Community Grants

Cheshire East Council prides itself on supporting the Voluntary Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) Sector. Having a responsive grants process, a good relationship with the sector and a shared understanding of meeting either existing or emerging needs of the community, allows for systematic partnership working. The needs of our communities can change and the need to pilot and test service delivery to sense check what works in what areas is important and we aim to do this through grant allocation.

Enabling Communities Grants Programme 2026/27

 

Applications are now open.

Cheshire East Council is pleased to launch the Enabling Communities Grants Programme 2026/27. The programme will provide funding to voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations and Town and Parish Councils to deliver projects that improve health and wellbeing, strengthen community resilience, and develop trusted community centres across Cheshire East.

The programme consists of three funding opportunities designed to support communities to stay well, live well, and access local help and support when they need it most.

We will be hosting two virtual Microsoft Teams sessions which will provide the opportunity to find out more about each fund and ask questions. Sign up to receive an invite and learn more about the grant programme.

• 19 November 2026, 10am until 11am
• 2 December 2026, 1pm until 2pm

Healthy Neighbourhoods: Stay Well, Live Well Fund

 

Funded by the Better Care Board, Integrated Care Fund, the Stay Well, Live Well Fund supports community-led projects that improve residents health and wellbeing and help people remain independent for longer.

Grants of up to £10,000 are available for projects to invest in activities that respond to local Care Community priorities as outlined in the Stay Well, Live Well Fund Supporting Document (PDF, 847KB).

Apply for Stay Well Live Well Fund

Healthy Neighbourhoods: Community Resilience Fund

Funded by the UK Government Crisis Resilience Fund, the Community Resilience Fund supports projects that help individuals, families and communities build stronger, more resilient communities across Cheshire East.

Grants of up to £20,000 will support for initiatives that strengthen local support networks, improve financial resilience, reduce inequalities and help residents develop the skills, confidence and connections needed to navigate challenges and thrive independently. 

Further information on eligible projects, funding priorities and the application process can be found in the Community Resilience Supporting Document and Eligibility Criteria (PDF, 3MB)

Apply for Stay Well Live Well Fund 

Healthy Neighbourhoods: Connected Communities Centres Fund 

Funded by the UK Government, the Connected Communities Centres Fund supports community venues to be established as welcoming, trusted centres at the heart of their neighbourhoods.

Grants of £2,500 and £7,500 will support centre development and capital improvements that enable organisations to provide information, advice, activities and support, through a 'No Wrong Door' approach, ensuring residents can easily access help within their local community.

Further information on grant amounts, expectations of the centres and the application process can be found in the Connected communities supporting Document (PDF, 5MB).

Apply for Connected Communities Centres fund

The deadline for applications to all funds is Sunday 3rd January 2027.

Previous grants

Visit our Grant funded projects web page to see what has been funded previously and how you can access these funded services in your local community, including health and wellbeing support, cost‑of‑living help, money and debt advice, befriending, hospital‑discharge support, digital inclusion, and more.

Our Community Grants Impact

Explore our Community Grants Impact web page to see how externally funded grant programmes have helped local organisations, churches, and Town and Parish Councils, and discover the difference these projects have made for residents across the community.

GrantFinder

Does your organisation need funding? Would you like support searching for funding opportunities for your organisation?

GrantFinder is one of the largest and most comprehensively supported databases of its type. It offers users a user-friendly, accurate and continuously updated package that has helped to facilitate the securing of millions of pounds’ worth of funding support. We have a licence to use the GrantFinder service, providing VCFSE organisations with bespoke funding searches for their organisation or for specific projects.

Request a funding search or contact the Communities team

For further information or to request a funding search, contact communitygrants2@cheshireeast.gov.uk

South Cheshire Funders Forum

Have you got a project you require funding for? Submit your expression of interest to the South Cheshire Funders Forum!

The forum consists of a group of funders committed to working together for the benefit of charities, people and groups in Crewe and South Cheshire. Our forum includes Cheshire Community Foundation, who host and provide administrative support, The Julia Rausing Trust, and The Steve Morgan Foundation. Although there is likely to be greater demand than funds available, as Funders working together, we are committed to doing as much as we can and making the process simpler for charities.

Visit the South Cheshire Funders and Cheshire Community Foundation websites for further information.