Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Community Foundation

The Foundation supports a broad range of causes including arts and culture, heritage, education and skills, employment, environment, mental and physical health, poverty and hardship, homelessness, sport and recreation, community development, and support for refugees and migrants. It funds core costs, salaries, equipment, training, project delivery, events, and capital works. Beneficiaries include children and young people, older people, carers, refugees, homeless people, unemployed and disabled people, and the general public. All funded work must take place within Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland. The Foundation prioritises organisations that reduce barriers to participation and are locally managed, with a focus on groups that are less likely to receive funding from larger trusts.

Registered charities, social enterprises, and community groups based in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland can apply. The Foundation prioritises smaller, locally-led organisations that add value to existing services, actively engage their target community, and have a modest turnover with free reserves. It particularly welcomes applications from groups that are less likely to be funded by larger trusts. Beneficiaries include children and young people, older people, carers, refugees, homeless people, unemployed and disabled people, and the general public. Individuals and schools are not eligible.

The Foundation does not fund retrospective or deficit funding, loan repayment, building reserves, sponsorship of events, vehicle purchase or maintenance, or animal welfare unless the project directly benefits people. It also excludes salaries below the Real Living Wage, Zoom licences, and transport costs. Individuals and schools are not eligible to apply.

The Foundation makes one-off grants for core costs, salaries, equipment, training, project delivery, events, and capital works. It welcomes unsolicited applications and prioritises organisations that are locally managed and add value to existing services. Grants are designed to support grassroots solutions that engage the target community and reduce barriers to participation.