Funding for New Community Business Ideas in England

Funding to support new community business ideas in England through the start-up and planning stages with tailored business support, to the implementation stage.

Not-for-profit organisations that have been established for five years or less that want to set up their own community business can apply now for business support and grants. The community business must be based in England and have a charitable purpose which meets charitable needs in the community.

To be considered for the programme, the community business must be locally rooted, trading for the benefit of the local community, accountable to the local community, and have broad community impact. In addition, it must deliver benefit in the seven core impact areas set out by the programme.

Successful organisations will receive business development support, grant funding of up to £15,000 which can be spent on specific activities to develop their idea, as well as learning and peer networking.

Groups that would like further details can register for a webinar on Tuesday, 3 March 2020 (13:30). The webinar will provide information on who can apply, what is a community business, what can be applied for and how support is delivered. It will also cover the application process including what makes a strong application.

The first step in the application process is to complete the eligibility checker. This must be done by 5pm on Monday 6 April 2020. The deadline for applications is the following day.

For more information please visit the My Community website here My Community – Bright Ideas Fund