London Borough of Hounslow

Thriving Communities Fund

Hounslow Council's Thriving Communities Fund supports not-for-profit organisations and resident groups working to improve the lives of Hounslow residents. This record describes the Small Grant strand: up to £200 for one-off community events or up to £1,500 for activities running over several months to a year, aimed at wellbeing, tackling isolation and loneliness, and building community connection. Small groups with turnover under £50,000 are the target, and informal groups of neighbours can apply with six unrelated residents' signatures. The Fund also has a Sustainability Grant (£10,000–£15,000 of unrestricted funding plus support for VCSE organisations with income up to about £300,000, closing 30 September 2026) and a Capital Grant, whose 2026/27 round has already closed.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: £200 – £1,500
Deadline: 92 days left; 18 January
Effort: Light; short form, little evidence needed

Who can apply

Small Grant: constituted not-for-profit organisations such as registered charities, companies limited by guarantee, unincorporated associations or clubs, Community Interest Companies and Charitable Incorporated Organisations, with at least three unrelated trustees or directors and annual turnover of no more than £50,000
Un-constituted groups, including groups of neighbours or residents, may apply if they supply the names, addresses and signatures of six unrelated supporting residents from different households and name one individual to take responsibility for the grant, which is paid into that person's bank account
The project must take place in the London Borough of Hounslow and benefit Hounslow residents; projects in the Council's Equality Opportunity Areas are prioritised and the Council aims for a spread across the borough
Having no other funding does not rule an applicant out
Projects that involve food require registration with the local council for food safety and a Food Hygiene Rating of 3 or above
Sustainability Grant (closes 30 September 2026): not-for-profit constituted VCSE organisations (registered charities, CIOs, CICs, companies limited by guarantee without share capital, constituted community groups) delivering in and primarily benefiting Hounslow, aimed mainly at annual income up to £300,000, with a governing document, a bank account in the organisation's name and at least three unrelated trustees

What it funds

Small-scale, local community projects that benefit Hounslow residents by improving physical and mental wellbeing, addressing social isolation and loneliness, or building social connection and community cohesion
Testing new ideas, running pilot projects and helping an organisation become more sustainable can also be funded
Up to £200 for one-off community events, from street parties to larger events; up to £1,500 for activities delivered over several months to a year
Costs such as hall hire, equipment and staff costs, and small capital items such as tools or equipment, can be included where they support delivery
Projects must take place in the borough, start within four months and finish within 12 months of the award

What it will not fund

Individuals
Organisations without at least three unrelated trustees or directors
Organisations with significant unrestricted or unallocated reserves
Organisations with annual turnover above £50,000
Organisations based outside the UK
Services that are the responsibility of statutory providers
Organisations or informal groups that have already had a Small Grant in the same financial year
Activities, events or services that have already happened, including staff time spent planning or preparing bids
Costs someone else is already paying for, in cash or in kind
Items that benefit only an individual or are not needed to deliver the project
Building up reserves or surpluses
Activities that promote worship or religious views
Party political activities
Fundraising activities
Alcohol

the Council will not normally fund applicants applying on behalf of other organisations, those behind on Charity Commission or Companies House returns, those who have not managed or reported on previous grants properly, those lacking the skills to deliver, or organisations funded in consecutive years

schools are only funded where activities benefit the wider community beyond pupils, staff and parents

How to apply

Read the Small Grant guidance for 2026/27 and check the project meets the priorities and eligibility rules
Contact the Thriving Communities team early if you want to discuss an idea or need help with the online system; they may not be able to answer queries made within a week of a deadline
Submit the application on the Council's online grants portal (Plinth) during an open round; Round 3 runs from 28 September 2026 to 9am on 18 January 2027
Be available for a possible call during assessment to clarify details
If successful, return the signed grant agreement, your bank details and a recent bank statement

submit a simple self-monitoring report with evidence such as photos through the portal within four weeks of finishing the project, and keep receipts for six years

all grantees are required to have a page on Hounslow Connect

Have ready

A breakdown of project costs
Evidence the proposal is supported by other residents or the people who will benefit
For un-constituted groups: names, addresses and signatures of six unrelated supporting residents

signed grant agreement, bank details and a recent bank statement are needed only after an offer is made

More like this

Other grants open to organisations like yours.