Community grants and funding
Community Grants 2026 to 2027
Forest of Dean District Council offer not for profit voluntary and community groups - both constituted and non-constituted - the opportunity to apply for one off funding to help develop stronger and more cohesive communities. Small informal groups (a minimum of three people) can be considered.
This approach is aimed at building capacity of the community rather than directly delivering services. Projects should clearly be able to show that there is local value and leadership in them and demonstrate its importance to the community and social cohesion.
A stronger community can link to climate adaptation which contributes to our district strategy. Appendix 2 in the guidance gives some information and examples, but we appreciate that this may feel overwhelming.
If you have any queries, please ring 01594 812609 or email [email protected] or see our FAQ section on the Website.
Applicants need to identify:
- Who is taking part in the project
- Clearly evidence that the project or activity does not duplicate with other local projects or how it supports those projects
- Whether they are connecting to other groups in the area & who they are – partnership working
- Evidence of need – is this what the community wants and needs?
- How the project helps to build community capacity, community resilience and social cohesion.
- How the project aims to be sustainable after the funding has been spent
Total level of funding available in 2026-27 is (£52,500)
Constituted Groups
One off, revenue* grants up to £3,000 are available.
Non-Constituted Groups
One off, revenue* grants up to £500 are available.
NB: Project applying over the maximum limits cannot be reviewed.
• To make things clearer for communities, FODDC is striving to align its funding
opportunities in the future. If unsuccessful for this application but you meet the priorities
and criteria outlined, we will ask permission to hold your details over and contact you
should additional funds become available.
Voluntary and Community Sector Fund 2026 to 2029
The Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Fund aims to provide voluntary and community organisations with a flexible funding opportunity to support the delivery of services, projects and activities that benefit the local community and help to deliver the Council’s corporate priorities.
There will be 5 funds and applicants may only bid within one fund. Details and requirements can be found by following the link below.
This scheme is now closed.
A summary of the beneficiaries will be made available as soon as possible.
- Fund A - Advice
- Fund B - Improved voluntary and community sector support in light of LGR
- Fund C - Improved mental health and wellbeing for children and young people who are victims of domestic abuse
- Fund D - Improved mental health and wellbeing for older people with long term conditions
- Fund E - The Armed Forces community is better supported locally
Forest of Dean Food Network Small Grants 2025-26
This is a one-off fund of £35,000 for not for profit and community groups - both constituted and non-constituted (a minimum of three people) - to contribute to activities* which enables or improves the equity of access to food for all communities in the Forest of Dean district.
The fund is centred around food which is purposefully broad to encourage new ideas as well as old.
This is a fund to support activity in your community to strengthen resilience and provide equal opportunity for the whole community.
We are inviting requests over £200 up to the region of £2,500*
The funding is managed by Forest of Dean District Council’s Community Team and the Forest Food Network (members of that network are not excluded from applying for funding).
Applications are now welcome and funds will be available until depleted. All applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis.
*while we have this upper limit, we recognise that there may be projects which may need more funding. Also, the fund is to enable projects and activity rather than core funding, but we would encourage these applicants to contact us in advance of applying.
Any queries please contact us on 01594 810000 or email [email protected]
Other grants
To find out about other funding opportunities:
- Visit Funding Central, an online grant search tool
- For government grants go to https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/
- Visit Grants Online for up-to-date grant information
Closed grants
Community Grants 2025 to 2026
Beneficiaries for the Community Grants 2025 to 2026 are photographed and listed below:
Health and Exercise Grant
We'll update with news of how the funds have been distributed shortly.
Community Grants 2024 to 2025
Our 2024 to 2025 Community Grants have now been awarded. You can see the groups we have funded and how they are using their grant to support the community in the file below:
Community Grants 2023 to 2024
Below is a link to the Community Grants 2023 to 2024 projects that have been funded:
Voluntary and community sector fund 2022 to 2023
Ten organisations were awarded a total of £140,022. This funding will support the delivery of services, projects and activities that benefit the local community and help to deliver the council's corporate priorities.
Organisations funded: