Large Community Grants Fund Guidance

We recognise the valuable role that voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise sector play in enhancing the life of people in Chorley and is evidence through our community commissioning programme, annual Small Community Grant Fund which provides an avenue of funding to support these organisations along with continued partnership working across the borough to help develop community initiatives.

To further our support and in recognition of the challenges our communities are experiencing due to the impact of the cost of living crisis, we are providing a one off large community grant funding programme which builds on our core delivery and will enable Chorley's voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector to further enhance their delivery, react to the current challenges our residents are experiencing and help in providing services that support our most vulnerable.

We encourage groups and organisations across the borough to apply and aim to allocate funding to ensure both our rural and urban communities are supported.

Please read the eligibility criteria which is required to ensure your organisation and project meets expectations for you to receive this funding:

What is the funding for?

The funding is designed for projects that focus on the negative impact of the cost of living situation. It aims to support the work the council has undertaken and enhance the help available to our residents, providing services which react to the current pressures our communities are experiencing.

Applicants will have to demonstrate how their application for funding will enhance the life of people in Chorley, supporting better outcomes and meet one or more of our key priorities below:

• provide support for those experiencing financial hardship
• provide opportunities that address food poverty 
• provide opportunities that address furniture poverty
• provide opportunities for those experiencing mental health issues
• provide opportunities to addresses social isolation
• provide opportunities to enhance life skills that support residents during cost of living crisis
• provide support for residents to overcome digital barriers and address gaps in provision
• provide opportunities that help encourage residents to be more active.

We would like organisations to consider how their project can target those residents who are not already assisted through other schemes, new to experiencing challenges, and unaware of support available.

Eligibility criteria

To be considered for a funding award, applicants must:

• be based in Chorley
• be a registered voluntary, community, faith or social enterprise sector group/organisation
• have a bank account registered to their group or organisation.
• able to commence a max. two months after the funding has been issued
• ensure that it is addresses one or more of the key priorities of the fund
• ensure the project is based on local need
• demonstrate the positive impacts which will be made through the project.

Application process

Applications must be made using the Large Community Grants Funds application form and return to us by email to funding@chorley.gov.uk. 

Monitoring and evaluation

All successful applicants will be required to provide monitoring information.

The fund will look to be open and flexible as possible on use of the funding and level of monitoring required will be reflected in value of funding granted.

This may include, but is not limited to:

• project details
• breakdown of spend including invoices
• demonstration of desired outcomes and impact
• user feedback
• photographs / promotional materials / opening events.

Applicants will have to submit regular project monitoring within agreed timescales detailed within their grant agreements. Where applicable you will be asked to collate wellbeing scoring and any long-term benefits resulting from delivery.