The Local Communities Fund (LCF)

If your organisation delivers projects that support local people, you may be able to apply for funding through the Local Communities Fund.

Funding is available for community projects, activities and facilities that improve health and wellbeing, reduce loneliness and isolation, strengthen local resilience, and help create stronger communities across Nottinghamshire.

Applications open on 2 November 2026 and close at 4:30pm on 11 December 2026. 

Before you apply, read the Local Communities Fund Grant Guidance for Applicants 2026 to 2028 [PDF]. 

On this page: 

Find the right funding for your project 

Choose the grant that best matches your project. 

Small Revenue Grants Fund 

Choose this grant if you need funding to deliver activities, projects or services that benefit your community. 

You can apply for up to £5,000. 

Funding can be used for: 

  • staffing costs 
  • volunteer expenses 
  • venue hire 
  • project materials 
  • training 
  • transport 
  • publicity.

Capital Grants Fund 

Choose this grant if you need funding for building improvements, facilities or equipment that will provide a long-term benefit to your community. 

You can apply for up to £20,000. 

Funding can be used for: 

  • building improvements 
  • accessibility improvements 
  • community facilities 
  • equipment 
  • furniture 
  • IT and digital equipment 
  • sports and play equipment 
  • outdoor community spaces. 

You must own the asset, have a lease, or have permission to carry out the proposed works. 

You must obtain any permissions, licences or approvals needed for the project. 

Projects must demonstrate a lasting community benefit. Assets funded through the programme must remain in public use and benefit the community for at least three years after purchase or installation. 

You must also show how the asset will be maintained. 

Crisis Resilience Fund 

Choose this grant if your project helps people improve their financial resilience and reduce the risk of future financial hardship. 

You can apply for up to £5,000. 

Foundation Grant (Start Up, Scale Up) 

Choose this grant if you are a new or small organisation looking to start, develop or expand community activities. 

You can apply for up to £1,000. 

This grant is intended to help organisations establish themselves, test new ideas or build capacity before applying for larger funding opportunities. 

Who can apply 

You can apply if you are: 

  • a registered charity 
  • a voluntary or community organisation 
  • a community interest company (CIC) limited by guarantee 
  • a social enterprise with a recognised legal structure 
  • a community benefit society 
  • a sports club that provides activities for the wider community 
  • a community group with a constitution 
  • a parish or town council applying for capital funding. 

Who cannot apply 

You cannot apply if you are: 

  • a borough or district council 
  • another public sector organisation 
  • applying on behalf of another organisation  
  • a company that distributes profits to shareholders or directors 
  • a sole trader 
  • an individual (except through the Talented Athletes Fund) 
  • a national organisation that cannot demonstrate that the funding will be spent in Nottinghamshire and benefit Nottinghamshire residents.

Before you apply 

The sections below explain what you'll need to prepare and what requirements your application must meet. 

Community engagement 

You should be able to show how local people, service users or stakeholders have helped shape your project. 

Evidence could include consultation, surveys, feedback or engagement activities. 

Governance 

Your organisation must have appropriate governance arrangements in place. 

You should be able to demonstrate that your organisation: 

  • operates in line with its governing document 
  • meets relevant legal and regulatory requirements 
  • can manage public funds responsibly 
  • can meet monitoring and reporting requirements. 

Organisations must have at least two  unrelated signatories on their bank account. We recommend having three signatories to provide continuity if one signatory is unavailable. 

Match funding 

Applications to the Small Revenue Grants Fund and Capital Grants Fund must include at least 50% match funding. 

The match funding must be secured before the application deadline. 

You must provide evidence of match funding as part of your application. 

Funding cannot be used to pay for costs that are already being funded through another grant or funding source. 

Councillor support 

Applications to the Small Revenue Grants Fund and Capital Grants Fund must be supported by a Nottinghamshire County Councillor for the area where the project will take place. 

You should contact your local councillor before submitting your application. 

Supporting documents 

You may need to provide: 

  • your governing document or constitution 
  • your latest accounts 
  • evidence of match funding 
  • quotations for equipment or works 
  • public liability insurance documents.

You may also be asked to provide evidence of appropriate: 

  • safeguarding policies 
  • health and safety policies 
  • equality and diversity policies. 

Apply for funding 

Applications open on 2 November 2026 and close at 4:30pm on 11 December 2026. 

Before you apply, make sure you: 

  • have read the applicant guidance 
  • meet the eligibility requirements 
  • have any required supporting documents ready 
  • have secured match funding if your application requires it 
  • have obtained councillor support if your application requires it. 

Links to the application forms will be available on this page when applications open on 2 November.

If your application is successful 

If your application is approved, you will receive a funding agreement that explains: 

  • how the funding can be used 
  • monitoring and reporting requirements 
  • payment arrangements 
  • project completion requirements. 

Successful applicants will be required to: 

  • provide progress updates and monitoring information 
  • keep evidence of expenditure 
  • provide invoices or receipts where requested 
  • take part in monitoring activities or site visits where required. 

You must accept the funding agreement before any grant payment can be made. 

Publicity and acknowledgment

If your project receives funding, you must acknowledge Nottinghamshire County Council as a funder in all publicity materials and communications about the project.

You must use approved council branding and logos in line with the funding agreement and publicity guidance.

To request logos, and ahead of issuing a press release or organising a celebration event, contact [email protected] .

Contact us 

If you are not sure which grant is right for your project, contact:  [email protected]