GrantRadar

Islington Council

Islington Council's Community Chest

Islington Council's small grants programme for the borough's voluntary and community sector, administered by Cripplegate Foundation. It gives up to £5,000 a year to organisations with a turnover under £100,000 that work with Islington residents experiencing poverty and/or isolation, with priority for those under £50,000. Projects must contribute to at least one of the council's 2030 Missions. Applications are accepted at any time and decided at two panel rounds a year; the next closing date is February 2027 (exact date to be confirmed).

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

Who can apply

  • Voluntary and community organisations that work with Islington residents (people who live or are in full-time education in Islington), with an annual income under £100,000 on their most recent accounts; priority goes to those under £50,000, based in Islington, well connected locally and working with disadvantaged residents
  • Unregistered community groups, registered charities, social enterprises, companies limited by guarantee, CICs (which must read the separate CIC guidance) and other not-for-profits can apply
  • You need a management committee of at least three unrelated members (or for a CIC, at least three unrelated directors), a constitution or governing document, and a bank account (or proof one is being opened)
  • Groups without a committee or constitution can apply through an Islington-based parent organisation
  • Organisations working with people from outside Islington must show they work with a significant number of Islington residents, and the grant can only support Islington residents
  • Organisations can apply only once a year, successful or not, and cannot have two funded projects running at once
  • The Panel is unlikely to prioritise organisations with less than three or more than nine months' unrestricted reserves

What it funds

Projects that support disadvantaged Islington residents and contribute to at least one of the council's 2030 Missions:

  • Empowering Lives - affordable enriching activities and accessible, culturally competent support
  • Greener, Healthier Islington - physical and mental health and wellbeing, and bringing local outdoor public spaces to life
  • Community Wealth Building - financial resilience and access to good jobs that pay a decent wage
  • Child-friendly Islington - enriching activities so every child has the same opportunities
  • A safe place to call home - support for residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness or affected by violence against women and girls
  • Running costs, including rent, venue hire, bills, insurance and stationery
  • Salary costs, including employer's National Insurance (budgeted at the London Living Wage or above)
  • Materials and equipment (most capital costs, including computers and IT, only at modest cost and if essential to the project)

What it will not fund

  • Political activities
  • Promotion of religion
  • Construction or acquisition of buildings
  • General appeals
  • Organisations delivering second tier activities
  • Trips/outings unless part of a bigger project
  • Residential trips
  • Debts
  • Expenses already incurred
  • Recruitment costs
  • Local branches of national or regional organisations
  • Statutory organisations
  • Private companies
  • Individuals
  • Multi-year funding applications (the Panel may offer it exceptionally)

How to apply

  1. Read the Guidance for Applicants and, for CICs, the guidance for CICs
  2. Complete the budget breakdown form (Word or PDF)
  3. Register and complete the online application form (https://www.tfaforms.com/5145621), uploading your supporting documents; you can save and return
  4. Submit by the round deadline (next: February 2027, exact date to be confirmed) to be considered at that panel
  5. Meet Cripplegate Foundation to talk about your project
  6. The ICCC Panel of Islington councillors, Cripplegate Foundation governors, voluntary sector representatives and local residents decides at least eight weeks after the deadline

previous grantees reapplying for the same project within 18 months can submit a monitoring report instead of the full form.

if you cannot use the online form, contact Cripplegate Foundation; Voluntary Action Islington also offers help with applications.

Have ready

  • Constitution or governing document
  • Most recent annual accounts or income/expenditure statement
  • Most recent bank statement
  • Budget breakdown form

documents can be posted (copies only) to Cripplegate Foundation, 13 Elliott's Place, London N1 8HX or emailed to grants@cripplegate.org.uk if you cannot upload them.

More like this

Other grants open to organisations like yours.