Civic Grant Fund FAQs

The GRID Civic Grant Fund aims to provide financial support to volunteers, community groups, small businesses, and organisations that are working on projects which make a positive impact in the GRID community. The scheme is designed to help these entities continue or develop their initiatives that contribute to social, civic, or community benefits. 

For the GRID Civic Grant Fund, you can apply for a minimum of £1,000 and a maximum of £5,000. If you are applying for the GRID Civic Micro Grant Fund, you can apply for up to £850 to support smaller scale projects.

The fund will not cover day-to-day operational expenses such as administration, rent, building maintenance, or general staff costs. It also excludes statutory bodies (with exceptions for certain school community initiatives), for-profit organisations, projects promoting philosophical beliefs, and initiatives that do not have a clear benefit to the GRID community.

You are welcome to seek additional funding from other sources. However, the University requires evidence of other funding commitments before issuing its grant. 

Yes, organisations that have previously received funding from the GRID Civic Grant Fund can apply for new funding once their initial project is complete, or if a previous application was unsuccessful. It is essential to report on past projects before applying for new funding.

To improve your chances of success, ensure your application is thorough, meets all eligibility criteria, aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, and demonstrates a clear and tangible benefit to the GRID community. It's also beneficial to provide a clear project plan and budget.

Applications are screened by the University’s Economic Development team for eligibility and completeness.  A panel consisting of representatives from various sectors within the GRID boundary then assesses the applications.

For the GRID Civic Grant Fund, applicants will be notified of the decision during the Summer, with projects starting from August 2025. For the Micro Grant Fund, decisions are made within 6 weeks of application submission.

Projects funded by the GRID Civic Grant Fund can start from August 2025. For the Micro Grant Fund, projects can start shortly after the funding decision is made and the Grant Award Letter is signed.

Projects should ideally be designed to be completed within 6 months of receiving the grant award. This timeframe may be extended under exceptional circumstances with prior agreement from the University's Economic Development Team.

Upon completion of your project, you will be required to submit an End of Project Report Form. You may also need to attend a closing meeting to discuss the project's outcomes, and any lessons learned. This helps the University assess the project.

Organisations not located within the GRID boundary postcodes can still apply for funding if their project delivers clear benefits to the community within the GRID area. The primary impact of the project must be on the GRID community, and this should be clearly demonstrated in the application.

If your organisation operates in multiple areas but has a project specifically benefiting the GRID community, you are eligible to apply. Ensure that your application clearly outlines the direct benefits to the GRID postcodes and how the project will be implemented within this community.

Benefit to the GRID community is defined by the impact and outcomes of a project that directly serve the residents, businesses, or community groups within the GRID boundary postcodes. The application should detail the nature of the benefits and how they will be measured.

Proximity to the GRID area alone does not qualify an organisation for funding. However, if your organisation is nearby and you can demonstrate that your project will have a significant and direct impact on the GRID community, your application may be considered. 

Applications are assessed based on the merit of the project and its potential impact on the GRID community, rather than the location of the organisation. However, you must clearly demonstrate how the project will serve the GRID community effectively.

Organisations interested in applying for the GRID Civic Fund must have an annual revenue of less than £250,000. This threshold is designed to ensure that the fund is accessible to smaller organisations that may not have the means to secure larger funding sources.