Deadline: 23-Oct-26
The We Love Lichfield Grants Programme provides grants of up to £1,000 to community and voluntary organisations delivering projects that improve the lives of residents across the Lichfield district, including Burntwood and surrounding villages. Applications are accepted throughout the year, with funding decisions made twice annually in May and November.
What is the We Love Lichfield Grants Programme?
The We Love Lichfield Grants Programme is a place-based community funding initiative that supports local organisations delivering services and activities that benefit residents of the Lichfield district, including Burntwood and nearby villages.
The programme was established through a partnership with Lichfield District Council in 2017. In 2018, it expanded to include the We Love Burntwood fund, with funding for Burntwood remaining ringfenced for organisations serving that area. Since 2025, proceeds from the Lichfield Community Lottery have also been distributed through the programme.
The fund aims to strengthen local communities by supporting projects that improve services, enhance facilities, and address local needs.
Programme Objectives
The We Love Lichfield Grants Programme aims to:
- Improve the quality of life for local residents.
- Support community-led services and facilities.
- Strengthen voluntary and charitable organisations.
- Expand access to local services.
- Encourage community participation and social wellbeing.
- Help organisations develop new or improved services.
Key Highlights
- Programme Name: We Love Lichfield Grants Programme
- Grant Amount: Up to £1,000
- Eligible Area: Lichfield district, including Burntwood and surrounding villages
- Application Period: Open throughout the year
- Funding Decisions: Twice annually (May and November)
- Project Duration: Up to one year
- Eligible Applicants: Community groups, voluntary organisations, charities, and social enterprises
- Funding Source: We Love Lichfield Fund, We Love Burntwood Fund, and Lichfield Community Lottery
Who is Eligible?
Applications are welcome from organisations that are established and actively serving communities within the Lichfield district.
Eligible applicants include:
- Constituted community groups
- Constituted voluntary organisations
- Registered charities
- Social enterprises with charitable or community objectives
Applicants should have a proven track record of delivering services that benefit local people.
Who is Not Eligible?
The programme does not support:
- Non-constituted groups
- Statutory agencies
- Organisations established for less than six months
- Organisations with an annual income exceeding £1 million
- Organisations without a proven history of service delivery
- Limited companies without charitable aims
- Sole traders
- Partnerships without charitable purposes
What Projects Can Be Funded?
Funding can support a wide range of community initiatives, including:
- Improving existing community services
- Launching new local services
- Purchasing equipment
- Capital improvement projects
- Staff or volunteer training
- Community events
- Revenue or core operating costs
- Project delivery costs
- Activities that increase organisational capacity
- Programmes that reach more local residents
Projects should be completed within one year of receiving funding.
What Cannot Be Funded?
The programme will not fund:
- Retrospective or previously incurred costs
- Political campaigning activities
- Statutory services
- Projects primarily promoting religion
- Projects where the requested grant represents less than one-third of the total project cost
Applicants should carefully review these restrictions before applying.
How to Apply
Follow these steps to apply:
- Confirm that your organisation meets the eligibility requirements.
- Develop a project that will benefit residents of the Lichfield district or Burntwood.
- Prepare a detailed budget and explain how the grant will be used.
- Complete the grant application with all required supporting information.
- Submit your application at any time during the year.
- Applications will be reviewed during the next funding round in May or November.
- If successful, attend the grant presentation event before funding is released.
Why This Programme Matters
Local community organisations often provide essential services that improve wellbeing, strengthen neighbourhoods, and support vulnerable residents.
The We Love Lichfield Grants Programme helps organisations:
- Maintain valuable community services.
- Expand support for local residents.
- Improve facilities and equipment.
- Increase organisational sustainability.
- Deliver projects that may not otherwise be possible.
- Strengthen community engagement across the district.
By investing in local organisations, the programme contributes to stronger, more resilient communities.
Tips for a Successful Application
To improve your chances of receiving funding:
- Clearly explain the community need your project addresses.
- Demonstrate how local residents will benefit.
- Provide a realistic and detailed budget.
- Show your organisation’s experience in delivering similar projects.
- Explain how the funding will make a measurable difference.
- Ensure your project aligns with the programme’s objectives.
- Submit all required documentation before the review deadline.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common errors:
- Applying before your organisation has operated for six months.
- Requesting funding for retrospective costs.
- Submitting projects outside the Lichfield district.
- Failing to demonstrate community benefit.
- Providing an incomplete budget.
- Applying for activities that fall outside the funding priorities.
- Requesting a grant that represents less than one-third of the project’s total cost.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much funding is available?
Eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to £1,000.
2. Who can apply?
Constituted community groups, voluntary organisations, registered charities, and eligible social enterprises working within the Lichfield district.
3. Can applications be submitted at any time?
Yes. Applications are accepted throughout the year.
4. When are funding decisions made?
Funding decisions are made twice each year, in May and November.
5. What types of costs can the grant cover?
Funding may support core costs, revenue expenses, equipment, capital works, training, community events, and project delivery costs.
6. Can new organisations apply?
Only organisations that have been established for at least six months and have a proven record of service delivery are eligible.
7. What happens if my application is successful?
Successful applicants will be invited to attend a presentation event before grant funding is released.
Conclusion
The We Love Lichfield Grants Programme provides valuable financial support for community organisations working to improve the lives of residents across the Lichfield district, including Burntwood. With grants of up to £1,000, flexible eligible costs, and year-round applications, the programme helps local organisations expand services, strengthen community facilities, and deliver projects that create lasting social impact.
For more information, visit The Community Foundation for Staffordshire.