healthy lifestyles.
  • reducing loneliness and social isolation.
  • suicide prevention for high-risk groups.

To request the application form and guidance, please email communitygrants@westnorthants.gov.uk stating which grant you are interested in (greater than £100K or less than £100K).

All applications must be submitted by 31 March 2026.

Health Inequalities Funding – Lottery Community Fund

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The National Lottery Community Fund will be releasing their Health Inequalities Funding on the 15th of October 2025.

In this first year of their Programme, it is important to emphasise that they are looking to award only an initial 10 awards working with up to 10 partners. There are also some very specific criteria for awards in this first year, which will be explained on the website and at the webinars they will be delivering. More information on the fund can be found here: Health Inequities: Structural Racism and Discrimination Partnership | The National Lottery Community Fund

For those organisations in West Northamptonshire who are interested in applying but are unable to provide the wrap around Project Management Support please contact russell.rolph@voluntaryimpact.org.uk

Grant Provision for Warm Welcoming Spaces

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Community organisations are now able to apply for funds via West Northamptonshire Council as applications are now open for the Welcoming Spaces Grant Scheme which will run until October 2025. 

These spaces offer a safe, warm, and welcoming environment for local people, especially during colder months, and can provide vital services and support to those in need.

Using funds from the Household Support Fund for West Northamptonshire, the Council is seeking to support the creation or development of Welcoming Spaces across the area.

These spaces provide a non-judgemental, safe environment where residents can come together, enjoy refreshments and access wider support services.

Grants of £500 to £1,500 are available to community and voluntary organisations, registered charities, and other qualifying bodies, with funding intended to provide support until the end of March 2026.

The closing date for all applications is 10 am on Monday 6 October 2025.  

Organisations can apply once during the funding period. Applications will be assessed based on the strength of the proposal and the organisation’s ability to deliver the project effectively.

Please visit this link for more information: Grant scheme applications now open for community organisations to provide Welcoming Spaces for residents | West Northamptonshire Council

Lloyd’s Bank Foundation – funding for Deaf and Disabled Peoples Organisations

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Lloyd’s Bank Foundation have launched a programmed aimed to support registered charities, CICs and CIOs which are led by and working for Deaf and Disabled people. Organisation must have an income between £25,000 to £500,000. All grant are three-years and unrestricted £75,000.

The programme closes at 5:00pm on the 4th September

More information can be found

https://www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk/funding/deaf-and-disabled-peoples-organisations-fund/

We will be holding a live webinar on 16 July 2025 to talk through the programme. This will include eligibility and shortlisting criteria. There will be an opportunity to ask questions live. You can learn more and sign up for this webinar by clicking here.

If you still have questions after reading the guidelines and completing the eligibility quiz, you can book a meeting to speak to someone from our team before you submit an application.

Lloyds Bank Foundation Racial equity programme

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This programme is aimed at registered charities and CICs which are led by and working with people who are experiencing economic inequity because of their race or ethnicity.

Your organisation will be led by the communities you serve, working with people over the long term to help them break free from poverty and achieve their potential. Your organisation will be directly delivering services that help people from racially minoritised communities experiencing significant economic disadvantage.

Under this programme, successful applicants will receive a grant of £75,000 over three years (£25,000 per year), along with a breadth of tailored support aimed at helping strengthen charities and building the knowledge, skills and capabilities of their staff and trustees. Learn more about what to expect from working with us in this way.

The grants will be unrestricted, meaning that you will be able to use the grant to support any costs that further your organisation’s social purpose.

Deadline for applications:       29th May 2025

More information on our website here

Contact Gary Beharrell at gbeharrell@lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk if you wish to discuss further.

Aspire NN Funding Fair

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Aspire North Northants are holding a Funding Fair across February and March 2025, with a great line up of Funders.

The workshops will take place both online and in person at venues across North Northants.

Although the Funding Fair is primarily for voluntary and community groups in North Northants, colleague organisations in West Northants are welcome to join the Online Funder sessions!

For booking please go to:  https://aspirenn.org.uk/funding-fair-2025/

 

The Movement Fund is open

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Sport England has a pot of funding called the Movement Fund, which is aimed at getting people from priority audiences more active.

 

The Movement Fund offers various opportunities to access up to £15,000 to cover various costs and items to help deliver positive change in your community.

 

This may interest you directly or an organisation you work with or know.

 

So, join Northamptonshire Sport as we explore crowdfunding pledges, grants, and support to help projects that get more people active. If you’re eligible and your project aligns with the funding goals, you could be eligible to receive a grant.

 

They will also examine how the Sport England funding can support underserved communities through direct financing and offer crowdfunding support to all organisations and communities.

 

Throughout November, you can join them for a webinar or via 1-2-1 sessions online or in person in Kettering and Northampton.

 

During the 1-2-1 session, they can look over your application, help shape an application or offer to receive guidance on the governance required for larger projects, advice on crowdfunding, and a chance to discuss other funding. Please note that football only projects are not eligible to apply.

 

To reserve your place, please visit.

 

https://www.northamptonshiresport.org/course-finder/?filter_course_type=club-webinars

 

For further information, visit the Sport England Movement hub, which showcases the best of our tools and resources to help everyone in the sport and physical activity unite the movement

 

https://www.sportengland.org/about-us/uniting-movement/movement-hub

 

or the Sport England Movement Fund website, which offers an in-depth background on the funding.

 

https://www.sportengland.org/funding-and-campaigns/our-funding/apply-funding

 

Grant scheme applications now open for community organisations to provide crisis support for residents

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Several grant schemes are now available for registered charities, not-for-profit and Voluntary Community and Social Enterprises (VCSE) organisations in West Northamptonshire, or who are prepared to operate within West Northants, to apply for funding to support vulnerable households most in need with the cost of living.

Using funds from the sixth tranche of the Household Support Fund for West Northants, £955,000 has been allocated for grant funding to support those in financial hardship, with funding being available until the end of March 2025.

To ensure funding can support as many residents as needed, three grant schemes are available for organisations to apply for. These include:

  • £545,000 available for projects or services supporting the Food Aid Network
  • £225,000 available for projects or services supporting vulnerable households struggling to afford energy bills and energy saving essentials.
  • £185,000 available for projects or services supporting vulnerable households struggling to afford household and wider essentials.

All applications must demonstrate they can offer services that cater for immediate needs as well as providing support that has a long-term sustainable impact.

Closing date for this funding is 5pm on Wednesday 6 November 2024.

Further information and the full criteria for applications can be found on the WNC website and in the Council’s Community Funding Grants Framework.

For an application form and guidance please email communitygrants@westnorthants.gov.uk.

More information on the Household Support Fund (HSF) can be found on the West Northamptonshire Council Website.