GrantRadar

Leeds Community Foundation

The Leeds Fund Small Grants

Grants of up to £5,000 for up to a year for small to mid-sized community organisations in Leeds with an annual income between £75,000 and £150,000. Smaller groups should use The Leeds Fund Microgrants instead. Priority goes to activity that builds organisational resilience, and at least 20% of the money is set aside for work by or for LGBTQIA+, racially minoritised, and d/Deaf or disabled people.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £5,000
Closes in
2 days left
20 October
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Organisations with an income over £75,000 and under £150,000 in their most recent financial year, based in or with a demonstrable connection to Leeds communities, for activity based in Leeds
  • Eligible structures: incorporated not-for-profits (CIO, CIC limited by guarantee, charitable company) registered with the Charity Commission, Companies House or the FCA Mutuals Public Register; and unincorporated registered charities, which may use the grant only for self-employed workers, not PAYE staff
  • Every applicant must have at least three unrelated trustees, committee members or directors, none registered as a Person with Significant Control; a governing document with a dissolution clause or asset lock; a bank account in the organisation's name with at least two unrelated signatories, two of whom must authorise every transaction; financial accounts showing gross income (draft accounts not accepted); and safeguarding policies if working with children or vulnerable adults
  • One application per organisation per round

What it funds

Part or full funding for activities that help smaller or mid-sized community organisations support their communities, for up to one year. Examples given:

  • Organisational development to increase capacity or develop strategies
  • One-off projects or expanding existing activity
  • Activity that makes the organisation stronger, such as training for staff and volunteers, time for policy or process development, employability programmes, consultations on areas like marketing, and testing new activity
  • Work on issues important to the community, such as health and wellbeing, new experiences, safe and friendly communities, and learning new skills

Priority goes to applications that develop organisational resilience.

Full cost recovery, including a share of management costs and overheads, is encouraged.

What it will not fund

  • Activity and costs that have already taken place
  • Activity that might be regarded as discriminatory or excludes some people without good justification
  • Activity that promotes a particular political or religious point of view
  • Activity primarily for the benefit of animals
  • Capital appeals for building projects
  • Grant-making to other organisations or individuals
  • Applications from individuals
  • Statutory organisations or activity (e.g. schools and hospitals)
  • Overseas organisations, expeditions or overseas travel
  • For-profit organisations

How to apply

  1. Read the September 2026 Criteria and Guidance and the Foundation's grants process page
  2. Optionally draft answers using the Application Planner (Word document on the fund page)
  3. Create an account on the Foundation's new grants portal and click 'Start a new application' on the fund page
  4. Answer the short questions about the activity and budget, attach the supporting documents, and submit by 12 noon on 20 October 2026

A grants assessor reviews each application, then a panel decides; if it is your first grant, the Foundation contacts the referee you give.

Have ready

  • List of trustees, committee members or directors and CEO or equivalent, noting any who are related or live at the same address
  • Financial accounts clearly showing gross income, assets and reserves (or an income and expenditure report for new organisations; draft accounts not accepted)
  • Governing document (e.g. constitution, or memorandum and articles of association)
  • Three quotes for any capital item of £500 or more
  • Safeguarding policies and procedures

If successful, you also sign a funding agreement and provide a recent bank statement if the Foundation has not had one before.

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