Deadline: 01-Oct-2026
The Laceby Solar Farm Community Fund supports volunteer-led not-for-profit projects that improve quality of life and strengthen communities in and around the Laceby area. The fund supports community cohesion, youth opportunities, older people’s wellbeing, community facilities, energy efficiency, environmental improvements, arts, culture, heritage and sustainable transport.
The fund aims to distribute approximately £64,400 each year. Grants of up to £10,000 are available in any one year, while larger capital projects of up to £20,000 may be considered following prior discussion.
Fund Overview
The Laceby Solar Farm Community Fund provides funding for local volunteer-led projects that benefit residents in selected communities in North East Lincolnshire.
The fund is designed to support practical projects that respond to local needs and improve community life.
It is intended for not-for-profit organisations that deliver clear benefits for people living in and around Laceby.
Main Objective
The main objective of the fund is to improve the quality of life for local residents and strengthen community wellbeing.
The fund aims to:
- Support volunteer-led community action
- Improve community facilities
- Strengthen community cohesion
- Support young people
- Support older people
- Reduce loneliness and isolation
- Improve wellbeing
- Encourage energy efficiency
- Support environmental improvements
- Promote sustainable transport
- Support arts, culture and heritage
- Improve safety and participation in local communities
Geographic Focus
The fund supports projects benefiting people in the following areas of North East Lincolnshire:
- Laceby
- Irby
- Riby
- Barnoldby le Beck
- Bradley
- Aylesby
- Beelsby
Applicants should clearly show how their project benefits residents in one or more of these communities.
Key Focus Areas
The fund supports a wide range of local community priorities.
Key focus areas include:
- Community cohesion
- Youth activities and opportunities
- Support for older people
- Community facility development
- Energy efficiency
- Environmental improvements
- Wellbeing enhancement
- Community safety
- Arts, culture and heritage
- Independent living for older people
- Dementia support
- Reducing social isolation
- Reducing loneliness
- Sustainable transport
- Renewable energy
- Local facility improvements
Funding Available
The fund aims to distribute approximately £64,400 each year.
Grant levels include:
- Up to £10,000 in any one year
- Up to £20,000 for larger capital projects, following prior discussion
Applicants may only hold one grant from the fund at any one time.
Who is Eligible?
Funding is available to volunteer-led not-for-profit organisations that deliver community benefit in the eligible locations.
Eligible applicants include:
- Constituted voluntary groups
- Community groups
- Registered charities
- Cooperatives
- Social enterprises
Projects from schools, health or social service establishments, churches and parish councils may also be considered if they provide clear benefit to the wider community.
Statutory Funding Requirement
The fund is intended to support projects that are not eligible for central government, local government or other statutory funding.
Applicants should explain why the project needs support from the Laceby Solar Farm Community Fund and how it addresses a demonstrated local need.
What the Fund Supports
The fund supports practical projects that improve community life.
Eligible project costs may include:
- Running expenses
- Building improvements
- Equipment
- Travel
- Venue hire
- Telephone costs
- Refreshments
- Volunteer expenses
- Training
All supported activities must address a clearly demonstrated need within the community.
Community Cohesion Projects
The fund supports projects that bring people together and strengthen local connections.
Community cohesion projects may include:
- Intergenerational activities
- Community safety initiatives
- Arts projects
- Culture projects
- Heritage projects
- Activities that improve wellbeing
- Projects that encourage participation
- Events or activities that reduce isolation
These projects should help residents feel more connected, included and supported.
Support for Young People
The fund supports projects that create positive opportunities for young residents.
Youth-focused projects may include:
- Workshops
- Youth clubs
- Arts sessions
- Music sessions
- Diversionary activities
- Alternative curriculum provision
- Youth facilities
- Activities that build skills and confidence
- Opportunities that engage and support young people
Projects should show how they respond to the needs of young people in the eligible communities.
Support for Older People
The fund supports projects that help older people live independently and remain connected to their communities.
Projects may focus on:
- Independent living
- Dementia support
- Support for carers
- Reducing loneliness
- Reducing social isolation
- Increasing physical activity
- Improving wellbeing
- Community participation for older residents
Projects should clearly explain how older people will benefit.
Community Facilities
Support is available for community facilities that serve local residents and contribute to community life.
Eligible facilities may include:
- Community centres
- Village halls
- Church halls
- Playing fields
- Local meeting places
- Community activity spaces
Funding may support improvements that make facilities more useful, accessible, sustainable or welcoming for the wider community.
Energy Efficiency and Environmental Projects
The fund encourages projects that improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Eligible energy and environmental projects may include:
- Ground source energy systems
- Rainwater harvesting
- Solar panels
- Improved heating systems
- Improved lighting systems
- Renewable energy projects
- Environmental improvements
- Activities that reduce car use
- Cycling initiatives
- Health walks
- Sustainable transport activities
These projects should show practical environmental benefit and community value.
Renewable Energy and Sustainability
Because the fund is linked to the Laceby Solar Farm, projects that support renewable energy, energy efficiency and environmental improvements are especially relevant.
