Community facility improvement grant

This programme funds improvements to spaces that provide a dedicated community use, including (but not limited to):

• Community centres and halls
• Village halls and rural meeting spaces
• Sports pavilions
• Youth centres and community hubs
• Cultural, heritage or arts buildings
• Faith buildings where community access is clearly demonstrated
• Community cafés, libraries or other multi-use facilities
• Schools or education facilities which offer a dedicated venue/space for community use
• Social clubs or community gathering spaces
• Facilities used for health, wellbeing, sports or support groups (non-clinical)
• Buildings used for community training, skills development or adult learning
• Community run shops or spaces that offer a community meeting space
• Community gardens, allotment buildings
• Nature-based community facilities such as visitor centres or educational spaces

Examples of spaces that would not be eligible for this programme include (but not limited to):

• Private homes or residential properties, including shared houses or supported housing
• Commercial premises that operate primarily for private profit (e.g. private gyms, restaurants, cafés, offices)
• Spaces used for statutory services only, such as GP surgeries or clinics
• Private educational facilities that do not provide dedicated, accessible community space outside of school use
• Commercial event venues (e.g., conference centres, wedding venues)
• Workplaces, corporate buildings not offering free/low-cost community access

Funding is available for capital works only. Eligible costs may include (but are not limited to):

• General refurbishment and modernisation
• Accessibility improvements
• Energy‑efficiency upgrades
• Safety and compliance enhancements
• Essential structural or building repairs
• Installation or upgrading of digital infrastructure
• Projects that improve the overall quality, functionality, or usability of the premises for local people

Examples of projects that would not be eligible are:

• Staffing costs or salaries
• Volunteer Expenses
• Room hire or venue hire fees
• General running or operational costs (e.g. utilities, consumables, insurance)

Funding is available to organisations that are responsible for the operation or maintenance of a community space. Eligible applicants may include:

Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Organisations

• Organisations that own or lease a community building or asset

Registered charities

• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)
• Voluntary or community associations responsible for a building or community asset
• Faith groups providing facilities with demonstrable, open community access

Social Enterprises and Not for Profit Organisations

Organisations operating for community benefit, including:

• Community Interest Companies (CICs) limited by guarantee
• Not‑for‑profit companies responsible for a community building or asset

Public or Education Based Facility Owners

• Public bodies or education providers that offer a community-accessible space
• Schools, academies or educational bodies with dedicated community-use facilities
• Parish councils responsible for community buildings or assets

Businesses Providing a Community Space

While this programme is primarily aimed at not‑for‑profit and community‑focused organisations, a business may apply in exceptional circumstances, where:

• The business owns or manages a space that is regularly used by the community,
• Community access is low‑cost or free, and
• The space operates primarily for community benefit, not commercial gain.

Example:

A privately‑owned building that provides a dedicated community meeting room, hosts local support groups, or delivers regular community activities at low or no cost, where the business is responsible for the maintenance and improvement of that space.

Note for Leaseholders

Leaseholders may apply only if:

• They hold a lease with at least 5 years remaining, and
• They can provide written freeholder approval for the proposed works (if required)

To be considered for funding, applicants must:

• Operate the facility on a not‑for‑profit basis and demonstrate clear community benefit
• Own or lease a community facility located within the designated areas
• Provide evidence of the need for capital improvements and the benefits to local people
• Hold a bank account in the organisation’s name
• Hold appropriate public liability insurance (minimum level £5m)
• Demonstrate suitable governance arrangements (e.g. constitution, committee, or board)
• Commit to maintaining the facility following completion of the funded works
• Provide all required supporting documentation listed in the application form

The funding priorities for this grant scheme are set out and are in line with the objectives set out in the Pride in Place Impact Fund Prospectus.

Applicants must demonstrate how they are meeting one or more.

• Providing funding to refurbish or improve an asset already in community ownership
• Funding to refurbish or improve assets owned by public bodies for community activity
• Creating or expanding on existing community assets to promote community cohesion

Organisations may apply for a grant of up to £25,000 or up to £75,000 to support their projects and applications can only be made once.

The Council will undertake checks to verify that applying organisations are genuine. This includes reviewing the supporting documentation provided and carrying out additional verification through the Charity Commission or Companies House.

All applications will be assessed on how well the project aligns with funding priorities, delivers clear community benefits, and demonstrates a justified need for investment.

Assessors will consider whether the project is deliverable within the required timeframe, offers good value for money, and is supported by a realistic budget. They will also review the organisation’s capacity and governance arrangements to ensure it can manage the grant responsibly and complete the project successfully.

• All applications and supporting documents must be submitted by 27 May 2026.
• All applications will be reviewed by the Discover Ashfield Funding Subgroup.
• Recommendations will be made to the Discover Ashfield Board for final approval.
• Applicants will be notified of the outcome by 30 June 2026.

Successful applicants will enter into a Grant Agreement with Ashfield District Council to enable the release of funding.

To help manage applicant cash flow, the Council will release funds in stages. Payments will be made once key spend milestones have been achieved and the required evidence of expenditure has been submitted.

Where a genuine financial need can be demonstrated, the Council may provide a small advance grant payment. The application form outlines the supporting documentation required to request an advance and requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Successful organisations will be required to submit monitoring returns to release grant funding payments.

These returns will include:

• Evidence of spend
• Progress updates, including successes and challenges encountered
• Details of outcomes delivered and benefits to the community

In addition, 2 case studies will be required:

• One upon completion of the works, outlining what has been delivered.
• A second 6 months after completion, demonstrating the longer‑term impact of the project.

Forms are available to download from this web page.

If a paper copy is required, please email:

• email healthandwellbeing@ashfield.gov.uk

Please also use this email address to ask any questions you have about the fund.