Grant aid

We award grants to organisations involved in providing community work, cultural or sport activities that improve the wellbeing of residents in the Epping Forest district.

Grants up to a maximum of £5,000 are available for one-off new projects, initiatives or further development of an existing scheme. You can apply for up to 50% of your total project costs, but applications cannot be made retrospectively.

Who can apply for grant aid

Organisations eligible for grant aid:

• Local voluntary and community groups
• Sports clubs
• Arts and culture groups
• Trusts
• Social enterprises
• Community interest groups

Priority will be given to groups which meet the following criteria:

• Charitable and/or non-profit making
• Are based or active in the Epping Forest district
• Provide services to meet key needs within the Epping Forest district
• Non-political
• Can show clear aims and objectives and effective strategies for achieving these
• Have considered alternative funding sources or put forward schemes as part of ‘match’ funding proposals
• Can show a clear need for financial support
• Have a bank or building account in the name of the applicant organisation

How to apply for grant aid

Apply online or download an application form.

Complete your application giving as much information as possible. Your application must include:

• A completed and signed application form (essential)
• A copy of your organisations most recent accounts and balance statement (essential)
• A copy of your organisations safeguarding policy (essential)
• A copy of organisations constitution (essential)
• An estimate of costs (essential)
• A  business plan (if applicable)
• Any plans or pictorial description of the project (if applicable)
• An application supporting statement (desirable)

Once completed, either click submit if using the online form, or send your application form and supporting documents to:

• Email grantaid@eppingforestdc.gov.uk

Key priority areas

Priority is given to groups in the following key priority areas:

• Children and young people
• Safer communities and the prevention of crime
• Environmental projects – protection of local heritage and improvement of local environment
• Community engagement
• Elderly, disadvantaged and/or disabled
• Improving quality of life by encouraging healthy and active lifestyles
• Encouraging residents to participate in sports, leisure and cultural activities
• Promoting independence
• Community activities and the use of local facilities
• Rural and social isolation

Grant deadlines

Meetings to discuss applications are held with the Portfolio Holder for Community and Partnerships, who is responsible for making decisions on grant applications.

Applications need to be submitted at least 3 weeks in advance of the meeting date to allow us time to process your application. The meeting dates and application deadlines are:

• June 2022 – Applications must be received no later than Tuesday 31^st May 2022 to be considered at this meeting.
• September 2022 – Applications must be received no later than Sunday 28^th August 2022 to be considered at this meeting.
• January 2023 – Applications must be received no later than Sunday 11^th December 2022 to be considered at this meeting.

Epping Forest Compact

The Epping Forest Compact 2020 (pdf 268KB) is an agreement between us and the Voluntary and Community Sectors (VCS) on the way we work together.

It is designed to benefit the local community by establishing an effective relationship and ensuring that energies and resources are not wasted and more joint working is possible.

Find out more

Read:

• EFDC Grant Aid guidance for applicants (pdf 168KB)
• EFDC Grant Aid criteria (pdf 157KB)
• EFDC Grant Aid FAQs (pdf 244KB)

Or contact us:

• Visit Community Grants Officer at Community Hub every Wednesday 2pm to 5pm (Civic Offices, 323 High St, Epping CM16 4BZ)
• Phone 01992 564096
• Email grantaid@eppingforestdc.gov.uk