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Derbyshire grants

We know that Derbyshire residents have great ideas about what would make where they live better. We want to help them make this possible by providing grants to support local organisations turn good ideas into activity and projects which make a difference. This investment in local people and communities will create opportunities for them to adapt, develop and grow.


Grants are available to voluntary and community groups, clubs, local charities and not for profit organisations. Individuals and businesses are not eligible to apply for this scheme.

This programme is unable to support projects or activities that are taking place in Derby.

The grant funding allocation for 2022 and 2023 will total £1.5 million. We will be looking to grant fund projects or activities which meet the following 5 priorities and support residents and communities to:

  • feel safe and included in their local community
  • promote positive behaviours for young people and residents
  • be green and sustainable
  • increase civic participation and deliver community identified priorities
  • be physically active and make positive lifestyle choices

Grants will be available for 4 scaled categories of awards as follows:

  • small grants up to £1,000
  • medium grants between £1,001 to £20,000
  • large grants between £20,001 to £50,000
  • exceptional grants above £50,000

Small grants are an open application process with no deadlines so you can apply at any time. All the other grant categories will be subject to application rounds.

Due to the number of applications and interest in this grant funding programme, applications are temporarily closed for medium, large and exceptional grants following the last round closure on 01 April 2023. If you would like to register your interest in applying for a medium, large or exceptional grant you can do so by emailing grants@derbyshire.gov.uk.

Once the application process is reopened, you will be emailed an application pack, with the next deadline date for submission.

Conditions of support

The following conditions apply to all successful grant applications:

  • we retain the right to reclaim, at any time, all or part of the awarded money if it is not spent for the purpose it was granted
  • we retain the right at any time to reclaim any asset purchased from the awarded money which is no longer being used for the purpose it was granted
  • the group applying for funding is properly constituted - this means:
    • having a governing document or a list of governing members and a set of rules
    • a photocopy of the signed constitution / governing document to be provided if requested
    • the group must also have its own bank account
  • funding from the Derbyshire Grants Programme will be used for the specific purpose for which it is granted
  • no asset purchased from the awarded money will be sold or transferred without our prior agreement
  • the support will be recognised as a 'one off' award and does not imply our commitment to any future funding
  • projects will be expected to commence spending allocated resources within 6 months of receiving funds from us and confirming their organisations commitment to delivery, otherwise monies will be returned to us
  • the award will be recorded in the organisation's accounts / cashbook / bank book / bank statement / inventory which will be made available for our inspection if required
  • the organisation will provide receipted invoices at our request where awarded money is used to purchase goods / services.
  • our logo will be used in any publicity about the project
  • Disclosure and Barring Service checks should be obtained for anyone involved in the funded project that may work unsupervised with children, young people or other potentially vulnerable individuals
  • the organisation agrees to co-operate in any monitoring of the benefits and use of the grant and will complete a monitoring report at the end of the project
  • we will not be made responsible for any action of the organisation or anyone acting on its behalf
  • the organisation will recognise and support our commitment to safeguarding the environment, equal opportunities and diversity and will endeavour to ensure that the project does not have a detrimental impact
  • the organisation acknowledges that some or all of the awarded money may be used to fund or partly fund staffing costs, but not ongoing costs

Should this be the case the legal relationship will be between the member or members of staff and the organisation. The member or members of staff will have no legal relationship with us and will not become our employee. We will not be liable for any further payments in connection with staffing costs no matter how such liabilities may arise.

Assessment criteria for new grants

Criteria 1 - Clear evidence of need

Grants up to £1,000 evidence required:

  • explanation of how the project has been identified

Grants £1,001 to £20,000 evidence required:

  • explanation of how the project has been identified
  • evidence is used to demonstrate the needs of the area
  • consideration has been given to local people in its design (where appropriate)

Grants £20,001 to £50,000 evidence required:

  • sound case put forward that the project fulfils a need in an area
  • evidence is used to demonstrate the needs of the area
  • local people have been engaged in its design (where appropriate)

Grants over £50,000 evidence required:

  • excellent case put forward that the project fulfils multiple needs in an area
  • statistical evidence is provided in the identification of need
  • local people have been engaged in its design (where appropriate)

Criteria 2 - Meets our strategic outcomes and funding priorities

Grants up to £1,000 evidence required:

  • clear identification of the strategic outcomes the project will contribute to

Grants £1,001 to £20,000 evidence required:

  • clear identification of the strategic outcomes the project will contribute to
  • works towards meeting our strategic outcomes

Grants £20,001 to £50,000 evidence required:

  • clear link to our strategic priorities
  • works towards meeting our strategic outcomes
  • adds value to our work

Grants over £50,000 evidence required:

  • clear link to our strategic priorities
  • works towards meeting our strategic outcomes
  • adds value to our work
  • compliments other outcomes (or is unique)

Criteria 3 - Provides value for money

Grants up to £1,000 evidence required:

  • appropriate and fair costings

Grants £1,001 to £20,000 evidence required:

  • appropriate and fair costings
  • makes the best use of resources

Grants £20,001 to £50,000 evidence required:

  • appropriate and fair costings
  • makes the best use of resources
  • clear link made between the costs and the outcomes

Grants over £50,000 evidence required:

  • appropriate and fair costings
  • makes the best use of resources
  • clear link made between the costs and the outcomes
  • would be more costly for alternative provision to meet the identified need

Criteria 4 - Has lasting impact and sustainability

Grants up to £1,000 evidence required:

  • directly impacts Derbyshire residents
  • has a positive impact on the community

Grants £1,001 to £20,000 evidence required:

  • directly impacts Derbyshire residents
  • has a positive impact on the community
  • likely to be successful

Grants £20,001 to £50,000 evidence required:

  • directly impacts Derbyshire residents
  • highly likely to be successful
  • likely to have significant impact

Grants over £50,000 evidence required:

  • directly impacts Derbyshire residents
  • highly likely to be successful
  • highly likely to have a significant impact
  • aims to be sustainable and carry on after the grant has been spent

Please email grants@derbyshire.gov.uk or tel: 01629 536360 for an application pack stating whether you require an application form for a small, medium, large or exceptional grant.

Projects or activities that have already taken place are not eligible to apply for funding.