Grant News
Small community organisations in England can now apply for funding through the Comic Relief Community Fund, administered by Groundwork UK.
The programme, backed by Comic Relief, is designed to support grassroots groups working to tackle poverty, hardship, and social inequality
The Fund will support:
- Organisations that are tackling the immediate and urgent impacts of being in poverty, including providing essential resources like food, shelter, advice and healthcare. For example, foodbanks, community kitchens, homeless shelters, welfare advice agencies and health outreach projects.
- Organisations working to empower communities to take positive steps to lift themselves out of poverty in the longer term. For example, projects that build skills, increase access to employment, strengthen financial resilience or develop community-led solutions.
Eligible applicants include charities, community interest companies, social enterprises, and voluntary groups with an annual income of less than £250,000. Organisations must be local and working directly with communities facing economic or social disadvantage.
Grants of up to £5,000 are available through the main fund (to cover core costs), with an additional strand for the delivery of specific projects offering up to £4,000. These support work aligned to Comic Relief’s four strategic themes:
- helping children thrive,
- fighting gender injustice,
- providing safe spaces,
- and addressing mental health when part of broader services.
Funding can be used flexibly – covering either project delivery or core running costs such as wages, rent, equipment, and training.
The scheme is intended to benefit those most at risk of poverty, exclusion, and poor life outcomes, ensuring small community-led groups have the resources to deliver vital services.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 6 October 2025.
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