Applicants should explain how the project will:
- Reduce energy use
- Improve sustainability
- Lower environmental impact
- Support renewable energy
- Benefit community facilities
- Encourage greener behaviour
What the Fund Does Not Support
The fund does not support:
- Party political activities
- Predominantly religious activities
- Fabric of religious buildings
- Individuals
- Statutory provision
- Animal welfare projects
- General contributions to large appeals
- Grant-making organisations seeking to redistribute funding
- Retrospective expenditure
- Unsustainable deficits
- Loans
Applicants should ensure that their project is community-focused, not-for-profit and eligible before applying.
Why This Fund Matters
Small community grants can make a major difference in rural and local communities.
The Laceby Solar Farm Community Fund matters because it supports volunteer-led organisations that understand local needs and can deliver practical benefits for residents.
By funding youth activities, older people’s support, community facilities, environmental improvements and wellbeing projects, the fund helps build stronger, safer and more connected communities.
Expected Results
Supported projects may contribute to:
- Stronger community cohesion
- Improved local facilities
- Better support for young people
- Reduced loneliness among older people
- Improved wellbeing
- Increased community participation
- Greater energy efficiency
- Environmental improvements
- Safer and more active communities
- Stronger volunteer-led local action
How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants should prepare a clear proposal that explains the local need, project activities, community benefit and budget.
Step 1: Confirm Location Eligibility
Applicants should confirm that the project benefits residents in Laceby, Irby, Riby, Barnoldby le Beck, Bradley, Aylesby or Beelsby.
The application should clearly identify the community or communities served.
Step 2: Confirm Organisation Eligibility
Applicants should ensure they are a constituted voluntary or community group, registered charity, cooperative, social enterprise or another eligible organisation.
Schools, churches, parish councils and health or social service establishments should show clear wider community benefit.
Step 3: Identify the Local Need
The proposal should explain the need the project will address.
This may include social isolation, youth engagement, facility improvement, energy costs, wellbeing, community safety or environmental sustainability.
Step 4: Describe the Project Activities
Applicants should clearly explain what they will do, who will take part and when activities will happen.
The project should be practical and realistic.
Step 5: Show Community Benefit
The application should explain how residents will benefit.
A strong proposal should show who will benefit, how many people may benefit and what positive change is expected.
Step 6: Prepare a Clear Budget
Applicants may request up to £10,000 in any one year.
Larger capital projects of up to £20,000 may be considered after prior discussion.
The budget should clearly show eligible costs such as equipment, venue hire, building improvements, training or volunteer expenses.
Step 7: Check Whether the Project Needs Prior Discussion
If the application is for a larger capital project above £10,000, applicants should discuss the project before submitting.
This helps confirm whether the project may be considered for support.
Step 8: Avoid Ineligible Costs
Applicants should ensure that the proposal does not include retrospective costs, loans, statutory provision, religious building fabric, political activity or general appeals.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:
- Applying for a project outside the eligible communities
- Failing to show a clear local need
- Applying as an individual
- Requesting funding for statutory provision
- Applying for costs already spent
- Submitting a project with mainly religious or political purposes
- Not showing wider community benefit
- Requesting support for unsustainable deficits
- Applying while already holding another grant from the fund
- Seeking more than £10,000 without prior discussion for a larger capital project
- Providing a vague or incomplete budget
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should:
- Clearly identify the eligible community served
- Demonstrate a real local need
- Show strong volunteer involvement
- Explain clear community benefits
- Include realistic costs
- Support young people, older people, wellbeing, community cohesion or local facilities
- Include environmental or energy efficiency benefits where relevant
- Show that the project is not eligible for statutory funding
- Provide a practical delivery plan
- Avoid ineligible activities and costs
FAQ
1. What is the Laceby Solar Farm Community Fund?
The Laceby Solar Farm Community Fund supports volunteer-led not-for-profit projects that improve quality of life and strengthen communities in and around the Laceby area.
2. How much funding is available?
The fund aims to distribute approximately £64,400 each year. Grants of up to £10,000 are available, with larger capital projects of up to £20,000 considered following prior discussion.
3. Which areas are covered?
The fund supports projects benefiting Laceby, Irby, Riby, Barnoldby le Beck, Bradley, Aylesby and Beelsby in North East Lincolnshire.
4. Who can apply?
Constituted voluntary and community groups, registered charities, cooperatives and social enterprises can apply. Schools, churches, parish councils and health or social service establishments may also be considered where there is wider community benefit.
5. What costs can be funded?
Eligible costs may include running expenses, building improvements, equipment, travel, venue hire, telephone costs, refreshments, volunteer expenses and training.
6. What types of projects are supported?
The fund supports projects related to community cohesion, young people, older people, community facilities, energy efficiency, environmental improvements, wellbeing, community safety, arts, culture, heritage, renewable energy and sustainable transport.
7. What is not eligible?
The fund does not support individuals, party political activity, predominantly religious activity, fabric of religious buildings, statutory provision, animal welfare projects, large appeals, grant redistribution, retrospective expenditure, unsustainable deficits or loans.
Conclusion
The Laceby Solar Farm Community Fund provides valuable support for volunteer-led projects that improve community life in selected areas of North East Lincolnshire.
With around £64,400 available each year, grants of up to £10,000, and possible support of up to £20,000 for larger capital projects, the fund helps local organisations deliver practical improvements for residents.
Applicants should prepare clear proposals that demonstrate local need, community benefit, eligible costs, volunteer involvement and alignment with the fund’s priorities for wellbeing, facilities, young people, older people, energy efficiency and environmental improvement.
For more information, visit Lincolnshire Community Foundation.
