Mid Suffolk District Council Funding
VCFSE Funding Review
We want to change the way that we provide grants and funding to the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector. We want to make the impact of grant giving more visible, which will improve accessibility for VCFSE groups.
In July 2024, an action plan was agreed at Cabinet to progress this work.
We have reviewed our current programme of Community Grants. For the 2025/26 financial year, we will have one grant (Community Development Grants) available which will encompass both capital and/or revenue funding - this will replace our existing Capital and Revenue Grants.
Am I eligible?
Our funding is limited to constituted community groups and organisations. Eligible groups include (but are not limited to):
- town and parish councils
- village hall or playing field management committees
- sports clubs and centres
- charities
- social enterprises
- community shops and pubs
- community interest companies
Our funding is not available for individuals or businesses.
Where can I find more information?
Before you submit an application, we recommend that applicants read our terms and conditions, which contain more detailed information about our requirements and available grants. As a lot of our application forms require outcomes and indicators to be provided, you may also wish to view example outcomes and indicators.
To understand which grant may be most appropriate for your project before you apply, you may wish to submit a Grant Enquiry Form. You can also email BMSDCGrants@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk for more information, or for a conversation about your project. We always recommend that you contact us before you apply - approximately two thirds of unsuccessful applications are from those who had not contacted us beforehand.
If you're new to grants or need a refresher, our Grants Team have put together a short video to give some insights into what's needed for a successful grant application.
For each of our Community Grants, we collect monitoring information from organisations awarded funding, in order to demonstrate the impact that our funding has had and the benefits delivered to communities across Mid Suffolk.
View Community Grants impacts and reports
Which grants are available?
Through our Community Grants team, grants are available for projects that deliver clear community benefits within Mid Suffolk. We can also advise and assist groups and projects seeking external funding.
NEW - Mid Suffolk Sports Infrastructure Fund
The Mid Suffolk Sports Infrastructure Fund is available to support community groups in Mid Suffolk develop and expand sport & physical activity infrastructure in areas outside of Stowmarket. We want to encourage communities to enhance their local area and promote physical activity and sporting activities within their local community.
Between £20,000 and £250,000 can be applied for towards major infrastructure improvements to indoor and outdoor sports facilities outside of Stowmarket. The Fund will open for expressions of interest to be submitted from 28th April 2025, with formal applications accepted following a pre-application process. Funding can be applied for towards capital costs such as the creation of new community sports facilities or the improvement of existing, as well as pre-project costs such as design costs. For more detail, view the Mid Suffolk Sports Infrastructure Fund Guidance Notes.
In assessing your application, priority will be given to applications that provide demonstrable improvements to community sporting infrastructure that serves a large and quantified number of people, and fills an identified gap in provision.
Submit an Expression of Interest
Community Development Grants
Community Development Grants can be applied for towards revenue, capital or pre-project costs and activities being delivered in 2025/26. Grants are available to up to 100% of total project costs to a maximum grant of £20,000. Successful applicants will be required to deliver their project within 12 months of an offer being accepted. Community Development Grants are currently closed for applications, with the next application window opening on 1st June 2025. More detailed information, terms and conditions and eligibility criteria can be found on our Guidance Notes. Find out more about Community Development Grants.
The Mid Suffolk Culture Fund
In Mid Suffolk, we have allocated £100,000 towards a new Mid Suffolk Culture Fund to support the Culture, Heritage and Visitor Economy Strategy Action Plan. View the Plan. There is often a significant overlap between cultural and community organisations, and the Culture Fund has been incorporated into the Community Development Grant. The next application window will open in October 2025.
Sustainable Communities Food Fund
The Sustainable Communities Food Fund, formerly the Food Security Fund, has been established to support small scale, community led, food initiatives such as community pantries, fridges and food pop-ups. Between £250 and £5,000 can be applied for, towards capital costs such as the purchase of equipment, or revenue costs such as workshops and delivering activities to clients or volunteers.
Funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, with applications being accepted until 31 March 2026, though the Fund may close for applications prior to that point should funding be fully allocated. Successful applicants will be required to deliver their project within eight months of an offer being accepted.
For more information, view the Sustainable Communities Food Fund Guidance.
Apply for the Sustainable Communities Food Fund
Section 106
Section 106 (S106) is funding generated by development which has taken place across Mid Suffolk, and can be applied for towards a range of social infrastructure improvements, such as village halls, sports facilities and play areas.
S106 is applied for through our Grants Team. We can let you know how much S106 is available within your parish, whether a project would be eligible, and how to apply. Email the Grants Team or view Section 106 Guidance.
Alternatively, the Developer Contributions Database contains details on all S106 and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) available within the districts.
Community Energy and Environmental Funding
Eye Wind Turbines
Funding is generated on a yearly basis for projects within a 10km radius of the wind turbines at Brome Industrial Park, formerly Eye Airfield. Up to £5,000 can be applied for from community groups or projects within Eye, Yaxley, Brome and Oakley, Mellis and Thrandeston. Additionally, groups in parishes not listed but within the 10km radius of the turbines may apply for up to £1,000. The Grants Team can advise whether Eye Wind Turbines Section 106 would be available or applicable for your project.
Funding is available towards projects or initiatives that promote energy conservation, biodiversity measures, the promotion of renewable energy, landscaping or environmental mitigation. The Grants Team can advise whether Eye Wind Turbines S106 would be available or applicable for your project. Email the Grants Team or view Section 106 Guidance.
Progress Power Community Benefit Fund
This funding has been secured as part of the development of the Progress Power Station at Brome Industrial Park. The fund seeks to support local communities and organisations operating within the parishes of Eye, Mellis, Thrandeston, Yaxley and Brome & Oakley. Applicants will be able to apply for a grant of between £250 – 10,000 for projects which demonstrate a wide community benefit and are fully inclusive.
The Progress Power Community Benefit Fund is currently closed for applications, with the next round opening for applications on 1 May 2025. View projects funded in our first round of applications. For more information, please read the Progress Power Community Benefit Fund Guidance Notes or email the Grants Team.
Port One Legacy Biodiversity Enhancement Fund (POLBEF)
This funding has been secured as part of the development of the Port One Logistics Park in Great Blakenham. The fund is available to community groups within Barham, Bramford, Claydon, Great Blakenham and Little Blakenham towards projects enhancing biodiversity, wildlife habitats or community gardens. Up to £3,750 can be applied to, for up to 100% of project costs. The Fund is now open for applications and will close on 30th April 2025.
POLBEF opens for applications twice per financial year and will next open for applications in September 2025. For more information and detailed guidance, read the Port One Legacy Biodiversity Enhancement Fund Guidance Notes or email the Grants Team.
Apply for the Port One Legacy Biodiversity Enhancement Fund
Pride in Your Place Grants
Grants are available to support community groups in Mid Suffolk celebrate where they live, through a variety of different capital projects. We want to encourage our communities to enhance their local area and environment, explore their local identity and heritage, engage in community clean ups and much more. The aim of the fund is to give communities the opportunity to develop projects that make them feel proud of where they live. Between £250 and £5,000 is available to apply for. Pride in Your Place Grants are currently closed for applications, but will be re-opening in June 2025.
Funding is awarded on a first come, first served basis, with applications assessed against a scoring matrix. For more information, email the Grants Team or view Pride in Your Place criteria.
Locality Awards
Community groups and projects in Mid Suffolk have access to Locality Award funding through their District Councillor. More information, detailed guidance and the application forms for Locality Awards in 2025/26 can be found on our website. Find out more about Locality Awards.