Community funding scheme

The Community funding scheme is available to voluntary or community organisations who work for the benefit of Chelmsford residents. It has three parts and each have different eligibility criteria, depending on if you need the money for revenue or capital costs.

Revenue costs are ongoing costs that you have to pay as a normal part of providing your project. Capital costs are large one-off investments, such as to improve buildings or buy equipment.

We run three different grant schemes.

Discretionary Fund Grant

This scheme is open to applications once a year, during October and November. You can apply for revenue funding up to £10,000.

Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Grant in unparished wards

This scheme is open to applications all year round. You can apply for capital funding for community infrastructure projects located in Chelmsford’s nine un-parished wards.

The un-parished wards are:

Goat Hall
Marconi
Moulsham and Central
Moulsham Lodge
Patching Hall
St Andrews
The Lawns
Trinity
Waterhouse Farm

Greener Chelmsford Grant

This scheme is open to applications all year round. You can apply for capital funding for ecological and green initiatives.

The total pot of money available in this scheme is £100,000.

This scheme is open to applications once a year, in October. You can apply for revenue funding up to £10,000.

If you apply outside the October window, we will forward your application to Chelmsford CVS, who can direct you to alternative funding opportunities.

Eligibility

You can view the guidance on eligibility and rules for the Discretionary Fund.

We will allocate funding to projects that contribute to the themes from our Corporate Plan:

Fairer and inclusive
Greener and safer place
Healthy, active and enjoyable lives
Connected Chelmsford

We will not grant funds for projects that have already happened or that promote a particular religious or political belief.

How to apply for the Discretionary Fund Grant

Apply now

If you have any queries about the application process for this grant, you can contact the CVS by emailing cfsfunding@chelmsfordcvs.org.uk or by calling 01245 351888.

Timescales

Applications for the Discretionary Grant Fund will close on Thursday 30 November 2023.

We award grants in the following March, which you can use in the coming financial year (April to March).

Eligibility

You can view the:

We will allocate funding to projects that contribute to the themes from our Corporate Plan:

Fairer and inclusive
Greener and safer place
Healthy, active and enjoyable lives
Connected Chelmsford

Funding for the Greener Chelmsford Grants must also align with one of the four themes in the Greener Chelmsford Grant Guidance Notes.

We will not grant funds for projects that have already happened or that promote a particular religious or political belief.

If you have any queries relating to the criteria or grants policy, you can contact us.

How to apply

You need to read the eligibility criteria before you apply.

You also need to confirm your eligibility as part of the application process and confirm that you accept our Terms and Conditions.

Apply now

Timescales

If you are applying for less than £10,000, we will review your application and officers will make a recommendation to the Community Funding Panel. We will then tell you the outcome of your application.

If you are requesting funding over £10,000, the Community Funding Panel will review your application. The Panel will then make recommendations to Cabinet for a final decision.

If you submit an application between:

1 April and 30 September, Cabinet will discuss your application in the following March
1 October and 31 March, Cabinet will discuss your application in the following September

For awards of £10,000 or more, you may also need to submit further information to support your application.

You can view information on:

Active Chelmsford

You can apply for a grants of up to £750 from Active Chelmsford. This is for projects or work aimed at engaging inactive residents of the Chelmsford district.

Community Infrastructure Levy

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge we apply to new developments, to help to fund improvements to infrastructure.

There are two CIL funds that accept applications. One is for community infrastructure projects in the urban areas of Chelmsford. The other is reserved for larger infrastructure that supports the development of Chelmsford.

You can find out if your project or organisation can apply for funding, paid for by money generated by CIL.

Rural England Propery Fund

The Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) supports capital projects that improve productivity and strengthen rural economies and communities.

You can find out more about the REPF.