Deadline: 10-Oct-25
The Staff and Trustees at Lincolnshire Community Foundation (LCF) in conjunction with East Lindsey District Council are pleased to present the East Lindsey Investment Fund Grassroots Grant Scheme which aims to support community-led efforts in East Lindsey which invest in and restore their community spaces and create the foundations for growth at neighbourhood level.
The intention of this Fund is to strengthen the social fabric of communities, create opportunities for social connections to develop and thrive as well as further develop access to services for local residents.
Priorities
- Community Facilities – support for meeting places/community hubs/outdoor spaces which will improve and widen opportunities for residents
- Community Cohesion – community & neighbourhood projects/activities that bring people together and support groups of people
- Core Strength – capacity building that will increase the resilience and sustainability of local organisations (governance advice, volunteer recruitment & retention and longerterm financial planning)
- Digital Exclusion & Transport – projects that improve digital connectivity and access to transport (e.g. improving internet access/training, support for local transport schemes)
- Young People – provision of activities, facilities and opportunities (workshops, diversionary activities, intergenerational projects etc.) for young people.
- Older People – projects tackling isolation, loneliness, access to advice & support etc.
- Heritage, arts & culture – projects that develop new local arts, cultural and heritage activities that improve wellbeing and help strengthen communities.
- Energy efficiency for community buildings – cost-effective heating systems, efficient lighting systems, replacement of windows & doors, water heaters, energy efficiency building audit.
Funding Information
- Grants of up to £24,999 can be applied for by prospective applicants. This includes capital and revenue costs.
Eligibility Criteria
- This scheme is open to not-for-profit community groups, registered charities, social enterprises and town and parish councils delivering projects in the District of East Lindsey.
Ineligibility Criteria
- Projects with a total cost exceeding £5,000 need to evidence match funding of at least 20% of the total project value, whether through other financial sources or an in kind contribution.
- Projects promoting religious or political beliefs. Places of worship will be considered, and will need to demonstrate the project is actively open and welcoming to people from all faiths and backgrounds and to the wider community.
- Capital works to domestic properties
- Individuals
- General contributions to large appeals unless the majority of match funding support is in place
- Projects not taking place in the area of benefit (East Lindsey)
- Grant making bodies applying for funding to redistribute to others
- Retrospective expenditure or unsustainable deficits or loans
- Funding for capital projects (play equipment, outdoor gym equipment etc.) where there
- has been no local consultation
- Renewable energy sources such as solar panels.
- Requests for large capital projects where match funding has not been secured
- Projects that cannot spend funding, deliver work and report on impact by the end of August 2026
- Projects where the applicant has a limited track record in local delivery
- A project that requires substantial capacity building (e.g. specialist recruitment) ➢ Activity that duplicates pre-existing private or public sector funding or activity that the applicant has a statutory duty to undertake.
- Schools or parent-teacher associations (PTAs)
- National or regional organisations
- Applicants with an open ELIF-funded project or an open UKSPF GRASSroots funded project which is similar in nature to the project being applied for with this funding.
Application Requirements
- All applicants should submit:
- Their Constitution/Governing document
- The names, roles and addresses of their local management board or committee (with minimum of at least two unrelated people)
- A recent bank statement from any bank or building society accounts in the organisation’s name. These should have at least two signatories who are not related or living in the same household
- The latest Accounts/Income and Expenditure Account (or last three months Bank Statements, if a new group)
- Any other relevant policies and procedures (safeguarding policy, equal opportunities etc.)
- Evidence of cost with three quotes where specific items of expenditure exceed £10,000Evidence that the balance of project costs has been secured/pledged (match funding)
- Any additional information which supports details in your application. (e.g. planning permission or Listed Building Consent for Graded buildings)
- If applying for playground equipment, please submit an accessibility audit which evidences inclusive access and play for users and caregivers with various disabilities including mobility, vision, hearing and sensory such as autism spectrum disorder.
- Projects operating within the Lincoln Diocese will need to provide evidence of an approved faculty if the project relates to building improvements, repairs or alterations.
For more information, visit Lincolnshire Community Foundation.
