Groundwork is working with Rowntree’s for a third year to deliver the Free the Fund Community Grant Programme – an exciting initiative that supports adult wellbeing by mobilising community action to create better places, improve prospects and bring about positive change.
This year, four community projects in the UK and Ireland will receive funding of up to £10,000 to host fun, summer activities in the local community for people aged between 21 – 65 years old. This can include transforming an outdoor space or community garden, running a summer art festival or purchasing sports, arts, theatre or music equipment.
Who can apply?
Rowntree’s Free the Fund Community Grant Programme is open to registered charities and not-for-profit organisations in the UK and Ireland.
Before applying, please note:
- Applications are open from Monday 2 March and will close at 5pm on Tuesday 31 March 2026
- Grants of up £10,000 are available. The programme panel hold the decision to award you a different amount to what you apply for, which could be a higher or lower amount
- The collation of promotional content including filming, photography and interviews will be a requirement for successful groups. This will be at no cost to the groups, but full support and co-operation will be needed
- Projects must be delivered by the end of September 2026
Who can’t apply?
- Individuals
- Community Interest Companies with shares (CIC’s)
- Community Interest Companies with guarantee that are less than two years old
- Profit-making organisations
- Un-constituted organisations
- Local Authorities
- Parish or Town Councils
- Schools, Academies, Nurseries and Preschools
- Parent Teacher Associations or Friends of Parent Teacher Associations
What can you apply for?
- Initiatives that focus on improving or creating spaces for outdoor activities
- Initiatives that improve the lives of local people
- Projects must be targeted towards adult activities
- Project beneficiaries must be between 21-65 years old
Types of activities could include:
- Arts and crafts
- Dance
- Music
- Gardening
- Sports and fitness
Some examples of project ideas could be:
- Improving a community garden or transforming an outdoor space
- Running a summer art festival
- Funding to support a wheelchair basketball club
- Equipment or space improvement for team sports
- Arts, theatre and music equipment
This is not an exhaustive list and other project ideas are also welcomed.
What can’t be funded?
- Causes related to waste recycling, energy consumption and sustainability will not be considered
- We will not fund projects relating to schools, playgrounds, or involving children’s toys or children’s activities
- Initiatives directly relating to healthy eating, or cooking, or education on physical health
- Work that has already taken place or will have taken place before you receive a grant from us. (Please note that you can apply for an ongoing project, however we will only fund it from the date you receive a grant from us.)
- Research projects
- Political donations
- Fundraising activities or challenges (e.g. costs for a sky dive etc.)
- Running costs and organisation overheads
- Conferences or seminars
- Purchase of land
- Activities which collect funds for redistribution to other charities or individuals
- Overseas appeals
- Expeditions or overseas travel
- Promotion of a religious or political cause
- Marketing promotions
- Projects or activities that the state has a legal obligation to provide
- Funding being allocated to the organisation’s reserves
How To Apply
Applications are open and the deadline for submission is 31 March 2026 (5pm).
It is expected that decisions will be communicated by May 2026.
Guidance notes and an eligibility checker are available on the Groundworks website. Access to the online application form is available once the eligibility checker has been completed.
Contact Groundworks for any further information.
Applications are open from Monday 2 March and will close at 5pm on Tuesday 31 March 2026.
Document Link – Rowntree’s – Free the Fund Community Grant Programme – Groundwork
Contacts
For further information on how to obtain this fund, please contact the following:
- Enquiries
Groundwork
Suite B2
The Walker Building
58 Oxford Street
Birmingham
B5 5NR
Tel: 0121 236 8565
Email: fr*********@************rg.uk
