Grants for community groups
Community groups, including residents' associations, sports clubs, faith groups, parent-led initiatives and informal volunteer collectives, can access a meaningful set of grants without being a registered charity. The funders below explicitly include constituted-but-unregistered organisations.
Who this is for: Constituted community groups, unincorporated associations, sports clubs, faith groups, school PTAs and resident-led initiatives.
What to look for in a funder
- Funders that accept a written constitution and bank account in the group's name (charity registration not required)
- Local rather than national funders, they often have smaller pots, faster decisions and less competition
- Programmes scoped to your activity (sport, arts, environment, youth, older people)
Application tips
- Get a constitution and a bank account in the group's name before applying, most funders require both.
- Apply locally first. Local funders are less competitive and decisions come faster.
- Build a relationship with your local Community Foundation; they know other funders too.
Frequently asked questions
Do we need to be a registered charity?
No, not for most small community grants. You'll typically need a written constitution, a management committee and a bank account in the group's name.
What's the easiest first grant to apply for?
A local ward member fund or a local Community Foundation small grant. Both have light requirements and decisions within weeks.
See funders that fit your organisation
Tell Serin about your organisation once and it shows you the funders whose criteria you actually meet, with the reasons for each match.