Small Grant Scheme

NWLDC Small Grant Scheme 2026-27 launches April 1st 2026

Bring your community ideas to life with our Small Grant Scheme!

Our Small Grant Scheme is here to support and inspire a wide range of local activities, initiatives and events that make a real difference to residents. Whether you’re launching something completely new, expanding what you already offer, or trialling a fresh idea, we’d love to help you make it happen.

You can apply for grants of up to £500 to support new projects or to purchase one‑off items or equipment that will strengthen your organisation’s services, help you grow, or enhance the experience you provide to the community. Applications are welcome from voluntary and community groups and organisations. Match funding is not required, but where project total costs exceed the value of the grant, evidence of additional funding must be provided.

Please note: this grant is designed to fund new items and activities, so we’re unable to support the replacement of existing equipment.

Application Support

Need some inspiration of what sort of projects you could run? Download our ideas guide here:  Small Grant ideas (PDF Document, 1.08 Mb)

Want to plan your application before starting the form? Download the Small Grant Application questions here: Small Grant Application Questions (PDF Document, 0.11 Mb)

Application Eligibility

All grant recipients will be expected to complete our grant monitoring forms and provide receipts of expenditure and photographs. You should include NWL Small Grants in any publicity for your project including press releases, publicity materials and social media posts.

Failure to run the project or provide monitoring information when requested may result in future grant applications being withdrawn from consideration and / or the funds awarded being reclaimed.

To be eligible, your organisation must:

• Be a non-profit* delivering activities/services in North West Leicestershire
• Benefit residents of North West Leicestershire only
• Have a constitution or formal set of rules
• Hold a bank account in the group’s name
• Have a safeguarding policy (if working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults)
• Have relevant policies, procedures, and insurance in place

* Non-profit organisations are defined as:

• Constituted groups (associations, clubs, societies)
• Registered Charities
• A Social Enterprise (see www.valonline.org.uk/introduction-trading/legal-structures-social-enterprise)

Where we will not provide financial support:

• Funding requests from organisations which have a large cash flow surplus
• Request for funding after the activity or project has taken place
• Funding requests from parish or town councils
• Funding requests from schools and Parent Teacher Associations**
• Requests for funding for religious activities
• Requests for funding for political activities or by a political organisation
• Requests for funding for activities / projects which do not benefit individuals who live in North West Leicestershire
• Requests for funding from private organisations or individuals
• Where there is potential reputational risk for North West Leicestershire District Council.
• If you have already received a NWL Small Grant this year.

**Parent/Friend Associations of schools and academies may apply where properly constituted independently from the school and where all other criteria are met.

 The deadline for applications is Monday 1 March 2027 (or until the grant funds are allocated), any application after this date will not be reviewed until the week commencing Monday 29 March 2027. 

Please contact grants@nwleicestershire.gov.uk with any questions. 

Apply for a Small Grant