Community funding scheme
The community funding scheme is available to voluntary or community organisations who work for the benefit of Chelmsford residents. It has three parts and each have different eligibility criteria, depending on if you need the money for revenue or capital costs.
Revenue costs are ongoing costs that you have to pay as a normal part of providing your project. Capital costs are large one-off investments, such as to improve buildings or buy equipment.
We run three different grant schemes.
Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Grant in unparished wards
This scheme is open to applications all year round. You can apply for capital funding for community infrastructure projects located in Chelmsford’s nine un-parished wards.
The un-parished wards are:
- Goat Hall
- Marconi
- Moulsham and Central
- Moulsham Lodge
- Patching Hall
- St Andrews
- The Lawns
- Trinity
- Waterhouse Farm
Greener Chelmsford Grant
This scheme is open to applications all year round. You can apply for capital funding for ecological and green initiatives.
The total pot of money available in this scheme is £100,000.
Discretionary Fund Grant
This scheme is open to applications once a year. The scheme is now open and will close to applications on Sunday 27 April 2025.
Eligibility
You can view the:
We will allocate funding to projects that contribute to the themes from our Corporate Plan:
- Fairer and inclusive
- Greener and safer place
- Healthy, active and enjoyable lives
- Connected Chelmsford
Funding for the Greener Chelmsford Grants must also align with one of the four themes in the Greener Chelmsford Grant Guidance Notes.
We will not grant funds for projects that have already happened or that promote a particular religious or political belief.
If you have any queries relating to the criteria or grants policy, you can contact us.
How to apply
You need to read the eligibility criteria before you apply.
You also need to confirm your eligibility as part of the application process and confirm that you accept our Terms and Conditions.
Timescales
If you are applying for less than £10,000, we will review your application and officers will make a recommendation to the Community Funding Panel. We will then tell you the outcome of your application.
If you are requesting funding over £10,000, the Community Funding Panel will review your application. The Panel will then make recommendations to Cabinet for a final decision.
If you submit an application between:
- 1 April and 30 September, Cabinet will discuss your application in the following March
- 1 October and 31 March, Cabinet will discuss your application in the following September
For awards of £10,000 or more, you may also need to submit further information to support your application.
This scheme is open once a year for revenue funding of up to £10,000 per grant. The scheme is now open and will close to applications at 11.59pm on Sunday 27 April 2025.
Before you apply, you need to check the eligibility and rules for the Discretionary Fund
We will not grant funds for projects that have already happened or that promote a particular religious or political beliefs.
You can view information on:
Active Chelmsford
You can apply for a grants of up to £750 from Active Chelmsford. This is for projects or work aimed at engaging inactive residents of the Chelmsford district.
Community Infrastructure Levy
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge we apply to new developments, to help to fund improvements to infrastructure.
There are two CIL funds that accept applications. One is for community infrastructure projects in the urban areas of Chelmsford. The other is reserved for larger infrastructure that supports the development of Chelmsford.
You can find out if your project or organisation can apply for funding, paid for by money generated by CIL.
Rural England Propery Fund
The Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) supports capital projects that improve productivity and strengthen rural economies and communities.
You can find out more about the REPF.