Community grant funding

Ipswich Borough Council grants

Communities Newsletter

This is a monthly newsletter which contains information about the latest funds and upcoming events in Ipswich. If you have any queries or anything you would like to be included please contact the communities team: communities@ipswich.gov.uk

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Area Committee funding

Area Committees divide Ipswich into five areas. Within each area, Councillors work with residents, businesses and community groups to discuss how their budget can be spent to make improvements. Each Committee has an annual budget equivalent to £5,000 per ward.

Ravenswood Community Fund

The Ravenswood Community Fund was created through contributions by the two housing developers contracted for the delivery of the Ravenswood area; Ashwell’s and Bellway Homes. The fund was initially managed by the Ravenswood Steering Committee, but is now managed by the South East Area Committee.

Applications follow the same process and application form as Area Committee funding requests, but must also show significant benefit to Ravenswood residents, and meet the objectives of the Ravenswood Community Fund which are;

Community – To support single project (rather than revenue) initiatives for groups & organisations supporting the wellbeing of the local community.
Educational – To support local young people who have special educational needs and are unable to access other sources of funding.
Special Needs – To support members of the local community with disability or special needs, that they would not otherwise be able to access – e.g. equipment or apparatus which would improve the quality of life of individuals, or groups in the area.
Environmental – To support initiatives that reduce waste, encourage recycling, reduce pollution or improve the local environment to the benefit of the community.
Wildlife – To support projects protecting local wildlife, encouraging biodiversity or enriching animal habitats.

Make A Difference Fund

This smaller fund is set aside from the main Area Committee budgets each year to enable ‘quick fixes’. Each Ward has an annual budget of £500 at the discretion of Ward Councillors to help local groups. Typically, it is used to purchase small items or for event costs.

Area Housing Panels

Area Housing Panels consist of Tenant Representatives, Councillors and Council staff members who meet quarterly to discuss local issues and develop appropriate solutions. They can also approve neighbourhood improvement projects that benefit Council tenants and their communities.

There are three Area Housing Panels and each panel has £7,000 to spend on improvement projects each year.

External grants

Community Action Suffolk: Funding 4 Suffolk portal

Community Action Suffolk provides support to Voluntary, Community, Faith & Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations in Suffolk. Membership is free and provides access to a great deal of guidance and to the Funding 4 Suffolk portal. The portal is a tool that allows organisations to search for funding for projects or costs quickly and easily.

Suffolk Community Foundation

The Foundation manages funds on behalf of Trusts and philanthropists in Suffolk. It aims to provide accessible grant funding to smaller and medium sized charities, voluntary and community groups, and social enterprises who deliver essential services but who often struggle to compete against larger organisations.

North West Ipswich Big Local Trust

North West Ipswich Big Local Trust (NWIBLT) was established as part of the ‘Big Local’ program, set up by the Big Lottery Fund and was awarded at least £1 million invest in the area over ten years between 2012-2022.

NWIBLT is led by a group of local residents who each live in the wards of Whitton, Whitehouse and Castle Hill and who are responsible for all decision making and allocation of funding associated with the project.

If you have questions about any of the funding opportunities mentioned on this page, please get in touch with the Community Engagement team using the contact details displayed.

National Lottery Awards For All

National Lottery Awards for All is a quick way to apply for funding between £300 and £10,000.

The National Lottery can support you to: continue to deliver activity, whether your community needs crisis response, recovery or business as usual activity; change and adapt, becoming more resilient to respond to new and future challenges.

The fund aims to: build strong relationships in and across communities, improve the spaces and places that matter to communities and help more people to reach their potential by supporting them at the earliest possible stage.

Where to search for funding

Funding for charities, community organisations and social enterprises | Suffolk County Council (provides frequent VCSE grant funding alerts)
Home - Suffolk Community Foundation (suffolkcf.org.uk)
Active Suffolk – Funding
Grants Online

Suffolk ProHelp

‘Need any organisational help or support?

Suffolk ProHelp is a countywide network of professional businesses providing expertise and support to voluntary and community groups. Their network includes: solicitors, accountants, architects, engineers, surveyors, property consultants, marketing, HR and business professionals. Firms commit to undertake time-limited, specific projects which may include activities such as feasibility studies, structural surveys, property valuations, marketing strategies, legal, accountancy advice, business planning and more. They seek to target this free support at those most in need who would otherwise be unable to pay for such expertise.

For more information please visit: Home - Suffolk Pro Help

Community Grants

Community grants to focus on cost of living, vulnerable residents and health support

Community Grant Policy