GrantRadar

Guildford Borough Council

Aspire Community Grants

Guildford Borough Council's Aspire Community Grants give up to £1,000 for one-off costs of new community, voluntary, arts and sports projects that benefit residents of Guildford borough. Informal groups can apply alongside charities, CIOs, CASCs, CICs and social enterprises, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis by email. Projects must show partnership working and support at least one council priority, and the local ward councillor assesses each application.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £1,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Light
short form, little evidence needed

Who can apply

  • Not-for-profit organisations based in, or delivering activities benefitting residents of, Guildford borough: informal groups (e.g. neighbours/residents groups, playgroups, women's groups, older adults groups), not-for-profit voluntary and community organisations, registered charities and CIOs, Community Amateur Sports Clubs, and CICs or social enterprises
  • Not eligible: individuals, sole traders and private businesses, statutory organisations (councils, schools, NHS, police), political organisations, and organisations receiving council funding through separate funding agreements
  • Organisations that have had council grant funding in the same financial year cannot apply again

What it funds

Revenue costs for new community activities, including:

  • Kit and equipment for sports, arts and cultural groups to replace damaged or broken supplies
  • New projects, events and festivals (including publicity such as leaflets, flyers and banners)
  • Catering and refreshments
  • Hall hire for the new project, event or festival
  • Hiring instructors, trainers, facilitators and counsellors for the new project
  • Project management costs and expenses
  • Event-specific public liability insurance
  • Project materials (stationery, printer, tablet, art supplies)
  • Environmental events such as neighbourhood clean-ups
  • Sports, arts, heritage and cultural events, activities and courses benefitting the community

Projects must work in partnership with other groups and meet at least one council priority: a more sustainable borough, a more prosperous borough, a more inclusive borough, decent and affordable homes, or a resilient and well-managed council.

What it will not fund

  • Repeat applications for a similar project, event or festival previously funded, or recurring annual projects
  • Organisations that have already received council grant funding in the same financial year
  • Core funding, e.g. baseline service delivery, ongoing hall hire, salaries, utilities, rates, rent, insurance
  • Initiatives or equipment perceived as being for a singular religious aim or political purpose
  • Medium/large scale improvements to buildings or premises, including structural work requiring planning permission
  • Items which benefit an individual
  • Improvement, repair or replacement of buildings or fixed assets owned by or the responsibility of another statutory body or the council
  • Activities that are the responsibility of another statutory body
  • Capital projects in schools, or improvements to roads, pavements, bus stops or street lighting
  • Projects outside Guildford Borough
  • Projects that have already started or will start before the Grant Panel decision
  • Costs of applying for external funding
  • Loans
  • Projects or events that have already taken place, or equipment already purchased
  • Applications without the required documentation
  • Staff salaries
  • Organisations receiving council funding through separate funding agreements

How to apply

  1. Read the Aspire Community Grants Criteria and Guidance (2026-2027)
  2. Complete the Aspire Application Form (Word), including a clear cost breakdown and any other funding from Guildford Borough Council
  3. Email the form to aspiregrants@guildford.gov.uk with the subject line 'ASPIRE MONEY REQUEST', marked Important
  4. A grant panel scores the application, with the ward councillor assessing need and impact in their ward
  5. If successful, sign the Grant Contract before funds are paid
  6. Complete the Community Grants Evaluation Form sent with the offer letter

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; incomplete applications will not be assessed.

Grants must be spent within 12 months of payment, and council and Aspire support must be acknowledged on publicity.

Have ready

  • Aspire Application Form, including project description, requested amount and a clear breakdown of project costs

As part of due diligence the council reviews your website and Companies House records and may ask for proof of bank account.

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