Community Grants Programme

Over £16m is available to community groups looking to buy buildings and assets valuable to the local community. The funding is managed via the Social Investment Business (SIB).

Communities will be able to get support to acquire and manage assets such as local shops, pubs, community centres, sports centres, a and libraries.
Pre-feasibility grants between £5,000 and £10,000 are on offer to help organisations build the internal capacity needed to take ownership of assets. Organisations that can show evidence of plans to take over land or buildings can apply for grants of between £10,000 and £100,000 to help undertake feasibility studies to take on asset ownership and management. You can work with SIB suggested specialist support providers or choose your own.

In addition to groups looking into taking over assets over £10m is available to community groups looking to take over local services using the new rights. Community groups can apply for funding to help them use the new Community Right to Challenge in the Localism Act. The Right came into force on 27 June and will empower local community organisations to take over a local service that they can run more effectively.

Pre-Feasibility grants between £5,000 and £10,000 are on offer to help organisations build internal capacity. You can work with SIB suggested specialist support providers or choose your own. 

Both Grant Programmes are an integral part of the Community Rights Support Programme.

Interested? http://www.sibgroup.org.uk/communityrights/

Interested organisations are advised to contact the Community Rights Advice Service at or call 0845 345 4564 to assess their suitability for the Grant Programmes.