Deadline: 27-Sep-2025
Active Essex, in collaboration with the London Marathon Foundation, offers a fresh chance for community-minded organisations to bring physical activity to those who need it most.
Their Find Your Active Small Grants fund now opens its doors, providing grants of up to £2,000 to groups ready to launch or expand accessible sports and exercise initiatives. This is more than financial support—it’s an invitation to make a real difference, especially when the cost of living looms large and inactivity can take a toll.
The fund is geared toward reaching those often left behind—people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, individuals struggling with mental health, those in lower socio-economic groups, people living with disabilities, and those managing long-term health conditions. If your organisation works with these communities and can help them take even small steps towards being active, your initiative stands a strong chance of being supported.
Eligibility is straightforward but thoughtful: applicants must be formally constituted entities such as clubs, charities, local authorities, community interest companies, or similar non-profit bodies. Individual applicants, sole traders, or profit-driven organisations are not eligible. This ensures that funds go to grassroots organisations committed to genuine community impact.
The fund is not just about starting something new—it’s about sustaining progress. Projects must begin within six weeks of funding and run for at least six weeks, aiming to carry on beyond that initial period. The grant can fund a broad range of needs: from instructor fees and venue hire to equipment, marketing, and promotional costs. The flexibility speaks to Active Essex’s understanding of the real-world challenges organisations face today.
Applying is simple but thoughtful planning helps. Applicants complete a form and are encouraged—though not required—to include supportive media like photos, videos, or blogs. A safeguarding policy must be in place, and if the project involves children under five, being registered with the ECC Early Years Charter is essential.
Once submitted, applications are acknowledged and reviewed, with decisions communicated promptly. If successful, you’ll receive a straightforward award agreement outlining the grant’s purpose, amount, and conditions, followed by funding within 30 days once it’s signed.
This small grants fund offers more than money—it’s a genuine opening for locally rooted organisations to inspire movement, support health, and foster inclusive activity in communities that need it most. In times where small interventions can spark lasting wellness, it’s an opportunity worth seizing.
For more information, visit Active Essex.
