The Small Grants Scheme can help projects that aim to make life better in west Norfolk
We have discretionary grant funding available. We allocate this through two separate methods:
- By Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
- Through a Small Grants Scheme
Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
Organisations which have an SLA receive annual funding to provide a specific service or function. The agreement sets out exactly what is expected from the organisation. They must provide regular reports throughout the year, and their grant is released in stages based on satisfactory performance and receipt of the report.
The funding must be used in accordance with the terms of the SLA and is monitored and reviewed every year.
Small grants scheme
Currently we hold a small amount of funding to distribute towards either revenue expenditure or capital projects:
- Revenue grants can cover running costs and activity/operational costs
- Capital grants can cover equipment, building, and refurbishment costs
About the funding
Revenue expenditure covers an organisation's general running costs, for example:
- Venue hire
- Training costs
- Small items of equipment to be used directly with your project
Capital funding covers items such as:
- pieces of equipment
- refurbishment of a building
- provision of a children's play area
The funding is available to charities, voluntary and community groups, community interest companies and social enterprises. You must meet at least one of these criteria:
- Improved understanding of different people and cultures in our local community - for example, reminiscence and oral history projects, local history exhibitions, parish surveys, projects that bring together different cultures or generations.
- Increased involvement from people who face barriers to participation in community life - for example, integrated sports activities for disabled and non-disabled people, school holiday activities for families on a low income, activities in rural areas where access to public transport is limited.
- Greater use of community buildings or outdoor community spaces particularly in rural areas - for example, refurbishing buildings to support new activities, equipment for village film clubs/luncheon clubs/drama clubs etc, children’s play areas, multi-use games areas, wildlife/community gardens, environmental improvements.
- Healthier and safer lifestyles for the whole community - for example, promoting healthier eating, running self-help groups, sports projects, walking and cycling projects and well-being classes.
- Increased participation in arts and cultural activities which are accessible to the whole community - for example, developing music skills, events that attract new audiences, taster sessions to introduce people to the arts, using new venues, community theatre or music productions.
Who isn't eligible to apply
Currently town and parish councils are not eligible to apply for this fund.
Amounts available
Revenue grants are available up to a maximum of £2,500.
Capital grants can usually cover up to one third of the total cost of your project, up to a maximum grant of £10,000. However, for this financial year – 2026/2027, we are offering groups the opportunity to apply for up to 50% of the cost of their capital project – up to a maximum grant of £10,000.
How to apply
You can apply for a grant through the Norfolk Community Foundation (NCF) website. It is an organisation that can help with funding and applying for grants.
This fund will close on Tuesday 1 September 2026.