Cambridgeshire Acre

Cambridgeshire ACRE, an independent charity and company founded in 1924, champions and strengthens rural communities across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough as a member of the national ACRE Network. Its core mission addresses rural disadvantage through empowerment, capacity building, and sustainable local action, fostering self-reliance, strong governance, and peer support. With deep local expertise, it uniquely combines place-based knowledge, networking, and hands-on guidance to drive systemic change in rural neighbourhoods, prioritising inclusive engagement, resilience, and evidence-led partnerships.

The funder supports community-led housing and planning, village hall and community building management, capacity building for hubs tackling social isolation, rural economy and employment initiatives, and environmental stewardship. Beneficiaries include parish councils, village halls, community centres, groups, social enterprises, statutory agencies, and rural individuals, with funded activities spanning volunteer training, safeguarding, infrastructure improvements, new community spaces like Living Rooms, local partnerships, and wellbeing services—always demonstrating direct rural benefit.

Eligible applicants are community groups and social enterprises based exclusively in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough, prioritising rural areas and small to medium-sized grassroots organisations with modest incomes (no strict thresholds). It does not accept unsolicited applications, instead delivering funding via strategic programmes, commissioned services, or partnerships (e.g., with councils or Defra), publicised on its website when available.

Grants typically range from £2,000 to £10,000 for capital improvements, project costs, or capacity building, excluding trustee remuneration or non-local activities. Prospective applicants must monitor the site or contact directly for open schemes, as no fixed deadlines or rolling calls exist, distinguishing Cambridgeshire ACRE as the principal rural umbrella body for enduring, partnership-driven impact.