Grants
St Albans City & District Council distributes funding to community groups and projects through the Voluntary and Community Sector fund.
The aim of these funds is to support the delivery of projects and activities that benefit the local community and meet the priorities of Inclusion Strategy.
The Council has four Voluntary & Community Sector (VCS) grant funding streams
- Strategic Commissioning Fund (SCF) – 3 year funding
- Community Partnerships Fund (CPF) – 3 year funding
- Community Grants Fund (CGF) – 1 year funding
- Project Commissioning Fund (PCF) – 1 year funding
Community Grants Fund (CGF)
The Community Grants Fund aims to provide Voluntary and Community Groups with a flexible funding opportunity to support the delivery of projects and activities that benefit the local community.
For 2020-2021, we particularly welcome applications to fund projects supporting recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. For this second round, we are encouraging applications from BAME groups and those working with Older People as these groups were underrepresented in the first round.
Community Grants 2020-2021 reopened on Tuesday 10 November 2020 and will remain open for applications until Monday 11 January 2021. Up to £18,700 is to be allocated in this round.
Read the guidance below for further details about how to apply.
Application Guidance
An online information event was held on Thursday 12th November where further advice was given on how to make an application.
View the YouTube broadcast of the event here.
Although this is the final Community Grants Fund round for 2020-2021, groups are encouraged to get in touch with the Community Engagement team throughout the year to discuss their individual needs.
Please note that groups and organisations who were awarded a grant from the first round of Community Grants Fund in July 2020 are not eligible for this second round of funding.
The guidance and application form can be found below.
Previous years successful funding Toggle accordion
| Year | Funds Distributed | Number of projects supported |
| 2019/20 | £57,517.76 | 20 |
| 2018/19 | £53,873.25 | 18 |
| 2017/18 | £62,026.17 | 20 |
| 2016/17 | £70,118.79 | 18 |
| 2015/16 | £67,424.90 | 22 |
Details of successful Community Grants Fund applicants
Community Partnerships Fund (CPF)
The Community Partnerships Fund supports voluntary and community sector organisations that are delivering important services to the most vulnerable communities but are not considered to be strategic partners of the Council. The Community Partnerships Fund is awarded every three years.
Details of successful Community Partnerships applicants
Here are the details of successful Community Partnerships applicants:
Strategic Commissioning Fund (SCF)
The Strategic Commissioning Fund was set up to provide funding to a small number of voluntary and community sector organisations who offer services considered to be strategically important to the District by providing support to the most vulnerable communities.
Launched in 2011, the Strategic Commissioning Fund is awarded every three years. The total amount awarded is £238,620. An additional £69,000 is given in kind to the organisations using the HUB at the Civic Centre.
Details of successful Strategic Commissioning Fund applicants:
Project Commissioning Fund (PCF)
The Project Commissioning Fund was set up to commission Voluntary and Community sector organisations to deliver a project that addresses a specific, identified need within the District. The Project Commissioning Fund is awarded annually. The total fund available is £10,000 per annum. This fund aims to provide seed funding to help establish community provision of services to the vulnerable.
Details of successful Project Commissioning Fund applicants:
Partnership with Communities 1st
The Council part-funds Communities 1st to assist with providing information and guidance concerning a wide range of grant funding available to local voluntary and community groups (not grants for individuals). Communities 1st is a Membership organisation, details of membership and the types of funding advice available can be found on their website http://www.communities1st.org.uk
Please contact:
| Name | Funding Team |
| By Phone | 01727 814644 |
| Website | www.communities1st.org.uk |
| By Email | cgf@communities1st.org.uk |
| By Post | Communities 1st St Albans Civic Centre, St Peters St St Albans, AL1 3JE |
For further information about Communities 1st in St Albans please visit www.communities1st.org.uk where you can also visit the funding advice page.
