GrantRadar

South Kesteven District Council

SK Community Fund

South Kesteven District Council's SK Community Fund, supported by LotterySK players, funds community projects and events that take place in and benefit South Kesteven, through two rolling strands. The Small Grants Fund gives £100-£2,000 to small or new groups with financial resources up to £5,000; the Large Grants Fund (expression of interest first, then invited full application) gives £2,000-£10,000 for community events and up to £20,000 for community projects to groups with resources up to £100,000, with at least 10% match funding. Capital and one-off revenue costs are eligible, but not staffing or project coordination.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
£100 – £20,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Constituted voluntary or community groups or clubs, registered charities, CIOs, CICs and companies limited by guarantee; schools or PTFAs (only for projects benefiting communities beyond the school, not education costs); Scout, Guide and Cadet groups and sports clubs (only for projects open to the wider community)
  • Town and parish councils can apply to the Large Grants Fund only, and must show all other funding routes have been exhausted
  • Small Grants: small or new groups with financial resources not exceeding £5,000
  • Large Grants: groups with financial resources not exceeding £100,000, with at least 10% match funding
  • All applicants need a written governing document or constitution, a bank or building society account in the group's name with at least two unrelated signatories not living at the same address, and relevant policies and procedures
  • Groups charging membership fees are considered only if the project is open to the wider community
  • Projects must take place within South Kesteven
  • Only one successful Large Grants application per group in the 2026/2027 funding period

What it funds

  • Community projects and events taking place in South Kesteven that provide public benefit, either to a specific demographic or the whole community, and contribute to the Council's Connecting Communities priority. Capital and revenue funding is available.
  • Capital examples:
  • New buildings and repairs/refurbishment of community buildings (village and community halls, sports pavilions, Scout/Guide huts)
  • Energy-efficiency works
  • Accessible toilets and changing rooms
  • Community kitchens
  • Land and outdoor space (community gardens, play equipment and surfacing, outdoor gyms, MUGAs, benches)
  • Repairs to monuments and heritage assets
  • Access improvements
  • Indoor equipment (PA and audio-visual systems, hearing loops, hall seating, set-up office equipment for new groups, indoor leisure equipment)
  • Revenue is one-off and covers activities with no lasting asset, such as:
  • Community celebrations
  • Open-to-all sports events
  • Street festivals and markets
  • Arts and cultural events
  • Fun days, fetes and carnivals
  • Set-up costs of new organisations

Sessional fees for artists, writers and performers at events may be considered.

What it will not fund

  • Staffing costs or project coordination costs
  • Applications from individuals
  • Closed groups such as residents' associations or patient participation groups (set-up costs for new groups may be eligible)
  • Parish and town councils for the Small Grants Fund, and parish-specific projects that should be funded through the precept (Large Grants Fund)
  • Projects, events and activities that have already taken place or are underway
  • Projects or events for private gain
  • Projects or events that are 'business as usual' for the group
  • Projects or events that have already received South Kesteven District Council funding (e.g. Coronation Community Orchard Fund, Food Support Fund, Section 106)
  • General appeals or sponsorship
  • Activities of a mainly political or religious nature
  • Improvements to the fabric of church buildings and their fixtures and fittings
  • Carpeting and soft furnishings as part of building refurbishment
  • Contingency funds, income deficits, bridging loans or security against a loan
  • Events primarily to pass surplus income to other organisations (e.g. charity concerts, fundraising events) and costs of prizes or gifts
  • Mobile phones and tablets
  • Defibrillators
  • Public footpaths, roadways, highways-related projects (including village signs and speed signage/cameras) or other County Council responsibilities
  • Event catering, refreshments or alcohol
  • Recurring costs year after year (revenue funding is one-off)

How to apply

  1. Decide which strand fits: Small Grants (£100-£2,000) or Large Grants (£2,000-£20,000)
  2. Small Grants: email communityfund@southkesteven.gov.uk to request an application form, then complete and return it
  3. Large Grants: submit an Expression of Interest using the online form linked on the fund page (estimated costs are accepted at this stage)
  4. Large Grants: if your Expression of Interest is accepted, you are invited to submit a full application with actual costs

Get any planning or landowner permission needed before applying.

Submit Expressions of Interest as early as possible in project planning; funding is finite and time-limited.

Have ready

  • Written governing document or constitution
  • Bank or building society account details in the organisation's name (at least two unrelated signatories)
  • Relevant policies and procedures
  • Photographic evidence where possible
  • Refurbishment projects: proof of ownership, a lease of at least five years, or a landlord's letter of permission
  • Planning permission where required
  • Large Grants: actual project costs at full application stage and evidence of at least 10% match funding

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