Funding for community groups

Funding we provide

We, as a Council, provide funding to certain community groups and projects.

Capital Grant Funding

Our Capital Grants aim to assist community groups in making improvements and repairs to social infrastructure. This may include:

• village halls
• play areas
• sports clubs
• recreational facilities

Grants are available to cover up to 100% of your project costs (up to a maximum of £10,000).

The next application window for Capital Grant funding opens on Monday 13 May 2024, and closes on Sunday 14 July 2024.

Another application window will run from Monday 18 November 2024 to Sunday 12 January 2025.

For more information - and to apply - please visit our Mid Suffolk District Council funding webpage.

Community Development Grants

We want to encourage - and financially support - new and innovative projects, to help local communities and organisations deliver local initiatives and activities in places where gaps in provision have been identified.

Our Community Development Grants will be available to either revenue or capital projects. There is an allocation within the fund for pre-project costs (such as feasibility studies).

Grants are available to cover up to 100% of your project costs (up to a maximum of £20,000). Successful applicants will need to deliver their project within 12 months of an offer being accepted.

Community Development Grants are currently closed for applications. The next application window will run from Sunday 1 September 2024 to Thursday 31 October 2024.

Stowmarket 'Think Global, Act Local' Environment Fund

The 'Think Global, Act Local' Environment Fund is administered by Stowmarket Town Council.

The fund will provide grant funding, or sponsor, local groups and volunteers who want to safeguard or improve Stowmarket's environment, raise environmental awareness, or implement measures that will support carbon reduction. Examples of projects which could attract funding include:

• rewilding, biodiversity and tree planting
• recycling
• community litter picks
• thermal efficiency of community buildings
• school environmental projects

Grants worth up to £500 are available.

For more information - and to apply - please visit Stowmarket Town Council's webpage about Community Grants.

Suffolk Climate Action Community Match Funder

This fund will be in place to help organisations deliver community-based carbon reduction projects, which will contribute to Suffolk's Climate Emergency Plan, and the county's vision to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Organisations eligible for help include:

• charities
• community interest companies
• parish councils
• voluntary organisation and
• other not-for-profit organisations 

Projects eligible for help include:

• promoting walking and cycling
• the use of sustainable or recycled materials
• raising awareness of climate change, through events and campaigns
• bike to school buses

This fund will support up to 50% of your project costs (up to a maximum of £10,000). Applications must demonstrate that others in the community support the project - in the form of a minimum of three other sources, who will pay for the remainder of the project costs.

The application process will open soon. We will publish details once we have them.

Community Energy Fund

The Community Energy Fund is a new funding pot, worth £10 million, which is in place to empower local people to develop energy projects that will benefit their local area(s).

These projects will generate clean energy, such as rural heat networks or rooftop solar, whilst kickstarting private investment to upscale projects.

The fund will:

• support local jobs and encourage growth
• build stronger communities
• enable communities to directly benefit from clean, affordable and locally sourced energy

The fund is being administered by the Greater South East Net Zero Hub.

For more information - and to apply - please visit their Community Energy Fund webpage.

Aviva Community Fund

The Aviva Community Fund is in place to help local causes build stronger communities across the UK.

Aviva also offers access to volunteering and professional coaching opportunities, to help these causes build their capabilities and achieve long-term success.

Aviva's ambition to build a brighter future depends on how the following two challenges are resolved:

1. Financial wellbeing: Helping people take control of their wellbeing, by providing them with the tools to be financially independent
2. Climate action: Promoting healthy, thriving communities by preventing, preparing for, and protecting against the impacts of climate change

The funding is available for organisations who are looking to raise up to £50,000. Eligible projects can apply at any time.

For more information - and to apply - please visit Aviva's Community Fund webpage.