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 available which will encompass both capital and/or revenue funding - this will replace our existing Capital and Revenue Grants.
Are you 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 you get more information?
Before you submit an application, we recommend that applicants read our Guidance Notes, which contain more detailed information about our available grants (as well as our terms and conditions for funding). 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 submit an application, you may wish to submit a Grant Enquiry Form. You can also email our Grants Team for more information or a conversation about your project. We would always recommend that you contact us before filling an application form, with approximately two thirds of unsuccessful applications being those who had not contacted the Team before submitting.
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.
Capital Grants
Capital Grants are aimed at assisting community groups in making improvements and repairs to social infrastructure. This may include
- village halls
- play areas
- sports clubs
- recreational facilities
Capital Grants are available to up to 100% of total project costs to a maximum grant of £10,000. Successful applicants will be required to deliver their project within 8 months of an offer being accepted, and provide three quotes for the proposed works. Capital Grants are open for applications until 12th January 2025, at which point applications will be assessed and scored against a scoring matrix as part of a competitive application process. View scoring matrix.
Community Development Grants
Community Development Grants can be applied for towards revenue, capital or pre-project costs and activities. 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 will be opening for applications in December, with one application window per financial year. Applications will be assessed and scored against a scoring matrix as part of a competitive application process.
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 31st 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 8 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.
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.
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 opens for applications from 2nd December 2024 until 31st January 2025. For more information, please read the Progress Power Community Benefit Fund guidance notes or email the Grants Team.
Apply for the Progress Power Community Benefit Fund
Port One Legacy Biodiversity Enhancement Fund
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 opens for applications twice per financial year and will next open for applications in April 2025. For more information and detailed guidance, read the Port One Legacy Biodiversity Enhancement Fund Guidance Notes or email the Grants Team.
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 will be available to apply for, with the fund opening for applications on 1st December.
Funding will be awarded on a first come, first served basis, with applications assessed against a scoring matrix. View scoring matrix.
Apply for a Pride in Your Place Grant
Social Enterprise Support Fund
The Social Enterprise Support Fund has been established to provide support to social enterprises within Mid Suffolk in their development. More information, detailed guidance and the application form can be found on our website. Find our more about the Social Enterprise Support Fund.
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 2024/25 can be found on our website. Find out more about Locality Awards.