Local community groups and voluntary organisations in Chesterfield are set to benefit from a share of £220,000 in grant funding to help deliver grassroots projects that will improve life for local people.

After successfully launching its Community Grants Fund scheme in 2023 - which has already seen over 76 groups receive a share of over £310,000 - Chesterfield Borough Council is now inviting further eligible groups to apply for the funding that will help them to deliver key projects that benefit the local community.

Since the launch of the scheme, funding has been used to deliver projects that support resilient, healthy, and safe neighbourhoods, as well as initiatives which will help to tackle food poverty and social isolation, or support people to get in to work.

It is also supporting projects that will reduce the borough’s impact on the climate and wider environment by promoting greener choices.

Applications for funding from the scheme are now open for eligible groups to apply. The deadline for applications is 20 June 2025.

More information on the eligibility criteria and details on how to apply can be found at: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/community-grants-fund

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: "Since the community grants scheme was launched in 2023, we've already helped a significant number of groups to deliver initiatives that are having a positive impact in our local communities, and we've really enjoyed watching these come to life.

"We are lucky to have so many groups here in Chesterfield that help to improve the lives of local people, so we're really pleased to be able to offer additional funding that will help even more organisations deliver their plans."

Alongside the Community Grants Fund, the council is running a community development project which will provide support to organisations wishing to apply for the grant. If you would like any help or guidance with submitting a bid, please contact the team on:

Email: communitygrants@chesterfield.gov.uk

Phone: Phone: 01246 959657 / 07790 977317 or 01246 959415 / 07929 000796

Post: Community Grants Fund, c/o Wendy Blunt,
Health and Wellbeing Officer,
Chesterfield Borough Council,
Town Hall,
Chesterfield,
S40 1LP 

What is it?

Funding is available to enable groups to deliver a range of physical activity and wellbeing-based sessions across Derbyshire with the aim of improving mental wellbeing.

Who can apply?

Small to medium voluntary, community or social enterprise groups working within Derbyshire (excludes Derby City).

How much can you apply for?

Groups can apply for up to £10,000.

When do I apply?

The application form is now open.

The deadline for applying will be 31st July 2025, at which time the application form will close.

This is third and final phase of the grant scheme, once applications have closed and payments have been made, there will be no further funding available.

How do you apply?

Visit our webpage here to access the application form and guidance documentation:

www.derbyshiremind.org.uk/services/mhawproject/how-to-apply

Our Community Nature Fund supports community projects that are focused on creating, increasing or improving spaces for nature. Projects could include wildflower meadows, hedgerows, trees, ponds, community orchards or other nature projects. 

What does the grant cover?

• Grants between £500 and £5000 are available towards capital expenditure.
• You can apply for landscape features (such as trees and ponds), built items (e.g. fencing) and equipment and tools to deliver the outcomes in your application. If your project involves planting trees or other plants, we expect these to be appropriate native species unless there is a clear reason for doing something different.
• You must be able to show how the costs you are applying for will contribute to supporting biodiversity and/or improving access to nature for people in your community.
• Grants cannot be used to pay for your organisation’s general running costs, work already undertaken, recoverable VAT or costs associated with fulfilling a statutory obligation or planning consent.

Leek United Building Society Charitable supports local schemes and good causes across Staffordshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire and Shropshire. The Foundation’s primary purpose is to provide grants and donations that will have a positive impact on the lives of disadvantaged or vulnerable people in our communities.

The Foundation will consider your application if:

• Your charity/community organisation is based in Staffordshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire and Shropshire.
• You are applying for a grant no more than £5,000.
• You don’t need to be a member of the Society to apply for funding.

The Foundation welcome applications from organisations who are working towards:

• The prevention or relief of poverty
• The provision of welfare advice
• The advancement of community facilities including the development of green spaces
• The provision of healthy food to vulnerable and disadvantaged people
• The development of digital inclusion
• The support of local people attempting to return to employment

Our Community Support Scheme was launched in early 2008 and is designed to help a wide range of groups that do their bit to help local people.

The Community Support Scheme exists to benefit people in our Heartland (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire) by providing funding to charitable and community groups, whose aim is to provide activities and projects in the following categories:

• Promoting and supporting health and wellbeing
• Promoting and encouraging participation in the arts
• Promoting and supporting youth activities
• Benefiting the environment

Applications for funding are considered by a panel that includes two independent members, usually three times a year.