Apply now for We Love the Moorlands Grants (United Kingdom)

The We Love the Moorlands Fund provides small grants of £100 to £1,000 to community organisations delivering projects and services that benefit people living in the Staffordshire Moorlands. The fund supports activities that improve local services, strengthen communities, enhance facilities, and bring residents together through inclusive community initiatives.

What is the We Love the Moorlands Fund?

The We Love the Moorlands Fund is a community grant programme that helps local organisations deliver projects that improve the quality of life for people across the Staffordshire Moorlands.

The fund supports organisations that provide valuable community services, create opportunities for local people, improve access to facilities, and deliver activities that strengthen community connections. It is designed to help both existing and new community initiatives that make a positive difference at the local level.

Fund Objectives

The programme aims to support projects that:

Improve the lives of local residents.
Deliver services that directly benefit the local community.
Maintain or expand community services and facilities.
Provide services that may not otherwise be available.
Encourage community participation and inclusion.
Bring people together through enjoyable and meaningful activities.
Strengthen local organisations and community networks.
Increase access to community resources and opportunities.

Grant Amount

Eligible organisations can apply for grants ranging from:

Minimum grant: £100
Maximum grant: £1,000

Projects may receive funding for activities lasting up to one year.

Who is Eligible?

The fund is open to community organisations that have been established for at least 12 months.

Eligible applicants include:

Constituted community groups.
Constituted voluntary groups.
Registered charities.
Social enterprises.

Applicants should demonstrate that their project will provide clear benefits to people living within the Staffordshire Moorlands.

Who Can Benefit?

Funded projects should benefit:

Local residents.
Community groups.
Families.
Older people.
Children and young people.
Volunteers.
Vulnerable or disadvantaged members of the community.
Communities across the Staffordshire Moorlands.

Projects should have a clear local impact and contribute to stronger, more connected communities.

What Can the Grant Be Used For?

Funding can support both capital and revenue activities.

Eligible costs include:

Core organisational costs.
Equipment purchases.
Small capital works.
Community facility improvements.
Staff or volunteer training.
One-off community events.
Project delivery costs.
Materials and resources.
Activities that improve or expand community services.

Projects can enhance existing services, introduce new services, improve operational efficiency, or extend support to additional local residents.

What Cannot Be Funded?

The fund does not support:

Religious projects that promote a particular religion.
Political campaigning activities.
Statutory services.
Retrospective costs for activities or purchases made before funding approval.
Organisations that do not meet the published eligibility criteria.

Applicants should ensure that all proposed activities align with the programme’s objectives before applying.

How the Fund Supports Communities

The We Love the Moorlands Fund helps organisations:

Improve existing community services.
Launch new local initiatives.
Reach more beneficiaries.
Build stronger neighbourhood connections.
Improve community facilities.
Increase organisational capacity.
Encourage volunteering and local participation.

Small grants can make a significant difference by enabling community organisations to respond quickly to local needs.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Application Process

Confirm that your organisation has been established for at least 12 months.
Develop a project that delivers clear benefits to the Staffordshire Moorlands community.
Prepare a realistic budget between £100 and £1,000.
Explain how the funding will improve services, facilities, or community wellbeing.
Submit the application at any time during the year.
Applications will be considered during the next assessment round.

Assessment Schedule

The fund accepts applications year-round, but decisions are made twice each year.

Assessment rounds take place in:

March
September

Applicants should plan ahead to ensure their project fits the assessment timetable.

Grant Conditions

Successful applicants will be expected to:

Attend a grant presentation event.
Accept funding following the presentation event.
Deliver the approved project within the agreed timeframe.
Use grant funding only for approved purposes.

Grant payments are issued after the presentation event.

Why This Fund Matters

Community organisations often rely on small grants to continue delivering valuable local services.

The We Love the Moorlands Fund helps:

Strengthen community organisations.
Improve access to local services.
Support inclusive community activities.
Enhance public facilities.
Encourage volunteering.
Build stronger neighbourhood relationships.
Improve quality of life across the Staffordshire Moorlands.

Even modest funding can enable organisations to launch projects that have a lasting positive impact on local communities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying before the organisation has been established for 12 months.
Requesting funding for ineligible activities.
Including retrospective costs in the budget.
Failing to demonstrate local community benefit.
Submitting incomplete project budgets.
Applying for projects outside the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Missing the March or September assessment cycle when planning project timelines.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your chances of success:

Clearly explain the community need your project addresses.
Demonstrate measurable benefits for local residents.
Provide a realistic and detailed budget.
Show how funding will improve or expand community services.
Explain why the project is important to the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Highlight community involvement and volunteer support.
Ensure all proposed costs are eligible under the fund guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the We Love the Moorlands Fund?

Constituted community groups, constituted voluntary groups, registered charities, and social enterprises that have been established for at least 12 months are eligible to apply.

How much funding is available?

Organisations can apply for grants ranging from £100 to £1,000.

What types of projects can be funded?

The fund supports projects that improve community services, facilities, local activities, equipment, training, one-off events, capital works, and organisational capacity.

Can funding be used for core organisational costs?

Yes. The programme allows proportionate core costs, along with project costs, equipment, training, and capital improvements.

When can organisations apply?

Applications are accepted throughout the year, with funding decisions made twice annually in March and September.

What activities are not eligible for funding?

Funding cannot be used for religious promotion, political campaigning, statutory services, retrospective costs, or projects submitted by organisations that do not meet the eligibility requirements.

When are grant payments made?

Successful organisations are invited to attend a presentation event, and grant payments are issued after the event.

Conclusion

The We Love the Moorlands Fund offers flexible grants of £100 to £1,000 to help community organisations strengthen services, improve facilities, and deliver projects that benefit local people across the Staffordshire Moorlands. By supporting grassroots initiatives and community-led solutions, the fund enables local organisations to enhance wellbeing, encourage participation, and build stronger, more connected communities.