Deadline: 30-Nov-2025
The Councillors’ Local Community Grant Fund was established by Lichfield District Council in 2021 to empower councillors to directly support grassroots activities within their wards.
This fund provides councillors with the means to make a tangible difference by offering small grants to local organisations that deliver positive impacts in their communities. Each councillor has an annual allocation of £350 to distribute, with individual awards ranging from £50 to £350. Organisations with wider-reaching projects can apply to multiple councillors across different wards, with a maximum combined award of £1,050.
The fund is open to a broad range of community-focused organisations, including voluntary and community groups, charities, schools, PTAs, and other not-for-profit entities. Even non-constituted groups are welcome to apply, provided they can supply a mission statement outlining their purpose. However, the programme does not fund parish councils, individuals, private businesses, statutory organisations (other than schools), or organisations with annual incomes exceeding £1 million. It also excludes any body that can distribute funds or assets among its members.
Projects seeking support must demonstrate their ability to address local needs or strengthen community resilience. The fund can assist one-off events, small-scale current activities needing a boost, new projects requiring seed funding, or initiatives that stimulate new community activity, such as local events or clubs. It also supports the purchase of equipment or materials that contribute to community benefit.
Eligible expenses include general running costs (excluding salaries, though project-specific sessional workers can be funded), equipment such as IT or craft supplies, furniture, and costs related to community events or youth programmes. However, the fund does not cover retrospective costs, religious or political activities, travel or subsistence, commercial ventures, or any projects that promote extremist ideologies.
Through this fund, Lichfield District councillors are fostering community-led initiatives that enhance local life, encourage collaboration, and bring new energy to grassroots efforts.
For more information, visit Community Foundation for Staffordshire.
