Norfolk Community Fund
Eligibility Criteria
Version dated: [20.05.2025]
Introduction
The Norfolk Community Fund is here to support small, local projects that make a real difference in your community. Each of Norfolk’s 84 County Councillors has £5,000 to give to local voluntary and community groups in their area.
You can apply for a grant of £200 to £2,500 to help fund your project.
What kind of projects can get funding?
Your project should:
● Benefit your local community
● Bring people together
● Celebrate local culture
● Help improve life in Norfolk
Funding Themes
● Ageing well: Activities supporting the well-being of older adults, such as improvements to community centres or village halls, and projects for the wellbeing of older people.
● Youth focus: Engaging young people in meaningful and fun activities, including starting local groups, and buying play and exercise equipment for community use.
● Green and clean: Promoting environmental awareness and sustainability through local training schemes, childcare schemes, and planning and publishing village walks.
● Come together: Bringing diverse groups together to celebrate community and culture with public events, festivals, exhibitions, and tourist information leaflets.
● Active living: Supporting sports and physical activities for all ages, such as buying play and exercise equipment for community use.
● Creative connections: Engaging arts and cultural projects that unite people, including bringing people together to build community through public events, festivals, and exhibitions.
Some examples:
● A coffee morning for older residents in a village hall
● A youth football team needing kit and equipment
● A community garden with raised beds and tools
● A local festival celebrating culture and heritage
● A craft group for people with disabilities
● A walking trail with printed maps and signage
● A warm space offering tea, games, and conversation
● A pop-up art exhibition showcasing local talent
What can't be funded
● Projects that have already happened or need money to cover unexpected shortfalls
● Political or campaigning activities
● Religious activities that don’t benefit the wider community
● Projects that discriminate against people
● Things that are a council responsibility
● Private or commercial businesses (unless the wider community benefits)
● Uniforms or clothing for just one person
● National or regional projects (unless they clearly benefit your local area)
We will not support projects that don’t match the description of the Norfolk Community Fund and Norfolk County Council will have the final say as to which projects are selected.
Who can apply?
The fund is open to a wide range of local organisations from charities and community associations, to nurseries and community centres.
Different organisations can work together, but one must take the lead in managing the funding.
If your group doesn’t have a bank account or constitution, don’t worry. If your local councillor knows and supports your group, we’ll work with you to find a solution—such as partnering with a constituted group to manage the funds.
Crowdfunder project set up
In order to be eligible to apply, your project must be set up in Crowdfunder as a “keep what you raise” or an “all or nothing” project.
Application process
1. Talk to your local councillor about your project idea. (Find your local councillor here)
2. If they support it, they’ll give you a letter of support.
3. Set up your Crowdfunder and submit your application.
4. Norfolk County Council will check your application and, if approved, add the Norfolk Community Fund Pledge.
5. You’ll then start crowdfunding to raise your match funding (if needed).
6. Once you hit your full target, you’ll receive the money and can start your project!
7. After your project is finished, we’ll ask you to fill in a short feedback questionnaire about how it went and what impact it had.
Selection process
All projects that meet the criteria set out above will be assessed to determine which will receive match funding. We will focus on ensuring funding is distributed equitably, particularly in terms of types of beneficiaries. A range of projects will be selected to achieve this. Project owners will be informed whether their application has been successful or not.
The offer of match funding will be valid for 4 weeks after the date of notification, if you do not launch your crowdfunding campaign within this period, the offer will be rescinded.
Match Funding Criteria
Match funding means that if you’re applying for a grant, you’ll need to raise some money yourself to go alongside the grant you’re asking for.
● If your project needs £500 or more, you’ll need to raise half the amount through match funding. For example, If your project costs £1,000, you’ll need to raise £500 yourself and the grant will cover the other £500.
● If your project is under £500, you don’t need to match fund, but you can if you want to raise more.
Following approval for funding, if you wish to make any changes to your campaign target, or any significant changes to your rewards or other page content you must notify us.
Norfolk County Council reserves the right to vary these match funding criteria; projects will be notified if their match funding criteria will vary from the stated terms above.
Additional Requirements
You will be ineligible for funding from Norfolk County Council, at Norfolk County Council’s sole discretion, if it is not satisfied that all the supporter pledges on your project are genuine pledges.
Projects will be required to agree to the Terms and Conditions.