Capital projects

Funding for the purchase or construction of large assets – new buildings, extensions and refurbishments, vehicles, AV systems and other expensive equipment.

As with any charitable project, it’s worth considering the funders that will fund a wide variety of projects.

This page is updated annually. Spotted an error? Please let us know.

Landfill Operator Funds

Landfill operators have the option to redirect some of their tax liabilities to fund community and environmental projects in the vicinity of a landfill site. The project to be funded must be open to the general public for at least 104 days per year. Registered charities, local authorities and registered sports clubs are eligible to apply but check the specific eligibility criteria for each fund.

These funders will require a Contributing Third Party (CTP) to reimburse the landfill operator of around 11% of the amount awarded. So, for example, a grant of £10,000 will require a third party to make a payment of £1,100 directly to the landfill operator before the £10,000 is released. The CTP cannot directly benefit from the project. Find out more about landfill schemes here.

The following landfill operators fund capital projects in Cambridgeshire:

Mick George Community Fund

Grants of £10,000 to £50,000 (but usually under £35,000) for capital improvement works to public amenity projects, such as community centres and village halls, village greens, public playgrounds, sports fields and facilities, nature reserves, cycle paths and country parks. Any match funding (including the CTP – see above) must be secured before applying, and the total project cost should not exceed £100,000. Projects must be located within 10 miles of Mick George Ltd’s operations, but this includes most of Cambridgeshire – see the map here.

Amey Community Fund

Amey offers grants of £10,000 to £100,000 for projects within 10 miles of any landfill site, so most of Cambridgeshire is covered – see the map here. Projects must fall into one of three categories:

The provision, maintenance or improvement of a public park or other general public amenity.
The conservation of a specific species or a specific habitat where it naturally occurs.
The repair, maintenance or restoration of a place of worship or a place of historical or architectural importance, which is open to the general public.

Grants are only released when evidence of expenditure has been provided, and in no more than two instalments.

Biffa Award

Biffa has four schemes: Rebuilding Biodiversity, Community Buildings, Recreation and Partnerships. The first three offer grants from £10,000 to £75,000 for projects with a total cost under £200,000. Partnership grants go from £250,000 to £750,000. Projects must be within five miles of a significant Biffa operation or 10 miles of an active Biffa Landfill site.

FCC Community Action Fund

Previously known as WREN, FCC has landfill sites in Peterborough, Buckden and Milton, and applications are accepted for projects within 10 miles of these locations. This covers Cambridge, St Neots, Huntingdon, St Ives – see the map for more info. Grants from £2,000 to £100,000 are available for projects costing up to £500,000. Eligible projects include village halls, community centres and community spaces within churches, museums, public play areas, multi use games areas, skate parks, sport and recreation grounds including pavilions and clubhouses with full public access, nature reserves, public gardens, parks, country parks and woodlands.

Other Capital Funders

East Cambridgeshire – Community Facilities S106 Grant Funding

East Cambridgeshire District Council distributes the Section 106 funding raised from new housing developments via a grant scheme, which is open to non-profit constituted groups with the written support of the local parish council. It is exclusively for capital projects including new or upgraded community buildings, sports and leisure centres, play facilities and public open spaces. Facilities must be demonstrated as being viable and required because of the new development taking place.

East Cambridgeshire – Facilities Improvement Grant

Grants of up to £10,000 are available to improve village halls, community centres, sport and leisure centres, play facilities and public open spaces in East Cambridgeshire. Applicants must provide 15% match funding.

Garfield Weston Foundation

This fund covers a wide range of themes, applicants and costs, including capital. Regular grants are up to £100,000, with Major Grants over £100,000 for organisations with an annual income of more than £1m.

Sport England – Return to Play: Community Asset Fund

Grants of £10,001 to £50,000 for community organisations, sports clubs, statutory bodies and educational establishments to enhance local community spaces that encourage people to play sport and get active. This fund is currently focused on supporting clubs and community groups through the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Clothworkers’ Foundation

Grants to cover capital costs (including buildings, equipment and vehicles) for registered charities, CICs and other registered non-profit organisations (including special schools) working in the following areas:

alcohol and substance misuse
people with disabilities
disadvantaged minority communities
disadvantaged young people
domestic and sexual violence
older people
homelessness
prisoners and ex-offenders
visual impairment

There is no stated maximum grant but some match funding is required.

The Architectural Heritage Fund

This programme supports projects that will contribute to the transformation of high streets and town centres in England helping them become thriving places, strengthening local communities and encouraging local economies to prosper. There are four funds, including Transformational Project Grants, which offers up to £350,000 towards capital costs to restore redundant or underused, community-owned historic buildings in town centres and bring them back into use.

Arts Council England – Small Capital Grants

Grants of £100,000 to £500,000 for arts and cultural organisations whose capital project outcomes are arts focused and relate to the delivery of arts activity. This fund is closed while the Arts Council focuses on Covid-relief, but we’re including it here to keep it on people’s radars.

Foyle Foundation

Grants of £10,000 to £500,000 for UK registered charities to support the performing or visual arts and for projects that facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and learning. Both capital and revenue costs will be considered. The Capital Projects programme has been suspended until July 2021, whereupon it will consider major new building projects that have not started before July 2021.

Charles Hayward Foundation

This foundation will consider capital expenditure in all of its grant schemes, which address Social & Criminal Justice (up to £25,000) and Heritage & Conservation (up to £50,000). Registered charities must have an annual income over £350,000 to be eligible.

Hospice UK – Rank Foundation Awards

Grants of up to £20,000 for capital projects in adult hospices in the UK that are members of Hospice UK, that will have a direct impact on older patients. Applications are expected to be accepted again in 2021.