GrantRadar

Epping Forest District Council

The Community Fund

Epping Forest District Council's community fund, made possible by local technology partner Google, investing in practical projects that meet evidenced local needs in the Epping Forest district. Small grants of £5,000 to £15,000 support smaller or pilot projects and large grants of £15,000 to £250,000 support strategic and multi-year initiatives. Projects for young people, families under pressure, people facing economic hardship, older isolated residents and people facing extra barriers are particularly encouraged; panels meet monthly for small grants and quarterly for large grants.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
£5,000 – £250,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Registered charities, Community Interest Companies, voluntary or community organisations, social enterprises, properly constituted community groups and local subsidiaries of national or parent charitable organisations, whose project is delivered in the Epping Forest district or clearly benefits its residents
  • Organisations must have a governing document, a bank account in the organisation's name, a copy of their most recent audited accounts, the ability to manage public funding responsibly, appropriate safeguarding arrangements where relevant, and Public Liability Insurance of £5m; large grant applicants also need Employers' Liability Insurance of £10m and Professional Indemnity Insurance of £2m
  • Small grants of £5,000 to £15,000 may be awarded to one organisation in a calendar year (further applications for different projects may be considered); a large grant of up to £250,000 may be awarded to an organisation once, and large grants also need approval from an external commissioner

What it funds

Local community initiatives that respond to evidenced local need and deliver clear social and/or economic benefit, such as projects that:

  • Support employment training and skills development
  • Improve access to opportunity and services
  • Reduce isolation and disadvantage
  • Strengthen local communities
  • Deliver innovative solutions to local challenges
  • Eligible costs include project delivery costs; staffing and sessional workers; building rental/improvement costs; training and facilitation costs; essential equipment and materials; transport, vehicle or access costs; and outreach, communications or engagement activity linked to take-up

What it will not fund

  • Projects that do not benefit Epping Forest district residents
  • Statutory services that the Council is legally required to provide
  • Political or lobbying activity
  • Activities that present unacceptable reputational risk
  • Projects that cannot demonstrate community benefit

How to apply

  1. Read the eligibility guide for The Community Fund
  2. Take the online eligibility quiz, which redirects you to a small or a large grant application
  3. Complete the appropriate grant application form and press Submit
  4. You receive an acknowledgement email and the application goes to the next available panel

small grant submission dates are 4 September 2026 (October panel), 2 October 2026 (November panel) and 6 November 2026 (December panel), each by 5pm

large grant submission dates are 4 September 2026 (2 October 2026 panel), 4 December 2026 (8 January 2027 panel), 5 March 2027 (2 April 2027 panel) and 4 June 2027 (2 July 2027 panel)

Have ready

  • Governing document (e.g. constitution or articles)
  • Most recent audited accounts
  • Bank account in the organisation's name
  • Public Liability Insurance (£5,000,000 cover)
  • Employers' Liability Insurance (£10,000,000) and Professional Indemnity Insurance (£2,000,000), large grants only
  • Safeguarding arrangements where relevant

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