Funding available for community groups

We run various voluntary and community grant schemes at different times throughout the year for local groups and charities. Check the details below for information about current and upcoming funding awards and sign up to our funding bulletins mailing list to receive a monthly email with details of new grant opportunities.

Community fund

This grant scheme welcomes bids from groups and organisations that want to provide activities and services for young people and promote safety in the city. This could include expanding current activities, or funding new initiatives to help reduce anti-social behaviour. The Community Fund is worth £420,000 available over the course of two years (2021-2023). 

The fund is split into three key parts:

• Youth Fund – A total pot of £280,000 over the two years, available for youth groups, sports groups and charities to bid for. Grants of up to £20,000 available to support projects that aim to address anti-social behaviour amongst young people
• Protecting Communities – A total pot of £100,000 over the two years, available to support capital works that combat crime and anti-social behaviour (e.g. fences and gates to stop motorcycles)
• Strengthening Communities – A total pot of £40,000 over the two years, available for projects that help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, promote safety and security, or engage local residents to join or start neighbourhood associations

Another round of Community Fund applications will open later this year.  Keep an eye on voluntary and community grant schemes for updates and sign up to our funding bulletins mailing list to be one of the first to hear when applications are open.

Events and festivals grant

The Events and Festivals Grant aims to bring the community together to celebrate a range of occasions. This grant is currently open for bids to support events taking place before 31 March 2022. The funding supports Music in the City, an annual free music festival that last year saw 170 artists perform in venues across Southampton.

Individuals

Our community grants are specifically for local constituted groups and are not available for individuals to bid for. If you are looking for financial help with your personal household income (e.g. if you’re studying, you’ve been made redundant, can’t pay your bills, are ill, injured or disabled, or you’re dealing with bereavement) you may find it helpful to visit Turn 2 Us for useful information about the range of support and financial help available for individuals. You can also find various grants, funding and sponsorship guides, detailing organisations that offer support and indicate who is eligible to apply for funding, in Central Library.