Applying for a Community Cash Grant

Each year the Council provides revenue support to a range of voluntary and community organisations in line with the criteria set out in its Voluntary and Community Sector Grants Policy.

Please take time to read all of the information available.  Successful applicants are required to have a legal governance structure and be able to clearly describe and indicate how they will measure progress in at least one of the following priorities:

• Promoting community safety
• Improving health and well-being
• Promoting learning and skills development
• Making Ipswich a cleaner, more attractive and sustainable place
• Enhancing leisure and cultural activities
• Working with individuals and groups who experience disadvantage
• Promoting equality of opportunity and fostering good relations in communities

The annual budget for direct Voluntary and Community Sector grants is set by the Council in February each year as part of the Council’s overall budget. For 2018/19 there is £47,540 available in unallocated funds.

The application window for 2018/19 community cash grants closed on Tuesday 10th October 2017. 

If you would like to be notified of the opening of next year’s application window please send your contact details to grants@ipswich.gov.uk. 

About the grants

Groups working to benefit residents of Ipswich can apply for amounts up to £20,000 for the year, through either of the following:

1. Community Investment Grant – This grant provides core funding for running costs or pump priming funding for an organisation to build its capacity.
2. Community Project Grant – This grant is suitable for trying something new or for one-off activities that deliver one or more of the Council’s grants priorities.

Ipswich Borough Council continues its commitment to working with voluntary and community groups to make Ipswich a better place for us all.

There will never be enough money to fund everyone’s projects or meet everyone’s needs, but by being clear about the principles and priorities that are most important to the Council, and our duty to promote equality, we will be able to invest public money effectively and maximise the value of the support we provide.

Key dates

• Application window opens – Tuesday 29th August 2017
• Application window closes – 12pm, Tuesday 10th October 2017
• Processing and scoring of applications – October 2017 to January 2018
• Grant recommendations sent to Executive as part of the budget process – Tuesday 6th February 2018
• Grant recommendations sent to Full Council as part of the budget process – Wednesday 21st February 2018
• Notification of grant outcome – April 2018
• Funding allocated – May 2018