Deadline: 01-Aug-2026
The October Fund is a local grant programme designed to support non-profit organisations delivering activities that benefit residents of Waterbeach and Landbeach. It focuses on strengthening community life through accessible sporting, social, educational, and wider community initiatives.
The fund aims to enable organisations to develop or sustain projects that create meaningful local impact.
Key Objectives of the Fund
- Support community-focused activities in Waterbeach and Landbeach
- Strengthen local engagement and participation
- Enable access to sporting, social, and educational opportunities
- Support non-profit organisations delivering community benefit
- Improve quality of life for local residents
- Provide flexible funding for operational and capital needs
Focus Areas
- Sporting activities and programmes
- Social and community engagement initiatives
- Educational projects and learning activities
- Wider community development activities
- Support for non-profit organisations
- Funding for running costs
- Funding for small capital purchases or equipment
- Local projects based in Waterbeach and Landbeach
Funding Details
- Grants range from £1,000 to £10,000
- Funding can support both running costs and capital items
- Designed for small to medium-scale community projects
- Flexible support depending on project needs
Who Is Eligible?
- Non-profit organisations
- Community groups and local charities
- Organisations operating in Waterbeach and/or Landbeach
- Groups delivering activities that benefit local residents
- Applicants must demonstrate community impact
Eligible Activities
- Local sports clubs and recreational programmes
- Community events and social activities
- Educational workshops or learning initiatives
- Youth or adult engagement programmes
- Purchase of equipment for community use
- Minor infrastructure improvements supporting project delivery
Ineligible Scope (Implied Restrictions)
- Projects not benefiting Waterbeach or Landbeach residents
- Activities outside community-focused purposes
- Commercial or profit-making initiatives without community benefit
- Projects unrelated to sporting, social, educational, or community themes
How the Fund Works: Step-by-Step
- Identify a community need in Waterbeach or Landbeach
- Design a sporting, social, educational, or community project
- Define how funding will be used (running costs or capital items)
- Prepare application outlining local impact and delivery plan
- Submit proposal to the October Fund
- If approved, receive funding between £1,000 and £10,000
- Implement the project locally
- Deliver benefits to residents and report outcomes if required
Evaluation Criteria
- Benefit to residents of Waterbeach and/or Landbeach
- Strength of community engagement
- Clarity and feasibility of project plan
- Impact on local social, educational, or sporting life
- Effective use of funding for running costs or capital needs
- Sustainability of community benefit
Why This Fund Matters
- Strengthens local community cohesion
- Improves access to social and recreational opportunities
- Supports grassroots organisations and volunteers
- Enhances educational and sporting participation
- Provides flexible funding for real community needs
- Encourages long-term local engagement
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting projects outside eligible geographic areas
- Weak explanation of community benefit
- Lack of clarity on how funds will be used
- Proposals not aligned with eligible activity types
- Overly large or non-localised project scope
Pro Tips
- Clearly show direct benefit to Waterbeach or Landbeach residents
- Be specific about running costs or capital items requested
- Highlight community participation and engagement
- Keep the project realistic and locally focused
- Demonstrate long-term value for the community
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the funding range? £1,000 to £10,000 per project
- Who can apply? Non-profit organisations in Waterbeach and Landbeach
- What activities are supported? Sporting, social, educational, and community initiatives
- Can funding cover equipment? Yes, small capital items are eligible
- Can funding cover running costs? Yes
- Are commercial organisations eligible? No
- Where must projects take place? Only in Waterbeach and/or Landbeach
Conclusion
The October Fund provides targeted financial support to strengthen community life in Waterbeach and Landbeach. By funding sporting, social, and educational initiatives along with operational and capital needs, it enables local non-profit organisations to deliver meaningful activities that enhance engagement, participation, and overall community wellbeing.
For more information, visit Cambridgeshire Community Foundation.