Community Funding Opportunities

1. Devon County Council has funding available to support inclusive, accessible and enriching activities for those aged 11 to 25. Not-for-profit organisations in Devon can apply to the Places to Go, Things to Do fund for a small grant to provide activities for young people that:

Create welcoming community spaces, encourage social connections, promote lifelong learning and skill development, build confidence and self-esteem and reduce loneliness and isolation.
Projects can include sports and leisure activities, creative workshops, skills sessions and safe spaces to relax and socialise.

Projects should be low or no cost to participants, environmentally conscious and accessible by public transport or within walking distance where possible. At least 75% of beneficiaries must live within the Devon County Council administrative area.

The Places to Go, Things to Do fund is open to not-for-profit, voluntary and community groups, registered charities, social enterprises, schools, colleges, faith groups (with wider community benefit), parish/town councils and CICs (limited by guarantee, without share capital) with a charitable purpose.

Most grants will be between £500 and £1,000 and will be paid upfront.

Apply at any time (the scheme closes in January 2027 or sooner if all available funds are committed)

https://www.devon.gov.uk/communities/places-to-go-things-to-do-youth-fund-guidance/

2. Growing Communities Fund is still open for applications from Devon communities wishing to build self-reliance, tackle hardship such as food and fuel inequality, improve mental health and wellbeing or address loneliness and isolation.

The Growing Communities Fund will typically provide grants of between £500 and £1,000. The funding can be used for initiatives that bring communities together for meaningful activities and social interaction, offer local people a warm safe haven during winter or alleviate food poverty by producing or distributing surplus food and essentials or that offer communities the means to cook nutritious meals on a budget.

Applications for grant funding can be made by:

Not for profit, voluntary or community groups, registered charities or social enterprises that are providing services or activities for the benefit of people and communities in Devon (at least 75% of beneficiaries need to be in the administrative area of Devon County Council)
Parish or Town Councils, where the project or activity has a clear benefit to the local community and is not replacing statutory provision
Schools, where the project or activity has a clear benefit to the wider community over and above statutory provision
National charities, where there is a local branch that is managed locally and has its own bank account
Churches or church groups, where the project or activity has a clear benefit to the wider community and is not promoting a specific religion or worship
Community Interest Companies (CICs), limited by guarantee without share capital (further conditions apply: see website for details)

Apply at any time (the scheme closes in January 2027 or sooner if all available funds are committed)

https://www.devon.gov.uk/communities/devon-county-community-grant/

3. Towns, parishes and communities in Devon can apply for small grants towards improvements to the roadside environment, including minor pothole repairs. The grants come from Devon County Council’s Highway Maintenance Community Enhancement Fund (HMCEF) and can be used for protective clothing, materials and tools for volunteers to do minor works to help maintain roads in their area.

The grants can be used for the following activities:

minor pothole repairs
clearing weeds
cleaning signs
cleaning drainage (gully grating)
repairing finger posts
managing verges for wildlife

Communities that are part of the council’s Road Warden Scheme have priority status for the HMCEF.

DCC also supports community volunteers through its Snow Warden Scheme which includes advice, training and access to 5 tonnes of free salt and grit.

Find out more about how DCC supports communities with road maintenance

Apply at any time!!

https://www.devon.gov.uk/devonhighways/funding

Grants are available to help voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations bring people together from different backgrounds and build social connections. The Common Ground Award has a total budget of £2.5m for the 2026-27 financial year to invest in physical spaces, facilities and equipment.

The award aims to support organisations successful in helping people connect with each other. In addition to the investment, it also helps build a community of practice for sharing knowledge about what works well in encouraging social cohesion.

Individual organisations can apply for a capital grant of £20,000 to £50,000; collaborative partnerships can apply for a capital grant of £100,000 to £250,000.

Applications are accepted from registered charities, CIOs, charitable companies limited by guarantee, CICs and CBSs. Unincorporated groups and organisations can also apply, provided they meet additional requirements set out in the Common Ground Award prospectus. Local authorities and other public-sector organisations are not eligible to apply. Capital grants are available for constructing or renovating facilities and spaces that enable organisations to deliver services bringing people from different backgrounds together to build community cohesion and resilience

Apply by - 12 October 2026

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/common-ground-award-2026-to-2027-prospectus