Legacy Grant Fund

Legacy Grant Fund

The Legacy Grants Programme is a new funding opportunity from North West Leicestershire District Council, designed to support community projects that make a lasting difference.

Backed by a £2 million investment, the fund will help local organisations improve facilities, enhance public spaces, and deliver projects that benefit residents for years to come.

Apply for funding

You can now apply for funding through the Legacy Grants Programme.

1. Create an account

You will need to create an account with North West Leicestershire District Council before you can apply.

Login/ Register

2. Read the application guidance

Before starting your application, please review the guidance to:

• Check your organisation and project are eligible
• Understand what information you will need to provide
• See what makes a strong application:

Legacy Grant Fund - Application Guidance (PDF Document, 0.5 Mb)

3. Submit your application

Once you are ready, you can apply using the appropriate form by clicking on the links below:

• Revenue Application must be submitted by 11 September 2026
  
  
• Capital Expression of Interest must be submitted by 21 August 2026
  

  *If your capital project is shortlisted, you will be invited via email to submit a full application. Full applications must be submitted by 11 September 2026* 

  
  

Please note, late applications will not be accepted.

Application Question Templates

To help organisations plan their applications, collaborate with partners and gather supporting information, we have provided downloadable versions of the application questions.

• Revenue Grant Application Questions

  • Legacy Grant Fund: Revenue Application Offline (Word Document, 0.1 Mb)

• Capital Grant Application Questions

  • Legacy Grant Fund: EOI Application Offline (Word Document, 0.1 Mb)
  • Legacy Grant Fund: Capital Application Offline (Word Document, 0.1 Mb)

These documents are provided for planning and collaborative working purposes only.

Applications cannot be submitted using these Word documents. All applications must be submitted through the online application system to ensure a consistent, transparent and auditable assessment process.

If you are unable to access or complete the online form due to accessibility requirements or exceptional circumstances, please contact the Legacy Grant Fund Team to discuss alternative arrangements before the application deadline.

Launch event - Slides and Recording

Thank you to everyone who attended the Legacy Grant Fund Launch Event on 9 July 2026.

The event provided an overview of the Legacy Grant Fund, including the aims of the programme, funding priorities, eligibility criteria, application process, assessment arrangements and key timescales. Attendees also had the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the support available to applicants.

If you were unable to attend, or would like to revisit the information shared during the event, the presentation slides and recording are available below.

Event Presentation Slides

The slides presented during the launch event can be downloaded here: 

Legacy Grant Fund: Launch Event Slides (PDF Document, 0.43 Mb)

Launch Event Recording

A recording and transcript of the presentation and question-and-answer session is available here: 

Legacy Grant Fund Launch Invite-20260709_180448-Meeting Recording.mp4

What is the Legacy Fund?

The Legacy Fund will provide grants to support projects that:

• Bring communities together
• Improve health, wellbeing and inclusion
• Enhance local facilities and spaces
• Support environmental and climate improvements
• Create opportunities for people of all ages

We are looking for projects that make a clear, positive difference to people living in North West Leicestershire.

What funding is available?

There are two types of grants:

Revenue Grants up to £25,000 (Minimum £2500)

For activities and services, such as:

• Community projects and events
• Programmes or outreach work
• Short-term projects with clear outcomes

Capital Grants up to £250,000 (Minimum £10,000)

For physical improvements and long-term assets, such as:

• Community buildings or facilities
• Parks, play areas and outdoor spaces
• Energy efficiency or environmental improvements
• Equipment or infrastructure

Capital projects must deliver long-term benefits to the community.

Who can apply?

Not-for-profit organisations, including:

• Charities
• Community groups
• Social enterprises
• Parish and town councils

Your organisation must:

• Be based in or working in North West Leicestershire
• Benefit local residents
• Have a governing document and bank account

How the application process will work

The application process will depend on the type of funding:

Revenue grants

• A single online application form

Capital grants

• A two-stage process:
  1. Expression of Interest (EOI)
  2. Full application (by invitation only)

This ensures we focus on projects that are ready to move forward.

What we are looking for

We will be looking to fund projects that:

• Address a clear local need
• Benefit people in North West Leicestershire
• Are inclusive and accessible
• Are realistic and well planned
• Offer good value for money

For capital projects, we will also consider:

• How ready the project is to start
• Long-term sustainability
• Match funding where available

After you apply

Applications will be assessed following the published closing dates. Funding decisions are anticipated to be made around November 2026, although this may vary depending on the volume and complexity of applications received.

If your application is successful:

• You will be asked to sign a grant agreement
• You may receive funding in stages (for larger projects)
• You will need to show how the funding has been used

If your application is not successful:

You will receive feedback to help you improve future applications

Cabinet Reports and Supporting Documents

Applicants who wish to understand the background to the programme, the approved framework, assessment arrangements and decision-making process can view the Cabinet report and associated documents below:

View Cabinet Report and Supporting Documents

The Cabinet papers include:

• The approved Legacy Grant Fund Framework.
• Details of the fund objectives and intended outcomes.
• Governance and decision-making arrangements.
• Eligibility and assessment principles.
• Supporting appendices and background information considered as part of the approval process.

While applicants are not required to read the Cabinet papers before applying, they may be useful for organisations seeking a more detailed understanding of the programme and the rationale behind the fund's design.

Contact Your Local Councillor

Local councillors can often provide valuable insight into the needs, priorities and opportunities within their communities. While councillors do not assess, score or make funding decisions on applications to the Legacy Grant Fund, applicants may find it helpful to discuss their project with local ward members when developing proposals.

Councillors may be able to:

• Provide local context and insight about community needs.
• Highlight opportunities to work with other local organisations.
• Identify potential overlaps or links with existing community initiatives.
• Offer feedback on how a project may benefit local residents.

You can find your local ward councillors using the Council's Councillor Directory: Your Councillors - North West Leicestershire District Council

Contact us

If you have questions about the Legacy Grants Programme, please contact:

legacygrant@nwleicestershire.gov.uk